20 2 1 ANNUAL
REPORT
LETTER FROM TH E CEO *
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Blonder Tongue Laboratories is focused on a future of faster high speed
data services, a future of technologies that improve our end users’ access to
movies, sports, and shows, and a future of developing new services, software,
and systems that will make our products more convenient to access, deploy,
upgrade, and remotely manage. Faster and more reliable internet and data
services are every customer’s and end user’s
requirement and expectation. We’re meeting
that challenge by including field upgradability
in our DOCSIS CMTS transmission equipment,
including an option for premium Gigabit tier
services using a unique blend of DOCSIS 3.0
and 3.1 techniques, and bringing these types
of creative solutions to market at segment-
leading price points. We’re also working on
technologies that will support multiple data
delivery types at our customer sites that
“With our fast-growing video
technology product lines,
our focus has been bringing
to market the major system
elements to support internet
delivered and internet
transmitted streaming video
services.”
include wireless and fiber, as well as traditional coax and ethernet. In addition,
we’re investing in software and control systems to make our products easier to
configure, manage, and support from a distance. With our fast-growing video
technology product lines, our focus has been bringing to market all the system
elements that support internet-delivered and internet-transmitted streaming
video services. Those include ABR technologies that allow content to be viewed
on any screen, anytime and anywhere, as well as SRT and Zixi technologies that
provide rock-solid internet delivery of secure content for large service operators,
as well as for independent businesses, schools, and houses of worship.
Our primary goal is to enable all of our customers to create, manage, and
distribute their content with the absolute highest quality and reliability, and
to enable them to distribute their content over any network type, destined for
any type of screen. Blonder Tongue Laboratories is prepared for the future with
a wide range of new products for a world demanding fast, secure, convenient,
and reliable technologies.
* This message contains “forward-looking” statements that are covered by the safe harbor more fully described
in the paragraph entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” set forth on page (i) of our Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2021.
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OPERATING PERFORMANCE
Blonder Tongue Laboratories has financed our operations in the recent past
through a combination of cash generated from operations, debt financing and
sales of our common stock. In addition, we have benefitted over the last two
years from government financial assistance programs implemented pursuant to
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, including the Paycheck
Protection Program and the Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”).
Throughout 2021 we continued to focus on reducing operating expenses and
cash used in operating activities, as we have been doing for several years. We
saw an overall 3.8% reduction of sales of $15,754,000 in 2021 compared to
$16,379,000 in 2020 but reduced our overall operating expenses by 13%;
$8,818,000 in 2021 compared to $10,132,000 in 2020. This resulted in a
loss from operations of ($2,960,000) in 2021 compared to ($7,1214,000)
in 2020. Compensating for operating losses in 2021, our qualification for
federal programs and recognition of associated non-operating income resulted
in net earnings of $84,000 in 2021 compared with a net loss of ($7,474,000)
in 2020. We specifically managed Engineering and R&D staff investment
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CMTS EDGE MAX
through 2021 with our ERTC
program qualification taken
into consideration. As a
result, staffing and other
o p e r a t i o n a l
r e d u c t i o n s
were made when the ERTC
program was abruptly cancelled for the fourth quarter of 2021 for all companies
not considered “recovery startup businesses” due to a change in the law in mid-
November 2021. Overall, our average monthly operating expenses have been
reduced by approximately 23% when comparing January 2022 with January
2020 over the two-year period. We anticipate that this trend will continue
towards the goal of further improvement in our operating results during 2022.
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P ROD UC T RESEARCH & D EVELOPMENT
In the three years since we launched a major initiative to update our IP video
delivery and high-speed data product lines, we have invested over $5 million
dollars in R&D and have released or announced over 30 new products and
product derivatives. These range from advanced IP Video Encoding and
Transcoding in our Clearview and Drake PEG Plus products, to IPTV Video
Signal Processing technologies in our NXG series, and enhancements to our
DOCSIS high speed cable modem termination system (CMTS) product lines,
as well as additional products planned for announcement throughout 2022.
Our NXG IP Video Processing platform now includes a wide range of digital
rights management and content protection technology options, such as Google’s
Widevine DRM video security, TiVo Managed IPTV Service delivery, Innovative
Systems’ InnoCryption DRM, and Zenith’s Pro:Idiom content protection, as
well as our compatibility with the National Institute of Standards (NIST) AES-
128 and AES-256 encryption technologies. Our Cryptolink AES products
now allow the creation of secure video links over the open internet or private
networks, and the customization of video security systems to our customer’s
needs. We’ve also effectively reduced the cost of the NXG solution during 2021
by performing more features and functions directly on the platform itself, such
as IP Whitelisting services, and ethernet IP input or output content routing.
These native features reduce the number of optional modules a customer needs
to purchase in a typical configuration.
Our CMTS Edge high speed data delivery products now include the ability to
upgrade product features in the field, to increase capabilities and capacity.
These include an upgradable bandwidth option, and a unique hybrid D3.0/
D3.1 capability, all through license upgrades on a common scalable hardware
architecture. Our full DOCSIS 3.1 compliant CMTS Edge Max product line
now supports more than 9 Gigabits of data delivery at the edge of a network or
within an MDU or any type of private property, delivering best in class value
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for its extensive capabilities.
Our Clearview Encoder and Transcoder product lineup now includes the ability
to create and manage content in all three of the major video compression
international ISO standards; MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (H.264), and HEVC (H.265).
This gives the Clearview series the flexibility to receive, create, and transmit any
CLEARVIEW HD2X QAM IP
type of IP Video signal for
the widest range of network,
system, or TV compatibility
needs. We’ve also recently
announced new product line
additions with new features,
like the Clearview HD2X QAM/IP and Drake PEG 2+, that will support internet
focused creation of ABR (internet format) video and full Dolby ® audio capability,
creating content compatible to view on tablets and phones as well as IPTV
Set-Top and smart television locations. Our Clearview HD2X will also support
an option for 4K UHD input.
Lastly, we’ve recently announced a modernized version of our Broadband Indoor
Amplifier (BIDA) series, a product line with more than 30 years of history,
and like 90% of everything we sell, BIDA products continue to be built in our
own factory in Old Bridge New Jersey. BIDA products have had such a strong
track-record for reliability and longevity that we introduced an 8-year standard
warranty for the product line during 2021.
CUSTOMERS & BACKLOG
During 2021, we continued to make steady progress in our work to expand
direct sales to the largest cable and telecommunications operators in North
America, including Mexico. In particular, our Clearview Transcoder and Encoder
series began to deploy in several new large operator networks, and our NXG IP
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Video Processing platform began to deploy in several top-tier operator networks,
as well as with a number of second-tier sized system operators. More recently
in early 2022, we were proud to publicly announce having been selected
by TiVo to be its hospitality
network partner with our
NXG platform and other
video security technologies
we completed in 2021, such
as our Google Widevine DRM
NXG EDGE SYSTEM
certification. We have also recently announced the product certification of our
Clearview series Transcoder products with DIRECTV, who has also qualified our
products for their dealer subsidy programs. Throughout 2021 we were able to
achieve expanded product sales, shipments, and increased backlog with the
DIRECTV network of approved dealers and distributors.
In the early summer of 2021, we began seeing a sustained growth in market
demand for our technology. Due to having seen several very short-lived recovery
cycles during the pandemic, our sales team began working more closely with our
key customer base to help move many of them into 6-month rolling forecast-
based purchase orders. This approach has given us and our key customers
several advantages. Primarily it has allowed us to plan our factory production
out into longer periods based on higher confidence of future sales, and it
has provided our key customers with preferred delivery priority and higher
confidence in the portion of their supply chain coming from Blonder Tongue
Laboratories. The net result of these actions, combined with overall supply
chain shortages in the fourth quarter yielded an unusually high backlog of
product orders of approximately $10,239,000 as of December 31, 2021. This
provided us with a strong position towards our full year 2022 revenue targets
already under contract as we entered the new year.
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SUPPLY CHAIN
Beginning in August 2021, we were notified by several of our long-term
semiconductor suppliers that there would be disruption, delays and price
increases associated with continued supply of specific types of chipsets we
use as raw materials, all of which had been under confirmed and agreed upon
obligations to supply to us for 12 months or more. Those types of notifications
then grew during the fourth quarter of 2021 to include more and smaller
classes of semiconductors and have continued to grow further in the early part
of 2022. Since the first notifications, we have actively negotiated with all
suppliers, and in many cases, we have been able to secure continued supply of
shortage materials. In some situations, we have had to delay specific product
production by as much as 6, 8 or 10 weeks off and on since September 2021.
This had a negative impact on our fourth quarter performance, impacting our
ability to ship against a growing market demand for products in September,
October, and November of 2021. Additionally, we have seen an increased cost
of semiconductor raw materials, and inefficiencies brought on by producing
smaller product batch sizes to match raw material availability. Together this
“Supply chain is now the
determining factor for our
expected 2022 financial
performance.”
led to decreased margins in the fourth quarter.
We have compensated for these fast-moving
supply dynamics by a series of regular price
increases on all affected products beginning
in the fourth quarter and continuing to today,
but the net result has been a time lag between
higher production costs and our ability to pass on all or a majority of those
increases to our customers. Although we are beginning to hear from some
suppliers of recovery timing, and a few suppliers have begun to reduce prices
and improve forecast lead times during the first quarter of 2022, those few
improvements remain the exception to the current supply chain challenges,
and we are not yet seeing any broad-based recovery at this time. Supply chain
is now the determining factor for our expected 2022 financial performance.
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LOOKING FO RWARD
Although the entire global electronics industry is now facing an unprecedented
disruption in semiconductor supply, and there will be many significant
challenges ahead of us during 2022, we view supply chain issues as a situation
we can get through with continued determination.
We intend to face these challenges as we have
for the last two years with our incredibly resilient
and loyal team, many of whom have been
employees for two, three and even four decades.
Blonder Tongue Laboratories plans to continue
to unveil new products and technologies and
continue our progress expanding our customer
base throughout 2022. Our strategy towards
achieving these goals include delivering highly
“We intend to face these
challenges as we have for
the last two years with our
incredibly resilient and
loyal team, many of whom
have been employees for
two, three and even four
decades.”
reliable and easy to deploy technology to our customers that lets them improve
their high-speed data services, improve their ability to provide access to movies,
sports, shows, and content of all types, and further expansion of our services,
software, and systems that can help our customers succeed.
Edward R. ‘Ted' Grauch
Chief Executive Officer
& President
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X]
[ ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR
THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______ to _________________
Commission file number: 1-14120
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Delaware
52-1611421
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Jake Brown Road, Old Bridge, New Jersey
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (732) 679-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
08857
(Zip Code)
Title of each class
Common Stock, Par Value $.001
Trading Symbols(s)
BDR
Name of Exchange on which registered
NYSE American
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes No X
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes No X
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit such files). Yes X No ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer X
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company X
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public
accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2021: $9,286,855
Number of shares of common stock, par value $.001, outstanding as of March 18, 2022: 13,251,397
Documents incorporated by reference: None
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Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., a
Delaware Corporation (“Blonder Tongue” or the “Company”), contains forward-looking statements regarding future events
relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products,
research and development activities and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities
Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provide safe harbors for forward-looking statements. In order to comply
with the terms of these safe harbors, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and
experience to differ materially and adversely from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s
forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results
of the Company’s business include, but are not limited to, those matters discussed herein in the sections entitled Item 1 -
Business, Item 1A - Risk Factors, Item 3 - Legal Proceedings and Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,”
“estimate,” “endeavor,” “should,” “could,” “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated trends in our business
and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required under applicable law. Readers should carefully review the risk
factors described herein and in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
Blonder Tongue, with its subsidiary R. L. Drake Holdings, LLC (“Drake”), is a technology research and development
(“R&D”) company with U.S.-based manufacturing, that delivers a wide range of products and services to major
telecommunications, cable and fiber optic service delivery operators, as well as broadcasters and media production companies.
For over 70 years, Blonder Tongue Labs and Drake Digital products have provided the latest technology for telecom company
Central Offices (COs), cable operator headends, broadcaster studios (together “Telecom”), as well as to lodging/hospitality,
multi-dwelling units/apartments (“MDU”) and a range of business to business (“B-B”) customers at a wide range of locations
including university campuses, healthcare/hospitals, fitness centers, government facilities, military bases, prisons, airports,
sports stadiums/arenas, entertainment venues/casinos, retail stores, and other small-medium businesses. These applications
are also variously described as small and medium sized businesses in commercial, institutional, or enterprise environments,
and will be referred to herein collectively as “SMB.” The customers we serve also include business entities distributing and
installing private data delivery, broadband and video networks in these environments, including the world’s largest cable
television operators, telecommunications providers and satellite providers, as well as integrators, architects, engineers of the
next generation of Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) streaming video service providers.
The Company continues to be focused on the needs of an expanding group of customers, providing high quality,
ultra-high reliability technology products to meet their needs and supporting those products following deployment. For over
70 years Blonder Tongue has provided innovative solutions based on continually advancing technology. Since its founding,
Blonder Tongue has continued to keep abreast of evolving technologies, from analog to digital television, Hybrid-Fiber Coax
(“HFC”) networks with Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (“QAM”) edge devices, High Definition (“HD”) and Ultra HD
(“4K”) and (“UHD”) video encoding and transcoding, IPTV processing and distribution, and most recently with the
introduction of multiscreen Adaptive Bit Rate (“ABR”) technologies and high-speed data delivery and reception technologies.
