As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2004
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
Commission File No. 0-30862
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD.
(Exact name of
Registrant as specified in its charter)
Israel
(Jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719,
Israel
(Address of
principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
(Title of each Class)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Ordinary Shares, Par Value NIS .01
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 24,675,313 Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.01 par value.
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 o
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant
has elected to follow: Item 17
o
Item 18
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ITEM 1. |
1 |
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ITEM 2. |
1 |
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ITEM 3. |
1 |
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ITEM 4. |
14 |
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ITEM 5. |
28 |
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ITEM 6. |
38 |
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ITEM 7. |
50 |
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ITEM 8. |
53 |
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ITEM 9. |
55 |
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ITEM 10. |
56 |
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ITEM 11. |
62 |
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ITEM 12. |
63 |
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ITEM 13. |
64 |
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ITEM 14. |
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds |
64 |
ITEM 15. |
64 |
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ITEM 16. |
64 |
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ITEM 16A |
64 |
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ITEM 16B |
64 |
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ITEM 16C |
65 |
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ITEM 16D |
65 |
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ITEM 16E |
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
65 |
ITEM 17. |
66 |
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ITEM 18. |
66 |
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ITEM 19. |
66 |
- i -
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data of Ceragon Networks Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries (together, Ceragon, the company we, or us) set forth below is derived from our consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and cover each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2003. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with Item 5 of this annual report entitled Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
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1999 |
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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Thousands |
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Consolidated Statement of |
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Revenues |
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$ |
4,552 |
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$ |
29,197 |
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$ |
24,852 |
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$ |
18,394 |
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$ |
34,421 |
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Cost of revenues |
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3,624 |
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16,605 |
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45,282 |
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|
12,791 |
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20,646 |
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Gross profit (loss) |
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928 |
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12,592 |
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(20,430 |
) |
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5,603 |
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13,775 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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5,000 |
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9,904 |
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12,967 |
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9,143 |
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8,946 |
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Less: grants and participations |
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1,621 |
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2,211 |
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2,660 |
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1,870 |
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1,976 |
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Research and development, net |
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3,379 |
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7,693 |
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10,307 |
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|
7,273 |
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6,970 |
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Selling and marketing, net |
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2,560 |
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8,790 |
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11,924 |
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9,130 |
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9,437 |
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General and administrative. |
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483 |
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1,926 |
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|
5,770 |
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|
2,031 |
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|
2,167 |
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Amortization
of deferred stock |
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1,758 |
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|
9,529 |
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6,431 |
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2,974 |
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|
1,354 |
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Restructuring
and non-recurring |
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-- |
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-- |
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4,750 |
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|
83 |
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|
(704 |
) |
Total operating expenses |
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8,107 |
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|
27,938 |
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|
39,182 |
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|
21,491 |
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|
19,224 |
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Operating loss |
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(7,252 |
) |
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(15,346 |
) |
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(59,612 |
) |
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(15,888 |
) |
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(5,449 |
) |
Financing income, net |
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(89 |
) |
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2,470 |
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2,769 |
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|
1,528 |
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|
1,159 |
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Other
financial expenses--non-cash |
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-- |
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-- |
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-- |
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-- |
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(3,432 |
) |
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Net loss |
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(7,341 |
) |
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(12,876 |
) |
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(56,843 |
) |
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(14,360 |
) |
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(7,722 |
) |
Dividend
related to convertible |
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-- |
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(22,328 |
) |
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-- |
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-- |
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-- |
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1
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1999 |
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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Net loss attributable to ordinary |
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$ |
(7,341 |
) |
$ |
(35,204 |
) |
$ |
(56,843 |
) |
$ |
(14,360 |
) |
$ |
(7,722 |
) |
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Basic and diluted net loss per share |
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$ |
(1.42 |
) |
$ |
(3.06 |
) |
$ |
(2.69 |
) |
$ |
(0.64 |
) |
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
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Weighted
average number of shares |
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5,161,000 |
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11,501,722 |
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21,099,336 |
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22,375,939 |
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23,063,160 |
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(a) Amortization of deferred stock compensation relates to the following:
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1999 |
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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Thousands |
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Cost of revenues |
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$ |
73 |
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$ |
603 |
|
$ |
400 |
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$ |
214 |
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$ |
109 |
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Research and development expenses |
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|
470 |
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|
3,408 |
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2,248 |
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|
958 |
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|
400 |
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Selling and marketing expenses |
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664 |
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|
3,085 |
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1,984 |
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|
1,072 |
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|
530 |
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General and administrative expenses |
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551 |
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2,433 |
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1,799 |
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|
730 |
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315 |
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Total
amortization of deferred stock |
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$ |
1,758 |
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$ |
9,529 |
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$ |
6,431 |
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$ |
2,974 |
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$ |
1,354 |
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All outstanding share options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because all these securities are antidilutive for the periods presented.
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1999 |
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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Thousands |
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
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Cash and
cash equivalents, short and |
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$ |
1,149 |
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$ |
80,320 |
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$ |
53,721 |
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$ |
43,173 |
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$ |
39,046 |
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Working capital |
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3,365 |
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104,558 |
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55,361 |
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30,386 |
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30,481 |
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Total assets |
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7,938 |
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128,050 |
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72,086 |
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61,640 |
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62,428 |
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Total long term debt |
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1,173 |
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1,025 |
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1,511 |
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1,825 |
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2,451 |
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Shareholders equity (deficit) |
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3,330 |
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111,068 |
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60,619 |
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|
49,266 |
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48,683 |
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Risk Factors
This annual report includes certain statements that are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our company, including, among other things:
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our strategy |
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market demand and acceptance of our products and technology |
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projected capital expenditures and liquidity |
2
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development of new products |
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the possibility of the market in which we compete being impacted by changes in political, economic or other factors, such as monetary policy, legal and regulatory changes or other external factors over which we have no control |
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our suppliers |
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue or other similar words, but are not the only way these statements are identified. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this annual report. These statements may be found in Item 4: Information on the Company and Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and in this annual report generally. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed in Risk Factors and elsewhere in this annual report.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this annual report might not occur.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We have a history of operating and net losses. We may not operate profitably in the future.
Although we reported a profit in the first quarter of 2004, we have incurred operating and net losses in every fiscal year since our inception and we may continue to incur losses in the future. We reported net losses of $7.3 million for 1999, $12.9 million for 2000, $56.8 million for 2001, $14.4 million for 2002 and $7.7 million for 2003. As of December 31, 2003, our accumulated deficit was $126.0 million. In order to meet expanding sales and operations requirements, our expenses may increase. As a result, net cash outflows and operating net losses may continue for the near term. If our sales do not increase or if our expenses increase at a greater pace than our revenues, continuing profitability may not be achieved. We may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Our quarterly financial performance is likely to vary significantly in the future. Our revenues and operating results in any quarter may not be indicative of our future performance. It may therefore be difficult for investors to evaluate our prospects.
Our quarterly revenues and operating results have varied significantly in the past and are likely to continue to vary significantly in the future. Fluctuations in our quarterly financial performance may result from the fact that we may receive a small number of relatively large orders in any quarter. The deferral or loss of one or more significant sales could materially affect our operating results in any fiscal quarter, especially if there are significant sales and marketing expenses associated with the deferred or lost sales. Because large orders generate disproportionately large revenues, our revenues and the rate of growth of our revenues for a particular quarter may reach levels that may not be sustained in subsequent quarters. Thus, our revenues and operating results in any quarter may not be indicative of future performance and it may be difficult for investors to evaluate our prospects.
Because of the continuing economic uncertainty in the global economy and continued tightening of global capital markets for telecommunications projects, the demand for our products and services may increase at a slower than anticipated rate.
Due to the continuing global economic uncertainty, and the continued tightening of the capital markets for telecommunications projects, our business opportunities in the United States, Europe, Asia and other countries and geographic regions where we conduct business may increase at a slower than anticipated rate. To the extent that the economic uncertainty and the global tightening of the capital markets continue, the demand for our products and services may increase at a slower than anticipated rate in these countries and geographical regions. This could result in our customers delaying or canceling the purchase of our products, which could have a negative impact on our revenues.
3
Our products have lengthy sales cycles. This adds cost to our sales efforts and uncertainty as to their results.
Our products have lengthy sales cycles. For example, it typically takes from six to twelve months after we first begin discussions with a prospective customer before we receive an order from that customer. Because of this, we are often required to devote more time to, and spend more money on, marketing our products than would be necessary if sales were made more quickly. We believe that the length of the sales cycles will continue to increase in light of the more conservative spending by many customers and potential customers due to current market conditions.
The loss of one or more of our key customers would result in a loss of revenues.
In certain fiscal quarters, relatively few customers have accounted for a large percentage of our revenues. Our business may be seriously harmed if we experience a loss of any of our significant customers, or we suffer a substantial reduction in orders from these customers. The worldwide telecommunications industry is dominated by a small number of large corporations, and we expect that a significant portion of our future product sales per quarter will continue to be concentrated in a limited number of customers. In addition, our customers typically are not contractually obligated to purchase any quantity of products in any particular period and product sales to major customers have varied widely from period to period. The loss of any existing customer, a significant reduction in the level of sales to any existing customer, or our inability to gain additional customers could result in further declines in our revenues. If these revenue declines occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.
We are dependent upon sales of our FibeAir family of products. Any reduction in demand for these products would cause our revenues to decrease.
All of our revenues are generated from sales of a single family of products, known as FibeAir. We expect sales of our FibeAir family of products to continue to account for all of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, we are more likely to be adversely affected by a reduction in demand for these products than companies that sell multiple product families. We also may not succeed in reducing the risk associated with any slowdown in demand for our FibeAir products.
We rely on a limited number of independent manufacturers to manufacture circuit boards and other components for our products. This could result in a disruption in supply of these components.
We currently rely on independent manufacturers to produce circuit boards and other components used in our products. We do not have long-term contracts with most of these independent manufacturers. We have experienced and may in the future experience delays in shipments from these manufacturers. This could delay product shipments to our customers. We may in the future experience other manufacturing problems, including inferior quality and insufficient quantities of components. These delays, quality problems and shortages could result in delayed deliveries, penalties, equipment replacement costs and possible cancellation of orders. If our manufacturers experience financial, operational, manufacturing capacity or other difficulties, our supply may be disrupted and we may be required to seek alternate manufacturers. In addition, due to continuing economic uncertainty, our suppliers have experienced and are continuing to experience various financial difficulties which may impact their ability to supply the materials, components and subsystems that we require. We may be unable to secure alternate manufacturers that meet our needs. Moreover, qualifying new manufacturers and commencing volume production is expensive and time consuming. If we are required or choose to change manufacturers, our sales and our customer relationships may suffer.
4
We obtain some of the components included in our products from a single source or a limited group of suppliers. If we lose any of these suppliers, we may experience production delays and a substantial loss of revenue.
We currently obtain key components from a limited number of suppliers. Some of these components are obtained from a single source supplier. Our dependence on a limited number of suppliers subjects us to the following risks:
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Our suppliers could increase component prices significantly at any time and with immediate effect. This would increase our component procurement costs and could result in reduced gross margins. |
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Our suppliers may experience shortages in components and interrupt or delay their shipments to us. This may delay our product shipments to our customers and result in penalties and/or cancellation of orders for our products. |
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Our suppliers could discontinue the manufacture or supply of components used in our systems. If this occurs and we are unable to develop alternative sources for components, we might need to modify our products. This would likely interrupt our manufacturing process and could cause delays in our product shipments. Moreover, a significant modification in our product design may increase our manufacturing costs and force us to accept lower gross margins. |
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We may purchase more inventory than is immediately required to compensate for potential component shortages or discontinuation. Such inventory can become obsolete. |
If sufficient demand for our broadband wireless products does not develop, we will not be able to generate significant revenues and we may not be profitable on an annual basis.
The acceptance of the broadband wireless equipment which we and our competitors sell as a means of delivering data, video and voice traffic will depend upon numerous factors, including:
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its capacity to handle growing volumes of traffic; |
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its cost effectiveness; |
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its reliability and security; |
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the availability of sufficient equipment, frequency bands and installation sites; and |
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its performance in extreme weather conditions. |
If our products do not address these factors in a manner which satisfies the requirements of prospective customers and end-users, the demand for our products may be adversely affected and we may not be able to generate significant revenues or operate profitably, despite our profitable first quarter of 2004.
If we do not succeed in developing and marketing new and enhanced broadband wireless products that keep pace with technological developments and our customers needs, our revenues may not increase.
The market for our products is new and emerging. It is characterized by rapid technological advances, changing customer needs and evolving industry standards. Accordingly, our success will depend on our ability to:
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develop and market new products in a timely manner to keep pace with developments in technology; |
5
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meet evolving customer requirements; |
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enhance our current product offerings; and |
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deliver products through appropriate distribution channels. |
We are continuously seeking to develop new products and enhance our existing products to support additional frequency bands and higher transmission speeds subject to current budget constraints. Developing new products and product enhancements requires significant capital expenditures and research and development resources and we are therefore being much more selective in these investments. We may not be successful in enhancing our existing products or developing new products in response to technological advances or to satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.
We face intense competition from other broadband wireless equipment providers. Our failure to compete effectively could hurt our sales.
The market for broadband wireless equipment is rapidly evolving, fragmented, highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change. Increased competition could result in reduced demand for our products, price reductions and reduced gross margins, any of which could seriously harm our business. A number of communications equipment suppliers, including Stratex Networks, Nera Telecommunications, Microwave Communications Division of Harris Corporation, NEC, Marconi, SIAE, Siemens AG, Alcatel, L.M. Ericsson, as well as several private companies currently in the startup stage, and a number of other companies have developed or are developing products that may compete with our products.
Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are and have longer operating histories and greater financial, sales, marketing, distribution, technical, manufacturing and other resources than we have. Some also have greater name recognition and a larger customer base than we have. Many of our competitors have well-established relationships with our current and potential customers and have extensive knowledge of our target markets. Some of our competitors have product lines that compete with ours, and are also original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through which we market and sell our products. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to evolving industry standards and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. We expect to face increasing competitive pressures from both current and future competitors. In addition, current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase their ability to gain market share rapidly. We also expect that industry consolidation will increase competition.
We believe that our ability to compete successfully will depend on a number of factors both within and outside our control, including price, quality, availability, customer service and support, breadth of product line, product performance and features, rapid time-to-market delivery capabilities, reliability, timing of new product introductions by us, our customers and our competitors, and the ability of our customers to obtain financing. We cannot assure you that we will have the financial resources, technical expertise, or marketing, sales, distribution, and customer service and support capabilities to compete successfully.
Competition and current market conditions have resulted in downward pressure on the prices for our products, which could result in decreased revenues.
We participate in a highly volatile industry that is characterized by vigorous competition for market share and rapid technological development. Furthermore, our customers and potential customers are increasingly concentrating on limitations and reductions on their capital expenditures as well as return on investment (ROI) in connection with their purchasing decisions. These factors have resulted in aggressive pricing practices and growing competition both from start-up companies and from well-capitalized telecommunication systems providers. Manufacturers of digital microwave telecommunications equipment are experiencing price pressure, which has resulted in downward pricing pressure on our products. Our future profitability is dependent upon our ability to improve manufacturing efficiencies, reduce costs of materials used in our products, and to continue to introduce new products and product enhancements. Any inability by us to effectively respond to such situation may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
6
We also face intense competition from broadband technologies that compete with wireless transmission which could hurt our sales.
Our products also compete to a certain extent with other high-speed communications solutions, including free space optics, low to medium capacity point-to-point radios, fiber optic lines, and other wireless technologies. Some of these technologies utilize existing installed infrastructure and have achieved significantly greater market acceptance and penetration than high-capacity broadband wireless technologies. We expect to face increasing competitive pressures from both current and future technologies in the broadband access market.
Consolidation within the telecommunications industry and among suppliers could decrease our revenues.
The telecommunications industry has experienced significant consolidation among its participants, and we expect this trend to continue. Some operators in this industry have experienced financial difficulty and have filed, or may file, for bankruptcy protection or have been or may be acquired by other operators. Other operators may merge and one or more of our competitors may supply products to such companies that have merged or will merge. This consolidation could result in purchasing decision delays by the merged companies and decrease opportunities for us to supply our products to the merged companies. We may also see similar consolidation among suppliers which may further decrease our opportunity to market and sell our products.
Our products may contain defects that could harm our reputation, be costly to correct, expose us to litigation and harm our operating results.
We and our customers have from time to time discovered defects in our products and additional defects may be found in the future. If defects are discovered, we may not be able to correct them in a timely manner or at all. Defects and failures in our products could result in a loss of, or a delay in, market acceptance of our products. In addition, defects in our products could cause adverse publicity, damage our reputation and impair our ability to acquire new customers. In addition, we may need to make significant capital expenditures to eliminate defects from our products or to replace defective equipment.
Moreover, because our products are used in critical communications networks, we may be subject to significant liability claims if our products do not work properly. The provisions in our agreements with customers that are intended to limit our exposure to liability claims may not preclude all potential claims. In addition, any insurance policies we have may not adequately limit our exposure with respect to such claims. We warrant to our current customers that our products will operate in accordance with our product specifications. If our products fail to conform to these specifications, our customers could require us to remedy the failure or could assert claims for damages. Liability claims could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or to pay significant damages. Any such claims, whether or not successful, would be costly and time-consuming to defend and could seriously damage our reputation and our business.
Line-of-sight limitations inherent in broadband wireless products may limit deployment options and have an adverse affect on our sales.
Broadband wireless products require a direct line-of-sight between antennas, potentially limiting the ability of our customers to deploy them in a cost-effective manner. Because of line-of-sight limitations, service providers often install broadband wireless equipment on the rooftops of buildings and on other tall structures. Communications service providers must generally secure roof rights from the owners of each building or other structure on which our products are installed. Any inability to obtain roof rights easily and cost effectively may cause a delay in deployment and increase the installation cost of our products or may cause customers not to choose to install broadband wireless equipment.
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The continuing global economic uncertainty has particularly affected telecommunications equipment manufacturers and service providers, and the demand for telecommunications equipment, such as ours, has diminished.
The global economic slowdown has resulted in reduced demand for advanced telecommunications equipment due to cost cutting and general spending limits imposed by telecommunications service providers. This has had a significant impact on products like ours.
Due to uncertainty and possible delays in deployment of advanced cellular networks, our revenues could be lower than expected due to delayed purchasing decisions by cellular customers for our products.
We have significantly increased sales to customers in the cellular market to support wireless requirements for second and third generation cellular networks. For sales in the cellular market, any delays by cellular providers in their second and third generation network deployment schedules could result in lower than expected revenues for us, since any such deployment schedule delays could result in delayed purchasing decisions by such customers.
Due to our significant volume of international sales and our rapid expansion into new markets, we are susceptible to a number of political, economic and geographic risks that could harm our business if they occur.
We are highly dependent on sales to customers outside the United States. We expect that international sales will continue to account for the majority of our net product sales for the foreseeable future. As a result, the occurrence of any international, political, economic or geographic events that adversely affects our business could result in significant revenue shortfalls.
Any such revenue shortfalls could cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to be harmed. Some of the risks and challenges of doing business internationally include:
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unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; |
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fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; |
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imposition of tariffs and other barriers and restrictions; |
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management and operation of an enterprise spread over various countries; |
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burden of complying with a variety of foreign laws; |
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general economic and geopolitical conditions, including inflation and trade relationships; and |
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payment delays and uncertainties. |
The unpredictability of our quarter-to-quarter results may harm the trading price of our common stock.
Our quarterly operating results may vary significantly in the future for a variety of reasons, many of which are outside of our control, and any of which may harm our business. These factors include:
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volume and timing of product orders received and delivered during the quarter; |
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our ability and the ability of our key suppliers to respond to changes made by customers in their orders; |
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timing of new product introductions by us or our competitors; |
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changes in the mix of products sold by us; |
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cost and availability of components and subsystems; |
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downward pricing pressure on our products; |
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adoption of new technologies and industry standards; |
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competitive factors, including pricing, availability and demand for competing products; |
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ability of our customers to obtain financing to enable their purchase of our products; |
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fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; |
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regulatory developments; and |
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general economic conditions in the United States and internationally. |
Our quarterly results are difficult to predict and delays in product delivery or closing of a sale can cause revenues and net income to fluctuate significantly from anticipated levels. In addition, we may increase spending in response to competition or to pursue new market opportunities. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain profitability in the future, particularly on a quarter-to-quarter basis.
Our stock price may be volatile, which may lead to losses by investors.
Announcements of developments related to our business, announcements by competitors, quarterly fluctuations in our financial results and general conditions in the telecommunications industry in which we compete, or the economies of the countries in which we do business and other factors could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially. In addition, recently, the stock market has experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. These factors and fluctuations could lower the market price of our common stock.
If sufficient radio frequency spectrum is not allocated for use by our products, and we fail to obtain regulatory approval for our products, our ability to market our products may be restricted.
Radio communications are subject to regulation by United States and foreign laws and international treaties. Generally, our products must conform to a variety of United States and international requirements established to avoid interference among users of transmission frequencies and to permit interconnection of telecommunications equipment. Any delays in compliance with respect to our future products could delay the introduction of such products.
In addition, both in the United States and internationally, we are affected by the allocation and auction of the radio frequency spectrum by governmental authorities. Such governmental authorities may not allocate sufficient radio frequency spectrum for use by our products or we may not be successful in obtaining regulatory approval for our products from these authorities. Historically, in many developed countries, the unavailability of frequency spectrum has inhibited the growth of wireless telecommunications networks. In addition, to operate in a jurisdiction, we must obtain regulatory approval for our products. Each jurisdiction in which we market our products has its own regulations governing radio communications. Products that support emerging wireless telecommunications services can be marketed in a jurisdiction only if permitted by suitable frequency allocations and regulations, and the process of establishing new regulations is complex and lengthy. If we are unable to obtain sufficient allocation of radio frequency spectrum by the appropriate governmental authority or obtain the proper regulatory approval for our products, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be harmed.
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We are increasingly engaged in supplying turnkey solutions to our customers, often in developing nations, which are subject to extensive acceptance testing procedures. Any loss of products and delay or failure in such acceptance tests would significantly affect our revenues and operating expenses.