The cable and telecommunications markets have reacted quickly to consumer demands for additional services by
integrating multiple technologies into existing networks, providing consumers with high-speed internet access in addition to
enhanced video offerings. Today, video offerings have expanded from traditional broadcast linear delivery to the living room
TV to live streaming to any device in your home or on the go. Traditional TV content is now available in any format to be
viewed on tablets, mobile phones, computers or gaming consoles. SMB and IPTV service providers are migrating their video-
on-demand (“VOD”) architecture to IPTV, and a multiscreen ecosystem. Service operators and SMB businesses are upgrading
their networks to have the capability to deliver 4K video resolution content to TVs and adding the capability of IPTV streaming
to additional, normally small screens, thereby expanding viewer access to HD content on any IP-connected devices. The
infrastructure requirements to enable IP streaming with a wide variety of resolutions and ABR bit rates provides the Company
with an opportunity to market and sell its expanded IP streaming encoders and digital product lines.
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Both the IPTV and SMB markets are forecast to grow over the next few years. The IPTV market was valued at
$72.24 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $194.21 billion by 2026; a CAGR of 17.89%. The SMB market segments that
the Company serves have been focused on the migration from HFC to IPTV networks. The Company has expanded its video
product line portfolio to address the growth of IP streaming. The Company has collaborated with large telecommunications
operators and with leading cable television (“CATV”) Multiple System Operators (“MSOs”) to produce new cost-effective
video encoder and transcoder products for IP support of both traditional broadcast and Public, Education and Government
(“PEG”) video content. The company has also been involved recently in initiatives for regional content acquisition for
backhaul, ingest and redistribution from centralized facilities using modern IP, IPTV and CDN video distribution architectures,
these technologies taken together are referred to as Over The Top or “OTT”. In 2018, the Company introduced the NeXgen
Gateway (“NXG”) digital video signal processing platform to specifically address the service provider challenges of migrating
from traditional CATV HFC based topologies and technologies to Internet Protocol (“IP”) and IPTV based topologies and
technologies. As the industry has begun to adopt UHD, 4K, and High Efficiency Video Coding (“HEVC”) encoding, the
Company has begun to produce products to support these emerging requirements. IPTV growth worldwide is projected to
result in 398 million subscribers by 2026. NXG sales were $1,924,000 in 2021 and $705,000 in 2020, respectively.
In January 2020, the Company began implementing a strategic plan to improve operating results and increase
shareholder value. This plan consists of:
•
•
•
•
•
Rationalizing operating expenses to anticipated revenue and income levels
Focusing R&D on short-term high-confidence opportunities with compelling ROI
Expanding sales and marketing efforts directly to service operators
Streamlining manufacturing operations and simplifying product offerings, and
Increasing gross margins
The Company has entered into and/or renewed several agreements through which it has acquired rights to use and
incorporate certain proprietary technologies in its digital encoder, transcoder and NXG lines of products, including:
1. Widevine / Google LLC, DRM License Agreement for content partners and OEMs (Google LLC).
2. Verimatrix ViewRight IPTV and ViewRight IPTV Professional License to Distribute, License to Integrate and
3.
Client Integration Agreement.
Implementation and System License Agreement with Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation (“Dolby Labs”)
for Dolby Digital Plus Professional Encoder, 5.1 and 2 channel licensed technology.
4. License Agreement with LG Electronics as a Pro:Idiom content Protection System Manufacturer.
5. Ownership from the Motion Picture Experts Group of an MPEG-2 4:2:2 Profile High Level Video Encoder IP core.
The Widevine / Google LLC License Agreement grants the Company the right to manufacture, label and sell
professional Digital Rights Management (“DRM”) enabled products that include certain Widevine DRM technologies.
The Verimatrix ViewRight IPTV, ViewRight IPTV Professional License to Distribute, License to Integrate and
Client Integration Agreement grants the Company the right to integrate the Company’s products with Verimatrix ViewRight
IPTV and ViewRight IPTV Professional DRM technologies and to sell and distribute the resulting integrated products to
Service Operator customers that hold Verimatrix licenses to deploy the associated DRM technologies.
The Dolby® Labs License Agreement grants the Company the right to manufacture, label and sell professional digital
encoder products and consumer digital decoder products and to use the Dolby trademarks. This technology has a number of
improvements aimed at increasing quality at a given bit rate compared with legacy Dolby Digital (AC-3). Most notably, it
offers increased bit rates, support for more audio channels, improved coding techniques to reduce compression artifacts, and
backward compatibility with existing AC-3 hardware.
The LG Electronics license agreement provides the Company with certain technology necessary for the provision of
Pro:Idiom encryption and decryption devices for the hospitality industry. Almost all of the high value content owners require
that service providers protect the content by employing this technology. Consequently, content can be transferred through and
among these devices only if incorporating this technology.
The Pro:Idiom digital technology platform provides the hospitality market with a robust, secure DRM system,
ensuring rapid, broad deployment of HD television (“HDTV”) and other high-value digital content to licensed users in the
lodging industry. Lodging industry leaders such as World Cinema Inc. have licensed the Pro:Idiom DRM system. A growing
number of content providers have demonstrated their acceptance of Pro:Idiom by licensing their HD content for delivery by
Pro:Idiom licensees.
3
The MPEG-2 Encoder IP core has a unique compression engine capable of creating HD MPEG-2 real-time encoding
of a single channel of 1080i/720p/480i video. The use of this real-time encoding technique enables the Company to provide
broadcast MPEG-2 HD and SD encoding. MPEG-2 is widely used as the format of digital television signals that are broadcast
by terrestrial (over-the-air), cable, and direct broadcast satellite TV systems.
The H.264/AVC is a video compression standard that enables a compelling solution for growing IP video services.
The H.264 HD Encoder core has the capability to cut the bandwidth requirement for digital video delivery in half when
compared against MPEG-2 encoders. This essentially facilitates the transmission of twice the number of programs in a given
bandwidth. The use of this H.264 encoding technology enables the Company to provide high quality video at higher resolutions
like 720p, 1080i and 1080p. H.264 is a widely used format for transmitting high quality digital television signals over IP and
Wi-Fi networks. The Company started shipping the H.264 capable encoders in 2012.
The H.265/HEVC technology is a video compression standard that enables IP and IPTV video services to be better
prepared for transmission and streaming over even narrower and less robust networks as compared to both MPEG-2 and H.264
technologies. HEVC is and is expected to be primarily used by current and future internet based and private IP based over-
the-top video streaming services and in the near future for satellite and terrestrial transmissions. The Company began to ship
HEVC capable encoders and transcoders in 2020.
Secure Reliable Transport (“SRT”) technology is a video and IP network oriented forward error correction (“FEC”),
security and reliability application level protocol designed to allow for high confidence transmission of compressed video and
audio content over the open internet or over privately owned IP networks. SRT has been standardized by the SRT Alliance,
consisting of a group of international participating companies. The Company completed its implementation of SRT and began
shipping SRT capable products supporting video encoder, transcoder and IP network interfaces in 2021.
The Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”) technology is a US National Institute of Standards and Technology
(“NIST”) standard for the protection of electronic data, including data based content such as digitized audio and video
transmissions. Blonder Tongue Laboratories has broadened the use of and implementations of AES technology across a wide
range of product lines and use cases over the course of 2020 and 2021.
MPEG-DASH and HLS are the two primary Adaptive Bit-Rate (“ABR”) technologies used in internet, IPTV and
Wi-Fi based video delivery in the world today, enabling multi-screen delivery and optimization of video quality to the available
bandwidth of an internet connection to television, phone, tablet or other viewing locations. The Company completed initial
ABR technology and product implementations in 2021.
In 2019, the Company initiated a consumer premise equipment (“CPE”) sales initiative. The products were primarily
comprised of Android-based IPTV set top boxes targeted to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 telecommunications and fiber optics based
service providers. Total CPE product sales, including product accessories and replacement parts, were $1,120,000 in 2021
and $4,165,000 in 2020.
The Company’s manufacturing is located primarily in its facility in Old Bridge, New Jersey (the “Old Bridge
Facility”) with a small portion of overall product production supported by key contract manufacturers located in Ohio, Taiwan,
South Korea and the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The Company currently manufactures the large majority of its
digital products, including the latest NXG, Clearview, Aircaster and Drake series product lines, as well as other digital signal
processing product models at its Old Bridge, New Jersey Facility. Since 2007 the Company has been manufacturing certain
high- volume, labor intensive products, including certain of the Company’s analog products, in the PRC, pursuant to a
manufacturing agreement that governs the production of products that may from time to time be the subject of purchase orders
submitted by (and in the discretion of) the Company. The Company does not currently anticipate the transfer of any additional
products to the PRC for manufacture. Since 2019 the Company also has been manufacturing certain high-volume, labor
intensive products in Taiwan and South Korea. This product mix represents a small percentage of the Company’s revenue but
allows the Company to benefit from relatively favorable tariff policies. Since 2021, the Company has begun outsourcing a
small percentage of product-specific manufacturing to a contract manufacturer in Ohio. Manufacturing products at the
Company’s Old Bridge Facility and in Ohio, the PRC, Taiwan and South Korea enables the Company to realize cost reductions
and, with regard to Ohio, Taiwan and South Korea, favorable tariff treatment while maintaining a competitive position and
time-to-market advantages.
The Company was incorporated in November, 1988, under the laws of Delaware as GPS Acquisition Corp. for the
purpose of acquiring the business of Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, which was founded in 1950
by Ben H. Tongue and Isaac S. Blonder to design, manufacture and supply a line of electronics and systems equipment
principally for the private cable industry. Following the acquisition, the Company changed its name to Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. The Company completed the initial public offering of its shares of common stock in December, 1995. The
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address of the Company’s principal executive offices is One Jake Brown Road, Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857, and its
telephone number at that location is (732) 679-4000.
Strategy
Telecom
The primary end locations of the Company’s products have evolved to focus on Telco COs, cable operator headends,
and local content ingest locations for Telco, cable and fiber optic based service operators. We provide a wide range of products
to meet the special needs of these applications, and we serve many types of customers, from large Telco and cable companies
to distribution channels, integrators and private contractors. We sell to companies installing or distributing video and data
delivery products including:
•
•
•
•
Telephone and fiber optics telecommunications operators (both large and small) that design, package, install and in
most cases operate, upgrade and maintain the systems they build; cable system operators (both large and small) that
design, package, install and in most instances operate, upgrade and maintain the systems they build;
Television broadcasters and video production facilities that create signals for redistribution and require digital
encoding, transcoding, transmission and encryption/security technology;
Telephone, fiber optics, and cable-based telecommunications operators who deploy their services in the Lodging,
Hospitality and Assisted Living Markets; and
SMB system operators that operate, upgrade, and maintain the systems that are in their facilities, or contractors that
install, upgrade and maintain these systems in a wide variety of applications.
The key to proactively responding to the evolving needs of the foregoing Telecom environment is to build a suite of
product solutions that are optimized for the operator’s existing infrastructure, as well as future strategy. Operators look for the
following features when selecting technology:
• Versatility for Now, providing multiple source inputs and different output formats, including simultaneous IPTV,
QAM, and NTSC analog television capability. OTT technology support, off-air local program ingest, locally
generated content, and national broadcasts can all be viewed on televisions via coax, as well as on desktops, phones
and tablets, and other connected devices via an IP network. This allows operators to expand the reach of their
video without having to run additional wiring throughout a facility and optimize the use of existing infrastructures.
•
Flexibility for the Future, recognizing that even if an operator is not utilizing IPTV, QAM and NTSC analog
outputs today, these features may be needed tomorrow. Operators seek to choose scalable technology that can keep
up with advances in system architecture and allow them to best leverage existing data and Wi-Fi infrastructure,
without overburdening it. This includes considerations for TV Everywhere (bring your own content/device) as well
as Ultra-HD and 4K resolution television.
• Affordability, identifying high-quality, cost-effective, innovative solutions with a strong performance-to-cost ratio,
is the key to ensure that the service provider can offer a competitively priced package to their residential, business
and enterprise customers by focusing on the features required and its management, including remote setup,
monitoring and diagnostics through an IP interface and potentially providing a hot spare, hot swap or automatic
failover capability.
The functions and features of the Blonder Tongue NXG, Clearview, Aircaster and Drake series product lines are
specifically targeted to deliver comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to all the market needs described in the forgoing
paragraphs.
A key component of the Company’s growth strategy is to leverage its reputation across a comprehensive product
line, offering one-stop-shop convenience to the telco, cable, fiber optic, broadcast and professional markets and deliver
products having a high performance-to-cost ratio. The Company has historically enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, a leading
position in specific portions of the Telecom market segments that it serves.
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SMB
The ongoing evolution of the Company’s product lines for the SMB marketplace and for service operators and
integrators serving the SMB marketplace focus on the increased needs created in digital technology by digital video, IPTV,
HDTV and 4K signals, and the transport of these signals over state-of-the-art broadband, ethernet, Wi-Fi and fiber optic
networks. The Company has begun to renew R&D and new product efforts in this market segment recently as the SMB
markets have begun recovery.