As we continue to expand our geographic footprint, we are increasingly engaged in supplying turnkey solutions for our customers, often in developing nations. We act as prime contractor and equipment supplier for these projects and provide transportation, installation, testing, maintenance and various other services required for these projects. We typically bear the risks of loss and damage and title to our products until the customer has issued an acceptance certificate upon successful completion of rigorous acceptance tests. If our products are damaged or stolen, or if the products do not pass the acceptance tests, the customer could refuse to pay us and we would incur substantial costs, including fees owed to our subcontractors, increased insurance premiums, transportation costs, and expenses related to manufacturing the products. We would be unable to recognize any revenue generation from such projects in the event of such contingencies. Moreover, in such a case, we may not be able to repossess the equipment, thus, suffering additional losses.
Our products operate on government licensed radiospectrum frequencies. If a customer or end-user of our products is unable to secure such a license, or if a holder of a license files for bankruptcy and its license is unavailable, such customer or end-user of our products may be unable to provide wireless communications services in the optimal transmission frequency and may not deploy a wireless network using our products.
Our products operate on government licensed radiospectrum frequencies. Users of our products must either have a license to operate and provide communications services in the applicable frequency or must acquire the right to do so from another license holder. If unable to secure such a license, a customer or end-user may not deploy a wireless network using our products. If a license holder of such radiospectrum frequency files for liquidation, dissolution, or bankruptcy, substantial time could pass before those licenses are transferred, canceled, reissued, or made available by the applicable government licensing authority. Until the licenses are transferred, canceled, reissued, or otherwise made available, other operators may be precluded from operating in such licensed frequencies, which could decrease demand for our products. In addition, if the authorities choose to revoke licenses for certain frequencies, demand for our products may decrease as well.
If there is a change in government regulation, or if industry standards change, the potential markets for our products may become limited and we may need to modify our products. This may increase our product costs and adversely affect our ability to become profitable.
The emergence or evolution of regulations and industry standards for broadband wireless products, through official standards committees or widespread use by operators, could require us to modify our systems. This may be expensive and time-consuming. Radio frequencies are subject to extensive regulation under the laws of the United States, foreign laws and international treaties. Each country has different regulations and regulatory processes for wireless communications equipment and uses of radio frequencies. Any failure by regulatory authorities to allocate suitable, sufficient radio frequencies to potential customers in a timely manner could negatively impact demand for our products and may result in the delay or loss of potential orders for our products. In addition, if new industry standards emerge that we do not anticipate, our products could be rendered obsolete.
If we are unable to continue to license technology from third parties on reasonable terms, we may be precluded from selling products derived from licensed technology and we may be required to reduce the functionality of our products. This may adversely affect our sales.
We rely on technology that we license from third parties, including software that is integrated with internally developed software and used in our products to perform key functions. If we are unable to continue to license any of this software on commercially reasonable terms, we will face delays in releases of our products and may be required to reduce the operating capabilities of our products, for example, by reducing the number of operating systems on which our products operate, until equivalent technology can be identified, licensed or developed, and integrated into our current products.
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If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, we may be deprived of legal recourse against those who misappropriate our intellectual property.
Our ability to compete will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain and enforce intellectual property protection for our technology in the United States and internationally. We currently rely upon a combination of trade secrets, trademark, copyright, patents and contractual rights to protect our intellectual property. In addition, we enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, and enter into non-disclosure agreements with our suppliers and appropriate customers so as to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. We cannot assure you that any steps taken by us will be adequate to deter misappropriation or impede independent third party development of similar technologies. In the event that such intellectual property arrangements are insufficient, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. We cannot assure you that the protection provided to our intellectual property by the laws and courts of foreign nations will be substantially similar to the remedies available under United States law. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us based on foreign intellectual property rights and laws that are different from those established in the United States.
Defending against intellectual property infringement claims could be expensive and could disrupt our business.
The wireless telecommunications industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights, which has resulted in often protracted and expensive litigation. We may in the future be notified that we are infringing certain patent or other intellectual property rights of others. Such litigation or claim could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. In the event of an adverse result of any such litigation, we could be required to pay substantial damages, cease the licensing of allegedly infringing technology or the sale of allegedly infringing products and expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology or to obtain licenses for the infringing technology. We cannot assure you that we would be successful in developing such non-infringing technology or that any license for the infringing technology would be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Our non-competition agreements with employees may not be enforceable. If any of our employees leaves us and joins a competitor, our competitor could benefit from the expertise our former employee gained while working for us.
Our non-competition agreements with permanent employees in Israel prohibit these employees from directly competing with us or working for our competitors. However, under current law, we may not be able to enforce these agreements. If we are unable to enforce any of these agreements, our competitors may employ our former employees and benefit from the expertise our former employees gained while working for us. We do not have non-competition agreements with our employees outside of Israel, although we do have non-disclosure agreements with all employees and consultants worldwide.
Due to the size of their shareholdings, some of our shareholders, including Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel, have significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval. This could delay or prevent a change of control.
As of December 31, 2003, Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel, who are brothers that do not vote as a group and who do not have a voting agreement, beneficially own, directly or through entities they control, 24.5% of the outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, these shareholders may control the outcome of various actions that require shareholder approval. For example, they may be able to elect our directors, delay or prevent a transaction in which shareholders might receive a premium over the prevailing market price for their shares or prevent changes in control or management.
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If we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences, including higher tax rates and potentially punitive interest charges on the proceeds of share sales.
We do not believe that during 2003 we were a passive foreign investment company. Foreign companies may be characterized as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes if for any taxable year 75% or more of such companys gross income is passive income, or at least 50% of the average value of all such companys assets are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. If we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences. These consequences may include having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain income, and having potentially punitive interest charges apply to the proceeds of share sales.
Risks Relating to Our Location in Israel
Conditions in Israel may limit our ability to produce and sell our products. This could result in a decrease of our revenues.
Our principal offices, manufacturing facilities and research and development facilities are located in Israel. Political, economic and military conditions in Israel could directly affect our operations. We could be adversely affected by any major hostilities involving Israel, the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners, a significant increase in inflation, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel. Since October 2000, there has been an increase in hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, which has adversely affected the peace process and has negatively influenced our relationship with several Arab countries. Such ongoing hostilities may hinder Israels international trade relations and may limit the geographic markets where we can sell our products. Such events could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business.
Some neighboring countries, as well as certain companies and organizations, continue to participate in a boycott of Israeli firms and others doing business with Israel and Israeli companies. We are also precluded from marketing our products to certain of these countries due to U.S. and Israeli regulatory restrictions. Because none of our revenue is currently derived from sales to these countries, we believe that, the boycott has not had a material adverse effect on us. However, the boycott, restrictive laws, policies or practices directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses could adversely affect us.
Some of our executive officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform up to approximately 36 days of military reserve duty annually, depending on their age and prior position in the army. Additionally, they may be called to active duty at any time under emergency circumstances. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of one or more of our executive officers or key employees due to military service, and any significant disruption in our operations could harm our business. We believe that we have operated effectively given these requirements since we began operations. Nevertheless, the full impact on our workforce or business if some of our executive officers and employees will be called upon to perform military service, especially in times of national emergency, is difficult to predict.
We do not believe that the political and security situation has had any material impact on our business to date, however, we can give no assurance that it will have not have such effect in the future.
Because a majority of our revenues are generated in U.S. dollars and Euro while a portion of our expenses is incurred in new Israeli shekels, our results of operations would be adversely affected if inflation in Israel is not offset on a timely basis by a devaluation of the new Israeli shekel against the U.S. dollar.
A majority of our revenues are in dollars and Euro, while a portion of our expenses, principally salaries and the related personnel expenses for Israeli employees and consultants, local vendors and subcontractors, are in new Israeli shekels, or NIS. As a result, we are exposed to the risk that the rate of inflation in Israel will exceed the rate of devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar and/or Euro or that the timing of this devaluation lags behind inflation in Israel. This would have the effect of increasing the dollar cost of our operations and would therefore have an adverse effect on our dollar-measured results of operations.
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The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures limit our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received.
We currently receive grants from the Government of Israel through the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, or Chief Scientist, for the financing of a significant portion of our research and development expenditures in Israel. In 2001, 2002, and 2003 we received or accrued Chief Scientist grants totaling approximately $2.7 million, $1.9 million, and $2.0 million representing approximately 21%, 21%, and 22% respectively, of our total research and development expenditures in these periods. To maintain our eligibility for these grants we must continue to meet several conditions under the grant programs, including paying royalties with respect to the grants received. In addition, the terms of the Chief Scientist grants limit our ability to manufacture products or transfer technologies, outside of Israel, if such products or technologies were developed using Chief Scientist grants. In addition, if we fail to comply with any of the conditions imposed by the Chief Scientist, we may be required to refund any payments previously received, together with interest and penalties.
The tax benefits to which we are currently entitled from our approved enterprise program require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to pay increased taxes and would likely be denied these benefits in the future.
The Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor has granted approved enterprise status to investment programs at our manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv. When we begin to generate net income from these approved enterprise programs, the portion of our income derived from these programs will be exempt from tax for a period of two years and will be subject to a reduced tax for an additional five to eight years thereafter, depending on the percentage of our share capital held by non-Israelis. The benefits available to an approved enterprise program are dependent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated under applicable law and in the certificate of approval. If we fail to comply with these conditions, in whole or in part, or fail to get approval in whole or in part, we may be required to pay additional taxes for the period in which we benefited from the tax exemption or reduced tax rates and would likely be denied these benefits in the future. The amount by which our taxes would increase will depend on the difference between the then applicable tax rate for non-approved enterprises and the rate of tax, if any, that we would otherwise pay as an approved enterprise, and the amount of any taxable income that we may earn in the future.
The tax benefits available to approved enterprise programs may be reduced or eliminated in the future. This would likely increase our tax liability.
The Israeli government may reduce or eliminate in the future tax benefits available to approved enterprise programs. Our approved program and tax benefits thereunder may not continue in the future at their current levels or at any level. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would likely increase our tax liability. The amount, if any, by which our tax liability would increase will depend upon the rate of any tax increase, the amount of any tax benefit reduction, and the amount of any taxable income that we may earn in the future.
It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, and our officers and directors named in this annual report, to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel and to serve process on substantially all of our officers and directors.
We are incorporated in Israel. Substantially all of our executive officers and directors named in this annual report are nonresidents of the United States, and a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States, although a significant portion of our assets are located in the U.S. It may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a U.S. court judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws in an Israeli court or to effect service of process upon these persons.
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Provisions of Israeli Law could delay, prevent or make difficult a change of control and therefore depress the price of our shares.
Provisions of Israeli corporate law may have the effect of delaying, preventing or making more difficult a merger with, or acquisition, of us. The Israeli Companies Law generally provides that a merger be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the shares present and voting on the proposed merger at a meeting called upon at least 21 days notice. For purposes of the shareholder vote, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if a majority of the shares not held by the other party to the merger (or by any person who holds 25% or more of the shares or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other party or its general manager) have voted against the merger. Upon the request of any creditor of a party to the proposed merger, a court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there is a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of the surviving company. Finally, a merger may not be completed unless at least 70 days have passed since the filing of the merger proposal signed by both parties with the Israeli Registrar of Companies.
The Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if, as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, unless there is already another 25% or greater shareholder of the company. Similarly, an acquisition of shares must be made by means of a tender offer, if as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a 45% or greater shareholder of the company, unless there is already a majority shareholder of the company. In any event, if as a result of an acquisition of shares, the acquirer would hold more than 90% of a companys shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a tender offer for all of the shares. The described restrictions could prevent or make more difficult an acquisition of Ceragon which could depress our share price.
Also, Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock exchanges between an Israeli company and a foreign company, less favorable than U.S. tax laws. For example, Israeli tax law may, under certain circumstances, subject a shareholder who exchanges his ordinary shares for shares in another corporation, to taxation prior to the sale of the shares received in such stock-for-stock swap.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
History and Development of the Company
We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Israel on July 23, 1996 as Giganet Ltd. We changed our name to Ceragon Networks Ltd. on September 6, 2000, as part of the resolution of a dispute concerning the use of the word Giganet. We operate under the Israeli Companies Law, 1999. Our registered office is located at 24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719, Israel and the telephone number is 011-972-3-645-5733. Our world wide web address is www.ceragon.com. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Ceragon Networks, Inc., our wholly owned U.S. subsidiary and North American headquarters, located at 10 Forest Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652.
In the years ending December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, our capital expenditures, net of investment grants from the Government of Israel, were $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and were spent primarily on production equipment and leasehold improvements. These capital expenditures were financed by the proceeds from our initial public offering and our financings. We have satisfied all bank loans. We have no current commitments for capital expenditures.
Business Overview
We design, develop, manufacture and sell high-capacity wireless network equipment for cellular operators, fixed operators and private networks and enterprises. Our products provide high-speed, fiber-like transmission quality and can be deployed more rapidly and cost effectively than fiber optic lines. Our products operate over most of the 6-38 GHz high-frequency bands, which are licensed by various countries in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region for use by the end customer.
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We primarily target fixed and mobile communications service providers and private networks and enterprises that require high capacity connectivity. To date, our products have been commercially deployed in more than 50 countries by communications service providers, including local telephone companies and cellular telephone service operators, and large and medium corporate organizations. Cellular operators use our products to connect their cell sites or switch locations and to provide backhaul. Fixed operators use our products as an integral part of their high-capacity metropolitan ring and access networks. Private networks and enterprise customers, which include universities, financial institutions, corporate campuses, governments, and hospitals, use our equipment for their internal data and telecommunications needs. We sell our products through a direct sales force, systems integrators, distributors, resellers and original equipment manufacturers.
In general, the telecommunications equipment business is seasonal to the extent that sales in the first quarter of each calendar year are typically lower than in other quarters. Nevertheless, our historical results do not reflect such seasonality.
Products
Our product consists of a compact high-performance antenna, an outdoor unit, an indoor unit and our SNMP-based proprietary network management software. The antenna transmits and receives microwave radio signals. The outdoor unit controls the power transmission, converts IF signals to RF signals, and provides an interface between the antenna and the indoor unit. The outdoor unit is enclosed in a compact weather-proof enclosure, which is fastened to the antenna. The antenna is mounted on a pole which is typically mounted on a rooftop, poles or the side of a building. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit by a standard coaxial cable. The indoor unit:
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converts the transmission signals from digital to radio and vice versa; |
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processes and manages information transmitted to and from the outdoor unit; |
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aggregates multiple transmission signals; and |
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provides the physical interfaces to the wireline network. |
An antenna, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit comprise a terminal. Two terminals are required to form a radio link, which may extend across a distance of 30 miles and more. The specific distance depends upon the customers requirements, the modulation scheme chosen, the frequency utilized, the available line of sight, local rain patterns and antenna size. Each link can be controlled by our network management software or can be interfaced to the management network system of the communications service provider. We market our products under the name FibeAir. The FibeAir products utilize multiple modulation schemes, which increase the flexibility of our products by giving service providers the ability to choose between increased range or increased spectral efficiency. The FibeAir family includes the following products:
FibeAir 1500. The FibeAir 1500 system provides 155 Mbps of transmission capacity for various communications protocols using 16 QAM modulation method.
FibeAir 1528. The FibeAir 1528 system provides 155 Mbps of transmission capacity in a more spectrally efficient manner for various communication protocols using 128 QAM modulation method.
FibeAir 1500P. The FibeAir 1500P system provides 100 to 622 Mbps of transmission capacity over a 28/50/56 MHz channel using single or dual independent, hot swappable carriers with optional cross-polar interference canceller (XPIC) mechanism. Each carrier is equipped with a built-in software configurable modem, allowing 16, 32, 128 or 256 QAM modulation schemes for improved spectrum utilization.
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Network Management Protocol Software. We support our products with a full suite of network management tools designed to be easily integrated with communications networks of service providers, which are branded as CeraView® and PolyView.
CeraView. CeraView is an advanced SNMP-based management application which is used for complete configuring and monitoring operations of FibeAir systems. CeraView runs over Windows 95/98/2000/NT and UNIX Platforms, and offers a user-friendly graphical user interface. For large networks, CeraView is also designed to run over HP OpenView and SNMPc.
PolyView. PolyView is Ceragons family of network management applications that can be used to monitor network element status, provide statistical and inventory reports, download software and configuration to elements in the network, and other network-level operations. PolyView integrates with other NMS platforms, such as HP OpenView, to provide more comprehensive network management.
Our products can be managed locally by our management software or interfaced to the management network system of the communications service provider. Our network management software allows communications service providers to monitor performance and troubleshoot difficulties remotely from multiple locations.
Our Solution
Our wireless solutions possess the following capabilities:
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High-Speed Communications. Our products enable the delivery of full-duplex, high-speed Internet access and integrated data, video and voice communications at transmission speeds of 45, 100, 155, 311 and 622 Mbps, as compared to less than 10 Mbps attainable via commercially available DSL or cable or up to 16 Mbps attainable under commercially available point-to-multipoint systems. Our products deliver fiber-like transmission quality with error rates of less than one error per ten trillion bits transmitted. |
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Cost Effectiveness. Our products avoid the high costs associated with the deployment of fiber optic networks, including the cost of digging up streets, and obtaining municipal permits and rights of way to lay fiber optic lines. It is commonly estimated that digging costs for laying fiber optic lines in metropolitan areas are approximately $150 thousand per mile. Our wireless products further reduce costs because, unlike fiber optic lines, our products can be redeployed and reused at a negligible cost as customer needs change. |
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Rapid Deployment and Time to Market. Communications service providers can deploy our products and provide their business subscribers with broadband access within a matter of hours. Our products are light-weight, compact and easy to install and maintain. Our product set-up and configuration, including operating frequency channel, is determined by our proprietary management software. This feature simplifies the installation process and reduces installation time. Our products can be installed on rooftops, poles, or on the sides of buildings in a matter of hours, as compared to competing wireless products which may require days or weeks to deploy or fiber optic networks which may require months or years to deploy. Rapid deployment enables service providers to roll out service to subscribers and generate revenues quickly. |
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Multi-Protocol Options. Our products work with the most common transmission standards used in communications networks around the world. |
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Variety of Frequency Bands. Service providers select the optimal available transmission frequency based on the rainfall intensity in the transmission area and the desired transmission range. Regulators grant licenses to operate and provide communication services in various high frequency bands in each region. The high-frequency bands are allocated by government licensing authorities for high-capacity transmissions in the metropolitan area. Our products operate in the 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 23, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 38 GHz high-frequency bands, the principal licensed high-frequency bands currently available for commercial use throughout the world. |
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Meet Multiple Regulatory Standards. We design our products to meet North American and European standards. The European standards have been developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, commonly referred to as ETSI, and have been adopted in most countries excluding those in North America. With some minor modular modifications, any of our products originally assembled to comply with North American standards may be easily adapted by communications service providers for compliance with European standards and vice versa. The international compatibility of our products makes them attractive to global communications service providers and equipment vendors that deploy communications networks in North American and international markets. Global communications service providers and equipment vendors that invest significant time and effort in studying, testing and approving our products prior to their deployment in communications networks in North American or international markets may deploy our products on a more expedited basis in communications networks in the other markets as well. |
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Modular Architecture. Our products contain plug-in hot swappable units that can easily be replaced or exchanged in the field. Our modular product design enables us to standardize our manufacturing process cost efficiently and concurrently manufacture each product to satisfy the individual requirements of each service provider on an expedited basis. It also enables service providers to easily adapt our products for use in different network environments. For example, modularity enables service providers to easily change our products to support different communications protocols by simply replacing the relevant modular components. |
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Integrated Multiple Access Design. By replacing a module in our basic product, a service provider can allocate the transmission capacity and physical interfaces over multiple transmission lines. This unique feature substantially reduces the service providers costs by eliminating the need to purchase external equipment that would otherwise be needed for this purpose. |
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Scalability and Flexibility. We design our products to enable communications service providers to deploy them incrementally as demand for their services increases. This allows the communication service providers to match capital outlays with subscriber growth. Our customers can establish a wireless broadband network with a relatively low initial investment, in comparison to fiber optic lines, and later expand the geographic coverage area of their networks and increase the number of points that can be served on their networks as subscriber demand increases. |
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High Reliability and Availability. We design our products to match the reliability standard required by service providers, including 99.999% availability. This means that our products maintain connectivity 99.999% of the time, corresponding to approximately five minutes of down time per year, even under adverse weather conditions. This enables our customers to provide their subscribers with the same high availability as is offered by incumbent carriers using fiber optic networks. In addition, our products can be configured to provide full redundancy by connecting two radio links over the same frequency channel. This feature minimizes service interruptions. |
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Encryption. In the security area, we announced the first high-capacity wireless system to offer a built-in-DES-based encryption solution. Our user-friendly EncryptAir solution has been validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). |
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Multiple Modulation Schemes. The FibeAir product family utilizes multiple modulation schemes, including 16 QAM, 32 QAM, 128 QAM, and 256 QAM enabling broadband wireless service providers to choose between increased range, and increased spectral efficiency. |
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Add Drop Multiplexer (ADM). In 2002, we introduced the industrys first fixed wireless SONET/SDH system with a built-in add-drop-multiplexer. The integrated FibeAir solution relieves network operators of the need to install a stand alone ADM at each backbone connection. |
These benefits may be offset by the following disadvantages and limitations of our wireless solutions, which are common to competing wireless point-to-point telecommunications products. Such disadvantages include:
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Extreme Weather Conditions. Our products may not operate optimally in certain extreme weather conditions, including severe rainfalls or hurricanes. |
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Line-of-Sight Limitations. Because our products require a direct line-of-sight between antennas, service providers often install our products on rooftops of buildings and on other tall structures. As a result, service providers must generally secure roof rights from the owners of each building or other structure on which our products are installed. This may delay deployment and increase the installation cost of our products or cause service providers not to install broadband wireless equipment. |
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Frequency Bands. To operate our products, service providers must either have a license to operate and provide communications services in the optimal available transmission frequency, or acquire the right to do so from a licensee. If a service provider is unable to secure such a license, it will not be able to operate and provide wireless communications services in the optimal transmission frequency. This may deter a service provider from deploying a wireless network. |
Network Applications
Our FibeAir products are deployed in various network applications, based on the network architecture and communications transmission requirements of our customers. These networks include:
IP/Fast Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet Networks. Internet protocol, or IP, is the transmission standard of the Internet and private data networks. Fast Ethernet is the physical 100 Mbps interface most commonly used for high-speed IP connections. Our products deliver full 100 Mbps throughput for fast Ethernet. Our products also deliver two fast Ethernet channels over a single 155 Mbps system. Dynamic bandwidth allocation is used to share the overall capacity between the two fast Ethernet channels. Each fast Ethernet channel can provide a separate, secure connection to a business subscriber. This feature substantially reduces the service providers costs by eliminating the need to purchase external equipment or double the links. Our products also deliver Gigabit Ethernet for ultra-high capacity IP connections in metropolitan rings, high speed access connections, and private networks.
ATM Networks. Asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM, is a high-capacity communications protocol. An ATM network is a packet network that supports real-time voice and video content, as well as data. ATM networks transmit all traffic in small constantly-sized packets or cells. The constant cell size enables voice and video content to be processed and transmitted effectively.
SONET/SDH Networks. Synchronous optical network, or SONET, and its European counterpart, synchronous digital hierarchy, or SDH, are the basic network communications protocols, or standards, that exist today for intercity and international connectivity. These standards are generally utilized in a fiber optic network organized in a ring formation. The ring formation uses at least two transmission paths, or links, to each point so that traffic is rerouted in the other direction if a link in the ring formation fails.
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IP/Fast Ethernet Over SONET/SDH Networks. Our products directly deliver IP packets over SONET/SDH protocols. This unique feature enables our customers to connect our products to the SONET/SDH backbone, and deliver the IP transmission over the entire SONET/SDH network infrastructure. This feature substantially reduces the service providers costs by eliminating the need to purchase an expensive router to convert the Ethernet traffic into SONET/SDH frames.
Customer Service and Support
We are committed to providing our customers with high levels of service and support. We support our products with documentation and training courses tailored to our customers various needs. Our sales and network field engineering services personnel work closely with customers, third party integrators and others to coordinate network design, ensure successful installation and provide continuous customer support. We provide technical assistance and customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have the capability to remotely monitor the in-network performance of our products and diagnose and address problems that may arise. We assist our customers in utilizing our network management software within their own internal network operations control centers.
Customers and Markets
We began selling our products commercially during the second half of 1998. Our products are currently used by more than 100 customers in over 50 countries.
We generally have written purchase agreements with our major customers. These agreements typically do not contain minimum purchase commitments.
Our principal end-user customers are cellular operators, fixed operators, and private networks and enterprises, such as financial institutions, hospitals, universities, corporations and governments. We currently focus on worldwide markets. We target three principal applications for our products:
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providing cellular operators with high capacity connectivity to support increases in subscribers, call sites, and data-rich applications for their cell sites and switching locations; |
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providing connectivity among points in a ring, access formation, and ADSL backhaul; and |
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providing connectivity within campuses of corporations or other organizations for their internal networks. |
The following table summarizes the distribution of our revenues by geographic market, stated as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:
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Region |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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North America |
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38.30 |
% |
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19.70 |
% |
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26.90 |
% |
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EMEA* |
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53.00 |
% |
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63.00 |
% |
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59.50 |
% |
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Asia-Pacific
and Latin |
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8.70 |
% |
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17.30 |
% |
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13.60 |
% |
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* Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Distribution Channels
In 2003, we sold our products through distributors, resellers, third party integrators and original equipment manufacturers.
Direct Sales
We currently utilize a direct sales force to serve our worldwide customers. Our direct sales force targets cellular and fixed operators, distributors and resellers. Our direct sales force also helps us build long-term relationships with actual and potential purchasers and end-users, whether they are direct customers or end-users.
Marketing Efforts
The principal goal of our marketing program is to educate existing and potential customers about the capabilities and benefits of our products. We are also committed to developing and enhancing the awareness of our company and our products. Our marketing efforts include advertising, public relations and participation in industry trade shows and conferences.
Manufacturing and Assembly
Our manufacturing operations consist of materials planning and procurement, assembly of indoor units and outdoor units, final product assurance testing, quality control and packaging and shipping. We conduct the majority of these operations at our facility in Tel Aviv. We have a flexible assembly process that is designed to reduce our assembly cycle time and reduce our need to maintain a large inventory of finished goods. We extensively test our products, both during and after the assembly process, using internally developed product assurance testing procedures. The components for our products come primarily from the United States, Europe and Asia. We currently do not have any difficulties with the supply of components, and except with respect to the explanations in Risk Factors, we do not anticipate any difficulties in the near future.
In addition to our own manufacturing operations, we contract with third parties to manufacture and assemble circuit boards and other components used in our products and to assemble and test indoor units and outdoor units for us. Each of these third parties is owned and operated independently of us and does not exclusively provide services to Ceragon. In 2001, we entered into an agreement with a manufacturer to assemble and test our indoor units for an initial two year term. At the end of the initial two year term, this agreement automatically renews every twelve months, unless terminated by either party six months prior to the end of any such term. This agreement has not been terminated and has been automatically renewed in accordance with the terms thereof. In 2004, we entered into an agreement with an additional third party to provide turnkey manufacturing services to supplement our manufacturing line for certain of our indoor units. At the end of an initial two-year term, this agreement automatically renews every twelve months, unless terminated by either party six months prior to the end of any such term. We have also entered into two agreements with different third parties for the manufacture and testing of our outdoor units. See Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.
We comply with standards promulgated by the International Organization for Standardization and have received certification under the ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 14000 standards. These standards define the procedures required for the manufacture of products with predictable and stable performance and quality, as well as environmental guidelines for our operations.
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Competition
The market for broadband wireless equipment is rapidly evolving, fragmented, highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change. We expect competition to persist, intensify and increase in the future, especially if rapid technological developments occur in the broadband wireless equipment industry or in other competing high-speed access technologies.
We compete with a number of U.S. and international wireless equipment providers that vary in size and in the types of products and solutions they offer. Our primary competitors are companies that offer point-to-point wireless network solutions, including Stratex Networks, Nera Telecommunications, Microwave Communications Division of Harris Corporation, NEC, Marconi, SIAE, Siemens AG, Alcatel, L.M. Ericsson, as well as several private companies currently in the startup stage, and a number of other companies have developed or are developing products that compete with ours. We believe we compete principally on the basis of:
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product performance, design, features and inter-operability; |
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product quality and reliability; |
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price; |
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ability to deliver products on a timely basis; and |
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technical support and customer service. |
Our products also compete with other high-speed communications solutions, including fiber optic lines, free space optics (to a limited extent), and other wireless technologies.
Intellectual Property
To safeguard our proprietary technology, we rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements with our customers, third-party distributors, consultants and employees, each of which affords only limited protection. We have a policy which requires all of our employees to execute employment agreements which contain confidentiality provisions.
The protective steps we have taken may be inadequate to deter misappropriation of our technology and information. We may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of, or take appropriate steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights. Some of the countries in which we sell our products do not protect a companys intellectual property to the same extent as the United States and Israel. In addition, our competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. Any licenses for intellectual property that might be required for our services or products may not be available on reasonable terms.
We have registered trademarks for the standard character mark Ceragon Networks and our logo in the United States, Israel, and the European Union, and for the standard character mark Ceragon Networks in Canada. We have registered trademarks for our design mark for FibeAir in the United States, Israel and the European Union. We have applied for a trademark in the United States for the standard character mark FibeAir. We also have registered trademarks for the standard character mark CeraView in the United States, Israel and the European Union.
Conditions in Israel
We are incorporated under the laws of, and our principal offices and manufacturing and research and development facilities are located in, the State of Israel. Therefore, we are directly affected by political and military conditions which are discussed in the Risks Relating to our Location in Israel in Item 3 above, and economic conditions in Israel, which could affect our U.S. shareholders.
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Economic Conditions
Israels economy has been subject to numerous destabilizing factors, including a period of rampant inflation in the early to mid-1980s, low foreign exchange reserves, fluctuations in world commodity prices, military conflicts and civil unrest. The Israeli government has intervened in various sectors of the economy by utilizing fiscal and monetary policies, import duties, foreign currency restrictions and control of wages, prices and foreign currency exchange rates. In 1998, the Israeli currency control regulations were liberalized significantly to allow Israeli residents to deal in foreign currency and non-residents of Israel to purchase and sell Israeli currency and assets. The Israeli government has periodically changed its policies in these areas. There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on remittances of dividends on the ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares. However, legislation remains in effect under which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.
The Israeli governments monetary policy contributed to relative price and exchange rate stability in recent years, despite fluctuating rates of economic growth and an increasingly high rate of unemployment. We cannot assure you that the Israeli government will be successful in its attempts to keep prices and exchange rates stable. Price and exchange rate instability may have a material adverse effect on us.
Trade Relations
Israel is a member of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation. Israel is a member of the World Trade Organization and is a signatory to the General Agreement on Trade in Services. In addition, Israel has been granted preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences from the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan. These preferences allow Israel to export products covered by these programs either duty-free or at reduced tariffs.
Israel and the European Union concluded a free trade agreement in July 1975 which confers various advantages on Israeli exports to most European countries and obligates Israel to lower its tariffs on imports from these countries over a number of years. In 1985, Israel and the United States entered into an agreement to establish a free trade area. The free trade area has eliminated all tariff and specified non-tariff barriers on most trade between the two countries. On January 1, 1993, an agreement between Israel and the European Free Trade Association, known as the EFTA, established a free-trade zone between Israel and EFTA nations. In November 1995, Israel entered into a new agreement with the European Union, which includes modified rules of origin and other improvements, including providing for Israel to become a member of the research and technology programs of the European Union. In recent years, Israel has established commercial and trade relations with a number of other nations, including Russia, China, India, Turkey and other nations in Eastern Europe and Asia.
Israeli Tax Considerations and Government Programs
The following is a summary of the current tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us. The following also contains a discussion of the Israeli government programs benefiting us. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure you that the tax authorities or the courts will accept the views expressed in this discussion. The discussion is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal or professional tax advice and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations.
Tax Reform
On January 1, 2003, the Law for Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance (Amendment No. 132), 5762-2002, known as the Tax Reform, came into effect.
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The Tax Reform, aimed at broadening the categories of taxable income and reducing the tax rates imposed on employment income, introduced the following, among other things:
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Reduction of the tax rate levied on capital gains (other than gains deriving from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003, to a general rate of 25% for both individuals and corporations. Regarding assets acquired prior to January 1, 2003, the reduced tax rate will apply to a proportionate part of the gain, in accordance with the holding periods of the asset, before or after January 1, 2003, on a linear basis; |
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Imposition of Israeli tax on all income of Israeli residents, individuals and corporations, regardless of the territorial source of income, including income derived from passive sources such as interest, dividends and royalties; |
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Introduction of controlled foreign corporation (CFC) rules into the Israeli tax structure. Generally, under such rules, an Israeli resident who holds , directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the rights in a foreign corporation whose shares are not publicly traded (or which has offered less than 30% of its shares or any rights to its shares to the public), in which more than 50% of the rights are held directly or indirectly by Israeli residents, and a majority of whose income in a tax year is considered passive income, will be liable for tax on the portion of such income attributed to his holdings in such corporation, as if such income were distributed to him as a dividend; |
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Imposition of capital gains tax on capital gains realized by Israeli individuals as of January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares of publicly traded companies on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and from the sale of shares of publicly traded Israeli companies on certain other stock exchanges (such gain was previously exempt from capital gains tax in Israel in certain cases). For information with respect to the applicability of Israeli capital gains taxes on the sale of our ordinary shares, see Israeli Capital Gains Tax on Sales of Shares below; |
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Introduction of a new regime for the taxation of shares and options issued to employees and officers (including directors); and |
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Introduction of tax at a rate of 25% on dividends paid by one Israeli company to another (which are generally not subject to tax), if the source of such dividend is income that was derived outside of Israel. |
Tax Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959
The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, commonly referred to as the Investments Law, provides that a proposed capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of the State of Israel, be designated as an approved enterprise. The Investments Law will expire on October 30, 2004, unless its terms will be extended. Accordingly, requests for new programs or expansions that are not approved on or before June 30, 2004 will not confer any tax benefits, unless the term of the law will be extended. Each certificate of approval for an approved enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its capital sources, and by its physical characteristics, for example, the equipment to be purchased and utilized under the program. The tax benefits derived from any certificate of approval relate only to taxable income attributable to the specific approved enterprise. If a company has more than one approval or only a portion of its capital investments is approved, its effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the applicable rates.
Taxable income of a company derived from an approved enterprise is subject to company tax at the maximum rate of 25%, rather than 36%, for the benefit period. This period is ordinarily seven or ten years depending upon the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, and whether the company qualifies as a foreign investors company as described below, commencing with the year in which the approved enterprise first generates taxable income. However, this period is limited to twelve years from commencement of production or fourteen years from the date of approval, whichever is earlier. Tax benefits under the Investments Law shall also apply to income generated by a company from the grant of a usage right with respect to know-how developed by the Approved Enterprise, income generated from royalties, and income derived from a service which is auxiliary to such usage right or royalties, provided that such income is generated within the Approved Enterprises ordinary course of business.
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A company owning an approved enterprise may elect to forego certain government grants extended to Approved Enterprise in return for an alternative package of benefits. Under the alternative package of benefits, a companys undistributed income derived from an approved enterprise will be exempt from company tax for a period of between two and ten years from the first year of taxable income, depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, and the company will be eligible for a reduced tax rate for the remainder of the benefits period.
A company that has an approved enterprise program is eligible for further tax benefits if it qualifies as a foreign investors company. A foreign investors company is a company in which more than 25% of its share capital and combined share and loan capital is owned by non-Israeli residents. A company that qualifies as a foreign investors company and has an approved enterprise program is eligible for tax benefits for a ten year benefit period. Depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, income derived from the approved enterprise program may be exempt from tax on its undistributed income for a period of between two and ten years and will be subject to a reduced tax rate for an additional benefits period of up to eight years. The tax rate for the additional benefits period is 25%, unless the level of foreign investment exceeds 49%, in which case the tax rate is 20% if the foreign investment is 49% or more and less than 74%; 15% if 74% or more and less than 90%; and 10% if 90% or more. A company that has elected the alternative package of benefits and that subsequently pays a dividend out of income derived from the approved enterprise during the tax exemption period will be subject to tax on the amount distributed. The tax rate will be the rate which would have been applicable had the company not elected the alternative package of benefits. This rate is generally 10%-25%, depending on the percentage of the companys shares held by foreign shareholders. The dividend recipient is subject to withholdings of tax at the source by the company at the rate applicable to dividends from approved enterprises, which is 15% if the dividend is distributed during the tax exemption period or within 12 years after the period.
Subject to applicable provisions concerning income under the alternative package of benefits, all dividends paid by a company are considered to be attributable to the entire enterprise and their effective tax rate is the result of a weighted average of the various applicable tax rates. Under the Investments Law, a company that has elected the alternative package of benefits is not obliged to distribute exempt retained profits, and may generally decide from which years profits to declare dividends. We currently intend to reinvest any income derived from our approved enterprise programs and not to distribute the income as a dividend. In the event that we pay a cash dividend from income that is derived from our Approved Enterprise and, thus, is tax exempt, we would be required to pay tax at the rate which would have been applicable had we not elected the alternative package of benefits (generally 10%-25%, as described above), and to withhold 15% at the source for the dividend recipient, on the amount distributed and the corporate tax thereon.
The Investment Center bases its decision whether or not to approve an application, among other things, on the criteria in the Investments Law and regulations, the then prevailing policy of the Investment Center and the specific objectives and financial criteria of the applicant. Therefore, we cannot assure you that any of our applications will be approved. In addition, the benefits available to an approved enterprise are conditional upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investments Law and its regulations and the criteria in the specific certificate of approval, as described above. If a company does not meet these conditions, in whole or in part, it would be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, with the addition of the consumer price index linkage adjustment and interest.
The Investment Center has granted approved enterprise status under Israeli law to an investment program at our manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv and we have derived and expect to continue to derive a substantial portion of our income from this program. Additionally, an investment program at our former Jerusalem facility had been granted approved enterprise status. Following the closing of the Jerusalem facility in 2001, we received approval to transfer the approved enterprise program from Jerusalem to our Tel Aviv facility. We have elected the alternative package of benefits under these approved enterprise programs. Assuming there is no change in the applicable law, the portion of our income derived from these approved enterprise programs will be exempt from tax for a period of two years commencing in the first year in which there is taxable income and will be subject to a reduced company tax of up to 25% for the subsequent period of five years, or eight years if the percentage of non-Israeli investors who hold our ordinary shares exceeds 25%. The benefits available to an approved enterprise program are dependent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in applicable law and in the certificate of approval. The period of tax benefits for our approved enterprise programs has not yet commenced, because we have yet to realize taxable income.
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Grants under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984
The Government of Israel encourages research and development projects through the Office of Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, or the Office of the Chief Scientist, pursuant to the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, commonly referred to as the R&D Law. Grants received under such programs are repaid through a mandatory royalty based on revenues from products incorporating know-how developed with the grants. This government support is condition upon our ability to comply with certain applicable requirements and conditions specified in the Office of the Chief Scientists program and with the provisions of the R&D Law.
Under the R&D Law, research and development programs that meet specified criteria and are approved by the research committee of the Office of the Chief Scientist are eligible for grants of up to 50% of certain approved expenditures of such programs, as determined by the research committee.
In exchange, the recipient of such grants is required to pay the Office of the Chief Scientist royalties from the revenues derived from products incorporating know-how developed within the framework of each such program or derived from such program (including ancillary services in connection with such program), usually up to an aggregate of 100% of the dollar-linked value of the total grants received in respect of such program, plus interest. The royalty rates applicable to our programs range from 3% to 3.5%, and as of 2004, the royalty rate is 3.5%.
The R&D Law generally requires that the product developed under a program be manufactured in Israel. However, upon the approval of the Chief Scientist, some of the manufacturing volume may be performed outside of Israel, provided that the grant recipient pays royalties at an increased rate, which may be substantial, and the aggregate repayment amount is increased to 120%, 150% or 300% of the grant, depending on the portion of the total manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel, unless the Chief Scientist grants a special ruling allowing such foreign manufacture without increased royalties. Effective April 1, 2003, the R&D Law also allows for the approval of grants in cases in which the applicant declares that part of the manufacturing will be performed outside of Israel or by non-Israeli residents and the research committee is convinced that doing so is essential for the execution of the program. This declaration will be a significant factor in the determination of the Office of Chief Scientist whether to approve a program and the amount and other terms of benefits to be granted. For example, the increased royalty rate and repayment amount will be required in such cases.
The R&D Law also provides that know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to third parties in Israel without the approval of the research committee. Such approval is not required for the export of any products resulting from such research or development. The R&D Law further provides that the know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to any third parties outside Israel.
The R&D Law imposes reporting requirements with respect to certain changes in the ownership of a grant recipient. The law requires the grant recipient and its controlling shareholders and interested parties to notify the Office of the Chief Scientist of any change in control of the recipient or a change in the holdings of the means of control of the recipient that results in a non-Israeli becoming an interested party directly in the recipient and requires the new interested party to undertake to the Office of the Chief Scientist to comply with the R&D Law. In addition, the rules of the Office of the Chief Scientist may require prior approval of the Office of the Chief Scientist or additional information or representations in respect of certain of such events. For this purpose, control is defined as the ability to direct the activities of a company other than any ability arising solely from serving as an officer or director of the company. A person is presumed to have control if such person holds 50% or more of the means of control of a company. Means of control refers to voting rights or the right to appoint directors or the chief executive officer. An interested party of a company includes a holder of 5% or more of its outstanding share capital or voting rights, its chief executive officer and directors, someone who has the right to appoint its chief executive officer or at least one director, and a company with respect to which any of the foregoing interested parties owns 25% or more of the outstanding share capital or voting rights or has the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors. Accordingly, any non-Israeli who acquires 5% or more of our ordinary shares will be required to notify the Office of the Chief Scientist that it has become an interested party and to sign an undertaking to comply with the R&D Law.
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The funds available for Office of the Chief Scientist grants out of the annual budget of the State of Israel have been reduced in the past and may be further reduced in the future. We cannot predict whether, if at all, we would be entitled to any future grants or the amounts of any such grants.
Tax Benefits and Grants for Research and Development
Israeli tax law allows, under specific conditions, a tax deduction in the year incurred for expenditures, including capital expenditures, relating to scientific research and development projects, for the year in which they are incurred if:
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the expenditures are approved by the relevant Israeli government ministry, determined by the field of research; |
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the research and development is for the promotion or development of the company; and |
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the research and development is carried out by or on behalf of the company seeking the deduction. |
However, the amount of such deductible expenses shall be reduced by the sum of any funds received through government grants for the finance of such scientific research and development projects. Expenditures not so approved are deductible over a three-year period.
Tax Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969
According to the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, generally referred to as the Industry Encouragement Law, an industrial company is a company resident in Israel, at least 90% of the income of which, in a given tax year, determined in Israeli currency exclusive of income from specified government loans, capital gains, interest and dividends, is derived from an industrial enterprise owned by it. An industrial enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity.
Under the Industry Encouragement Law, industrial companies are entitled to the following preferred corporate tax benefits, among others:
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deduction of purchases of know-how and patents over an eight-year period for tax purposes; |
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deduction over a three-year period of specified expenses incurred with the issuance and listing of shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange or, on or after January 1, 2003, on a recognized stock exchange outside of Israel; |
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the right to elect, under specified conditions, to file a consolidated tax return with additional related Israeli industrial companies; and |
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accelerated depreciation rates on equipment and buildings. |
Eligibility for benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority.
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We believe that we currently qualify as an industrial company within the definition of the Industry Encouragement Law. We cannot assure you that we will continue to qualify as an industrial company or that the benefits described above will be available to us in the future.