CPE
In 2019, the Company initiated a consumer premise equipment (“CPE”) sales initiative, comprised primarily of
Android-based IPTV set top boxes to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cable and telecommunications service providers. This strategic
initiative was designed to secure direct relationships with a wide range of service providers, and increase sales of the
Company’s Telecom and SMB products by the BT Premier Distributors to those same service providers, during . In 2021, the
Company determined to de-emphasize CPE products and strategy due to the initiative’s low gross margin. Total CPE product
sales, including product accessories and replacement parts, were $1,120,000 in 2021 and $4,165,000 in 2020. and accounted
for approximately 7% and 25% of the Company’s 2021 and 2020 revenues, respectively. CPE related contribution to net
income has not had a material impact on the Company’s performance.
Markets Overview
For the last 40 years, the television industry has been dominated by traditional cable operators, who subsequently
expanded into high-speed internet, telephony, and wireless services and are currently estimated to have 46.5 million video
subscribers in the U.S. market. The penetration of wireless and direct-broadcast satellite (“DBS”) (such as DIRECTV® and
DISH Network®) in the video market, while reduced, still has a combined subscriber count of approximately 17.5 million.
Telephone companies (i.e. Verizon) also compete with cable operators for services on a national level, delivering video, high-
speed internet and telephony services direct to the home or to the curb with an estimate of over 6.5 million video subscribers.
With IPTV technology comes additional market pressures and opportunities. First, there is the matter of alternative
TV services riding OTT on existing high-speed data infrastructures, where the delivered video is not part of the service
provider’s own video content or service. Examples include Web-delivered video such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and
Apple TV. Cable, satellite and telco service providers have been innovating to provide additional service offerings to compete
with lower cost OTT television providers (subscribers exceeding 300 million globally). In addition, content providers such as
Disney, NBC, HBO, SHOWTIME and CBS have deployed their own streaming services, without requiring a cable TV
subscription. Streaming service subscribers are now larger in count than cable, DBS and telco TV subscribers. With the
advent of “TV Everywhere”, where video is displayed not only on the traditional television, but also on personal computers
and mobile devices, service providers are trying to tackle not only technological challenges associated with these offerings,
but also content management and customer authentication. The idea that the consumer is at the center, and not the hardware
or the network, is revolutionizing how video (and media) content is delivered.
The long-term implications of these developments are increased competition for the provision of services and a trend
toward delivery of these services using IP technologies over the open internet, and IPTV technologies over private networks.
This continuing major market transition has resulted in changing consumer expectations, placing the residential video delivery
networks, business-to-business, lodging and institutional markets under pressure to install new infrastructure and upgrade
existing networks. Each sub-market mentioned above has different network upgrade cycles, but to remain competitive the
Company has been and must continue to increase its product offerings for digital television, IP and IPTV technologies,
encoding, decoding and transcoding, and support of a wider range of digital media delivery applications.
Cable Television
Most cable operators, large and small, have built networks with various combinations of fiber optic and coax cable
to deliver television, internet and telephone services on one drop cable. Cable television deployment of fiber optic trunk has
been completed in all deployed cable systems. The HFC network architecture is employed to provide digital video, OTT,
HDTV, IPTV, high speed internet, and digital telephone service. With the adoption of new technology developed by a newly
combined SCTE and CableLabs® standards organization, the cable industry is using “edge” devices, node splitting and digital
video switching to increase both services and subscriber capacity from each existing node as well as lowering the cost to create
new nodes in their deployment architectures, to accommodate IPTV offerings in both residential and B-B market deployments.
Further, the Company has recently announced a series of products and product derivatives tailored to aid a subset of cable
service providers, running specific security technologies on their networks, to expand their IP television deployments to service
their business customers as well as residential customers. All of these networks are potential users of our product offerings.
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Assisted Living/MDU/Hospitality
Historically, in response to various privately-owned video distribution network property owners seeking additional
revenue streams and their tenants and guests demanding increased in-room technology enabled services, telco and cable
operators serving the hospitality market sought to provide more programs (especially in HD), and enhanced interactivity.
Initially installed in higher-end properties and hospitality properties, HD conversion is continuing today to complete all
properties including older Assisted Living and Nursing Homes, Hospitals, MDUs and also now smaller hotels and motels, all
of which are being upgraded and outfitted with enhanced technology to provide a full suite of HD programs and video
streaming services.
More recently, the competition among telco and cable providers to the Assisted Living, MDU and Hospitality
industries has shifted from a previous emphasis on VOD, to providing an ever-increasing number of HD programs and the
capability of offering streaming OTT television services. The Company believes that the demand for HD based headends that
support free-to-guest service and OTT television, will continue to grow in the near term. The rate of growth is limited by the
costs associated with replacing all televisions in a property with flat screen Pro:Idiom compatible televisions, the infrastructure
required to support OTT television, authentication and system management issues. For several years, the Company has been
providing a unique system solution to the largest hotel brands worldwide through the Company’s network of hotelier approved
system integrator and operator customers. The system consists of DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 compliant cable modem termination
systems (“CMTS”) and cable modems (“CM”) and is unique in that it is the only system approved by that hotelier that is able
to provide a combination of the following services: linear TV, OTT, DOCSIS-based ethernet, and Wi-Fi from a common mini-
CATV-type HFC-based infrastructure.
SMB-Small and Medium Sized Businesses
The Company defines its target SMB markets to also include educational campus environments, correctional
facilities, sports stadiums and airport terminals. All of these seemingly unrelated facilities contain private video and data
distribution networks that are dependent on either locally generated or externally sourced video and/or data content. As the
advanced technologies of distance learning, HDTV and IPTV permeate the market, institutional facilities are embracing these
technologies to achieve site specific goals. The following are examples of the types of applications:
Public, Educational and Government (“PEG”) Town Hall Meetings, Religious Broadcasts, Local Sports
In-Office - Doctor, Dentist and Corporate Offices
Campus & Stadium – Redistribution of content across large, complex properties and facilities
Patient Education and Entertainment
•
•
•
•
• Distance Learning
•
• Hotel Lobby Events and Advertising
Employee Facing- Training and Company Messaging
The Company traditionally benefited from a very strong share of this market with its Analog Video Headend and
Distribution Products. We anticipate that we will continue to be a leader in this market with our digital video solutions and
our evolving IP and IPTV platforms.
International
The Company has authorized distributors and sales agents in various locations outside the United States, but the
Company primarily manufactures products for sale in the USA and North America. Historically, international sales have not
materially contributed to the Company’s revenue base. In 2021 the Company began providing small quantities of video
encoder and transcoder equipment to service providers in Mexico. This line of business is not expected to have material
impact on the Company’s overall performance.
Additional Considerations
The evolution of technology with respect to video, internet and telephone services continues at a rapid pace. Cable
TV’s QAM video continues to compete with DIRECTV® and EchoStar’s DBS service and cable modems compete with digital
subscriber lines and fiber-to-the-home offered by regional telephone companies. Telephone companies are building national
fiber optic networks and are delivering video, internet and telephone services directly to the home over fiber optic cable, and
digital telephone is being offered by cable companies and others in competition with traditional phone companies. The
convergence of data and video communications continues, wherein computer and television systems merge. This merging of
technologies is extending services and content delivery to mobile smart phone devices and tablet computers with over-the-air
data delivery competing with cable-delivered services.
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Larger MSOs have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning to all-digital platforms (and in most instances
based upon the MPEG-4/H.264 codec technology). Satellite DBS television, digitally compressed programming and IP
delivery require headend products, set-top decoding receivers, or digital terminal adapters, to convert the transmitted signals
back to analog or HDMI format so that they may be viewed on television sets. The split of analog and digital offerings provided
to customers varies as a function of the size of the operator and their deployment strategy. For example, the majority of private
cable and other smaller service providers continue to deliver an analog television signal on standard channels to subscribers’
television sets using headend products at some distribution point in their networks or employ set-top boxes or digital terminal
adapters at each television set.
Key Products
Blonder Tongue’s products can be separated according to function and technology. Five key categories account for
the majority of the Company’s revenue–Encoders and Transcoders, NXG, Coax Distribution, CPE and Digital Modulation:
•
•
•
Encoder/Transcoder Products are used by a system operator for encoding and transcoding of digital video.
Transcoders convert video files from one codec compression format to another to allow the video to be viewed
across different platforms and devices. We offer a broad line of 4K/UHD, HD and SD, MPEG-2, MPEG-4/H.264,
and HEVC/H.265 capable encoders and transcoders optimized for Telecom customers and environments. One
example is a line of enhanced encoders optimized for the extreme demands of broadcasting live sports, another is a
cost-effective MPEG-2/H.264 encoder for IP support of PEG channels tailored to receive and groom regional
content and deliver it across the open internet to centralized locations for ingest into OTT / CDN and other
distribution systems. Yet another is a new highly cost-effective bulk IP to IP digital video Transcoder that supports
24 channels of format and rate conversion in a single Rack Unit (1RU) size and corrects digital television
compatibility issues.
The QPSK and 8PSK to QAM transcoders (QTM Series) are used for economically deploying or adding a satellite-
based tier of digital or HDTV digital programming. The units transcode a satellite signal’s modulation from QPSK
to QAM or from 8PSK modulation format to QAM format. Since QPSK and 8PSK are optimum for satellite
transmission and QAM is optimum for fiber/coax distribution, precious system bandwidth is saved while the signal
retains its digital information.
Encoders accept various input sources (analog and/or digital) and output digitally encoded 4K, UHD, HD or SD
video in various output formats such as IP, QAM modulated, or Asynchronous Serial Interface (“ASI”). ASI is a
streaming data format which carries the MPEG-2 Transport Stream. The IP output format allows operators to
stream video over private data networks with greater reliability and content security. The QAM outputs can be
used for digital video distribution over typical coax and HFC networks to serve a variety of Telecom environments
(i.e. CO’s, headends, stadiums, broadcast and cable television studios, hospitals, university campuses, etc.). As a
complement to this encoder line, Blonder Tongue also provides digital QAM multiplexers which take multiple
inputs (ASI or 8VSB/QAM) and delivers a single multiplexed QAM output, thereby optimizing the HD channel
lineup by preserving bandwidth. The Company’s QAM output MPEG encoders support low latency and superior
motion optimization for content such as fast-paced sporting events, which is ideal for live events within a stadium
or arena. The Company’s new Clearview transcoder product line supports high density highly cost-effective bulk
re-encoding functions to support a wide range of service operator use-cases such as creating digital television
universal reception of signals, professional Dolby® audio encoding and format conversions, or conversion of
broadcast to IPTV expected video formats. The Company’s Encoder/Transcoder Products accounted for
approximately 50% and 26% of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall increase
of $3,618,000 year-over-year.
• NXG IP Digital Video Processing and Headend Products were introduced by the Company in 2018 and were a
culmination of the Company’s product development efforts of an advanced next-generation-enterprise series of
products and solutions.
•
The NXG is a powerful, two-way, forward-looking digital video signal processing platform and series of modular
add-on products that are ideal for delivering the next generation of entertainment services for residential and
enterprise applications, including IPTV format conversions and simulcast use cases and is actively deployed in
education, MDU, healthcare, business parks, campuses, institutions, hospitality, cruise ships, professional sports
stadiums and government facilities. The goals of the NXG product line is to addresses the service provider
challenges of (a) migrating from traditional CATV transmission, such as fiber and coaxial cable, to fully IP-based
transmission and delivery, and (b) migrating from traditional content protection, such as Commscope/Arris
DigiCipher®, Cisco PowerKEY®, Verimatrix® CAS, and LG Pro:Idiom®, to IP-based digital rights management
(“IP-DRM”) - content protection systems of the future, such as Adobe DRM®, Verimatrix-M®, Google
Widevine®, PlayReady®, and Zenith/LG IP Pro:Idiom® technologies. In order to accomplish those goals, NXG
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was designed to be an anything-in to anything-out solution. Based on key customer guidance and the Company’s
research and development effort, NXG is a 100% fully modular, passive-back-plane-based product that enables the
service providers to (a) easily and seamlessly accomplish the migration described in the forgoing, and (b) cost
effectively and seamlessly address what may become any future, unforeseen, prospective transmission, and content
protection migrations. Unlike many competing products, in NXG, all “active” electronic components reside in
their respective modules. There are no active components in either the rack-chassis or backplane which brings the
benefits of ultra-high reliability, flexibility and future adaptability to as yet unknown use-cases. In addition, the
Company’s plan is for the functionality of all of the standalone key signal processing products described in both the
foregoing and following paragraphs are to be, over time, migrated and subsumed as modular optional features
supported by the NXG product line. In 2021 the Company released and began producing the NXG Edge version of
the NXG product line to target lower-functionality and lower-cost advanced encryption edge QAM types of use
cases. The Company’s NXG Products accounted for approximately 12% and 4% of the Company’s revenues in
2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall increase of $1,219,000 year-over-year.
• Coax Distribution Products are used to transport signals from the headend to their ultimate destination in a home,
apartment unit, hotel room, office or other end-point location along a coax distribution network. Among the
products offered by the Company in this category are broadband amplifiers, directional taps, splitters and wall
outlets. In cable television systems, the coax distribution products are either mounted on exterior utility poles or
encased in pedestals, vaults or other security devices. In SMB systems the distribution system is typically enclosed
within the walls of the building (if a single structure) or added to an existing structure using various techniques to
hide the coax cable and devices. The non-passive devices within this category are designed to ensure that the
signal distributed from the headend is of sufficient strength when it arrives at its final destination to provide high
quality audio/video images. The Company’s Coax Distribution Products accounted for approximately 8% and 10%
of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall decrease of $337,000 year-over-year.