Special Provisions Relating to Taxation under Inflationary Conditions
The Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 1985, generally referred to as the Inflationary Adjustments Law, represents an attempt to overcome the problems presented to a traditional tax system by an economy undergoing rapid inflation. The Inflationary Adjustments Law is highly complex. The features that are material to us can be described as follows:
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When the value of a companys equity, as calculated under the Inflationary Adjustments Law, exceeds the depreciated cost of Fixed Assets (as defined in the Inflationary Adjustments Law), a deduction from taxable income is permitted equal to the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation. The maximum deduction permitted in any single tax year is 70% of taxable income, with the unused portion permitted to be carried forward. |
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If the companys depreciated cost of Fixed Assets exceeds its equity, then the excess multiplied by the applicable annual rate of inflation is added to taxable income. |
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Subject to specified limitations, depreciation deductions on Fixed Assets and losses carried forward are adjusted for inflation based on the increase in the consumer price index. |
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Taxable gains on certain traded securities, which are taxed at a reduced tax rate for individuals following the Tax Reform, are taxable at the Corporate Tax (currently 36%) rate in specified circumstances. |
However, the Minister of Finance may, with the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee, determine by order, during a certain fiscal year (or until February 28th of the following year) in which the rate of increase of the price index would not exceed or shall not have exceeded, as applicable, 3%, that all or some of the provisions of this Law shall not apply to such fiscal year, or, that the rate of increase of the price index relating to such fiscal year shall be deemed to be 0%, and to make the adjustments required to be made as a result of such determination.
The Israeli Income Tax Ordinance and regulations promulgated thereunder allow Foreign-Invested Companies, which maintain their accounts in U.S. dollars in compliance with the regulations published by the Israeli Minister of Finance, to base their tax returns on their operating results as reflected in the dollar financials statements or to adjust their tax returns based on exchange rate changes rather than changes in the Israeli CPI, in lieu of the principles set forth by the Inflationary Adjustments Law. For these purposes, a Foreign-Invested Company is a company, more than 25% of whose share capital, in terms of rights to profits, voting and appointment of directors, and of whose combined share and loan capital is held by persons who are not residents of Israel. A company that elects to measure its results for tax purposes based on the dollar exchange rate cannot change that election for a period of three years following the election. We believe that we qualify as a Foreign Investment Company within the meaning of the Inflationary Adjustments Law. We have not yet elected to measure our results for tax purposes based on the U.S. dollar exchange rate, but may do so in the future.
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Organizational Structure
We are an Israeli company that commenced operations in 1996. The following is a listing of our subsidiaries:
Company |
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Place of |
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Ownership |
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Function |
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ceragon Networks do Brasil Limitada |
|
Brazil |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks (UK) Limited |
|
England |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks SARL |
|
France |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks Gmbh |
|
Germany |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks (HK) Limited |
|
Hong Kong |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks (India) Private Limited |
|
India |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks, S.A. de C.V. |
|
Mexico |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Ceragon Networks, Inc. |
|
New Jersey |
|
100% |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
Property, Plants and Equipment
Our corporate headquarters and principal administrative, finance, sales and marketing, R&D, operations, and manufacturing departments are located at a leased facility of approximately 55,000 square feet in Tel Aviv, Israel. The leases for this space are valid until May 2005, with options to renew for two additional one-year periods.
In December 2000, we entered into a five-year lease for approximately 52,110 square feet in Tel Aviv. In 2001, we entered into a two-year sublease of this space to an unrelated third party, which was amended in 2003 and extended in part until July 2004. In 2003, we entered into an early termination agreement with the landlord pursuant to which we paid the landlord a cash amount of $731,660 and issued 64,654 restricted ordinary shares pursuant to a share issuance agreement in full settlement of any and all outstanding monies due and owing for early termination. The early termination was effective as of December 15, 2003 and the landlord has assumed all obligations under the sublease.
In the United States, we lease approximately 4,156 square feet in Paramus, New Jersey, for our North American headquarters, which is valid until September 2008. In the United Kingdom, we lease approximately 2,560 square feet in Birmingham expiring in March 2015. We also lease space for our local subsidiaries to conduct sales and marketing activities in France, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, and India.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements that appear elsewhere in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
Overview
We design, develop, manufacture and sell high-capacity broadband wireless network equipment for cellular operators, fixed operators and private networks and enterprises.
We were incorporated and commenced operations in July 1996. We began selling our products in the second half of 1998. Before that time, our operations consisted primarily of research and development. Through December 2003, relatively few customers have accounted for a large percentage of our revenues. We conduct our international sales and marketing activities through eight wholly-owned subsidiaries.
28
A majority of our revenues are generated, and a majority of our expenses are incurred, in U.S. dollars and Euro. We use the dollar as our functional currency. Transactions and balances in other currencies are converted into dollars according to the principles in Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 52. Gains and losses arising from conversion are recorded as financial income or expense, as applicable. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We expect our operating results to fluctuate in the future as a result of various factors, many of which are outside our control. Consequently, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not necessarily be meaningful and, as a result, you should not rely on them as an indication of future performance.
Revenues. We generate revenues from the sale of our products. We recognize revenues from the sale of our products in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Number 104. We price our products on a per unit basis and primarily grant discounts based upon unit volumes. We sell our products directly and through distribution channels worldwide. In 2003, approximately 26.90% of our revenues were generated in North America, 59.50% were generated in Europe, Middle East, and Africa and 13.60% were generated in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. The companys accounting policy complies with the revenue determination requirements in EITF 00-21, (which was issued during 2003), relating to the separation of multiple deliverables into individual accounting units with determinable fair values. The company considers the sale of equipment and its installation to be two separate accounting units of the arrangement and only defers the fair value of the installation services (but not less than the amount contingent upon completion of installation/acceptance, if any) to the period in which such installation occurs.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues consists of component and material costs, labor costs, subcontractor fees, royalties, estimated warranty costs, overhead related to manufacturing and depreciation of manufacturing equipment and paid or accrued royalties to the Government of Israel in connection with grants we received from the Chief Scientist. Our gross margin is affected by the selling prices for our products and the cost of revenues.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for research and development personnel, subcontractors costs, costs of materials and depreciation of equipment. All of our research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses are offset by royalty-bearing grants from the Chief Scientist. We believe continued investment in research and development is essential to attaining our strategic objectives.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Our selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for sales and marketing personnel, trade show and exhibit expenses, travel expenses, commissions, and public relations and promotional materials.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for executive, finance and human resources personnel, professional fees, insurance, provisions for doubtful accounts and other general corporate expenses.
Amortization of Deferred Stock Compensation. Amortization of deferred stock compensation results from grants of stock options prior to our initial public offering with exercise prices per share determined to be below the fair market value per share of our ordinary shares on the dates of grant. The share-based compensation is amortized over the vesting period of the individual options.
As a result of options granted through December 31, 2003, we were required to recognize under U.S. GAAP a total charge for amortization of deferred stock compensation of approximately $22.8 million. As of December 31, 2003, we have a remaining balance of approximately $0.4 million, which we expect to recognize during the years of 2004 and 2005.
Restructuring and Non-Recurring Expenses (Income), Net. Restructuring and non-recurring expenses (income), net reflects income from the sales of raw materials to incidental customers, expenses in regard to an early termination of one of the lease obligations and income from the reversal of an excess allowance from last years restructuring and non-recurring expenses.
29
Financial Income, Net. Our financial income, net, consists primarily of interest earned on bank deposits, interest and investment income from various short-term and long-term financial instruments, and gains and losses from the conversion of monetary balance sheet items denominated in non-dollar currencies into dollars.
Other Financial ExpensesNon-Cash Charge Relating to Puttable Warrant. In May 2003, the FASB issued FAS 150, which established standards for how an issuer of financial instruments classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liability and equity. The company adopted FAS 150 and as a result recorded a non-cash chargerelating to a puttable warrant.
Taxes. Israeli companies are generally subject to income tax at the rate of 36% and are subject to capital gains tax at a rate of 25% for capital gains (other than gains deriving from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003. However, we benefit from preferential tax rates under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments. Commencing the first year in which we earn taxable income, our approved enterprise status entitles us to tax exemptions on the portion of our income derived from our approved enterprise for two years, and taxation at a rate of up to 25% for between five to eight years thereafter, depending on the percentage of our shares held by non-Israeli shareholders. However, these benefits may not be applied to reduce the tax rate for any income derived by our non-Israeli subsidiaries.
Results of Operations
The following table presents consolidated statement of operations data for the periods indicated as a percentage of total revenues.
|
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Revenues |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
100.0 |
% |
Cost of revenues |
|
|
182.2 |
|
|
69.6 |
|
|
60.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
(82.2 |
) |
|
30.4 |
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
52.2 |
|
|
49.7 |
|
|
26.0 |
|
Less: Grants and participations |
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development, net |
|
|
41.5 |
|
|
39.5 |
|
|
20.3 |
|
Selling and marketing, net |
|
|
48.0 |
|
|
49.6 |
|
|
27.4 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
23.2 |
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
6.3 |
|
Amortization
of deferred stock |
|
|
25.9 |
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
3.9 |
|
Restructuring
and non-recurring expenses |
|
|
19.1 |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
(2.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
157.7 |
|
|
116.8 |
|
|
55.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(239.9 |
) |
|
(86.4 |
) |
|
(15.8 |
) |
Financial income, net |
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
3.4 |
|
Other
financial expenses--non-cash charge |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
(10.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
(228.7 |
)% |
|
(78.1 |
)% |
|
(22.4 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
(a) Amortization
of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cost of revenues |
|
1.6 |
% |
|
1.2 |
% |
|
0.3 |
% |
|
Research and development expenses |
|
9.0 |
% |
|
5.2 |
% |
|
1.2 |
% |
|
Selling and marketing expenses |
|
8.0 |
% |
|
5.8 |
% |
|
1.5 |
% |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
7.2 |
% |
|
4.0 |
% |
|
0.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
25.9 |
% |
|
16.2 |
% |
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2003
Revenues. Revenues increased from $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $34.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $16.0 million, or 87.1%. Quarterly revenues increased sequentially during 2003 from $7.0 million in the first quarter to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter. This increase was attributable primarily to increased sales to fixed and cellular operators and private networks and to customers in diversified geographic markets.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased from $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $7.8 million, or 61.4%. This increase was attributable primarily to increased materials consumed in connection with our increased revenues.
Gross profit (loss) as a percentage of revenues increased from 30.4% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 40.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was attributable primarily to increased revenues while maintaining stable fixed costs.
Research and Development Expenses, Net. Our gross research and development expenses decreased from $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 2.1%. Our net research and development expenses decreased from $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, or 4.1%. The decrease in our gross research and development expenses was attributable primarily to a decrease in material purchases, subcontractor expenses, and research and development equipment depreciation. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of payroll expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we recognized $2.0 million in research and development grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist, compared to $1.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2002.
Selling and Marketing Expenses, Net. Selling and marketing expenses, net increased from $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $0.3 million, or 3.4%. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in payroll expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased nominally from $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $0.2 million, or 6.7%. This increase was attributable primarily to an increase in payroll expenses and professional and consulting services.
Amortization of Deferred Stock Compensation. Amortization of deferred stock compensation decreased from $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 54.5%. This decrease was attributable primarily to an accelerated amortization method used for the non-cash compensation expenses, which were mainly generated in previous years. Amortization of deferred stock compensation includes non-cash compensation expenses related to the cost of revenues of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003; to research and development expenses of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003; to selling and marketing expenses of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003; and to general and administrative expenses of $0.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2003 and $0.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2002.
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Restructuring and Non-Recurring Expenses (Income), Net. Restructuring and non-recurring expenses (income), net increased from $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $(0.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was attributable primarily to a decrease in expenses in regard to an early termination of one of the lease obligations and income from the reversal of an excess allowance from last years restructuring and non-recurring expenses. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in income from the sales of raw materials to incidental customers.
Financial Income, Net. Financial income, net decreased from $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $0.3 million or 20.0%. This decrease was attributable primarily to the decrease of the interest on marketable securities and on bank deposits.
Other Financial ExpensesNon-Cash Charge Relating to Puttable Warrant. In May 2003, the FASB issued FAS 150, which established standards for how an issuer of financial instruments classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liability and equity.
The adoption of FAS 150 resulted in the company recording a puttable warrant, exercised by a supplier in 2003, at fair value.
During 2003, the company recognized a non-cash charge in the financial statements totaling $3.4 million resulting from a change in the fair value of this puttable warrant.
Net Loss. Net loss decreased from $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $6.7 million, or 46.5%.
Years Ended December 31, 2001 and 2002
Revenues. Revenues decreased from $24.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $6.5 million. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased sales resulting from the telecommunications market downturn. However, quarterly revenues increased sequentially during 2002 from $3.3 million in the first quarter to $6.1 million in the fourth quarter. This increase was due to increased sales to fixed and cellular operators and private networks and to customers in diversified geographic markets.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues decreased from $45.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $32.5 million. This decrease was primarily attributable to an inventory write-down and a fixed asset impairment charge in 2001, and to expense reduction measures implemented throughout the company in 2002.
Gross profit (loss) as a percentage of revenues increased from (82.2)% for the year ended December 31, 2001 to 30.4% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to an inventory write-down and a fixed asset impairment charge in 2001, and to expense reduction measures implemented throughout the company in 2002.
Research and Development Expenses, Net. Research and development expenses, net decreased from $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, decrease of $3.0 million. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in the number of our research and development personnel and in subcontractors expenses. Research and development expenses were partially offset by royalty-bearing grants from the Chief Scientist, which amounted to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Selling and Marketing Expenses, Net. Selling and marketing expenses, net decreased from $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $2.8 million. This decrease was primarily due to expense reduction measures implemented throughout the company as well as to changes in the structure of our sales and marketing department.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased from $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $3.8 million. This decrease was due to bad debt recorded in 2001 and the implementation of expense reduction measures throughout the company. The allowance for doubtful debt as of December 31, 2002 was $500 thousand.
32
Amortization of Deferred Stock Compensation. Amortization of deferred stock compensation decreased from $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $3.4 million. Amortization of deferred stock compensation includes non-cash compensation expenses related to the cost of revenues of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002; to research and development expenses of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002; to selling and marketing expenses of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002; and to general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million for the year ending December 31, 2001 and $0.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2002.
Restructuring and Non-Recurring Expenses, Net. Restructuring and non-recurring expenses, net decreased from $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $83 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2002. Non-recurring expenses, net for the year ended December 31, 2001 relate to a plan of restructuring approved by the board in 2001 in light of the global economic slowdown. Non-recurring expenses, net for the year ended December 31, 2002 reflects a non-recurring expense reserve of $1.1 million related to an early termination of a secondary lease obligation with an unrelated party, that we decided to pursue in 2002. It also reflects non-recurring income of $1.0 million related to the sale of raw materials to incidental customers.
Financial Income, Net. Financial income, net decreased from $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 46.4%. This decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in our average cash balance throughout the year.
Net Loss. Net loss decreased from $56.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $42.4 million.
Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
The dollar cost of our operations is influenced by the extent that any inflation in Israel is or is not offset, or is offset on a lagging basis, by the devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar. When the rate of inflation in Israel exceeds the rate of devaluation of the NIS against the dollar, companies experience increases in the dollar cost of their operations in Israel. Unless offset by a devaluation of the NIS, inflation in Israel will have a negative effect on our results.
The following table presents information about the rate of inflation in Israel and the rate of devaluation of the NIS against the dollar:
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
Israeli
inflation |
|
NIS devaluation rate % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1999 |
|
1.3 |
|
(0.1) |
|
|
2000 |
|
0.0 |
|
(2.7) |
|
|
2001 |
|
1.4 |
|
9.3 |
|
|
2002 |
|
6.5 |
|
7.3 |
|
|
2003 |
|
(1.9) |
|
(7.6) |
|
A devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar has the effect of reducing the dollar amount of any of our expenses or liabilities that are payable in NIS, unless those expenses or payables are linked to the dollar. This devaluation also has the effect of decreasing the dollar value of any asset that consists of NIS or receivables payable in NIS, unless the receivables are linked to the dollar. Conversely, any increase in the value of the NIS in relation to the dollar has the effect of increasing the dollar value of any unlinked NIS assets and the dollar amounts of any unlinked NIS liabilities and expenses.
33
Because exchange rates between the NIS and the dollar fluctuate continuously, with a historically declining trend in the value of the NIS, exchange rate fluctuations, particularly larger periodic devaluations, would have an impact on our results and period-to-period comparisons of our results. The effects of foreign currency re-measurements are reported in our consolidated financial statements of operations. For a discussion of our hedging transactions, please see Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Effects of Government Regulations and Location on the Companys Business
For a discussion of the effects of Israeli governmental regulation and our location in Israel on our business, see Information on the Company Business Overview - Conditions in Israel and the Risks Relating to our Location in Israel in Item 3, above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements of convertible debentures and preferred shares, royalty-bearing grants from the Chief Scientist, borrowing from a related party, and from proceeds of our initial public offering on the Nasdaq National Market in August 2000. Through December 31, 2000, we raised $97.8 million in the initial public offering and an additional $35.2 million from three private placements all of which in the aggregate amount to a total of $133.0 million. We did not raise any capital during the fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Through December 31, 2003, we received a total of approximately $12.9 million from the Chief Scientist. Prior to fiscal year 2000, we borrowed approximately $1.2 million from a related party, which we repaid in August 2000 from the initial public offering proceeds.
As of December 31, 2003, we had approximately $39.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term bank deposits, and short and long-term marketable securities.
In February 2000, the company received a line of credit from a bank in the amount of $6,000 for a period of 36 months. As of December 31, 2003, the line of credit has not been utilized. In consideration for the line of credit, the company registered a floating charge on all of its assets in favor of the bank. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the bank cancelled the floating charge.
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The decrease in 2003 in net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to increased revenues and cash control efforts which were implemented as part of the companys expense reduction initiatives.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $(39.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2001, $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, and $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $(37) thousand for the year ended December 31, 2001, $33 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2002, and $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
As of December 31, 2003, our principal commitments consisted of $2.3 million for obligations outstanding under non-cancelable operating leases and $10.8 million of royalties payable to the Government of Israel on revenues from product sales. We are also committed to pay royalties to a subcontractor for the development of a component and its integration into one of our products. The royalty rate on royalties payable to this subcontractor decreases on an annual basis, at the rate of 4%, 3% and 2% of our revenues for the first, second and third years of revenues, respectively, and 1% of our revenues for the fourth to seventh years of revenues. This is the sixth year we have received revenues as of December 31, 2003 and we currently pay royalties to this subcontractor at a rate of 1% of our collected revenue for a specific product.
34
In 2001, we entered into agreements with 2 suppliers pursuant to which the Company was initially committed to purchase certain products. The initial minimum purchase commitments under these agreements were approximately $27 million.
In 2002, we entered into a supplementary arrangement with one of these suppliers in which all minimum purchase commitments of the prior agreement were mutually rescinded. As a further part of this arrangement, we issued a puttable warrant to this supplier to purchase an aggregate of seven hundred thousand (700,000) restricted Ordinary Shares with a par value of NIS 0.01 with an exercise price per Ordinary Share of US$0.003, subject to standard adjustments, with a cash conversion alternative (instead of the exercise for shares) for eight hundred seventy five thousand U.S. dollars (US$875,000).
Beginning as of April 30, 2003 and expiring on October 31, 2004, the puttable warrant was exercisable for cash (in whole but not in part) payable in 6 equal monthly payments of $145,833.33. Beginning as of September 30, 2003, the puttable warrant was exercisable (in whole but not in part) together with a cash payment of $0.003 per share, or by a cashless exercise purchase, for 700,000 restricted Ordinary Shares. Resale of Ordinary Shares by the supplier issued upon exercise of the puttable warrant were subject to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The puttable warrant was exercised by a cashless exercise into 699,624 shares in 2003 and the supplier subsequently sold the shares.
With regard to the other supplier, in 2003, we entered into a supplementary arrangement whereby we agreed to mutually rescind all prior minimum purchase commitments. We further agreed to purchase a minimum of approximately $3 million of products in 2003 for use in the ordinary course of business, together with certain raw materials and work in process. All minimum commitments have been satisfied with this supplier and there are no further minimum purchase commitments with either of these suppliers.
In October 2003, we entered into an early termination agreement with a landlord of a secondary property leased in 2000, pursuant to which we paid the landlord a cash amount of $731,660and issued 64,654 restricted ordinary shares pursuant to a share issuance agreement, in full settlement of any and all outstanding monies due and owing for early termination. The early termination was effective as of December 15, 2003.
Our cash investments are comprised of the following: 19% consist of short term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months, and 39% consist of short term deposits and marketable securities with original maturities of up to 1 year, with a minimum average credit rating of at least A1/P1. The remaining balance of our assets are invested in corporate debt securities and in bank deposits with maturities of up to 3 years, carrying a minimum rating of AA-/AA3. All of these investments are in US dollars.
We believe that current cash and cash equivalent balances and cash flows from operations will be sufficient for our present requirements.
Our capital requirements are dependent on many factors, including market acceptance of our products and the allocation of resources to our research and development efforts, as well as our marketing and sales activities
Capital Expenditures
We have no current material commitments for capital expenditures.
Research and Development
We place considerable emphasis on research and development to expand the capabilities of our existing products, to develop new products and to improve our existing technologies and capabilities. We believe that our future success will depend upon our ability to maintain technological leadership, to enhance existing products and to introduce on a timely basis new commercially viable products and technology addressing the needs of our customers. We intend to continue to devote a significant portion of our personnel and financial resources to research and development. As part of our product development process, we seek to maintain close relationships with our customers to identify market needs and to define appropriate product specifications. In addition, we intend to continue to comply with industry standards and, in order to participate in the formulation of European standards, we are full members of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
35
Our research and development activities are conducted at our facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel. As of December 31, 2003, our research and development staff consisted of 81employees. Our research and development team includes highly specialized engineers and technicians with expertise in the fields of millimeter wave design, modem and signal processing, data communications, system management and networking solutions. Our technical expertise in these fields results in a highly-optimized system design and a strong and reliable system solution. Our extensive protocol knowledge and expertise has resulted in highly optimized solutions for various communications protocols.
Intellectual Property
See: Item 4. History and Development of the CompanyIntellectual Property.
Trend Information
In early 2001, the global telecommunications industry, including in our principal geographic markets, started to experience a slowdown, resulting in decreases and delays in the procurement and deployment of new telecommunications equipment. Many industry players in markets throughout the world have experienced, and are continuing to experience, substantial declines in sales and revenues and have in many cases incurred significant operating losses. Many have suspended purchasing new data communications or telecommunications products or have ceased operations completely. Many of these companies are no longer potential customers.
In early 2001, our primary customers were competitive local exchange carriers, or CLECs, primarily in the United States, as well as OEM customers. Beginning in the middle of 2001, we made a strategic shift in focus with a new emphasis on cellular operators and an expansion to geographic markets where we had not sold our products. At the same time, we made a strategic decision to implement company-wide expense reduction measures, to maintain reduced inventory levels, and to increase production efficiency.
As a result of these strategic decisions, our revenues from cellular operators increased from $1.1 million in 2001 to $12.3 million in 2003. In addition, in 2003 our revenues increased sequentially quarter by quarter, together with our gross margins. Our revenues from fixed operators have also increased during this period. We have seen pressure on our resale prices in light of increased competition, together with an enhanced focus by our customers on reducing their capital expenditures. Such price pressure may have an impact on our results of operations.
Moreover, due to continued uncertainty in the global telecommunications markets, we can not be certain that we will be able to continue to penetrate cellular and fixed operators at these levels. We also cannot be certain that the level of sequential quarterly revenue growth will continue.
As we continue to expand our geographic footprint, we are increasingly engaged in supplying turnkey solutions for our customers, often in developing nations. We act as prime contractor and equipment supplier for these projects and provide transportation, installation, testing, maintenance and various other services required for these projects. We typically bear the risks of loss and damage and title to our products until the customer has issued an acceptance certificate upon successful completion of rigorous acceptance tests. If our products are damaged or stolen, or if the products do not pass the acceptance tests, the customer could refuse to pay us and we would incur substantial costs, including fees owed to our subcontractors, increased insurance premiums, transportation costs, and expenses related to manufacturing the products. We would be unable to recognize any revenue generation from such projects in the event of such contingencies. Moreover, in such a case, we may not be able to repossess the equipment, thus, suffering additional losses.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
36
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
|
|
Payments due by period |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations |
|
Total |
|
less than 1 |
|
1-3 years |
|
3-5 years |
|
more than 5 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating Lease Obligations |
|
$ |
2,294,000 |
|
$ |
1,314,000 |
|
$ |
556,000 |
|
$ |
178,000 |
|
$ |
246,000 |
|
Purchase Obligations |
|
$ |
13,990,000 |
|
$ |
13,800,000 |
|
$ |
190,000 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
16,284,000 |
|
$ |
15,114,000 |
|
$ |
746,000 |
|
$ |
178,000 |
|
$ |
246,000 |
|
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions based upon information available at the time they are made, historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.
In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP and does not require managements judgment in its application. There are also areas in which managements judgment in selecting among available alternatives would produce a materially different result. The Companys management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which contains additional information regarding our accounting policies and other disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
Our management believes the significant accounting policies which affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements and which are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:
|
|
Revenue recognition; |
|
|
Provision for doubtful accounts; and |
|
|
Inventory valuation |
Revenue recognition. We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, which is commonly referred to as SAB 104, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is probable. When a right of return exists, we defer revenues until the right of return expires. When no right of return exists or once such right of return expires our sales are final and the only option in the event of a non-conformity of products with the warranty is repair or replacement of the non-conforming products. In contracts for which acceptance procedures are required by the customer, we defer recognition of such revenues until receiving the acceptance confirmation from the customer. Our typical product warranty is between 18 to 36 months at no extra charge. We accrue for other allowances based on our historical experience.
Provision for doubtful accounts. We perform regular credit evaluations of our customers financial condition. Allowance for doubtful accounts is computed for specific debts, the collectibility of which is doubtful, based on the companys experience. In addition, we include a general provision for doubtful debts based on the age of the debts and on managements past experience in collecting such receivables.
Inventory valuation. At each balance sheet date, we evaluate our inventory balance for excess quantities and obsolescence. This evaluation includes an analysis of sales levels by product and projections of future demand. In addition, we write off inventories that are considered obsolete. Remaining inventory balances are adjusted to the lower of cost or market value. If future demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.
37
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Directors and Senior Management
MANAGEMENT
The following table lists our current directors and executive officers:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zohar Zisapel |
|
55 |
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
Shraga Katz |
|
51 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
|
Ran Oz |
|
37 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Shlomo Tenenberg |
|
49 |
|
Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and Sales |
|
Gil Feingold |
|
44 |
|
Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations |
|
Udi Gordon |
|
37 |
|
Vice President, Research and Development |
|
Sharon Ganot |
|
35 |
|
Vice President, Human Resources |
|
Mitchell C. Shelowitz |
|
38 |
|
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
|
David Ackerman |
|
47 |
|
President of our U.S. subsidiary |
|
Yael Langer |
|
39 |
|
Director |
|
Zohar Gilon |
|
56 |
|
Director |
|
Shmuel Levy |
|
50 |
|
Director |
|
Joseph Atsmon |
|
54 |
|
Director |
|
Zohar Zisapel has served as the chairman of our board of directors since we were incorporated in 1996. Mr. Zisapel is also a founder and a director of RAD Data Communications Ltd., of which he served as president from January 1982 until January 1998 and has served as chairman since 1998. Mr. Zisapel serves as a director of RIT Technologies Ltd., Verisity Ltd., and several other private companies, and as chairman of RADVision Ltd. and RADCOM Ltd. Mr. Zisapel previously served as head of the electronics research department in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Mr. Zisapel received a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.
Shraga Katz, our founder, has served as our president and chief executive officer since July 1996. From April 1979 to April 1996, Mr. Katz served in the electronic research and development department in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. From April 1993 to April 1996, Mr. Katz served as the head of that department. Mr. Katz received a B.Sc. in electrical engineering and electronics from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.
Ran Oz has served as our chief financial officer since September 2001. From 1995 until 2001, Mr. Oz was the general manager and chief financial officer of Jacada Ltd. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Oz was associated with Somekh Chaikin as a certified public accountant. Mr. Oz received a B.A. in economics and accounting and a Masters degree in business administration and economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Shlomo Tenenberg has served as our executive vice president of worldwide marketing and sales since October 2002. From July 1998 until October 2002, he served as our vice president of marketing and sales. From March 1994 to July 1998, Mr. Tenenberg served as the vice president of Nexus Telocation Systems Ltd. From October 1989 until March 1994, Mr. Tenenberg was the marketing manager at ECI Telecom Ltd. Mr. Tenenberg received a B.Sc. in electrical engineering and electronics from Ben Gurion University and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.
38
Gil Feingold has served as our executive vice president of worldwide operations since October 2002. From March 1998 until October 2002, he served as our vice president of operations. From March 1992 to March 1998, Mr. Feingold held logistics management and engineering positions with Madge Networks Ltd. and Lannet Data Communications Ltd. From October 1986 to March 1992, Mr. Feingold served as production engineer manager of Motorola Communications Israel. Mr. Feingold received a B.Sc. in industrial engineering from the Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. from Bar Ilan University.
Udi Gordon has served as our vice president of research and development since July 2003. From 1997 until June 2003, he served as a senior manager in our research and development department. From 1990 until 1997, Mr. Gordon served in the electronic research and development department in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Mr. Gordon received a B.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (cum laude), and a Masters degree in management science from Bar-Ilan University.
Sharon Ganot has served as our vice president of human resources since March 2000. From December 1999 until March 2000, Ms. Ganot was the manager of our human resources department. From April 1994 until December 1999, she was a personnel recruiter and training manager with RAD Data Communications Ltd. Ms. Ganot received a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in Industrial Studies from Tel Aviv University.
Mitchell C. Shelowitz has served as our general counsel and corporate secretary since December 2000. From July 1999 until December 2000, Mr. Shelowitz was legal counsel at Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. Before that, Mr. Shelowitz was associated with the law firms of Goldfarb, Levy, Eran & Co. (Tel Aviv) from 1997 to 1999, Nixon Peabody LLP (Garden City, New York) from 1996 to 1997, and Proskauer Rose LLP (New York City) from 1991 to 1996. Mr. Shelowitz received a J.D. from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and received a B.A. in biology and business from the State University of New York at Albany.
David Ackerman has served as the president of our U.S. subsidiary since July 1999. Mr. Ackerman founded DORNET Systems, a U.S. distributor for the RAD-BYNET group, and from January 1998 to June 1999 served as the president of DORNET Systems. From March 1996 to December 1997, Mr. Ackerman was the vice president of North American sales of RIT Technologies Ltd., a member of the RAD-Bynet group. From February 1992 to March 1996, he was a regional sales manager for RIT Technologies Ltd. Mr. Ackerman received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.
Yael Langer has served as a director of our company since December 2000. Ms. Langer served as our general counsel from July 1998 until December 2000. Ms. Langer is general counsel and secretary of RAD and other companies in the RAD-BYNET group. From December 1995 to July 1998, Ms. Langer served as assistant general counsel to companies in the RAD-BYNET group. From September 1993 until July 1995, Ms. Langer was a member of the legal department of Poalim Capital Markets and Investments Ltd. Ms. Langer has an LL.B. from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Zohar Gilon has served as a director of our company since June 1999. Mr. Gilon is a general partner and managing director of Tamar Technologies L.P., a venture capital fund based in Israel, which was founded in 1998 together with C.E. Unterberg, Towbin. Mr. Gilon is a private entrepreneur and has served as a director of AVT-Advanced Vision Technology Ltd. since 1998, as well for companies in the RAD-BYNET group, including RADCOM Ltd. since September 1995, RIT Technologies Ltd., since September 1995, and Silicom Ltd. from 1995 until 2003. Between November 1993 and June 1995, Mr. Gilon served as president of W.S.P. Capital Holdings, an investment firm traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Mr. Gilon received a B.S.E.E. from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University. Mr. Gilon is one of our external directors under Israeli law and is one of our independent directors under Nasdaq rules.
Shmuel Levy has served as a director of our company since June 2000. From December 2000, Mr. Levy has been a partner at Sequoia Capital. From August 1998 until July 2000, Mr. Levy was employed by Lucent Technologies Inc., where he was president, enterprise internetworking systems. From June 1997 to July 1998, Mr. Levy was the president and chief executive officer of Lannet Data Communications Ltd. From July 1992 to June 1997, Mr. Levy held various executive positions with Madge Networks Ltd. and Lannet Data Communications. Mr. Levy received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Ben Gurion University. Mr. Levy is one of our external directors under Israeli law and is one of our independent directors under Nasdaq rules.
39
Joseph Atsmon has served as a director since July 2001. He currently serves as a director of Nice Ltd., a position he has held since July 2001. From April 2001 until October 2002, he served as Chairman of Discretix Ltd. From 1995 until 2000, he served as chief executive officer of Teledata Communications Ltd., a public company acquired by ADC Telecommunications Inc. in 1998. From 1986 until 1995, Mr. Atsmon served in various positions at Tadiran Ltd., among them a division president and corporate vice president for business development. Mr. Atsmon received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, summa cum laude, from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. Mr. Atsmon is one of our independent directors under Nasdaq rules and is our audit committee financial expert.
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table presents all compensation we paid to all of our directors and executive officers as a group for the year ended December 31, 2003. The table does not include any amounts we paid to reimburse any of our affiliates for costs incurred in providing us with services during this period.
|
|
Salaries, fees, |
|
Pension, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group, consisting of |
|
$ 910,000 |
|
$ 160,000 |
|
As of December 31, 2003, our directors and executive officers as a group, consisting of thirteen persons, held options to purchase an aggregate of 2,750,700 ordinary shares. All our officers work full time.
Other than reimbursement for expenses, and the award of stock options, we do not compensate our directors for serving on our board of directors. For more information, please see Affiliate Employees Option Plan below and Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included as Item 18 in this annual report.
Board Practices
Board of Directors
Our articles of association authorize our board of directors to consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine members. Our board of directors presently consists of six members. The board retains all the powers in running our company that are not specifically granted to the shareholders. The board may make decisions to borrow money for our company, and may set aside reserves out of our profits, for whatever purposes it thinks fit.
The board may make a resolution when a quorum is present, and each resolution must be passed by a vote of at least a majority of the directors present at the meeting. A quorum of directors is at least a majority of the directors then in office. The board may elect one director to serve as the chairman of the board of directors to preside at the meetings of the board of directors, and may also remove such director as chairman. Minutes of the meetings are recorded and kept at our offices.
Terms of Directors
Our articles of association provide that directors, other than our external directors described below, are elected at our annual general meeting of shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at that meeting. Each of these directors holds office until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders. Our external directors, as further described below, each serve a three year term.
In the event that any directors are appointed by the board of directors, their appointment must be ratified by the shareholders at the next shareholders meeting following the appointment. Our shareholders may remove a director from office, in certain circumstances. There is no requirement that a director own shares of our company. Directors may appoint alternative directors in their stead.
40
As a company organized in Israel whose ordinary shares are listed for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market we are required to comply with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq National Market applicable to listed companies and the Israeli Companies Law, 5759-1999 (the Companies Law) applicable to Israeli companies. Under Nasdaq National Market Rules, we are required to appoint three independent directors and, under the Israeli Companies Law, we are required to appoint two external directors.
Independent Directors
The independence standard under Nasdaq rules excludes, among others, any person who is a current or former employee of a company or its affiliates as well as the immediate family members of an executive officer of a company or its affiliates. Messrs. Zohar Gilon, Shmuel Levy, and Joseph Atsmon currently serve as our independent directors.
External Directors
Under the Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of Israel whose shares have been offered to the public in or outside of Israel are required to appoint at least two external directors. A person may not be appointed as an external director if he or she or his or her relative, partner, employer or any entity under his or her control has, as of the date of the persons appointment to serve as an external director, or had, during the two years preceding that date any affiliation with:
|
|
the company; |
|
|
|
|
|
any entity controlling the company; or |
|
|
|
|
|
any entity controlled by the company or by this controlling entity. |
|
|
|
|
The term affiliation includes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
an employment relationship; |
|
|
|
|
|
a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis; |
|
|
|
|
|
control; and |
|
|
|
|
|
service as an office holder. |
The Companies Law defines the term office holder of a company to include a director, the chief executive officer, the chief business manager, a vice president and any officer that reports directly to the chief executive officer.
No person can serve as an external director if the persons position or other business creates, or may create, conflicts of interest with the persons responsibilities as an external director or may otherwise interfere with the persons ability to serve as an external director.
A company may not engage an external director as an office holder and cannot employ or receive services from that person, either directly or indirectly, including through a corporation controlled by that person, for a period of two years from the termination of his or her service as an external director.
Election of External Directors
External directors are elected by a majority vote at a shareholders meeting, provided that either:
|
at least one third of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor of the election; or |
41
|
the total number of shares voted against the election of the external director does not exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company. |
The initial term of an external director is three years and may be extended for an additional three years. External directors can be removed from office only by the same majority of shareholders that was required to elect them, or by a court (if they cease to meet the statutory qualifications with respect to their appointment, or if they violate their duty of loyalty to the company). Each committee of a companys board of directors is required to include at least one external director, except for the audit committee, which is required to include all external directors. Zohar Gilon and Shmuel Levy were appointed in 2001 as our external directors. They were reappointed in March 2004 and their terms will expire in March 2007.
Audit Committee
Nasdaq Requirements
Under Nasdaq rules, we are required to have an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors, all of whom are financially literate and one of whom has been determined by the board to be the audit committee financial expert. The responsibilities of the audit committee under Nasdaq rules include evaluating the independence of a companys outside auditors. Currently, Messrs. Zohar Gilon, Shmuel Levy, and Joseph Atsmon serve on our audit committee, each of whom has been determined by the board to be independent. Mr. Atsmon is the audit committee financial expert.
Companies Law Requirements
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of any Israeli company whose shares are publicly traded must appoint an audit committee, comprised of at least three directors including all of the external directors, but excluding:
|
the chairman of the board of directors; |
|
|
|
any controlling shareholder or any relative of a controlling shareholder; and |
|
|
|
any director employed by the company or who provides services to the company on a regular basis. |
The role of the audit committee is to identify irregularities in the management of the companys business and to examine accounting, reporting, and financial control practices, in consultation with the internal auditor and the companys independent accountants, suggest appropriate courses of action to amend such irregularities, and to exercise the powers of the board of directors with respect to such practices. In addition, the approval of the audit committee is required under the Companies Law to effect certain related-party transactions.
The composition of our audit committee satisfies both the Nasdaq National Market Rules and the Companies Law requirements.
Approval of Certain Transactions
The approval of the audit committee is required under the Companies Law to effect specified actions and exceptional transactions with office holders, third parties in which an office holder has a personal interest and controlling parties, and transactions with a third party in which a controlling party has a personal interest. A controlling party is defined in the Companies Law for this purpose as a person with the ability to direct the actions of a company, or a person who holds 25% or more of the voting power in a public company if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting power in the company, provided that two or more persons holding voting rights in the company who each have a personal interest in the approval of the same transaction shall be deemed to be one holder.
42
The audit committee may not approve an action or an exceptional transaction with an interested party or with an office holder unless at the time of approval the two external directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of them is present at the meeting in which an approval was granted. The Companies Law defines the term interested party to include a person who holds 5% or more of the companys outstanding share capital or voting rights, a person who has the right to appoint one or more directors or the general manager, or any person who serves as a director or as the general manager. Audit committee approval is also required to approve the grant of an exemption from the responsibility for a breach of the duty of care towards the company, or for the provision of insurance or an undertaking to indemnify any office holder who is not a director of the company. In addition, the audit committee must approve contracts between the company and any of its directors relating to the service or employment of the director.
Remuneration of Directors
Directors remuneration requires the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors, and the shareholders (in that order) except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the directors duties.
Neither the company nor its subsidiaries has entered into any service contracts with its directors that provide benefits upon termination of employment, except with regard to the president and chief executive officer in his capacity as president and chief executive officer.
Share Incentive Committee
Our share incentive committee, which consists of Zohar Zisapel and Shraga Katz, administers our key employee share incentive plan and our 2003 share option plan, and makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding issuances of options under the 2003 share option plan.
Option Committee
Our option committee, which consists of Zohar Zisapel and Shraga Katz, administers our affiliate employees option plan.
Dividends
The board may declare dividends as it views justified, but the final dividend for any fiscal quarter must be proposed by the board and approved by the shareholders. Dividends may be paid in assets or shares, debentures or debentures stock of our company or of other companies. For further information, please see Financial Information Dividends.
Internal Auditor
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of a public company must appoint an internal auditor proposed by the audit committee. The duty of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, whether the companys conduct complies with applicable law, integrity and orderly business procedure. The internal auditor has the right to demand that the chairman of the audit committee convene an audit committee meeting, and the internal auditor may participate in all audit committee meetings. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor may not be an interested party, an office holder or an affiliate, or a relative of an interested party, an office holder or affiliate, nor may the internal auditor be the companys independent accountant or its representative. We have appointed Gideon Duvshani, C.P.A., as our internal auditor.
43
Fiduciary Duties of Office Holders
The Companies Law imposes a duty of care and a duty of loyalty on all office holders of a company, including directors and officers. The duty of care requires an office holder to act with the level of care with which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the same circumstances. The duty of care includes a duty to use reasonable means to obtain:
|
|
information regarding the advisability of a given action submitted for his or her approval or performed by him or her by virtue of his or her position; and |
|
|
|
|
|
all other important information pertaining to these actions. |
The duty of loyalty of an office holder is a duty to act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, and includes a duty to:
|
|
refrain from any conflict of interest between the performance of his or her duties in the company and his or her personal affairs; |
|
|
|
|
|
refrain from any activity that is competitive with the company; |
|
|
|
|
|
refrain from exploiting any business opportunity of the company to receive a personal gain for himself or herself or others; and |
|
|
|
|
|
disclose to the company any information or documents relating to a companys affairs which the office holder has received due to his or her position as an office holder. |
Approval of Specified Related Party Transactions under Israeli Law
Under the Companies Law, the approval of the board of directors is required for all compensation arrangements of office holders who are not directors, and directors compensation arrangements require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders, in that order.
The company may approve an action by an office holder from which the office holder would otherwise have to refrain, as described above, if:
|
the office holder acts in good faith and the act or its approval does not cause harm to the company; and |
|
|
|
the office holder discloses the nature of his or her interest in the transaction to the company in a reasonable time before the companys approval. |
Each person listed in the table under --Directors and Senior Management above is considered an office holder under the Companies Law.
Disclosure of Personal Interests of an Office Holder
The Companies Law requires that an office holder of a company disclose to the company, promptly, and, in any event, not later than the first board meeting at which the transaction is discussed, any direct or indirect personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her relating to any existing or proposed transaction by the company. If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, the office holder must also disclose any personal interest held by:
|
the office holders spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouses descendants and the spouses of any of these people; or |
44
|
any corporation in which the office holder is a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. |
Under the Companies Law, an extraordinary transaction is a transaction:
|
other than in the ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
otherwise than on market terms; or |
|
|
|
that is likely to have a material impact on the companys profitability, assets or liabilities. |
The Companies Law does not specify to whom within the company nor the manner in which required disclosures are to be made. We require our office holders to make such disclosures to our board of directors.
Under the Companies Law, once an office holder complies with the above disclosure requirement, the board of directors may approve a transaction between the company and an office holder, or a third party in which an office holder has a personal interest, unless the articles of association provide otherwise. A transaction that is adverse to the companys interest may not be approved.
If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, first the audit committee and then the board of directors, in that order, must approve the transaction. Under specific circumstances, shareholder approval may also be required. A director who has a personal interest in an extraordinary transaction, which is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee, may not be present at this meeting or vote on this matter, unless a majority of the board of directors or the audit committee, as the case may be, has a personal interest. If a majority of the board of directors has a personal interest, then shareholder approval is also required.