• CPE Products are comprised mainly of Android-based IPTV set top boxes sold to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cable and
telecommunications service providers for use in mainstream residential services to consumer households. The
Company began selling CPE Products in 2019. The Company’s CPE Product initiative achieved sales to over 75
different telco, municipal fiber and cable operators and accounted for approximately 7% and 25% of the
Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall decrease of $3,045,000 year-over-year.
• Digital Modulation Products are used by a system operator for acquisition, processing, compression, and
management of digital video. The headend is the center of a digital television system. It is the central location
where multiple programs are received and, through additional processing, allocated to specific channels for digital
distribution. Blonder Tongue continues to expand its Digital Modulation Product offerings to meet the evolving
needs of its customers, which is expected to continue for years to come. IP interfaces have been added to a wide
range of products to help in the migration to IPTV. One such example is the AQT8-B, a multichannel
8VSB/QAM-IP transmodulator that receives up to 64 programs of off-air broadcast signals over 8 different
frequencies and transmodulates them for output on both coax and IP distribution networks. Other lines of digital
products provided by Blonder Tongue and Drake include our Edge QAM devices, Satellite Quadrature Phase Shift
Key (“QPSK”) and Eight Phase Shift Key (“8PSK”) to QAM transmodulators.
The Company’s Aircastertm ATSC, QAM, and IP trans-modulator series of products (“AQT8”) allow the user to
create a customized line up from off-air and/or cable feeds for coax IP distribution. The customizable IP output contains
multiple programs with a combination of single and multiple transport streams, from multiple RF input sources. The unique
MPEG-2 transport systems information tables associated with each of the selected input programs are transferred to the IP
outputs. This means the virtual channel numbers and program names on the IP outputs can be the same as their RF program
input sources. The Company’s AQT8 products enable the user to modify the metadata, including PSIP parameters, such as
the Program ID, Program #, Short Name, Major Ch., and Minor Ch. Information, to provide a customized IP program delivery
solution. The Aircaster AQT8 features Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) program switching through either an ASI or IP
format EAS input and terminal block contacts for triggering.
Stand-alone Edge QAM devices accept Ethernet input and capture MPEG over IP transport streams, decrypt service
provider conditional access or content protection, and insert proprietary conditional access, such as Pro:Idiom, into the stream.
These streams are then combined and modulated on to QAM RF carriers, in most cases providing multiple streams on to one
6 MHz digital channel. Inputs to Edge QAM devices can come from satellite receivers, set-top boxes, network devices or
video servers. The use of these devices adds flexibility for the service provider, in part, because all of this routing happens in
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one device. Scaling is accomplished via software and modules embedded inside the hardware. Since it is a true network
device, the Edge QAM can be managed over a traditional Ethernet network or over the Internet.
Digital Modulation Product use continues in all of the Company’s primary markets, bringing more advanced technology to
consumers and operators. The Company’s Digital Video Headend Products accounted for approximately 6% of the
Company’s revenues in both 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall increase of $25,000 year-over-year.
•
• DOCSIS Data Products give service providers, integrators, and premise owners a means to deliver data, video, and
voice-over-coaxial in locations such as hotels and hospitality, MDU's, and college campuses using IP technology.
Among the products offered by the Company are CMTS and cable modems (“CM"). The Company’s DOCSIS
Data Products accounted for approximately 5% and 13% of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020,
respectively, with an overall decrease of $1,429,000 year-over-year.
SLA and Services includes Service Level Agreements (“SLA”), installation and support services, contracts on
equipment advanced replacement, hands-on customer and end-user training, system design engineering, on-site
field support, remote support, troubleshooting and complete system verification testing. These SLA and Services
also include after hour and 24x7x365 support contracts. The Company began programs in 2020 and expanded in
2021 to promote and emphasize the value of services and agreements for services offering a range of service levels
tailored to various customer’s business needs. The Company’s SLA and Services products accounted for
approximately 3% and 1% of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an overall increase of
$279,000 year-over-year.
• Other Products. There are a variety of other products that the Company sells to a lesser degree, either to fill a
customer need or where sales have reduced due to changes in Company direction, technology, or market influences.
Sales of products in these categories contributed less significantly to the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020 and
are expected to remain this way for 2022. These products include:
• Analog Modulation Products are used by a system operator for signal acquisition, processing and manipulation to
create an analog channel lineup for further transmission. Among the products offered by the Company in this
category are prefabricated headends to accommodate legacy analog TV systems, modulators, demodulators, and
processors.
•
•
•
Fiber Products are used to transport signals from the headend to their ultimate destination in a home, apartment
unit, hotel room, office or other terminal location along a fiber optic distribution network. Among the products
offered by the Company in this category are fiber optic transmitters, receivers (nodes), and couplers.
Test & Measurement instruments, for measuring both digital and analog CATV and Broadcast TV signals, as well
as capture, analyze and/ or generate MPEG ASI transport streams.
Contract Manufacturing Services, providing manufacturing, research and development and product support services
for other companies’ products.
• Miscellaneous products and services, filling customers’ needs for receiving off-air broadcast television and satellite
transmissions prior to headend processing, satellite distribution, repair, and parts.
The Company will modify its products to meet specific customer requirements. Typically, these modifications are
minor and do not materially alter either the product functionality or the ability to sell such altered products to other customers.
Research and Product Development
The markets served by Blonder Tongue are characterized by technological change, new product introductions, and
evolving industry standards. To compete effectively in this environment, the Company must engage in ongoing research and
development in order to (i) create new products, (ii) expand features of existing products to accommodate customer demand
for greater capability, (iii) license new technologies, (iv) acquire products incorporating technology that could not otherwise
be developed quickly enough using internal resources and (v) acquire complementary products incorporating technology from
third parties allowing internal resources to focus on higher-value strategic areas of research and development. Research and
development projects are often initially undertaken at the request of or in an effort to address the particular needs of the
Company’s customers and customer prospects, with the expectation or promise of substantial future orders. Projects may also
result from new technologies that become available, or new market applications of existing technology. In the new product
development process, the vast experience of the Company’s engineering group is leveraged to ensure the highest level of
suitability and widest acceptance in the marketplace. Products tend to be developed in a functional building block approach
that allows for different combinations of blocks to generate new relevant products. Additional research and development
efforts are also continuously underway for the purpose of enhancing product quality and lowering production costs. This
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building block philosophy of research and development was expanded on in the fourth quarter of 2018 with several new
hardware designs each yielding a wide range of product derivative models based on a single common design, yielding the
Company improved engineering cost efficiencies. For the acquisition of new technologies, the Company may rely upon
technology licenses from third parties or customized derivative product development. The Company will also license
technology if it can obtain technology more quickly, or more cost-effectively from third parties than it could otherwise develop
on its own, or if the desired technology is proprietary to a third party. There were 16 employees involved in the technical
product definition, technology systems architecture and research and development departments of the Company at December
31, 2021, distributed among the Company’s operating locations.
Marketing and Sales
Blonder Tongue markets and sells its products for use in a wide range of IPTV and other Telecom and SMB markets,
including with municipal fiber optic operators, traditional cable television, telco, MDU, lodging/hospitality, and institutional
settings (schools, hospitals and prisons). The Company also sells into a multitude of niche SMB markets such as sports arenas
and the cruise ship industry. Sales are made directly to customers by the Company’s internal sales force, as well as through
Blonder Tongue Premier Distributors. The Company instituted its Premier Distributor Program in 2007, through which a
limited group of larger distributors who stock a significant amount of the Company’s products in their inventory are given
access to a special purchase incentive program allowing them to achieve volume price concessions measured on a year-to-year
basis. Sales to the Company’s Premier Distributors accounted for approximately 27% and 26% of the Company’s revenues
for 2021 and 2020, respectively. These Premier Distributors serve multiple markets. Direct sales to telco operators, municipal
fiber operators, cable operators and system integrators accounted for approximately 39% and 40% of the Company’s revenues
for 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company’s sales and marketing function is performed by its internal sales and marketing associates working in
partnership and conjunction its Premier Distributors, as well as its smaller company integrator and distributor network. Should
it be deemed necessary, the Company may retain independent sales representatives in particular geographic areas or targeted
to specific customer prospects or target market opportunities. Sales and marketing make up 16% of the Company’s overall
workforce, divided into central and regional coverage in Old Bridge, New Jersey, in Ohio and Florida, as well as .Pennsylvania,
the Chicago and Atlanta areas.
The Company’s standard customer payment terms are net 30 days. From time to time, when circumstances warrant,
such as a commitment to a large blanket purchase order, the Company will selectively extend payment terms beyond its
standard payment terms to 60 days.
The Company has several marketing programs to support the sale and distribution of its products. Blonder Tongue
participates in industry trade shows and conferences and also maintains a robust website and direct on-line sales portal. The
Company publishes technical articles in trade and technical journals, distributes sales and product literature and has an active
public relations plan to ensure complete coverage of Blonder Tongue’s products and technology by editors of trade journals.
The Company provides system design engineering services for its customers, maintains extensive ongoing communications
with many original equipment manufacturer customers and provides one-on-one demonstrations and technical seminars to
potential new customers. Blonder Tongue supplies sales and applications support, product literature and training to its sales
representatives and distributors. Before the COVID pandemic began in March of 2020, the management and sales staff of the
Company traveled extensively, identifying customer needs and meeting existing and potential customers. The Company
anticipates resuming these activities at pre-pandemic levels as U.S. CDC guidelines allow.
Customers
Blonder Tongue has a diverse customer base, which in 2021 consisted of approximately 113 active accounts.
Approximately 58% and 37% of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, were derived from sales of products
to the Company’s five largest customers. Stellar Private Cable, Advanced Media Technologies and North American Cable
Equipment accounted for approximately 20%, 14% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues in 2021. No customers
accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues in 2020. None of these customers are obligated to purchase a material
amount of products or to provide the Company with a material level of binding forecasts of product purchases for any future
period. There can be no assurance that sales to these entities, individually or as a group, will reach or exceed historical levels
in any future period; however, the Company currently anticipates that the three customers mentioned above. will continue to
account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues in future periods. See disclosure below in “Risk Factors – Any
substantial decrease in sales to our largest customers may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition” for
further details.
11
Since 2010, the Company has held multi-year contracts with key distributors in its Premier Distributor Program.
Many of the Company’s smaller business customers, with whom the Company had formerly dealt on a direct basis, now
purchase the Company’s products from our Premier Distributors.
In the Company’s direct sales to system integrators, the complement of our significant customers tends to vary over
time as the most efficient and better financed integrators grow more rapidly than others. Any substantial decrease or delay in
sales to one or more of the Company’s significant customers, the financial failure of any of these entities, or the Company’s
inability to develop and maintain solid relationships with the integrators that may replace the present significant customers,
would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s revenues are derived primarily from customers in the continental United States; however, the
Company also derives some revenues from customers in other geographical markets, primarily Canada and to a much more
limited extent, in developing countries. Sales to customers outside of the United States represented approximately 4% and 3%
of the Company’s revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively. All of the Company’s transactions with customers located outside
of the United States have historically been denominated in U.S. dollars. As such, the Company has had no foreign currency
transactions from which it derives revenues. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies have certain inherent risks
associated with them due to currency fluctuations. See “Risk Factors” below for more detail on the risks associated with
foreign currency transactions.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
Blonder Tongue’s primary manufacturing operations are presently located at the Old Bridge, New Jersey Facility,
which also serves as the Company’s headquarters. The Company has developed, implemented and maintains a Quality
Management System, that has been certified as conforming to all requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 international standard.
The Company recently completed an audit and renewed its ISO 9001:2015 certification in December 2021. The Company’s
manufacturing operations are vertically integrated and consist principally of the programming, assembly, and testing of
electronic assemblies built from fabricated parts, printed circuit boards and electronic devices and the fabrication from raw
sheet metal, of chassis and cabinets for such assemblies. Management continues to implement improvements to the
manufacturing process to increase production volume and reduce product cost, including logistics modifications on the factory
floor to accommodate increasingly fine pitch surface mount electronic components. The Company is capable of manufacturing
assemblies of 16-layer printed circuit boards with thousands of components, including placement of 0.030x0.030mil ball grid
arrays and 0201 packaged sized components, utilizing its advanced state-of-the-art automatic placement equipment as well as
automated optical inspection and testing systems. Investments by the Company in these advanced manufacturing technologies
is consistent with and part of the Company’s strategy to provide its customers with high performance-to-cost ratio products.
The Company also maintains engineering and technical support staff in Ohio, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Florida and in the Atlanta,
GA area.
Since 2007, the Company has been manufacturing certain high volume, labor intensive products, including a portion
of the Company’s analog products overseas in the PRC, and since 2019 in Korea and Taiwan. A key contract manufacturer in
the PRC produces a portion of these products (all of which are proprietary Blonder Tongue designs) as may be requested by
the Company from time to time (in the Company’s discretion) through the submission of purchase orders, the terms of which
are governed by a manufacturing agreement. Although the Company does not currently anticipate the transfer of any additional
products to overseas companies for manufacture, the Company may do so if business and market conditions make it
advantageous to do so. In connection with the Company’s initiatives in Korea, Taiwan and the PRC, the Company may have
limited foreign currency transactions and may be subject to limited various currency exchange control programs related to its
overseas operations.