Disclosure of Personal Interests of a Controlling Shareholder
Under the Companies Law, the disclosure requirements which apply to an office holder also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder includes for this purpose a shareholder that holds 25% or more of the voting rights in a public company if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights in the company, but excluding a shareholder whose power derives solely from his or her position as a director of the company or any other position with the company. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the engagement of a controlling shareholder as an office holder or employee, require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the majority of the voting power of the shareholders present and voting at the general meeting of the company, provided that:
|
at least one-third of the shares of shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction and who are present and voting (in person or by proxy or written ballot), vote in favor of the election; or |
|
|
|
shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction who vote against the transaction do not represent more than exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights in the company. |
In addition, under the Companies Law, each shareholder has a duty to act in good faith in exercising his rights and fulfilling his obligations toward the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his power in the company, such as shareholder votes. Further, specified shareholders have a duty of fairness toward the company. These shareholders include any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that he or she possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote, and any shareholder who, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint or to prevent the appointment of an office holder or any other power toward the company. However, the Companies Law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness.
Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under the Companies Law, an Israeli company may not exempt an office holder from liability for a breach of his or her duty of loyalty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from his or her liability to the company, in whole or in part, for a breach of his or her duty of care, provided that the articles of association allow it to do so. Our articles of association allow us to exempt our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by law.
45
Office Holders Insurance
Our articles of association provide that, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability of any of our office holders concerning an act performed by him or her in his or her capacity as an office holder for:
|
a breach of his or her duty of care to us or to another person; |
|
|
|
a breach of his or her duty of loyalty to us, provided that the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable cause to assume that his or her act would not prejudice our interests; or |
|
|
|
a financial liability imposed upon him or her in favor of another person. |
Exculpation and Indemnification of Office Holders
Our articles of association provide that, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may indemnify any of our office holders against an act performed in his or her capacity as an office holder, including indemnity for the following:
|
a financial liability imposed on him or her in favor of another person; and |
|
|
|
reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys fees, expended by the office holder or charged to him or her by a court, resulting from the following: proceedings we institute against him or her or instituted on our behalf or by another person; a criminal charge from which he or she was acquitted; or a criminal charge in which he or she was convicted for a criminal offense that does not require proof of intent. |
Our articles of association also include the following:
|
we are authorized to grant in advance an undertaking to indemnify our office holders, provided that the undertaking is: limited to specified events which the board of directors determines to be anticipated; and limited to an amount determined by the board of directors to be reasonable under the circumstances. |
|
|
|
we are authorized to indemnify retroactively our office holders. |
Limitations on Insurance and Indemnification
The Companies Law provides that a company may not indemnify an office holder nor enter into an insurance contract which would provide coverage for any monetary liability incurred as a result of any of the following:
|
a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of loyalty unless the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company; |
|
|
|
a breach by the office holder of his or her duty of care if the breach was done intentionally or recklessly; |
|
|
|
any act or omission done with the intent to derive an illegal personal benefit; or |
|
|
|
any fine levied against the office holder. |
46
In addition, under the Companies Law, indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for, our office holders must be approved by our audit committee and our board of directors and, in specified circumstances, by our shareholders.
We indemnify our office holders to the fullest extent permitted under the Companies Law. We currently hold directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of our office holders. This policy was approved by our board of directors and by our shareholders. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Mergers and Acquisitions under Israeli Law
The Companies Law includes provisions that allow a merger transaction and requires that each company that is a party to the merger have the transaction approved by its board of directors and a vote of the majority of its shares, at a shareholders meeting called on at least 21 days prior notice. For purposes of the shareholder vote of each party, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if a majority of the shares held by parties other than the other party to the merger, or by any person who holds 25% or more of the shares or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other party, vote against the merger. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of the merger the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. In addition, a merger may not be completed unless at least 70 days have passed from the time that the requisite proposals for approval of the merger have been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies by each merging company.
The Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another 25% or greater shareholder of the company. Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 45% or greater shareholder of the company, unless there is already a majority shareholder of the company. In any event, if as a result of an acquisition of shares the acquirer will hold more than 90% of a companys shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a tender offer for all of the shares of such class. If more than 95% of the outstanding shares are tendered in the tender offer, all the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to it. However, the remaining minority shareholders may seek to alter the consideration by court order.
Israel tax law treats stock-for-stock acquisitions between an Israeli company and another company less favorably than does U.S. tax law. For example, Israeli tax law may, under certain circumstances, subject a shareholder who exchanges his or her ordinary shares for shares in another corporation to taxation prior to the sale of the shares received for such stock-for-stock swap.
Employees
As of December 31, 2003, we had 208 employees worldwide, of whom 81 were employed in research and development, 60 in sales and marketing, 15 in management and administration and 52 in operations. Of these employees, 174 were based in Israel, 13 were based in the United States, 10 were based in Europe, 5 were based in Latin America, and 6 were based in Asia-Pacific. We have employment agreements with all of our employees.
We are subject to Israeli labor laws and regulations with respect to our Israeli employees. These laws principally concern matters such as paid annual vacation, paid sick days, length of the workday and work week, minimum wages, pay for overtime, insurance for work-related accidents, severance pay and other conditions of employment.
Furthermore, we and our Israeli employees are subject to provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut, the General Federation of Labor in Israel, and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations, including the Industrialists Association, by order of the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Welfare. These provisions principally concern cost of living increases, recreation pay and other conditions of employment. We provide our employees with benefits and working conditions above the required minimums. Our employees are not represented by a labor union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good. To date, we have not experienced any work stoppages.
47
The employees of our subsidiaries are subject to local labor laws and regulations that vary from country to country.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our ordinary shares by our directors and officers as of December 31, 2003. The percentage of outstanding ordinary shares is based on 24,675,313 ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2003.
Total shares beneficially owned in the table below include shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days. The shares that may be issued under these options are treated as outstanding only for purposes of determining the percent owned by the person or group holding the options but not for the purpose of determining the percentage ownership of any other person or group. Each of our directors and officers who is also a director or officer of an entity listed in the table below disclaims ownership of our ordinary shares owned by such entity.
Name |
|
Number of |
|
Percentage
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zohar Zisapel |
|
3,205,220 |
|
13.0 |
% |
|
Shraga Katz |
|
1,018,032 |
|
4.1 |
% |
|
All of
directors and executive officers as a group, |
|
4,863,114 |
|
19.7 |
% |
|
(1) |
Each of these directors and executive officers individually beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding shares, except Messrs. Zohar Zisapel and Shraga Katz. These holdings do not include 816,250 ordinary shares held by Tamar Technologies L.P., a venture capital fund for which our director Zohar Gilon is a General Partner and Managing Director. |
Stock Option Plans
Key Employee Share Incentive Plan
In August 1996, we adopted our key employee share incentive plan. We ceased granting options under this plan as of December 31, 2002 in light of the adoption of our 2003 share option plan and a change in applicable Israeli tax laws, although options granted under this plan before December 31, 2002 are still valid subject to the plan. Employees of our company and our subsidiaries or affiliates belonging to the RAD-BYNET group are eligible to participate in the plan. The share incentive committee of our board of directors administers the plan. No options may be granted to any person serving on the share incentive committee nor to any person who is or will become as a result of an option grant one of our controlling shareholders. The options expire five to ten years from the date of issuance. The following table presents option grant information for this plan as of December 31, 2003:
Ordinary
shares reserved |
|
Options outstanding |
|
Weighted
average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,136,671 |
|
4,136,671 |
|
$ 2.54 |
|
48
Option Trust
Under the plan, pursuant to Section 102 of the Israeli Tax Ordinance, all options, or shares issued upon exercise of options, are held in trust and registered in the name of a trustee selected by the share incentive committee. The trustee may not release the options or ordinary shares to the holders of these options or shares that are subject to the Israeli Tax Ordinance before the second anniversary of the registration of the options in the name of the trustee. During this period, voting rights attached to the ordinary shares issued upon exercise of the options may be exercised jointly by Yehuda Zisapel and Zohar Zisapel.
This restriction does not apply to employees that are not subject to the Israeli Tax Ordinance. In addition, pursuant to an amendment to the plan, based upon a tax ruling by the Israeli Tax Authority, option holders that are subject to the Israeli Tax Ordinance have the ability to exercise vested options prior to the conclusion of the two year period as long as:
|
all shares arising out of the employees exercise of options are sold immediately upon exercise to an unrelated third party; and |
|
|
|
the employee exercising the options pays to the Israel Tax Authority a 50% tax on the net revenue resulting from the exercise of options and the sale of shares. |
Termination and Amendment
Our board of directors may terminate or amend the plan, provided that any action by our board of directors, which will alter or impair the rights of an option holder, requires the prior consent of that option holder.
Affiliate Employees Option Plan
In May 1997, we adopted our affiliate employees option plan. We ceased granting options under this plan as of December 31, 2002 in light of the adoption of our 2003 share option plan and a change in applicable Israeli tax laws, although options granted under this plan before December 31, 2002 are still valid subject to the plan. This plan has terms that are substantially identical to the terms of the key employee share incentive plan. The option committee of our board of directors administers the plan. Our employees, directors and consultants are eligible to participate in the plan. No options may be granted to any person serving on the option committee nor to any person who is or will become as a result of an option grant one of our controlling shareholders. The options expire five to ten years from the date of issuance. The following table presents option grant information for this plan as of December 31, 2003:
Ordinary
shares reserved |
|
Options outstanding |
|
Weighted
average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
829,950 |
|
829,950 |
|
$ 5.17 |
|
In September 2003, our shareholders approved the transfer of all unissued shares previously reserved by our shareholders for option grants for which no options were granted under the key employee share incentive plan and the affiliate options employees plan for grants pursuant to the 2003 share option plan.
The 2003 Share Option Plan
In September 2003, our shareholders approved and adopted our 2003 share option plan. This plan complies with recent changes in Israeli tax law with respect to stock options. It is also intended to be a qualified plan as defined by the U.S. Tax Code. Our worldwide employees, directors and consultants are eligible to participate in this plan. This plan has been approved by the Israeli Tax Authority as is required by applicable law.
49
Ordinary Shares Reserved for Option Grants |
|
Options Outstanding |
|
Weighted
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,872,379 |
|
1,515,500 |
|
$ 4.15 |
|
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth stock ownership information as of December 31, 2003 (unless otherwise noted below) with respect to:
1) |
Each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; and |
|
|
2) |
All the directors and executive officers. |
Except where otherwise indicated, and except pursuant to community property laws, we believe, based on information furnished by such owners, that the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares. The shareholders listed below do not have any different voting rights from any of our other shareholders. We know of no arrangements which would, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
Total shares beneficially owned in the table below include shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days. The shares that may be issued under these options are treated as outstanding only for purposes of determining the percent owned by the person or group holding the options but not for the purpose of determining the percentage ownership of any other person or group. Each of our directors and officers who is also a director or officer of an entity listed in the table below disclaims ownership of our ordinary shares owned by such entity.
Unless otherwise noted below, each shareholders address is 24 Raoul Wallenberg St., Tel Aviv 69719, Israel.
Name |
|
Number of |
|
Percentage
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zohar Zisapel (2) |
|
3,205,220 |
|
13.0 |
% |
|
Yehuda Zisapel (2) |
|
2,838,000 |
|
11.5 |
% |
|
Kern Capital Management, LLC(3) |
|
3,392,800 |
|
13.7 |
% |
|
HarbourVest
International Private Equity Partners III - |
|
1,409,175 |
|
5.7 |
% |
|
(1) |
Based on 24,675,313 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2003. |
(2) |
Yehuda Zisapel and Zohar Zisapel are brothers. |
(3) |
These holdings are derived from information furnished to the Company by this shareholder as of March 31, 2004. Robert E. Kern Jr. and David G. Kern are principals and controlling members of Kern Capital Management, LLC, which has its address at 114 West 47th Street, Suite 1926, New York, New York 10036. This shareholder was not a major shareholder during the periods covered by any prior Form 20-F annual reports filed by the Company. |
50
(4) |
The sole general partner of HarbourVest International Private Equity Partners III-Direct Fund, L.P. is HIPEP III-Direct Associates L.L.C., the managing member of which is HarbourVest Partners, LLC. The address of HarbourVest is One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, U.S.A. The members of HIPEP III Direct Associates L.L.C. and HarbourVest Partners LLC may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act) in an indeterminate portion of the shares beneficially owned by HarbourVest International Private Equity Partners III-Direct Fund, L.P. Such members disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. |
As of June 2, 2004, 77.4% of our ordinary shares were held in the United States and 68 record holders were in the United States.
Related Party Transactions
The RAD-BYNET Group of Companies
Yehuda Zisapel is a principal shareholder and Zohar Zisapel is our chairman of the board of directors and a principal shareholder of our company. They are brothers that do not vote as a group and do not have a voting agreement who, as of December 31, 2003, together control 24.5% of our company. Individually or together, they are also founders, directors and principal shareholders of several other companies which, together with us and the other affiliates, are known as the RAD-BYNET group. These corporations include the following, as well as several other real estate, holding and pharmaceutical companies:
AB-NET Communications Ltd. |
Modules Inc. |
RAD-OP Inc. |
Axerra Networks Inc. |
RADCOM Ltd. |
RADView Software Ltd. |
BYNET Data Communications Ltd. |
RAD Data Communications Ltd. and its subsidiaries |
RADVision Ltd. |
BYNET Electronics Ltd. |
RADWARE Ltd. |
|
BYNET SEMECH (Outsourcing) Ltd. |
SILICOM Ltd. |
RADWIN Ltd. |
BYNET Systems Applications Ltd. |
SANRAD Inc. |
RIT Technologies Ltd. |
|
RAD-Bynet Properties and Services (1981) Ltd. |
WISAIR Inc. |
The above list does not constitute a complete list of the investments of Messrs. Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel.
Mr. Gilon, our director, also serves as a director of other companies in the RAD-BYNET group, including RADCOM Ltd., and RIT Technologies Ltd. Mr. Ackerman, the president of our U.S. subsidiary, founded and served in the past as President of DORNET Systems, a U.S. distributor for some companies in the RAD-BYNET group. Mr. Ackerman also served in the past as the vice president of North American sales of RIT Technologies.
In addition to engaging in other businesses, members of the RAD-BYNET group are actively engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting data communications products, none of which currently compete with our products. Some of the products of members of the RAD-BYNET group are complementary to, and may be used in connection with, our products.
Members of the RAD-BYNET group provide us on an as-needed basis with finance, legal, management information systems, marketing, and administrative services, and we reimburse each company for its costs in providing these services. The aggregate amount of these expenses was approximately $175 thousand in 2003.
51
We generally ascertain the market prices for goods and services that can be obtained at arms length from unaffiliated third parties before entering into any transaction with a member of the RAD-BYNET group for those goods and services. In addition, all of our transactions to date with members of the RAD-BYNET group were approved by our board of directors and audit committee. As a result, we believe that the terms of the transactions in which we have engaged and are currently engaged with other members of the RAD-BYNET group are beneficial to us and no less favorable to us than terms which might be available to us from unaffiliated third parties. Any future transaction and arrangement with entities, including other members of the RAD-BYNET group, in which our office holders have a personal interest will require approval by our audit committee, our board of directors and, if applicable, our shareholders.
Lease Arrangements
We lease our office space for our current headquarters and principal administrative, finance, marketing and sales operations from most real estate holding companies controlled by Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel. The leased facility is approximately 51,500 square feet in size. The lease for this facility is valid until May 2005, with options to renew for two additional one-year periods. We also lease additional space in adjacent buildings from companies controlled by Zohar Zisapel and Yehuda Zisapel. Additionally, we lease space for our U.S. headquarters from a real estate holding company controlled by Yehuda Zisapel and Zohar Zisapel. This facility is approximately 4,156 square feet in size. The lease for this facility is valid until September 2008. The aggregate amount of rent and maintenance expenses related to these properties was approximately $0.9 million in 2003.
Supply Arrangement
We purchase components from RAD Data Communications Ltd. and other members of the RAD-BYNET group which we integrate into our products. The aggregate purchase price of these components was approximately $300 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Registration Rights
In connection with the private placement of preferred shares before our initial public offering in August 2000, several of our shareholders were granted registration rights with respect to 14,581,500 ordinary shares which resulted following conversion of their preferred shares immediately prior to the completion of our initial public offering. The agreement grants registration rights to each of:
|
the majority of the holders of the ordinary shares resulting from the conversion of such preferred shares; and |
|
|
|
Yehuda Zisapel and Zohar Zisapel. |
Under the agreement, each of these shareholder groups has the right to make a single demand for the registration of their ordinary shares outstanding at the time of the initial public offering, provided that the demand covers shares representing a market value of at least $4 million and does not include shares which may be sold without restriction within three months from the date of the demand. These registration rights will be exercisable at any time commencing on the first anniversary of the consummation of the initial public offering for a period of three years, or, in specified cases, for a period of five years thereafter. In addition, each of the shareholders has the right to have its ordinary shares included in certain of our registration statements.
52
Agreement with Our Chief Executive Officer
In July 1996, we entered into an agreement with Shraga Katz, pursuant to which he agreed to serve as our chief executive officer for a period of no less than five years from July 1996. The agreement provides that Shraga Katz may not compete with us or disclose to third parties information pertaining to our business for a period ranging from twelve to thirty months from the date of termination of his employment, depending on the length of his term of employment with us.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
The annual financial statements required by this item are found at the end of this Annual Report, beginning on Page F-1.
Export Sales
In 2003, 93% of our sales were to customers located outside of Israel.
Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings, nor have there been any material legal proceedings in which any of our directors, members of senior management, or affiliates is either a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us. There are no material legal or governmental proceedings which we know to be pending against us.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any dividend on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our ordinary shares in the future, except for the share dividend that was paid as a result of a 250-for-1 share recapitalization that took place immediately prior to our initial public offering. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance our operations and to expand our business.
No Significant Changes
No significant change to Ceragons financial condition has occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included herein.
Corporate Tax Rate
Israeli companies are generally subject to income tax at the rate of 36% and are subject to capital gains tax at a rate of 25% for capital gains (other than gains deriving from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003. However, a program at our manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv has been granted approved enterprise status under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959. We are entitled to a reduction in the normally applicable tax rate for income generated from this program. Additionally, an investment program at our former Jerusalem facility had been granted approved enterprise status. Although we closed the Jerusalem facility during 2001, we received approval to transfer the approved enterprise program from Jerusalem to our Tel Aviv facility later in 2001. Subject to compliance with applicable requirements, the portion of income derived from an approved enterprise program investment is eligible for the following tax benefits commencing in the first year in which it generates taxable income:
53
Year after we |
|
Tax benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1-2 |
|
Tax-exempt |
|
3-7 |
|
Corporate tax of up to 25% |
|
8-10 |
|
Corporate tax of up to 25% if more than 25% of our shares are held by non-Israeli investors |
|
We have derived, and expect to continue to derive, a substantial portion of our revenues from our approved enterprise program. The benefits available to an approved enterprise program are described above. These benefits are dependent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in applicable law and in the certificate of approval. Because we have not generated taxable income, the period of tax benefits for our existing approved enterprise program has not yet commenced. After we begin to report taxable income and exhaust any net operating loss carry-forwards, these benefits should result in recognized income from the approved enterprise being tax exempt or taxed at a lower rate for a specified period. However, these benefits may not be applied to reduce the tax rate for any income derived by our non-Israeli subsidiaries.
The portion of our income derived from our approved enterprise program at our manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv will be exempt from tax for a period of two years commencing in the first year in which we have taxable income and will be subject to a reduced company tax of up to 25% for the subsequent period of five years, or eight years if the percentage of non-Israeli investors who hold our ordinary shares exceeds 25%.
Until December 31, 1998, our company was considered a family company for tax purposes (according to Section 64A of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance). Accordingly, until December 31, 1998 our losses for tax purposes were assigned to our shareholders and are not available to us.
As of December 31, 2003, our net operating loss carry-forwards for Israeli income tax purposes amounted to approximately $74 million. Under Israeli law, these net-operating losses may be carried forward indefinitely and offset against future taxable income. We have provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of the tax benefit derived from these loss carry-forwards due to our history of operating losses and the uncertainty as to when these benefits will be utilized. Deferred taxes in respect of other temporary differences are immaterial.
As of December 31, 2003, the net operating loss carry-forwards of our New Jersey subsidiary for U.S. tax purposes amounted to approximately $6.5 million. These losses are available to offset any future U.S. taxable income of our U.S. subsidiary and will expire during the years 2019 to 2023.
Government Grants
Our research and development efforts have been financed through internal resources and grants from the Chief Scientist. Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984, approved research and development plan are eligible for grants of up to 50% of the research and development expenditures if they meet certain criteria.
For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, the Chief Scientist provided grants for research and development expenditures of approximately $1.9 million and $2.0 million, representing 21% and 22% of our total research and development expenses in each of these respective periods. We expect that the Chief Scientist grants will be maintained at the same approximate percentage of our total research and development expenses in the short term.
Our total obligation for royalties to the Chief Scientist for grants received or accrued plus interest, net of royalties paid, or accrued, amounted to approximately $10.8 million as of December 31, 2003.
54
For the last three years, we have paid or accrued royalties to the Chief Scientist as follows:
|
|
Royalties paid or accrued |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|||
Year ended December 31, 2001 |
|
|
$ |
778 |
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2002 |
|
|
$ |
613 |
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2003 |
|
|
$ |
1,165 |
|
|
The Government of Israel, through its Fund for the Encouragement of Marketing Activities, awards grants to Israeli companies for overseas marketing expenses, including expenses for maintaining branches, advertising, catalogs, exhibitions and surveys, up to a maximum rate of 30% of these expenses, not to exceed $1.0 million annually. In 1999, we received grants from the marketing fund totaling approximately $50 thousand.
In addition, we submitted a marketing plan that was approved in May 2000. Under this program, we received grants totaling $180 thousand in 2001. In respect of this grant, we are required to pay a royalty at the rate of 4% of the total increase in export sales, up to the total amount of the grant received, commencing on January 1, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, we were obligated to repay a total of $180 thousand to the Government of Israel for grants received from the marketing fund.
Our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market since August 4, 2000.