Outside contractors supply standard components, printed circuit boards and electronic subassemblies to the
Company’s specifications. The Company purchases electronic parts that it classifies into three groups: (i) products which do
not have a unique source, (ii) products that have a limited number of suppliers and (iii) products which have a sole source.
Products which do not have a unique source are generally available with limited supply disruptions. Products that are available
from a limited number of suppliers may be subject to temporary shortages because of general economic conditions and the
demand and supply for such component parts. Products which have a sole source are subject to longer term shortages and in
some cases not available at all in the short term, with certain deliveries not expected until 2023. If the Company were to
experience a temporary shortage of any given electronic part, the Company believes that alternative parts could be obtained,
or system design changes implemented. There can be no assurances that obtaining alternative parts or system design changes
can be done successfully or on a cost-effective basis An inability to timely obtain sufficient quantities of certain of these
components could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results. The Company does not have an
agreement with any sole source supplier requiring the supplier to sell a specified volume of components to the Company. See
“Risk Factors” below for more detail on the risk associated with sole supplier products.
12
Blonder Tongue maintains a quality assurance program which monitors and controls manufacturing processes, and
extensively tests samples throughout the process. Samples of component parts purchased are tested, as well as its finished
products, on an ongoing basis. The Company also tests component and sub-assemblies throughout the manufacturing process
using commercially available and in-house built testing systems that incorporate proprietary procedures. The highest level of
quality assurance is maintained throughout all aspects of the design and manufacturing process. The extensive in-house
calibration program assures test equipment integrity, correlation and calibration. This program ensures that all test and
measurement equipment that is used in the manufacturing process is calibrated to the same in-house reference standard on a
consistent basis. When all test and measurement devices are calibrated in this manner, discrepancies are eliminated between
the engineering, manufacturing and quality control departments, thus increasing operational efficiency and ensuring a high
level of product quality. Blonder Tongue performs final product tests prior to shipment to customers. In 2008, the Company
was certified to perform Underwriters Laboratories (UL) witness testing of products to UL International Standard 60950.
Competition
All aspects of the Company’s business are highly competitive. The Company competes with international, national,
regional and local manufacturers and distributors, including companies larger than Blonder Tongue that have substantially
greater resources. A small subset of manufacturers who are suppliers to the Company sell directly as well as through
distributors into the franchise and private cable marketplaces. Because of the convergence of the cable, telecommunications
and computer industries and rapid technological developments, new competitors may seek to enter the principal markets served
by the Company. Many of these potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing,
marketing, sales and other resources than Blonder Tongue. The Company expects that direct and indirect competition may
increase in the future. Additional competition could result in price reductions, loss of market share and delays in the timing of
customer orders. The principal methods of competition are product differentiation, product reputation, performance, quality,
price, terms, service, technical support and administrative support. The Company is a major competitor in many of the markets
that it serves and differentiates itself from other companies by consistently offering innovative products, providing excellent
technical service support and delivering extremely high reliability products and high performance-to-cost ratio (high value)
products.
Intellectual Property
The Company currently holds several United States and foreign patents, including certain technologies within the
NXG platform and certain technologies within its DOCSIS data products. No other patents are considered material to the
Company’s present operations, since they do not relate to high volume applications. Because of the rapidly evolving nature
of the telecommunications and cable television industry, the Company believes that its market position as a technology supplier
derives primarily from its ability to timely develop a consistent stream of new products that are designed to meet its customers’
needs and that have a high performance-to-cost ratio.
The Company owns a United States trademark registration for the word mark “Blonder Tongue®” and “Aircaster®”
and also on a “BT®” logo. Drake owns a United States trademark registration for the word mark “DRAKE®”.
Since 2008, the Company has obtained and renewed licenses for a variety of technologies in concert with its digital
encoder line of products. The licenses are from a number of companies including from Zenith, a subsidiary of LG Electronics
(expires December 2022). These standard licenses are all non-exclusive and many require payment of royalties based upon
the unit sales of the licensed products. With regard to the licenses expiring in 2022, the Company expects to renew these
standard licenses on similar terms to those presently in force. For additional information regarding these licenses, see
“Introduction” starting on page 2.
The Company relies on a combination of patents, contractual rights and trade secret laws to protect its proprietary
technologies and know-how. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to protect its technologies and know-
how or that third parties will not be able to develop similar technologies and know-how independently. Therefore, existing
and potential competitors may be able to develop products that are competitive with the Company’s products and such
competition could adversely affect the prices for the Company’s products or the Company’s market share. The Company also
believes that factors such as the technological and creative skills of its personnel, new product developments, frequent product
enhancements, name recognition and reliable product maintenance are essential to establishing and maintaining its competitive
position. The industries in which the Company competes are subject to constant development of new technologies and
evolution of existing technologies, many of which are the subject of existing third-party patents and new patents are issued
frequently.
13
Regulation
Private cable, while in some cases subject to certain Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licensing
requirements, is not presently burdened with extensive government regulations. The Telecommunications Act of 1996
deregulated many aspects of franchise cable system operation and opened the door to competition among cable operators and
telephone companies in each of their respective industries.
Environmental Regulations
The Company is subject to a variety of Federal, State and local governmental regulations related to the storage, use,
discharge and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals if and when used in its manufacturing processes.
The Company did not incur in 2021 and does not anticipate incurring in 2022, material capital expenditures for compliance
with Federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations. There can be no assurance, however, that changes in
environmental regulations will not result in the need for additional capital expenditures or otherwise impose additional financial
burdens on the Company. Further, such regulations could restrict the Company’s ability to expand its operations. Any failure
by the Company to obtain required permits for, control the use of, or adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances
under present or future regulations could subject the Company to substantial liability or could cause its manufacturing
operations to be suspended.
The Company has authorization to discharge wastewater under the New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination
System/Discharge to Surface Waters General Industrial Stormwater Permit, Permit No. NJ0088315. This permit will expire
May 31, 2022 and is automatically renewed upon payment of the annual fee. The Company intends to renew this permit.
Employees
As of February 28, 2022, the Company employed approximately 84 people, including 39 in manufacturing, 14 in
research and development, 3 in quality assurance, 19 in sales and marketing, and 9 in a general and administrative capacity.
Substantially all of these employees are full time employees. Twenty-one of the Company’s employees are members of the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, Local 2066, which has a labor agreement with the Company that is
scheduled to expire in February 2023.
ITEM 1A
RISK FACTORS
The Company’s business operates in a rapidly changing technology and economic environment that involves
numerous risks, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. The following “Risk Factors” highlight some of these
risks. Additional risks not currently known to the Company or that the Company now deems immaterial may also affect the
Company and the value of its common stock. The risks described below, together with all of the other information included
in this report, should be carefully considered in evaluating our business and prospects. The occurrence of any of the following
risks could harm the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Commercial Risks
Any substantial decrease in sales to our largest customers may adversely affect our results of operations or financial
condition.
Approximately 58% and 37% of our revenues in 2021 and 2020, respectively, were derived from sales of products
to the Company’s five largest customers. None of these customers are obligated to purchase a material amount of products or
to provide the Company with a material level of binding forecasts of product purchases for any future period. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that sales to these entities, individually or as a group, will reach or exceed historical levels in any
future period. In addition, while the COVID-19 outbreak has affected and is continuing to affect the operations of our suppliers,
and of our customers and our sales to them, uncertainty as to the effects on the economy generally and our semiconductor
suppliers and customers in particular makes it impossible for us to predict the short term and long term effects the COVID-19
outbreak and related developments will have on our customers and their ongoing businesses and how those effects may impact
our sales to them.
With respect to our direct sales to system integrators, the complement of our significant customers tends to vary over
time as the most efficient and better-financed integrators tend to grow more rapidly than others. Our success with those
customers will depend in part on:
•
the viability of those customers;
14
•
•
our ability to identify those customers with the greatest growth and growth prospects; and
our ability to maintain our position in the overall marketplace by shifting our emphasis to such customers.
In addition, three of our customers accounted for approximately 62% and 39% of our outstanding trade accounts
receivable at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Any substantial decrease or delay in sales to one or more of our
significant customers, the financial failure of any of these entities, their inability to pay their trade accounts owing to us in a
timely manner or at all, or our inability to develop solid relationships with integrators that may replace the present significant
customers, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If the negative effects of
the COVID-19 outbreak and related developments lead to financial difficulties or even the failure of one or more of our
significant customers, or a combination of our smaller customers, our ability to collect payment in full and on a timely basis,
or at all, may be adversely affected, and our working capital resources may be significantly diminished.
An inability to develop, or acquire the rights to technology, products or applications in response to changes in industry
standards or customer needs may reduce our sales and profitability.
Both the private cable and franchised cable industries are characterized by the continuing advancement of technology,
evolving industry standards and changing customer needs. To be successful, we must anticipate the evolution of industry
standards and changes in customer needs, through the timely development and introduction of new products, enhancement of
existing products and licensing of new technology from third parties. This is particularly true at this time as the Company
must develop and market new digital products to offset the continuing decline in demand for, and therefore sales of, analog
products. Although we depend primarily on our own research and development efforts to develop new products and
enhancements to our existing products, we have and may continue to seek licenses for new technology from third parties when
we believe that we can obtain such technology more quickly and/or cost-effectively from such third parties than we could
otherwise develop on our own, or when the desired technology has already been patented by a third party. There can, however,
be no assurance that new technology or such licenses will be available on terms acceptable to us. There can be no assurance
that:
• we will be able to anticipate the evolution of industry standards in the telecommunications, cable television or the
communications industry generally;
• we will be able to anticipate changes in the market and customer needs;
•
•
technologies and applications under development by us will be successfully developed; or
successfully developed technologies and applications will achieve market acceptance.
If we are unable for technological or other reasons to develop and introduce products and applications or to obtain
licenses for new technologies from third parties in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer
requirements, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Anticipated increases in direct and indirect competition with us may have an adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial condition.
All aspects of our business are highly competitive. We compete with international, national, regional and local
manufacturers and distributors, including companies larger than us, which have substantially greater resources. Various
manufacturers who are suppliers to us sell directly as well as through distributors into the cable television marketplace.
Because of the convergence of the cable, telecommunications and computer industries and rapid technological development,
new competitors may seek to enter the principal markets served by us. Many of these potential competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other resources than we have. We expect that direct and
indirect competition will increase in the future. Additional competition could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition through:
•
•
•
•
price reductions;
loss of market share;
delays in the timing of customer orders; and
an inability to increase our penetration into the cable television market.
Our sales and profitability may suffer due to any substantial decrease or delay in capital spending by the
telecommunications and cable infrastructure operators that we serve, as well as in the MDU, assisted living, lodging
and institutional cable or telecommunications markets.
The vast majority of our revenues in 2021 and 2020 came from sales of our products for use by fiber, telco and cable
infrastructure operators. Demand for our products depends to a large extent upon capital spending by telcos, cable operators
and other entities on private cable systems and specifically by private cable operators for constructing, rebuilding, maintaining
15
or upgrading their systems. Capital spending by private cable operators and, therefore, our sales and profitability, are
dependent on a variety of factors, including:
•
•
•
•
access by private cable operators to financing for capital expenditures;
demand for their cable services;
availability of alternative video delivery technologies; and
general economic conditions.
In addition, our sales and profitability may in the future be more dependent on capital spending by traditional
franchise cable system operators as well as by new entrants to this market planning to over-build existing cable system
infrastructures, or constructing, rebuilding, maintaining and upgrading their systems. There can be no assurance that system
operators in private cable or franchise cable will continue capital spending for constructing, rebuilding, maintaining, or
upgrading their systems. Any substantial decrease or delay in capital spending by private cable or franchise cable operators
would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Competitors may develop products that are similar to, and compete with, our products due to our limited proprietary
protection.
We possess limited patent or registered intellectual property rights with respect to the majority of our technology.
We rely on a combination of patents, contractual rights and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary technology and know-
how. There can be no assurance that we will be able to protect our technology and know-how or that third parties will not be
able to develop similar technology independently. Therefore, existing and potential competitors may be able to develop similar
products which compete with our products. Such competition could adversely affect the prices for our products or our market
share and could have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations and financial condition.
Patent infringement claims against us or our customers, whether or not successful, may cause us to incur significant
costs.
While we do not believe that our products (including products and technologies licensed from others) infringe valid
intellectual property rights of any third parties, there can be no assurance that infringement or invalidity claims (or claims for
indemnification resulting from infringement claims) will not be asserted against us or our customers. Damages for
infringement of valid intellectual property rights of third parties could be substantial, and if determined to be willful, can be
trebled. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation.
Regardless of the validity or the successful assertion of any such claims, we could incur significant costs and diversion of
resources with respect to the defense thereof which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations. If we are unsuccessful in defending any claims or actions that are asserted against us or our customers, we could
seek to obtain a license under a third party’s intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance, however, that under such
circumstances, a license would be available under reasonable terms or at all. The failure to obtain a license to a third party’s
intellectual property rights on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial condition.
Financial Risks
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 included herein contain a “going
concern” explanatory paragraph, expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we experienced a decline in net sales, a loss from operations and a
significant amount of cash used in operating activities, which was funded in large part from the proceeds we received from
sales of our common stock and the proceeds from the Subordinated Loan Facility. Our ability to continue as a going concern
is dependent upon our becoming profitable in the future and having access to sufficient capital to execute our business plan
and to meet our payment obligations on our debt financing arrangements and other financial obligations when they become
due. We recently have been successful in obtaining additional capital through our Subordinated Loan Facility and the issuance
of shares of our common stock. Although we believe that improvements in our sales and efforts to reduce expenses will
increase the possibility that we will become profitable, and we have recently obtained the additional Subordinated Loan Facility
and equity financing, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be successful in improving our performance, that the
additional financing obtained to date will be sufficient, or that we will be successful in securing additional financing on
reasonable terms, or at all. These factors, and possibly others, raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a
going concern. Our audited consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result if we are unable
to continue as a going concern. As a result, you should not rely on our consolidated balance sheet as an indication of the
amount of proceeds that would be available to satisfy claims of creditors and potentially be available for distribution to
stockholders in the event of liquidation.
16
The terms of our credit facility with MidCap Business Credit may restrict our current and future operating and
financial flexibility and could adversely affect our financial and operational results.
On October 25, 2019, the Company, entered into a new credit facility with MidCap Business Credit (“MidCap”),
which was amended on April 7, 2020, January 8, 2021, June 14, 2021, July 30, 2021, August 26, 2021, December 16, 2021
and February 11, 2022. The Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and MidCap, as amended (the “MidCap
Agreement”) includes a number of covenants that, among other things, may restrict our ability to:
engage in mergers, consolidations, asset dispositions or similar fundamental changes;
redeem or repurchase shares of Company stock;
create, incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness;
create, incur or permit liens on our assets;
•
•
•
•
• make loans or investments;
•
•
pay cash dividends or make similar distributions; and
change the nature of our business.
These restrictions in the MidCap Agreement may limit our ability to engage in certain transactions that could be
beneficial to us and our stockholders. In the event of a default, MidCap could elect to declare all borrowings, accrued and
unpaid interest and other fees outstanding, due and payable and require us to use available cash to repay these borrowings,
which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. If MidCap terminates the MidCap
Agreement or further limits our ability to borrow under the MidCap Agreement as a result of any failures to comply with any
covenants, we would seek new debt financing arrangements. We cannot assure you that new debt financing will be available
to us on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, new debt financing, if available, could impose payment obligations, covenants
and operating restrictions that are more onerous than under the MidCap Agreement, which could adversely affect our
operations and financial condition.
We may face risks relating to currency fluctuations and currency exchange.
Historically the Company has had limited exposure to currency fluctuations since transactions with customers located
outside the United States have generally been denominated in U.S. Dollars. In addition, the Company incurs certain expenses
denominated in RMB in connection with its contract manufacturing activities in the PRC. The Company's functional currency
is the U.S. Dollar. Accordingly, any expense denominated in Canadian Dollars or RMB needs to be translated into U.S. Dollars
at the applicable currency exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. Exchange rates between the
RMB and U.S. Dollar in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may do so in the future. We do not engage in currency
hedging activities to limit the risks of currency fluctuations. Currency fluctuations could adversely impact our results of
operations, cash flows and financial position.
Increased tariffs or other trade actions could adversely affect our business.
There is currently significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with
respect to trade policies and tariffs. We source a variety of finished products and component parts from China. Although we
currently believe that most of those products are not subject to tariffs, we cannot assure you that governmental authorities will
agree with that position or that future actions may not be taken by the United States or China to impose tariffs on those products
and components or otherwise affect our ability to source those products and components, which could have an adverse effect
on our future operations. In addition, certain of the products we obtain from China are currently subject to tariffs. Although
we do not expect that the currently-applicable tariffs will have an adverse effect on our results of operations, we have raised
prices on certain products to attempt to offset the effect of those tariffs, and we are also considering alternative sources of
supply from manufacturers in other countries and moving certain manufacturing activities to our Old Bridge New Jersey
Facility as additional ways to mitigate the effect of those tariffs. If our expectations regarding the effect of the currently
applicable tariffs prove to be incorrect and we are unable to offset or mitigate the effects of those tariffs, our future operating
results may be adversely affected.
Operational Risks
Our financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by health events
such as the recent Coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak.
17
Our business has been materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 and may
in the future be materially and adversely affected by other epidemics and pandemic outbreaks. COVID-19, which has been
declared by the World Health Organization to be a “pandemic,” has spread to many countries, including the United States, and
has impacted and continues to impact domestic and worldwide economic activity. A public health epidemic or pandemic,
including COVID-19, poses the risk that the Company or its employees, customers, suppliers and other business partners may
be prevented from conducting business activities for an indefinite period of time, including due to shutdowns that may be
requested or mandated by governmental authorities. Since being declared a “pandemic”, COVID-19 has interfered with our
ability to meet with certain customers, has impacted and may continue to impact many of our customers and has disrupted and
may continue to disrupt global supply chains. There are developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak on a daily basis that
may impact our customers, employees and business partners. As a result, it is not possible at this time to estimate the duration
or the scope of the impact COVID-19 could have on the Company's business. However, the continued spread of COVID-19
and actions taken by our customers, suppliers and business partners, actions we take to protect the health and welfare of our
employees, and measures taken by governmental authorities in response to COVID-19 could disrupt our manufacturing
activities, the shipment of our products, the supply chain and purchasing decisions of our customers. The Company
experienced a significant reduction in sales as a result of the decreased business activities of our customers related to the
COVID-19 outbreak, and although we have experienced some increases in customer orders of our products, it remains unclear
when or whether our customers will resume their activities at a level where our sales to them will return to historical levels.
In addition, disruption of the global supply chain has had and continues to have an adverse impact on our ability to meet the
demands or our customers, and it is unclear when these supply chains issues will be resolved. These uncertainties may have a
material adverse impact on our business.
An inability to reduce expenses or increase revenues may cause continued net losses.
We have had losses each year since 2010, with small net earnings of $84,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
While management believes its ongoing efforts to increase revenues should, and its ongoing efforts and demonstrated progress
in reducing expenses may create future profitability, there can be no assurance that these actions will be successful. Failure to
increase revenues or ability to maintain or reduce expense levels could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition. In addition, in order to address issues relating to our reduced sales and recent impacts in
the predictability of global semiconductor supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented operating
expense cost reductions and may need to implement additional cost reductions in the near term. If necessary additional
reductions cannot be implemented in a timely manner or prove to be insufficient in offsetting or significantly mitigating
reduced revenues, our ability to continue to operate as a going concern may be materially adversely affected.
Inventory reserves for excess or obsolete inventories may adversely affect our results of operations and financial
condition.
We continually analyze our excess or obsolete inventories. Based on historical and projected sales volumes and
anticipated selling prices, we establish reserves. If we do not meet our sales expectations, these reserves are increased.
Products that are determined to be obsolete are written down to net realizable value. Although we believe reserves are adequate
and inventories are reflected at net realizable value, there can be no assurance that we will not have to record additional
inventory reserves in the future. Significant increases to inventory reserves could have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations and financial condition.
Any significant casualty to our facility in Old Bridge, New Jersey may cause a lengthy interruption to our business
operations.
We primarily operate out of one manufacturing facility in Old Bridge, New Jersey (the “Old Bridge Facility”).
While we maintain a limited amount of business interruption insurance, a casualty that results in a lengthy interruption of our
ability to manufacture at, or otherwise use, the Old Bridge Facility could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
Our dependence on certain third-party suppliers could create an inability for us to obtain component products not
otherwise available or to do so only at increased prices.
We purchase several products from sole suppliers for which alternative sources are not available. Our results of
operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by:
•
•
•
an inability to obtain sufficient quantities of these components;
an inability to obtain sufficient quantities of these components within specific timeframes;
our receipt of a significant number of defective components;
18
•
•
an increase in component prices; or
our inability to obtain lower component prices in response to competitive pressures on the pricing of our products.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the supply chain for many types of products and materials,
particularly those being manufactured in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and other countries where the outbreak
has resulted in significant disruptions to ongoing business activities. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and continuing
into the first quarter of 2022, the Company has experienced material disruption in our supply chain as it relates to the
procurement of certain sole source and other multiple source components utilized in a material portion of a number of the
Company’s product lines. We believe this disruption may continue beyond 2022. If these or any similar types of supply
disruptions continue, it is possible that we will be unable to complete sales of any affected products to our customers on
requested schedules.
Our manufacturing activities in the PRC, South Korea and Taiwan may subject us to the risks of unfavorable political,
regulatory, legal and other developments in those countries.
Some of our products are manufactured and assembled in the PRC, South Korea and Taiwan under contractual and
purchasing arrangements with businesses in those countries. Our future operations and earnings may be adversely affected by
the risks related to, or any other problems arising from, having our products manufactured and assembled in these countries:
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political, economic and labor instability;
changes in foreign or United States government laws and regulations, including exchange control regulations;
infringement of our intellectual property rights; and
difficulties in managing foreign manufacturing operations.
In addition, because the Company incurs certain expenses denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”) rather than U.S.
Dollars in connection with contract manufacturing activities in the PRC, we may experience increased costs related to
fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates. Although these countries have modern industrial economies, their potential
economic, political, legal and labor developments could entail uncertainties and risks. In the event of any changes that
adversely affect our ability to manufacture in the PRC, South Korea and/or Taiwan, our business could suffer.
Shifting our operations between regions may entail considerable expense.
Over time we may shift additional portions of our manufacturing operations to outside third-party suppliers both
within the US, North America, Europe, and/or Asian territories in order to maximize manufacturing and operational efficiency.
This could result in reducing our domestic operations in the future, which in turn could entail significant one-time earnings
charges to account for severance, equipment write-offs or write downs and moving expenses.
Any increase in governmental regulation of the markets that we serve, including the cable television system, MDU,
lodging and institutional markets, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The telecommunications, cable television, fiber optic, MDU, lodging and institutional markets within the cable
industry, which represents the vast majority of our business, while in some cases subject to certain FCC licensing requirements,
is not presently burdened with extensive government regulations. It is possible, however, that regulations could be adopted in
the future which impose burdensome restrictions on these markets resulting in, among other things, barriers to the entry of new
competitors or limitations on capital expenditures. Any such regulations, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial condition.
Private cable system operation is not presently burdened with significant government regulation, other than, in some
cases, certain FCC licensing and signal leakage requirements. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated many aspects
of franchise cable system operation and opened the door to competition among cable operators and telephone companies in
each of their respective industries. It is possible, however, that regulations could be adopted which would re-impose
burdensome restrictions on franchise cable operators resulting in, among other things, the grant of exclusive rights or franchises
within certain geographical areas. Any increased regulation of franchise cable could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition.
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Any increase in governmental environmental regulations or our inability or failure to comply with existing
environmental regulations may cause an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local governmental regulations related to the storage, use, discharge
and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used in our manufacturing processes. We do not anticipate
material capital expenditures during 2022 for compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.
There can be no assurance, however, that changes in environmental regulations will not result in the need for additional capital
expenditures or otherwise impose additional financial burdens on us. Further, such regulations could restrict our ability to
expand our operations. Any failure by us to obtain required permits for, control the use of, or adequately restrict the discharge
of, hazardous substances under present or future regulations could subject us to substantial liability or could cause our
manufacturing operations to be suspended. Such liability or suspension of manufacturing operations could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our business and operations could suffer in the event of security breaches.
Attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems are becoming more sophisticated.
Our systems are designed to detect security incidents and to prevent their recurrence, but, in some cases, we might be unaware
of an incident or its magnitude and effects. While we have not identified any material incidents of unauthorized access to date,
the theft, unauthorized use or publication of our intellectual property, confidential business or personal information could harm
our competitive position, reduce the value of our investment in research and development and other strategic initiatives,
damage our reputation or otherwise adversely affect our business. In addition, to the extent that any future security breach
results in inappropriate disclosure of our employees’, licensees’, or customers’ confidential and /or personal information, we
may incur liability or additional costs to remedy any damages caused by such breach. We could also be impacted by existing
and proposed laws and regulations, as well as government policies and practices related to cybersecurity, privacy and data
protection.
Macroeconomic Risks
Adverse changes in economic conditions could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our business and earnings are affected by general business, economic and financial markets conditions in the United
States and elsewhere. We continue to operate in a challenging and uncertain economic environment, which has been
exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak and related events. Any return to recessionary conditions or prolonged stagnant or
deteriorating economic conditions, whether related to the COVID-19 outbreak or otherwise, could significantly affect the
markets in which we do business, the demand for our products, the ability of our customers to make payments to us in a timely
fashion or at all, our ability and the ability of our customers to obtain adequate financing to maintain operations and other
potential events that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, our stock price could remain depressed or decrease if investors have concerns that our business, financial condition
or results of operations will be negatively impacted by a worldwide economic downturn. Other uncertainties, including the
potential effect of United States’ tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which are important materials for the production of
many of our products, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, beginning in early 2022 our business began to experience inflationary price increases in certain of our
components. Although to date we have been successful in passing on these increases to our customers, there can be no
assurances that we will continue to be able to do so. The inability to pass on these or future component cost increases could
have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Human Capital Risks
Losing the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees, or our inability
to continue to attract and retain highly qualified and experienced employees, could adversely affect our business.