The table below sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low last reported prices of the ordinary shares as reported on Nasdaq since August 4, 2000.
|
|
Ordinary Shares |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Year Ending December 31, 2000: |
|
32.00 |
|
|
10.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2001: |
|
19.31 |
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2002: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
4.55 |
|
|
2.80 |
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
3.00 |
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
1.63 |
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
1.39 |
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2003: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
1.56 |
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
3.15 |
|
|
1.44 |
|
|
Third Quarter |
|
5.26 |
|
|
2.67 |
|
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
7.47 |
|
|
4.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Six Months: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
|
7.47 |
|
|
4.72 |
|
|
January |
|
8.69 |
|
|
7.24 |
|
|
February |
|
7.40 |
|
|
6.04 |
|
|
March |
|
7.03 |
|
|
5.93 |
|
|
April |
|
7.48 |
|
|
6.08 |
|
|
May |
|
5.98 |
|
|
4.80 |
|
|
55
As of June 25, 2004, the last reported price of one of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq National Market was $5.39.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Memorandum and Articles of Association
A description of our memorandum and articles of association was previously provided in our registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration Statement 333-12312) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2000, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Material Contracts
None.
Exchange Controls
There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares, except for the obligation of Israeli residents to file reports with the Bank of Israel regarding certain transactions. However, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.
Taxation
The following is a short summary of the tax environment to which shareholders may be subject. The following is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. Each individual should consult his or her own tax or legal advisor.
This summary is based on the current provisions of tax law and, except for the foregoing, does not anticipate any possible changes in law, whether by legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial action. Holders of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares.
Israeli Capital Gains Tax on Sales of Shares
Israeli law imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets located in Israel, including shares in Israeli companies, by both residents and non-residents of Israel unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholders country of residence provides otherwise . The law distinguishes between real gain and inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is a portion of the total capital gain that is equivalent to the increase of the relevant assets purchase price which is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index or, in certain circumstances, a foreign currency exchange rate, between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus. Capital gains (other than gains deriving from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003, are taxed at a rate of 25% for both individuals and corporations. Regarding assets acquired prior to January 1, 2003, the tax rate of 25% will apply to a proportionate part of the gain in accordance with the holding periods of the asset, before and after January 1, 2003, on a linear basis.
Pursuant to the Tax Reform, generally, capital gains tax is imposed at a rate of 15% on real gains derived on or after January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares in (i) companies publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) or; (ii) Israeli companies publicly traded on Nasdaq or another recognized stock market in a country that has a treaty for the prevention of double taxation with Israel (such as us), or (iii) companies dually traded on both the TASE and Nasdaq or a recognized stock market outside of Israel. This tax rate is contingent upon the shareholder not claiming a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares (in which case the gain will be taxed at a rate of 25%), and does not apply to: (i) the sale of shares to a relative (as defined in the tax reform); (ii) the sale of shares by dealers in securities; or (iii) the sale of shares by shareholders that report in accordance with the Inflationary Adjustment Law (who will be taxed at a rate of 36% for corporations and at a marginal tax rate of up to 50% for individuals). The tax basis of shares acquired prior to January 1, 2003, will be determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.
56
In December 2003, regulations promulgated pursuant to the tax reform were amended so that, in certain circumstances, capital gains derived from the sale and subsequent (same day) repurchase of shares traded on the TASE or from shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock market in a country that has a treaty for the prevention of double taxation with Israel, may be taxed at a rate equal to the withholding tax rate applicable to revenues derived from such sale. In accordance with an announcement published by the Israeli Income Tax Commission, the withholding tax rate applicable to the sale of such shares until the end of the 2003 tax year, which was equal at such time to 1% of the revenues generated in their sale, was determined as the final tax rate applicable to such sale. The amended regulations also determined that the day of such sale and repurchase shall be considered the new date of purchase of such shares. The foregoing was not applicable to: (i) dealers in securities; (ii) shareholders that report in accordance with the Inflationary Adjustment Law; (iii) shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering; (iv) in some cases, shareholders that received their shares within the framework of an employer-employee relationship; or (v) shareholders claiming a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares. The regulations further provided that with respect to shares of Israeli companies traded on a stock market outside of Israel, the market price determined at the close of the trading day preceding the day of sale and repurchase of such shares, shall constitute the new tax basis for any future sale of such shares.
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares publicly traded on the TASE, provided such gains did not derive from a permanent establishment of such shareholders in Israel, and are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock market outside of Israel, provided however that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to an initial public offering. In addition, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if an Israeli resident (i) has a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) is the beneficiary of or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.
Under the convention between the United States and Israel concerning taxes on income, as amended (the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty), generally, Israeli capital gains tax will not apply to the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a person:
|
who holds the ordinary shares as a capital asset; and |
|
|
|
who qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel tax treaty; and |
|
|
|
who is entitled to claim the benefits available to the person by the U.S.-Israel tax treaty. |
However, this exemption will not apply if the treaty U.S. resident holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the 12-month period preceding the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to specified conditions. In this case, the sale, exchange or disposition would be subject to Israeli tax, to the extent applicable. However, under the U.S.-Israel tax treaty, the treaty U.S. resident would be permitted to claim a credit for the taxes against the U.S. federal income tax imposed on the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel tax treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.
57
Israeli Taxation of Non-Resident Holders of Shares
Non-residents of Israel are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. These sources of income include passive income, including dividends, royalties and interest, as well as non-passive income from services provided in Israel. On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares or stock dividends, income tax is withheld at the source. Unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholders country of residence, the withholding rate is as follows:
|
|
Dividends not generated by an approved enterprise |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
Dividends
generated by |
|
U.S.
company holding |
|
Other non-resident |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15% |
|
12.5% |
|
25% |
|
Israeli Foreign Exchange Regulations
We are permitted to pay in Israeli and non-Israeli currency:
|
dividends to holders of our ordinary shares; and |
|
|
|
any amounts payable to the holders of our ordinary shares upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up. |
If we make any payments in Israeli currency, the payments may be converted into freely repatriable dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Subject to the limitations described in the following paragraphs, the discussion below describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a holder of our ordinary shares, referred to in this discussion as a U.S. holder, that is:
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, |
|
|
|
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state or the District of Columbia, |
|
|
|
a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state or the District of Columbia, expect as otherwise provided by future Treasury regulations, |
|
|
|
an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or |
|
|
|
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
This summary is not a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to each persons decision to purchase ordinary shares. This summary considers only U.S. holders that will own ordinary shares as capital assets.
58
This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, current and proposed Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial decisions as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular shareholder based on the shareholders individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders that are subject to special treatment, including U.S. holders that:
|
are broker-dealers or insurance companies; |
|
|
|
have elected mark-to-market accounting; |
|
|
|
are tax-exempt organizations; |
|
|
|
are financial institutions or financial services entities; |
|
|
|
hold ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion or other integrated transaction with other investments; |
|
|
|
own directly, indirectly or by attribution at least 10% of our voting power; and |
|
|
|
have a functional currency that is not the U.S. dollar. |
In addition, this discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, nor the possible application of the U.S. federal estate or gift tax or any state inheritance, estate or gift tax.
Material aspects of U.S. federal income tax relevant to a holder other than a U.S. holder referred to in this discussion as a non-U.S. holder, are also discussed below.
Each prospective investor is advised to consult his or her own tax advisor for the specific tax consequences to him or her of purchasing, holding or disposing of our ordinary shares.
Taxation of Dividends Paid on Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion below under Tax Consequences if We are a Passive Foreign Investment Company, a U.S. holder will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on ordinary shares, including any Israeli taxes withheld from the amount paid, on the date the distribution is received, to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These distributions will be foreign source passive income (or in some cases, financial services income) for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction otherwise available to corporations. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. holders basis in the ordinary shares and, to the extent in excess of that basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of ordinary shares.
Distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits paid in foreign currency to a U.S. holder will be includible in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate on the day the distribution is received. A U.S. holder that receives a foreign currency distribution and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars after receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
U.S. holders will have the option of claiming the amount of any Israeli income taxes withheld at source either as a deduction from gross income or as a dollar-for-dollar credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Individuals who do not claim itemized deductions, but instead utilize the standard deduction, may not claim a deduction for the amount of the Israeli income taxes withheld, but the amount may be claimed as a credit against the individuals U.S. federal income tax liability. The amount of foreign income taxes that may be claimed as a credit in any year is subject to complex limitations and restrictions, which must be determined on an individual basis by each shareholder. These limitations include the provisions described in the following paragraphs as well as rules which limit foreign tax credits allowable for specific classes of income to the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable on each class of income. The total amount of allowable foreign tax credits in any year cannot exceed the pre-credit U.S. tax liability for the year attributable to foreign source taxable income.
59
A U.S. holder will be denied a foreign tax credit for Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received on the ordinary shares:
|
if the U.S. holder has not held the ordinary shares for at least 16 days of the 30 day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date; or |
|
|
|
to the extent the U.S. holder is under an obligation to make related payments on substantially similar or related property. |
Any days during which a U.S. holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the ordinary shares are not counted toward meeting the 16 day holding period required by the statute.
Taxation of the Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion below under Tax Consequences if We are a Passive Foreign Investment Company, upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares, a U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. holders basis in the ordinary shares, which is usually the cost to the U.S. holder of the shares, and the amount realized on the disposition. A disposition of shares will be considered to occur on the trade date, regardless of the holders method of accounting. Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares held more than one year is long-term capital gain, and is eligible for a reduced rate of taxation in the case of individuals. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. The deductibility of a capital loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares is subject to limitations.
A U.S. holder that uses the cash method of accounting calculates the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles. However, a U.S. holder that uses the accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of the proceeds of the sale as of the trade date and may therefore realize foreign currency gain or loss. The U.S. holder may avoid realizing foreign currency gain or loss if he or she has elected to use the settlement date to determine its proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating the foreign currency gain or loss. In addition, a U.S. holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of ordinary shares and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars after receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Tax Consequences if We Are a Passive Foreign Investment Company
We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, if 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year, including the pro rata share of the gross income of any U.S. or foreign corporation, in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, we will be considered to be a PFIC if at least 50% of our assets in a taxable year, ordinarily determined based on the average fair market value of our assets over the taxable year and including the pro rata share of the assets of any company in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, produce or are held for the production of passive income.
If we were a PFIC, and a U.S. holder did not make an election to treat us as a qualified electing fund as described below, excess distributions by us to a U.S. holder would be taxed in a special way. Excess distributions are amounts received by a U.S. holder on shares in a PFIC in any taxable year that exceed 125% of the average distributions received by the U.S. holder from the PFIC in the shorter of:
60
|
the three previous years; or |
|
|
|
the U.S. holders holding period for ordinary shares before the present taxable year. |
Excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day after 1986 that a U.S. holder has held shares in a PFIC. A U.S. holder would then be required to include amounts allocated to the current taxable year in its gross income as ordinary income for that year. Further, a U.S. holder would be required to pay tax on amounts allocated to each prior taxable year at the highest rate in effect for that year on ordinary income and the tax would be subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies for income tax.
The entire amount of gain that is realized by a U.S. holder upon the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares will also be treated as an excess distribution and will be subject to tax as described above.
In some circumstances a U.S. holders tax basis in our ordinary shares that were inherited from a deceased person who was a U.S. holder would not equal the fair market value of those ordinary shares as of the date of the deceaseds death but would instead be equal to the deceaseds basis, if lower.
The special PFIC rules described above will not apply to a U.S. holder if that U.S. holder makes an election to treat us as a qualified electing fund in the first taxable year in which the U.S. holder owns ordinary shares and if we comply with specified reporting requirements. Instead, a U.S. holder having made a qualified electing fund election, or QEF election, is required for each taxable year to include in income a pro rata share of the ordinary earnings of the qualified electing fund as ordinary income and a pro rata share of the net capital gain of the qualified electing fund as long-term capital gain, subject to a separate election to defer payment of taxes. If deferred, the taxes will be subject to an interest charge. We would supply U.S. holders with the information needed to report income and gain under a QEF election if we were classified as a PFIC.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and can be revoked only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. A shareholder makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including the PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return and by filing a copy of the form with the IRS Service Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even if a QEF election is not made, a shareholder in a PFIC who is a U.S. person must file a completed IRS Form 8621 every year.
A U.S. holder of PFIC shares which are publicly traded may elect to mark the stock to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the PFIC shares and the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the PFIC shares. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the U.S. holder under the election for prior taxable years. If the mark-to-market election were made, then the rules described above would not apply for periods covered by the election.
Although we do not believe that we were a PFIC in 2003, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with that conclusion or that we will not become a PFIC in 2004 or in a subsequent year. The tests for determining PFIC status are applied annually and it is difficult to make accurate predictions of future income and assets, which are relevant to this determination. U.S. holders who hold ordinary shares during a period when we are a PFIC will be subject to these rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC, subject to specified exceptions for U.S. holders who made a QEF election. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the PFIC rules, including QEF and mark-to-market elections.
Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares
Except as described in Information Reporting and Back-up Withholding below, a non-U.S. holder of ordinary shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of, ordinary shares, unless:
|
the item is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States and: |
61
|
(i) |
in the case of a resident of a country which has a treaty with the United States, the item is attributable to a permanent establishment; or |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
in the case of an individual, the item is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States; |
|
the non-U.S. holder is an individual who holds the ordinary shares as a capital asset and is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and does not qualify for an exemption; or |
|
|
|
the non-U.S. holder is subject to tax under the provisions of U.S. tax law applicable to U.S. expatriates. |
Information Reporting and Back-up Withholding
U.S. holders generally are subject to information reporting requirements for dividends paid in the United States on ordinary shares. Dividends paid in the United States to a U.S. holder on ordinary shares are subject to back-up withholding at a rate of 30% unless the U.S. holder provides IRS Form W-9 or establishes an exemption. U.S. holders generally are subject to information reporting and back-up withholding at a rate of 30% on proceeds paid from the disposition of ordinary shares unless the U.S. holder provides IRS Form W-9 or establishes an exemption.
Non-U.S. holders generally are not subject to information reporting or back-up withholding for dividends paid on, or upon the disposition of, ordinary shares, provided that the non-U.S. holder provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies to its foreign status, or establishes another exemption to the information reporting or back-up withholding requirements.
The amount of any back-up withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. or non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Documents on Display
We file reports and other information with the SEC. These reports include certain financial and statistical information about us, and may be accompanied by exhibits. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. You may also visit us on the World Wide Web at www.ceragon.com.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Accordingly, we have concluded that there is no material market risk exposure of the type contemplated by Item 11, and that no quantitative tabular disclosures are required. We are exposed to certain other types of market risks, as further described below.
We are exposed to financial market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The majority of our revenue and expenses are transacted in U.S. dollars. A portion of our expenses and revenues, however, are denominated in New Israeli Shekels, Euros, British pounds, and other foreign currencies. During 2003, in order to protect against the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we used forward contracts to hedge material amounts. As of year end, the outstanding balance of these forward contracts was immaterial.
62
We invest in investment grade U.S. corporate and government bonds and dollar deposits with banks. Since these investments typically carry fixed interest rates and since our policy and practice is to hold these investments to maturity, financial income over the holding period is not sensitive to changes in interest rates.
As of December 31, 2003, we had no other exposure to changes in interest rates and had no interest rate derivative financial instruments outstanding.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES.
Not applicable
63
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.
None
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
Use of Proceeds
As of December 31, 2003, approximately 58% of the net offering proceeds from our initial public offering were invested in short term investments. The remaining 42% of the net offering proceeds were invested in long term investments. During fiscal year 2003, we used $0.4 million of the net offering proceeds on capital expenditures, including manufacturing equipment, research equipment and leasehold improvements.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) The Company performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the material financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed on Form 20-F and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported timely. Based on the Companys evaluation, the Companys management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within Ceragon to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Companys reports.
(b) There have been no significant changes in Companys internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation thereof. Therefore, no corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses were taken.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Companys board of directors has determined that Mr. Joseph Atsmon is the audit committee financial expert.
In November 2003, the Companys board of directors adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and controller. A copy of the Companys Code of Ethics may be obtained, without charge, upon a written request addressed to the Companys investor relations department, 24 Raoul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv 69719, Israel (Telephone no. +972-3-645-5733) (e-mail: ir@ceragon.com).
64
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Fees Paid to Independent Auditors
The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees paid to our independent auditors and the percentage of each of the fees out of the total amount paid to the auditors.
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Services Rendered |
|
Fees |
|
Percentages |
|
Fees |
|
Percentages |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Audit (1) |
|
$ |
35,000 |
|
87.5 |
% |
|
$ |
52,500 |
|
47 |
% |
|
Audit-related(2) |
|
|
--- |
|
--- |
|
|
|
--- |
|
--- |
|
|
Tax (3) |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
12.5 |
% |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
53 |
% |
|
Other (4) |
|
|
--- |
|
--- |
|
|
|
--- |
|
--- |
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
112,500 |
|
100 |
% |
|
(1) |
Audit fees consist of services that would normally be provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including services that generally only the independent accountant can reasonably provide. |
|
|
(2) |
Audit-related fees relate to assurance and associated services that traditionally are performed by the independent auditor, including: accounting consultation and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. |
|
|
(3) |
Tax fees relate to tax compliance, planning, and advice. |
|
|
(4) |
Other fees include services related to consulting services provided to two of our subsidiaries. |
Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent auditors, Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer, a Member of Ernst & Young Global. The policy requires the Audit Committees approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent auditor. The policy prohibits retention of the independent auditors to perform the prohibited non-audit functions defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or the rules of the SEC, and also considers whether proposed services are compatible with the independence of the public auditors.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not Applicable.
65
PART III
Not applicable.
The Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto required by this item are contained on pages F-1 through F-31hereof.
(a) |
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
PAGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reports of Independent Auditors and Independent Public Accountants |
|
F-2 |
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and 2002 |
|
F-4 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 |
|
F-6 |
|
|
Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 |
|
F-7 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 |
|
F-8 |
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
F-9 |
|
(b) |
Exhibits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 |
Memorandum of Association (English translation accompanied by Hebrew original* |
|
|
1.2 |
Articles of Association** |
|
|
4.1 |
Tenancy
Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2000, by and among the Company, Zisapel
Properties Ltd. and Klil & Michael Properties Ltd. (English
translation)*** |
|
|
8.1 |
List of Subsidiaries |
|
|
10.1 |
Consent of Independent Auditors |
|
|
10.2 |
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
* Previously
filed as exhibit 3.1 in connection with the Companys Registration Statement on
Form F-1 (Registration Statement 333-12312) on August 3, 2000 and incorporated
herein by reference.
** Previously filed as exhibit 3.2 in connection with the Companys
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration Statement 333-12312) on August
3, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.
*** Previously filed as exhibit 10.3 in connection with the Companys
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration Statement 333-12312) on August
3, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.
66
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003
IN U.S. DOLLARS
INDEX
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F2 - F3 |
|
|
|
|
|
F4 - F5 |
|
|
|
|
|
F6 |
|
|
|
|
|
F7 |
|
|
|
|
|
F8 |
|
|
|
|
|
F9 F31 |
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Shareholders of
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ceragon Networks Ltd. (the Company) and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial statements of Ceragon Networks Ltd. as of December 31, 2001 and for the year then ended, were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations as a foreign associated firm of the Securities and Exchange Commission Practice Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and whose report dated January 31, 2002, expressed an unqualified option on those statements.
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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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, based on our audits, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Tel-Aviv,
Israel |
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER |
F-2
This is a copy of the previously issued Independent Public Accountants report of Arthur Andersen. The report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders of
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ceragon Networks Ltd. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and Israel, including those prescribed under the Auditors Regulations (Auditors Mode of Performance), 1973. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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 consolidated financial position of Ceragon Networks Ltd. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
|
|
Luboshitz Kasierer |
Tel-Aviv, Israel
January 31, 2002
F-3
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Note |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
$ |
4,688 |
|
$ |
7,307 |
|
Short-term bank deposits |
|
|
|
|
10,853 |
|
|
10,556 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
3 |
|
|
11,743 |
|
|
4,861 |
|
Trade
receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of |
|
|
|
|
4,329 |
|
|
5,056 |
|
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses |
|
4 |
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
2,892 |
|
Inventories |
|
5 |
|
|
8,054 |
|
|
11,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
40,935 |
|
|
41,775 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term bank deposits |
|
|
|
|
4,214 |
|
|
1,473 |
|
Long-term marketable securities |
|
3 |
|
|
11,675 |
|
|
14,849 |
|
Severance pay fund |
|
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
1,664 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term investments |
|
|
|
|
17,089 |
|
|
17,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
|
6 |
|
|
3,616 |
|
|
2,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
$ |
61,640 |
|
$ |
62,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-4
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share data) |
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Note |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables |
|
|
|
$ |
5,744 |
|
$ |
5,662 |
|
Deferred revenues |
|
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
1,188 |
|
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
7 |
|
|
4,158 |
|
|
4,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
10,549 |
|
|
11,294 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACCRUED SEVERANCE PAY |
|
|
|
|
1,825 |
|
|
2,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 par value - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized:
40,000,000 shares at December 31, 2002 and |
|
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
61 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
169,286 |
|
|
175,043 |
|
Deferred stock compensation |
|
|
|
|
(1,772 |
) |
|
(395 |
) |
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
|
|
(118,304 |
) |
|
(126,026 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
49,266 |
|
|
48,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
|
|
$ |
61,640 |
|
$ |
62,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-5
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data) |
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Note |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
12 |
|
$ |
24,852 |
|
$ |
18,394 |
|
$ |
34,421 |
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
|
|
45,282 |
|
|
12,791 |
|
|
20,646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
|
|
(20,430 |
) |
|
5,603 |
|
|
13,775 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
12,967 |
|
|
9,143 |
|
|
8,946 |
|
|
Less - grants and participations |
|
|
|
|
2,660 |
|
|
1,870 |
|
|
1,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development, net |
|
|
|
|
10,307 |
|
|
7,273 |
|
|
6,970 |
|
|
Selling and marketing, net |
|
8a(2) |
|
|
11,924 |
|
|
9,130 |
|
|
9,437 |
|
|
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
5,770 |
|
|
2,031 |
|
|
2,167 |
|
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation (a) |
|
|
|
|
6,431 |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
Restructuring
and Non-recurring expenses |
|
11 |
|
|
4,750 |
|
|
83 |
|
|
(704 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
39,182 |
|
|
21,491 |
|
|
19,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss |
|
|
|
|
(59,612 |
) |
|
(15,888 |
) |
|
(5,449 |
) |
|
Financial income, net |
|
13 |
|
|
2,769 |
|
|
1,528 |
|
|
1,159 |
|
|
Other financial expenses Non - cash charge |
|
2u, 9c |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(3,432 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
$ |
(56,843 |
) |
$ |
(14,360 |
) |
$ |
(7,722 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
|
|
$ |
(2.69 |
) |
$ |
(0.64 |
) |
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average number of shares used in |
|
|
|
|
21,099,336 |
|
|
22,375,939 |
|
|
23,063,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Amortization
of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
|
$ |
400 |
|
$ |
214 |
|
$ |
109 |
|
|
Research and development expenses, net |
|
|
|
|
2,248 |
|
|
958 |
|
|
400 |
|
|
Selling and marketing expenses, net |
|
|
|
|
1,984 |
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
530 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
1,799 |
|
|
730 |
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
amortization of deferred stock |
|
|
|
$ |
6,431 |
|
$ |
2,974 |
|
$ |
1,354 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-6
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
Share |
|
Additional |
|
Deferred |
|
Accumulated |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2001 |
|
$ |
52 |
|
$ |
170,348 |
|
$ |
(12,231 |
) |
$ |
(47,101 |
) |
$ |
111,068 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
4 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
4 |
|
Reversal
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
(952 |
) |
|
952 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Additional IPO expenses |
|
|
- |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(41 |
) |
Amortization
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
6,431 |
|
|
- |
|
|
6,431 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(56,843 |
) |
|
(56,843 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2001 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
169,355 |
|
|
(4,848 |
) |
|
(103,944 |
) |
|
60,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
*) - |
|
|
33 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
33 |
|
Reversal
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
(102 |
) |
|
102 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Amortization
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,974 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(14,360 |
) |
|
(14,360 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2002 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
169,286 |
|
|
(1,772 |
) |
|
(118,304 |
) |
|
49,266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of restricted shares to a |
|
|
*) - |
|
|
314 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
314 |
|
Stock
based compensation related to |
|
|
- |
|
|
7 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
7 |
|
Exercise of a puttable warrant to supplier |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4,305 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
4,307 |
|
Exercise of employee stock options |
|
|
3 |
|
|
1,154 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,157 |
|
Reversal
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
23 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Amortization
of deferred stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,354 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(7,722 |
) |
|
(7,722 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2003 |
|
$ |
61 |
|
$ |
175,043 |
|
$ |
(395 |
) |
$ |
(126,026 |
) |
$ |
48,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*) Represents an amount lower than $ 1.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
F-7
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(56,843 |
) |
$ |
(14,360 |
) |
$ |
(7,722 |
) |
Adjustments
required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
2,015 |
|
|
1,737 |
|
|
1,306 |
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
6,431 |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
1,354 |
|
Stock
based compensation related to warrants granted to |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
7 |
|
Other financial expense - non - cash charge relating to a puttable |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
3,432 |
|
Loss
(gain) from sales and impairment of property and |
|
|
2,018 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
(34 |
) |
Accrued severance pay, net |
|
|
77 |
|
|
44 |
|
|
162 |
|
Accrued interest on short-term bank deposits |
|
|
(410 |
) |
|
165 |
|
|
85 |
|
Accrued interest on long-term bank deposits |
|
|
- |
|
|
(136 |
) |
|
127 |
|
Interest
accrued and amortization of premium on held to maturity |
|
|
(192 |
) |
|
306 |
|
|
(142 |
) |
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables |
|
|
9,883 |
|
|
(1,507 |
) |
|
(727 |
) |
Decrease
(increase) in other accounts receivable and prepaid |
|
|
3,291 |
|
|
875 |
|
|
(1,624 |
) |
Decrease (increase) in inventories |
|
|
14,813 |
|
|
(677 |
) |
|
(3,049 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in trade payables |
|
|
(6,581 |
) |
|
704 |
|
|
163 |
|
Increase in deferred revenues |
|
|
- |
|
|
647 |
|
|
541 |
|
Increase
(decrease) in other accounts payable and accrued |
|
|
1,422 |
|
|
(758 |
) |
|
1,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(24,076 |
) |
|
(9,960 |
) |
|
(4,891 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property and equipment |
|
|
(3,177 |
) |
|
(343 |
) |
|
(413 |
) |
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment |
|
|
223 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
90 |
|
Short-term bank deposits, net |
|
|
(16,075 |
) |
|
15,723 |
|
|
4,290 |
|
Investment in long-term bank deposits |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,078 |
) |
|
(1,464 |
) |
Investment in held to maturity marketable securities |
|
|
(20,501 |
) |
|
(26,594 |
) |
|
(11,205 |
) |
Proceeds
from sales and maturities of held to maturity marketable |
|
|
- |
|
|
23,429 |
|
|
15,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
(39,530 |
) |
|
8,194 |
|
|
6,353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
|
4 |
|
|
33 |
|
|
1,157 |
|
Payment of additional IPO expenses |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
33 |
|
|
1,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(63,643 |
) |
|
(1,733 |
) |
|
2,619 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
|
70,064 |
|
|
6,421 |
|
|
4,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
$ |
6,421 |
|
$ |
4,688 |
|
$ |
7,307 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
10 |
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure of non-cash investing and financing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted shares to lessor |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of a puttable warrant |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
4,307 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-8
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 1:- |
GENERAL |
|
|
|
|
|
Ceragon Networks Ltd. (the Company) is an Israeli corporation which is engaged in one business segment - developing, manufacturing and marketing high capacity broadband wireless network equipment. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has eight wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S., in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, India and Brazil. The subsidiaries provide marketing, distribution, sales and technical support to the Companys customers in Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and the U.S. |
|
|
|
|
|
As to principal markets and major customers, see Note 12. |
|
|
|
|
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
|
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). |
|
|
|
|
|
a. |
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 amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
|
|
|
|
b. |
Financial statements in U.S. dollars: |
|
|
|
|
|
A majority of the revenues of the Company and its subsidiaries is generated in U.S. dollars (dollars). In addition, a substantial portion of the Company and its subsidiaries costs is incurred in dollars. Since the Companys management believes that the dollar is the primary currency in the economic environment in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, the dollar is their functional and reporting currency. |
|
|
|
|
|
Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar are remeasured into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of the Financial Accounting Standard No. 52 Foreign Currency Translation (SFAS No. 52). All transaction gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the statements of operations as financial income or expense, as appropriate. |
|
|
|
|
c. |
Principles of consolidation: |
|
|
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions, including profits from inter company sales not yet realized outside the Company, have been eliminated upon consolidation. |
F-9
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
d. |
Cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original maturities of three months or less at the date acquired. |
|
|
|
|
e. |
Short-term and long-term bank deposits: |
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term bank deposits are deposits with maturities of more than three months, but less than one year. The short-term bank deposits are in U.S. dollars and bear interest at an average rate of 2.25%. The short-term bank deposits are presented at their cost, including accrued interest. |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term bank deposits are deposits with maturities of more than one year. The long-term deposits are in U.S. dollars and bear interest at an average rate of 1.83%. The long-term bank deposits are presented at their cost, including accrued interest. |
|
|
|
|
f. |
Marketable securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company accounts for investments in marketable securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (SFAS No. 115). |
|
|
|
|
|
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable debt securities and commercial papers at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determinations at each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are stated at amortized cost. |
|
|
|
|
|
During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, all securities covered by SFAS No. 115 were designated by the Companys management as held-to-maturity. |
|
|
|
|
|
The amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization, decline in value judged to be other than temporary and interest are included in financial income, net. Realized gains and losses on sale of investments, as determined on a specific identification basis are included in the financial income net, as well. |
|
|
|
|
g. |
Inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, technological obsolescence, excess inventories and for market prices lower than cost. In 2001, the Company wrote off approximately $ 26,900 of excess inventory, which has been included in cost of revenues. |
F-10
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost is determined as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Raw materials, parts and supplies - using the moving average cost method with the addition of allocable indirect manufacturing costs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Work-in-progress and finished products - recorded on the basis of direct manufacturing costs with the addition of allocable indirect manufacturing costs. |
|
|
|
|
h. |
Property and equipment: |
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, at the following annual rates: |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computers, manufacturing and peripheral equipment |
|
15 - 33 |
|
|
Office furniture and equipment |
|
7 |
|
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
Over the term of the lease |
|
|
i. |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS No. 144), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. As of December 31, 2003, no impairment losses have been identified. |
|
|
|
|
j. |
Income taxes: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company and its subsidiaries account for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS No. 109). This statement prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company and its subsidiaries provide a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value. |
F-11
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
k. |
Revenue recognition: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company generates revenues from selling its products indirectly through systems integrators, distributors, resellers and Original Equipment Manufacturers and directly to end-users. |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues from product sales are recognized in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB No. 104), when delivery has occurred, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the vendors fee is fixed or determinable, no future obligation exists and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company generally does not grant a right of return to its customers. When a right of return exists, the Company defers revenues until the right of return expires. |
|
|
|
|
|
When sale arrangement includes customer acceptance provision with respect to products, revenue is not recognized before the Company has demonstrated that the criteria specified in the acceptance provisions have been satisfied, or when the acceptance provision has lapsed. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company considers all arrangements with payment terms extending beyond its policy for ordinary course of credit, not to be fixed or determinable. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenues are recognized as payments become due from the customer provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from certain arrangements may include multiple elements, post delivery installation services and sale of products, within a single contract. The Companys accounting policy complies with the revenue determination requirements set forth in EITF 00-21, relating to the separation of multiple deliverables into individual accounting units with determinable fair values. |
|
|
|
|
|
During 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangement with Multiple Deliverables (EITF 00-21). The provisions of EITF 00-21 applied to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. This consensus addresses certain aspects of accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities, including, how to determine whether an arrangements involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company considers the sale of equipment and its installation to be two separate accounting units of the arrangement and only defers the fair value of the installation services (but not less than the amount contingent upon completion of installation/ acceptance, if any) to the period in which such installation occurs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenues include amounts received from customers but not recognized as revenues. |
|
|
|
|
l. |
Research and development costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development costs, net of grants received, are charged to the statements of operations as incurred. |
F-12
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
m. |
Royalty-bearing grants: |
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty-bearing grants from the Government of Israel for funding approved research and development projects are recognized at the time the Company is entitled to such grants, on the basis of the costs incurred and included as a deduction from research and development costs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty-bearing grants from the Fund for the Encouragement of Marketing Activities of the Government of Israel are recognized at the time the Company is entitled to such grants, on the basis of the costs incurred and included as a deduction from selling and marketing expenses. |
|
|
|
|
n. |
Advertising expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
Advertising expenses are charged to the statements of operations as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 were $ 552, $ 163 and $ 62, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
o. |
Concentrations of credit risk: |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company and its subsidiaries to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term bank deposits, marketable securities and trade receivables. |
|
|
|
|
|
The majority of the Companys cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term bank deposits are invested in U.S dollars instruments with major banks worldwide (mainly in the United States). Such cash and cash equivalents in the United States may be in excess of insured limits and are not insured in other jurisdictions. Management believes that the financial institutions that hold the Companys investments are financially sound and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these investments. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys trade receivables are derived from sales to large and solid organizations located mainly in the United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined with respect to those amounts that the Company has determined to be doubtful of collection and by a specific and general reserve. In certain circumstances, the Company may require letters of credit, other collateral or additional guarantees. The Company insures certain customers through the Israel Foreign Trade Insurance Company. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys marketable securities include investments in U.S government securities and debentures of corporations and commercial papers. Management believes that those corporations are financially sound, the portfolio is well diversified, and accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these marketable securities. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company and its subsidiaries have no significant off-balance-sheet concentration of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements. |
F-13
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
p. |
Accounting for stock-based compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Statement No. 25, Accounting for Stock Options Issued to Employees (APB No. 25) and FASB Interpretation No. 44 Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation (FIN No. 44) in accounting for its employee stock option plans. Under APB No. 25, when the exercise price of an employee stock option is less than the market value of the underlying share on the date of grant, compensation expense is recognized and amortized over the vesting period. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company adopted the disclosure provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - transition and disclosure (SFAS No. 148), which amended certain provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123) to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, effective as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company continues to apply the provisions of APB No. 25, in accounting for stock-based compensation. |
|
|
|
|
|
Under SFAS No.123, pro forma information regarding net loss and net loss per share is required and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee share options under the fair value method of SFAS No.123. The fair value for these options was estimated at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2001, 2002 and 2003: risk-free interest rates of 1.75%, 1.88% and 2.00%, respectively, dividend yields of 0% for each year, volatility factors of the expected market price of the Companys Ordinary shares of 110% for 2001, 68% for 2002 and 60% for 2003, and weighted average expected life of the options of 2.5 years. |
|
|
|
|
|
For purposes of pro-forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options vesting period. |
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma information under SFAS No. 123: |
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss as reported |
|
$ |
(56,843 |
) |
$ |
(14,360 |
) |
$ |
(7,722 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add
- stock based compensation expenses |
|
|
6,431 |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
Deduct
- stock-based compensation expenses |
|
|
(12,293 |
) |
|
(7,128 |
) |
|
(4,442 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss |
|
$ |
(62,705 |
) |
$ |
(18,514 |
) |
$ |
(10,810 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(2.97 |
) |
$ |
(0.83 |
) |
$ |
(0.47 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported |
|
$ |
(2.69 |
) |
$ |
(0.64 |
) |
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-14
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company applies SFAS No. 123 and EITF 96-18 Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services with respect to options issued to non-employees. SFAS No.123 requires use of an option valuation model to measure the fair value of these options at the measurement date. |
|
|
|
|
q. |
Severance pay: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys liability for severance pay is calculated pursuant to Israeli severance pay laws based on the most recent salary of the employees multiplied by the number of years of employment, as of the balance sheet date. Employees are entitled to one months salary for each year of employment or a portion thereof. The Companys liability for all of its employees in Israel, is fully provided by monthly deposits with insurance policies and by an accrual. The value of those policies is recorded as an asset in the Companys balance sheet. |
|
|
|
|
|
The deposited funds include profits accumulated up to the balance sheet date. The deposited funds may be withdrawn only upon the fulfillment of the obligation pursuant to Israeli severance pay law or labor agreements. The value of the deposited funds is based on the cash surrendered value of these policies, and includes immaterial profits. |
|
|
|
|
|
Severance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, amounted to approximately $ 654, $ 484 and $ 714, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
r. |
Fair value of financial instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company and its subsidiaries in estimating their fair value disclosures for financial instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits, trade receivables and trade payables approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of such instruments. |
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value for marketable securities is based on quoted market prices and does not differ significantly from the carrying amount. (See also Note 3). |
|
|
|
|
s. |
Warranty costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company generally offers a 18 to 36 months warranty period for its products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold and country in which the Company does business. For products sold, the Company provides a basic limited warranty, including parts and labor. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited warranty and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Companys warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. |
F-15
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share data) |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
t. |
Basic and diluted net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during each year, plus dilutive potential Ordinary shares considered outstanding during the year, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, Earnings Per Share (SFAS No. 128). |
|
|
|
|
|
All outstanding stock options and warrants have been excluded from the calculation of the diluted net loss per share because all such securities are anti-dilutive for all periods presented. The total weighted average number of shares related to the outstanding options and warrants excluded from the calculations of diluted net loss per share were 5,728,854, 5,923,106 and 5,419,906 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
u. |
Adoption of SFAS 150, Accounting For Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity (FAS 150) : |
|
|
|
|
|
In May 2003, the FASB issued FAS 150 which establishes standards for how an issuer of financial instruments classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or predominantly on a fixed monetary amount known at inception, variations in something other than the fair value of the issuers equity shares or variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuers equity shares. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company adopted FAS 150 (see also Note 9c) and as a result recorded a financial expense non - cash charge relating to a puttable warrant in an amount of $ 3,432. |
|
|
|
|
v. |
Impact of recently issued accounting standard: |
|
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|
|
|
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46). The objective of FIN 46 is to improve financial reporting by companies involved with variable interest entities. A variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entitys activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entitys residual returns or both. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that the company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. |
F-16
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share data) |
NOTE 2:- |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The consolidation requirements apply to holder entities in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004. Certain of the disclosure requirements apply in all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was established. As of December 31, 2003, the Company does not expect that the adoption of FIN 46 will have a material impact on its financial statements. |
|
|
|
NOTE 3:- |
MARKETABLE SECURITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
The following is a summary of held-to-maturity securities: |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Amortized |
|
Gross |
|
Gross |
|
Estimated |
|
Amortized |
|
Gross |
|
Gross |
|
Estimated |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Held-to-maturity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government and |
|
$ |
4,522 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
|
$ |
4,510 |
|
$ |
6,598 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
|
$ |
(42 |
) |
|
$ |
6,561 |
|
|
Corporate debentures |
|
|
13,777 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
13,745 |
|
|
13,112 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
13,022 |
|
|
Commercial papers |
|
|
5,119 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,120 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,418 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
|
$ |
(114 |
) |
|
$ |
23,375 |
|
$ |
19,710 |
|
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
|
$ |
(184 |
) |
|
$ |
19,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate maturities of held-to-maturity securities for years subsequent to December 31, 2003 are: |
|
|
|
Amortized |
|
Estimated
fair |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Held-to-maturity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 (short-term marketable securities) |
|
$ |
4,861 |
|
|
$ |
4,825 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
12,763 |
|
|
|
12,671 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2,086 |
|
|
|
2,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
19,710 |
|
|
$ |
19,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2002, the Company sold five marketable securities in consideration of $ 3,854. The marketable securities were sold before their maturity, due to the deterioration of their credit rating, as defined in the Companys investment policy. In accordance with the Companys policy, the remaining marketable securities continued to be classified as held to maturity. |
|
|
|
The Companys investments in debt and equity securities are diversified among high-credit quality securities, in accordance with the Companys investment policy. |
F-17
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data) |
NOTE 4:- |
OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PREPAID EXPENSES |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government authorities |
|
$ |
586 |
|
$ |
1,089 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
369 |
|
|
470 |
|
|
Other receivables related to sales of raw material |
|
|
88 |
|
|
656 |
|
|
Others |
|
|
225 |
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,268 |
|
$ |
2,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 5:- |
INVENTORIES |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw materials, parts and supplies |
|
$ |
1,530 |
|
$ |
2,330 |
|
|
Work in progress |
|
|
3,655 |
|
|
4,920 |
|
|
Finished products |
|
|
2,869 |
|
|
3,853 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,054 |
|
$ |
11,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 6:- |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
|
|
|
Composition of assets grouped by major classifications are as follows: |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computers, manufacturing and peripheral equipment |
|
$ |
5,955 |
|
$ |
6,184 |
|
|
Office furniture and equipment |
|
|
1,887 |
|
|
1,934 |
|
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
528 |
|
|
558 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,370 |
|
|
8,676 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computers, manufacturing and peripheral equipment |
|
|
3,579 |
|
|
4,422 |
|
|
Office furniture and equipment |
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
1,404 |
|
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
131 |
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,754 |
|
|
6,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciated cost |
|
$ |
3,616 |
|
$ |
2,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expenses for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 were $ 2,015, $ 1,737 and $ 1,306, respectively. |
|
|
|
As for pledges on assets, see Note 8d. |
F-18
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data) |
NOTE 7:- |
OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees and payroll accruals |
|
$ |
1,363 |
|
$ |
1,326 |
|
|
Accrued non-recurring expenses |
|
|
1,261 |
|
|
245 |
|
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
964 |
|
|
1,647 |
|
|
Provision for warranty costs |
|
|
530 |
|
|
530 |
|
|
Advances form customer |
|
|
- |
|
|
670 |
|
|
Other |
|
|
40 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,158 |
|
$ |
4,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 8:- |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
||
|
|
||
|
a. |
Royalties: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. |
The Company participated in programs sponsored by the Israeli Government for the support of research and development activities. Through December 31, 2003, the Company had obtained grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (the OCS) aggregating to $ 12,852 for certain of the Companys research and development projects. The Company is obligated to pay royalties to the OCS, amounting to 3%-3.5% of the sales of the products and other related revenues generated from such projects, equal to 100% of the grants received, linked to the U.S. dollar and for grants received after January 1, 1999 also bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products and in the absence of such sales, no payment is required. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Through December 31, 2003, the Company has paid or accrued royalties to the OCS in the amount of $ 3,581. As of December 31, 2003, the aggregate contingent liability to the OCS amounted to $ 10,805. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
According to a Marketing plan, which was approved in May 2000, the Company is committed to pay royalties to the Fund for the Encouragement of Marketing activities of the Government of Israel at a rate of 4% of the increase in export sales up to the total dollar-linked amount of the grant received during the year ended December 31, 2001 2002 and 2003, in the amount of $ 180, 0 and 0, respectively. The royalties are payable commencing from the end of the second year of implementation of the plan, which is January 1, 2003. The Companys total obligation for royalties in respect of government participation received or accrued, net of royalties paid or accrued, amounted to $ 180 as of December 31, 2003 and is recorded in the Companys books. |
F-19
|
CERAGON NETWORKS LTD. |
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data) |
NOTE 8:- |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
The Company is committed to pay royalties to a subcontractor for a components development and its integration into certain of the Companys products. Royalties will be paid at the rates of 4%, 3%, 2% and 1% for the first, second, third and fourth years of revenues, respectively, and 1% for the fifth to seventh year of revenues. The first year of such revenues was 1998. As of December 31, 2003, the Company is in its sixth year of revenues under the abovementioned plan. The royalties are calculated as a rate of specific sales collection of a specific product. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalties to the subcontractor amounted to $ 556, $ 92 and $ 90 in the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and is recorded in the Companys books, respectively. |
|