Our future success depends in large part on the continued service of our key executives and technical and management
personnel. Our future success also depends on our ability to continue to attract and retain highly skilled engineering,
manufacturing, marketing and managerial personnel. The competition for such personnel is intense, and the loss of key
employees, in particular the principal members of our management and technical staff, could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial condition.
Delays or difficulties in negotiating a labor agreement or other difficulties in our relationship with our union
employees may cause an adverse effect on our manufacturing and business operations.
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All of our direct labor employees located at the Old Bridge, New Jersey facility are members of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, Local 2066 (the “Union”), under a collective bargaining agreement, which expires
in February 2023. In connection with any renewal or renegotiation of the labor agreement upon its termination, there can be
no assurance that work stoppages will not occur or that we will be able to agree upon terms for future agreements with the
Union. Any work stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our business operations, results of operations and financial
condition.
Other Risks
Additional issuances of shares of our common stock in the future could adversely affect the value or voting power of
our outstanding common stock.
Over the past two years we have issued a substantial number of shares of common stock and other securities
convertible into, or exercisable for, a substantial number of additional shares of common stock. Although we cannot predict
whether the holders of our securities that are convertible into, or exercisable for, shares of our common stock will convert
and/or exercise those securities, or in what amounts, the actual or anticipated issuances or sales of substantial amounts of our
common stock in the future could cause the value of our common stock to decline and make it more difficult for us to sell
equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and on terms that we deem appropriate. The issuance of any shares of
our common stock in the future also would, and equity-related securities could, dilute the percentage ownership interest and
voting power held by stockholders prior to such issuance. We have also entered arrangements with certain of our officers and
our directors pursuant to which they have agreed to receive shares of our common stock in the future in lieu of current cash
compensation. Although those arrangements help the Company preserve cash for operations, the issuances of the shares to
those officers and directors also will have the effect of diluting the percentage ownership interest and voting power held by
stockholders prior to such issuances.
Our organizational documents and Delaware state law contain provisions that could discourage or prevent a potential
takeover or change in control of our company or prevent our stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares
of our common stock.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated Preferred Stock, to determine
the powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions granted to or imposed upon any unissued
series of undesignated Preferred Stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such
series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The Preferred Stock could be issued with voting, liquidation,
dividend and other rights superior to the rights of the common stock. Furthermore, such Preferred Stock may have other rights,
including economic rights, senior to the common stock, and as a result, the issuance of such stock could have a material adverse
effect on the market value of the common stock. In addition, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation:
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eliminates the right of our stockholders to act without a meeting;
does not provide cumulative voting for the election of directors;
does not provide our stockholders with the right to call special meetings;
provides for a classified board of directors; and
imposes various procedural requirements which could make it difficult for our stockholders to effect certain
corporate actions.
These provisions and the Board’s ability to issue Preferred Stock may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers
or offers from third parties to acquire the Company, preventing our stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares of
our common stock, or delaying or preventing changes in control or management of the Company. We are also afforded the
protection of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could:
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delay or prevent a change in control of the Company;
impede a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving us; or
discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the
Company.
Any of these provisions which may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company,
could have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common stock.
It is unlikely that we will pay dividends on our common stock.
We currently intend to retain all earnings to finance the growth of our business and therefore do not intend to pay
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the MidCap Agreement prohibits the payment of cash
dividends by us on our common stock.
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Our common stock is thinly traded and subject to volatility, which may adversely affect the market price for our
common stock.
Although our common stock is currently traded on the NYSE American, it may at times be relatively illiquid,
or “thinly traded,” which can increase share price volatility and make it difficult for investors to buy or sell shares in the
public market without materially affecting the quoted share price. Investors may be unable to buy or sell a certain
quantity of our shares in the public market within one or more trading days. If limited trading in our stock occurs, it
may be difficult for holders to sell their shares in the public market at any given time at prevailing prices.
The prevailing market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors,
some of which are beyond our control, including the following:
announcements of technological innovations or new products by us, our competitors or third parties;
quarterly variations in our actual or anticipated results of operations;
failure of revenues or earnings in any quarter to meet the investment community’s expectations;
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• market conditions for cable industry stocks in general;
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broader market trends unrelated to our performance; and
sales of significant amounts of our common stock by our officers and directors or the perception that such shares
may occur.
The uncertainties we face relating to our liquidity and ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and
to continue to operate our business as a going concern also contributes to the volatility of our stock price, and any investment
in our common stock could suffer a significant decline or total loss in value. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain
compliance with the continued listing standards of the NYSE American LLC or any other national securities exchange or over-
the-counter market on which our common stock is then traded, which may also adversely affect the trading price of our common
stock.
Our share ownership is highly concentrated.
Our directors and officers beneficially own, or have the right to vote, in the aggregate, approximately 42% of our
common stock and will continue to have significant influence over the outcome of all matters submitted to the stockholders
for approval, including the election of our directors. In addition, certain of our directors and officers will have the right to
acquire additional shares of our common stock upon exercise of conversion rights with respect to certain indebtedness that
acquire additional shares of common stock upon exercise of conversion rights with respect to certain indebtedness that they
hold. See Note 6—Subordinated Convertible Debt with Related Parties in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our common stock has experienced and may continue to experience price and volume fluctuations, which could cause
you to lose a significant portion of your investment.
Stock markets are subject to significant price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated to the operating
performance of particular companies, and accordingly the market price of our common stock may frequently and meaningfully
change. The market prices and trading volume of our common stock have recently experienced, and may continue to
experience, significant fluctuations, which could cause purchasers of our common stock to incur substantial losses. For
example, during 2021 and through March 18, 2022, the closing market price of our common stock has fluctuated from a low
of $0.41 per share on February 24, 2022 to a high of $2.22 on February 9, 2021, with an intraday high of $2.33 per share on
February 1, 2021 and an intraday low of $0.40 per share on February 24, 2022. The last reported sale price of our common
stock on the NYSE American on March 18, 2022 was $0.64 per share. The daily trading volume in shares of our common
stock has also experienced significant fluctuation. During 2021, through March 18, 2022, daily trading volume ranged from
approximately 2,300 shares to 25,998,623 shares. We have not had any recent change in our financial condition or results of
operations that we believe are consistent with recent fluctuations in our stock price or trading volume. Although we believe
that the recent fluctuations in our stock price and trading volume reflect market and trading dynamics that appear to be unrelated
to our underlying business, or to macro or industry fundamentals, we cannot be certain of the reasons for these fluctuations,
nor can we predict how long these dynamics will last. These factors heighten the risk of an investment in our common stock,
and the timing of your purchase of our common stock relative to fluctuations in its trading price may result in you losing all or
a significant portion of your investment.
Significant fluctuations in the market price of our common stock may be the result of strong and substantially
increased retail investor interest, including on social media and online forums. The market price and trading volume
fluctuations and trading patterns we have experienced create several risks for investors, including the following:
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increases or decreases in the market price of our common stock may be unrelated to our
operating performance or prospects, or macro or industry fundamentals, and inconsistent
with the risks and uncertainties that we face;
factors in the volume of trading our common stock and the price at which the stock
trades may include retail investors' sentiment (including opinions expressed on financial
trading and other social media sites and online forums), the direct access of retail
investors to broadly available trading platforms, the amount and status of short interest
in our securities, access to margin debt, trading in options and other derivatives on our
common stock and any related hedging and other trading factors; and
based on the higher trading prices our shares have experienced recently, our market
capitalization has recently reflected, and currently reflects, valuations that diverge
significantly from those seen prior to these recent fluctuations, and to the extent these
valuations reflect trading dynamics unrelated to our financial performance, prospects or
the risks and uncertainties we face, purchasers of our common stock could incur
substantial losses if there are declines in market prices driven by a return to earlier
valuation levels.
We may continue to experience rapid and significant changes in our stock price and/or trading volume in the
foreseeable future that may not coincide in timing with our disclosure of news or developments affecting us and our business.
Accordingly, the market price of our shares of common stock may fluctuate dramatically, and may decline rapidly, regardless
of any developments in our business. If the market price of our common stock declines and or trading volume is reduced, you
may be unable to resell your shares at or above the price at which you acquired them.
There are also a variety of other factors, some of which are beyond our control, that could negatively affect the market
price of our common stock or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock, including:
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overall performance of the equity markets and the economy as a whole;
actual or anticipated changes in our growth rate relative to that of our competitors;
announcements of technological innovations or new products by us, our competitors or
third parties;
changes in the anticipated size or growth rate of our addressable markets;
announcements of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital-raising
activities or commitments, by us or by our competitors;
quarterly variations in our actual or anticipated results of operations;
failure of revenues or earnings in any quarter to meet the investment community’s
expectations;
• market conditions for telecommunications or cable industry stocks in general;
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new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable
to us or our customers;
sales of significant amounts of our common stock by our officers and directors or the
perception that such sales may occur;
sales of significant amounts of our common stock by us or the perception that such sales
may occur;
health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza, and other highly
communicable diseases; and
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•
other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism
(including cyberterrorism), or responses to these events
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s stock, class action securities litigation
has often been instituted against such companies. Litigation may arise out of facts and circumstances, or disclosure relating
thereto, that we do not currently regard as material. Such volatility may entice stockholders to challenge our disclosure,
whether or not they are correct. Any litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of
management’s attention and resources, which would interfere with our ability to execute our business plan and otherwise
materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We are subject to the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American. If we are unable to comply with such
requirements, our common stock would likely be delisted from the NYSE American, which would limit investors’
ability to effect transactions in our common stock and subject our common stock to additional trading restrictions.
Our common stock is currently listed on NYSE American. In order to maintain our listing, we must maintain certain
share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of stockholders’ equity and a
minimum number of public shareholders. In addition to these objective standards, NYSE American may delist the securities
of any issuer for other reasons involving the judgment of NYSE American.
On December 10, 2021, the Company received written notification from NYSE American stating that the staff of
NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the common stock of the Company from the exchange.
NYSE Regulation staff has determined that the Company is no longer suitable for listing pursuant to Section 1009(a) of the
NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”) as the Company was unable to demonstrate that it had regained
compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of the Company Guide by the end of the maximum 18-month compliance
plan period, which expired on December 10, 2021. We have appealed this determination; however, we cannot provide you
with any assurances that we will be able to complete the necessary actions that would allow us to meet the stockholders’ equity
requirements in a timely manner or at all or that our appeal will be successful and that our common stock will remain listed
and traded on NYSE American. We have been advised that our common stock will continue to trade on NYSE American
during the pendency of our appeal; however, NYSE American has discretion to suspend trading in our common stock at any
time if it believes suspension to be in the public interest. In addition, the Company may determine that it is not advisable to
continue its appeal or maintain the listing of the common stock on NYSE American either before or following the completion
of the appeal process.
If NYSE American delists our common stock from trading on the exchange or if we determine that it is not advisable
to continue the appeal or maintain the listing of the common stock on NYSE American, we do not currently expect to attempt
to have our common stock listed on another national securities exchange. In that event, we expect our common stock would
qualify to be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could experience a number of adverse
consequences, including:
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limited availability of market quotations for the common stock;
reduced liquidity for our securities;
our common stock being categorized as a “penny stock,” which requires brokers trading in our common stock
to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading
market for our common stock; and
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
In addition, the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996 generally preempts the states from regulating
the sale of “covered securities.” Our common stock qualifies as “covered securities” because the shares of common stock are
listed on NYSE American. If our common stock were no longer listed on NYSE American, our securities would not be
“covered securities” and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
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ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
The Company’s principal manufacturing, engineering, sales and administrative facilities consist of one building
totaling approximately 130,000 square feet located on approximately 20 acres of land in Old Bridge, New Jersey (the “Old
Bridge Facility”) which was owned but currently is leased by the Company. On February 1, 2019, the Company completed
the sale of the Old Bridge Facility to Jake Brown Road, LLC (the “Buyer”). In addition, in connection with the completion of
the sale, the Company and the Buyer (as landlord) entered into a lease (the “Lease”), pursuant to which the Company will
continue to occupy, and continue to conduct its manufacturing, engineering, sales and administrative functions in the Old
Bridge Facility.
The sale of the Old Bridge Facility was made pursuant to an Agreement of Sale dated as of August 3, 2018 (the
“Initial Sale Agreement”), as amended by an Extension Letter Agreement dated as of September 20, 2018, the Second
Amendment to Agreement of Sale dated as of October 8, 2018 and the Third Amendment to Agreement of Sale dated as of
January 30, 2019 (the Initial Sale Agreement together with the Extension Letter Agreement, Second Amendment to Agreement
of Sale and Third Amendment to Agreement of Sale, collectively, the “Sale Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, at
closing, the Buyer paid the Company $10,500,000. In addition, at closing, the Company advanced to the Buyer the sum of
$130,000, representing a preliminary estimate of the Company’s share (as a tenant of the Old Bridge Facility following closing)
of property repairs, as contemplated by the Sale Agreement (the “Repair Escrow”). The Company recognized a gain of
$7,175,000 in connection with the sale.
The Lease has an initial term of five years and allows the Company to extend the term for an additional five years
following the initial term. The Company is obligated to pay base rent of approximately $899,000 in 2022, with the amount of
the base rent adjusted for each subsequent year to equal 102.5% of the preceding year’s base rent.
The Company leases an engineering facility consisting of one building totaling approximately 1,141 square feet in
Fort Wayne, Indiana. The lease for this facility expires in May, 2022. The Company may extend the lease, find alternative
space or let the lease expire. The total lease obligation for the Fort Wayne, Indiana facility will be approximately $5,000
during 2022.
Management believes that these facilities are adequate to support the Company’s anticipated needs in 2022.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a party to certain proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of its business, none of which, in the
opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Trading Market
The Company’s common stock has been traded on the NYSE American (formerly the NYSE MKT) since the
Company’s initial public offering on December 14, 1995. The Company’s common stock is traded under the symbol “BDR”.
As of March 18, 2022, the Company had 61 holders of record of the common stock. Since a portion of the Company’s
common stock is held in “street” or nominee name, the Company is unable to determine the exact number of beneficial holders.
Dividends
The Company currently anticipates that it will retain all of its earnings to finance the operation of its business, and
therefore does not intend to pay dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. Since its initial public offering, the
Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the
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future is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s financial condition,
results of operations, capital requirements, limitations contained in loan agreements and such other factors as the Board of
Directors deems relevant. The MidCap Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends by the Company on its common
stock.
Share Repurchases
On July 24, 2002, the Company commenced a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $300,000 of its outstanding
common stock (the “2002 Program”). On February 13, 2007, the Company announced a new stock repurchase program to
acquire up to an additional 100,000 shares of its outstanding common stock (the “2007 Program”). As of December 31, 2021,
the Company can purchase up to $72,000 of its common stock under the 2002 Program and up to 100,000 shares of its common
stock under the 2007 Program. While the Company may, in its discretion, continue making purchases under the 2002 Program
up to its limits, and thereafter to make purchases under the 2007 Program, no such purchases are currently anticipated. The
MidCap Agreement currently prohibits the Company from repurchasing shares of its common stock, whether under the 2002
Program and the 2007 Program or otherwise. During 2021 and 2020, the Company did not purchase any of its common stock
under the 2002 Program or the 2007 Program.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
[Reserved].
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s historical results of operations and liquidity and capital
resources should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto
appearing elsewhere herein. The following discussion and analysis also contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as a result of various factors. See “Forward Looking Statements” that precedes Item 1 above.
Overview
The Company was incorporated in November 1988, under the laws of Delaware as GPS Acquisition Corp. for the
purpose of acquiring the business of Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, which was founded in 1950
by Ben H. Tongue and Isaac S. Blonder to design, manufacture and supply a line of electronics and systems equipment
principally for the private cable industry. Following the acquisition, the Company changed its name to Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. The Company completed the initial public offering of its shares of common stock in December 1995.
Today, the Company is a technology-development and manufacturing company that delivers a wide range of products
and services to the telecommunications, cable entertainment and media industry. For 70 years, Blonder Tongue/Drake products
have been deployed in a long list of locations, including lodging/hospitality, multi-dwelling units/apartments, broadcast
studios/networks, universities/schools, healthcare/hospitals, fitness centers, government facilities/offices, prisons, airports,
sports stadiums/arenas, entertainment venues/casinos, retail stores, and small-medium businesses. These applications are
variously described as small and medium sized businesses in commercial, institutional or enterprise environments, and will be
referred to herein collectively as “SMB”. The customers we serve include business entities installing private video and data
networks in these environments, whether they are the largest cable television operators, telco or satellite providers, integrators,
architects, engineers or the next generation of Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) streaming video providers. The
technology requirements of these markets change rapidly, and the Company’s research and development team is continually
delivering high performance-lower cost solutions to meet customers’ needs.
above,
including
The Company’s strategy is focused on providing a wide range of products to meet the needs of the SMB environments
studios/networks,
described
universities/schools, healthcare/hospitals,
facilities/offices, prisons, airports, sports
stadiums/arenas, entertainment venues/casinos, retail stores, and small-medium businesses, and to provide offerings that are
optimized for an operator’s existing infrastructure, as well as the operator’s future strategy. A key component of this growth
strategy is to provide products that deliver the latest technologies (such as IPTV and digital 4K, UHD, HD and SD video
content) and have a high performance-to-cost ratio.
lodging/hospitality, multi-dwelling units/apartments, broadcast
fitness centers, government
In 2019, the Company initiated a consumer premise equipment (“CPE”) sales initiative. The products sold in 2019
comprise primarily Android-based IPTV set top boxes to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cable and telecommunications service providers.
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Although this strategic initiative was designed to secure an in-home position with the Company’s product offerings, and direct
relationships with a wide range of service providers, and increase sales of the Company’s Telecom and SMB products by the
BT Premier Distributors to those same service providers, it was decided in 2021, to de-emphasize this strategy due to the low
gross margin of this initiative and global semiconductor supply chain limitations. The CPE Product initiative achieved sales
to over 75 different telco, municipal fiber and cable operators and accounted for approximately 7% and 25% of the Company’s
2021 and 2020 revenues, respectively, although its contribution to net income has not had a material impact on the Company’s
performance.
Like many businesses throughout the United States and the world, the Company has been affected by the COVID-
19 pandemic. Because there are daily, weekly and monthly developments regarding the outbreak, we are continually assessing
the current and anticipated future effects on our business, including how these developments are impacting or may impact our
customers, employees and business partners. In our core SMB business, we have experienced a noticeable decline in sales.
From March 2020 through Q3 of 2021 many of our customers significantly reduced their business operations. In our CPE
business we have experienced a more substantial reduction in sales, again as a result of our customers’ significant decrease in
their business activities coupled with expected supply chain constraints. During and since Q3 2021, the Company has seen
our customers, in general, begin to recover their business operations at the same time as the Company began to see global
disruptions in semiconductor supply chain, which is a major raw material component of the products the Company designs,
manufactures and sells. With uncertainties surrounding the extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak will affect the economy
generally, and our customers and business partners in particular, it is impossible for us to predict when conditions will improve
to the point that we can reasonably forecast when our sales and product shipments might return to historical levels. Since
2019, we have taken steps to reduce and are currently taking additional steps to significantly reduce our expenses, including
adjustments in our staffing (in the form of furloughs) and reductions in manufacturing activities, which we believe will improve
our ability to continue our operations at current levels and meet our obligations to our customers.
The Company’s manufacturing is allocated primarily between its facility in Old Bridge, New Jersey (“Old Bridge
Facility”) and key contract manufacturing located in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) as well as South Korea, Taiwan
and Ohio. The Company currently manufactures most of its digital products, including the NXG product line and latest
encoder, transcoder and EdgeQAM collections at the Old Bridge Facility. Since 2007 the Company has transitioned and
continues to manufacture certain high-volume, labor intensive products, including many of the Company’s analog and other
products, in the PRC, pursuant to manufacturing agreements that govern the production of products that may from time to time
be the subject of purchase orders submitted by (and in the discretion of) the Company. Although the Company does not
currently anticipate the transfer of any additional products to the PRC or other countries for manufacture, the Company may
do so if business and market conditions make it advantageous to do so. Manufacturing products both at the Company’s Old
Bridge Facility as well as in the PRC, South Korea, Taiwan and Ohio enables the Company to realize cost reductions while
maintaining a competitive position and time-to-market advantage.
Results of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2021 compared with year ended December 31, 2020, discussion is included below.
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, certain consolidated statement of earnings data as a
percentage of net sales.
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Net sales ............................................................................
Costs of goods sold ...........................................................
Gross profit .......................................................................
Selling expenses ...............................................................
General and administrative expenses ...............................
Research and development expenses ................................
Loss from operations ........................................................
Gain on debt forgiveness……………………………….
Other income……………………………………………
Interest expense, net .........................................................
Earnings (loss) before income taxes .................................
Provision for income taxes ...............................................
Net earnings (loss).……………………………………..
100.0%
62.8
37.2
15.6
23.9
16.5
(18.8)
11.2
11.5
3.3
0.6
0.1
0.5
100.0%
81.6
18.4
15.0
31.4
15.4
(43.4)
-
-
2.1
(45.5)
0.1
(45.6)
27
2021 Compared with 2020
Net Sales. Net sales decreased $625,000 or 3.8% to $15,754,000 in 2021 from $16,379,000 in 2020. The decrease
was primarily attributable to a decrease in sales of CPE products, DOCSIS data products, analog modulation products and
coax distribution products, offset in part by an increase in encoder/decoder products and NXG products. Sales of CPE products
were $1,120,000 and $4,165,000, DOCSIS data products were $755,000 and $2,184,000, analog modulation products were
$790,000 and $1,274,000, coax distribution products were $1,266,000 and $1,603,000, encoders/transcoders products were
$7,863,000 and $4,245,000 and NXG products were $1,924,000 and $705,000 in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company
experienced a reduction in CPE products during 2021 due to the deemphasis of this product line, which the Company expects
to continue into 2022. The Company experienced a reduction in DOCSIS data products due to reduced demand caused by the
pandemic as these products are used primarily in the hospitality and assisted-living environments. The Company expects sales
of these products may return to 2020 sales levels during 2022. The Company experienced a reduction in analog modulation
products due to the continued market shifting away from analog modulation solutions. The Company experienced a reduction
in coax distribution products due to the reduced demand for legacy products. The Company expects the sales of the analog
modulation and coax distribution products to continue to decline in 2022. The Company experienced an increase in
encoder/decoder products and NXG IP video signal processing products as these product lines represent newer products and
newer technologies with higher demand from customers. The Company expects sales of these product lines to remain at these
levels or increase in 2022. Although the Company does not expect overall sales to return to pre pandemic levels during 2022,
the Company does expect overall sales to be higher during 2022, due to approximately $10,240,000 of sales backlog at
December 31, 2021.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold decreased to $9,896,000 in 2021 from $13,361,000 in 2020 and decreased as
a percentage of sales to 62.8% from 81.6%. The dollar decrease and the decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily
attributable to reduced overhead costs. The reduced overhead costs were part of the Company’s cost reduction initiative. The
Company expects cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales to remain at this level during 2022 due to product mix since both
encoder/decoder and NXG sales have substantially lower and CPE have substantially higher costs as a percentage of sales.
Selling Expenses. Selling expenses increased to $2,459,000 in 2021 from $2,458,000 in 2020 and increased as a
percentage of sales to 15.6% for 2021 from 15.0% for 2020. This $1,000 increase was primarily attributable to an increase in
consulting expenses of $59,000, offset by a decrease in department supplies of $56,000 due to a decrease in products lent to
customers for evaluation purposes. The decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily attributable to the sales decrease.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $3,767,000 in 2021 from
$5,150,000 in 2020 and decreased as a percentage of sales to 23.9% for 2021 from 31.4% in 2020. This $1,383,000 decrease
was primarily the result of a decrease in professional fees of $530,000, a decrease in bad debt expense of $283,000, a decrease
in computer expense of $312,000, and a decrease in salaries and fringe benefits of $156,000 due to a combination of salary
and headcount reductions. The decrease as a percentage of sales was attributable to the overall decrease.
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expenses increased to $2,592,000 in 2021 from
$2,524,000 in 2020 and increased as a percentage of sales to 16.5% in 2021 from 15.4% in 2020. This $68,000 increase was
primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and fringe benefits of $79,000 due to an increase in head count. The increase
as a percentage of sales was attributable to the overall decrease in net sales.
Operating loss. Operating loss of $2,960,000 for 2021 represents an improvement from the operating loss of
$7,114,000 in 2020. Operating loss as a percentage of sales decreased to 18.8% in 2021 from 43.4% in 2020 for the reasons
discussed above.
Gain on debt forgiveness. Gain on debt forgiveness was $1,769,000 in 2021 versus zero in 2020. The gain was due
to the forgiveness of the PPP loan.
Other income. Other income increased to $1,804,000 in the 2021 from zero in the 2020. The increase was the result
of the accrual of the payroll tax credit through the Employee Retention Tax Credit for the first, second and third quarters of
2021. At December 31, 2021, the Company is still owed $517,000 in ERTC funds which it expects to receive during the
second quarter of 2022.
Interest expense net. Interest expense, net increased to $514,000 in 2021 from $345,000 in 2020. The increase was
primarily the result of higher average borrowings, including an increase of $86,000 of PIK interest and $108,000 of
amortization of the debt discount related to the Subordinated Loan Facility described below in Liquidity and Capital Resources.
28
Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $15,000 in both 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company
records a full valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets that are no longer considered to be realizable. The significant
negative evidence supporting the full valuation allowance includes an operating loss for the current year, a cumulative pre-tax
loss for the three years ended December 31, 2021, the inability to carryback the net operating losses, limited future reversals
of existing temporary differences and the limited availability of tax planning strategies. The Company expects to continue to
provide a full valuation allowance until, or unless, it can sustain a level of profitability that demonstrates its ability to utilize
these assets.
Inflation and Seasonality
Inflation and seasonality have not previously had a material impact on the results of operations of the Company.
However, beginning in early 2022, the Company began to experience inflationary pressures related to the procurement of
certain products used in its manufacturing process and expects these pressures to continue at least through the remainder of
2022. To date we have been successful in passing on cost increases to our customers and will continue to attempt to pass on
increases to customers. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will continue to be able to do so. Fourth
quarter sales in 2021 as compared to other quarters were slightly impacted by fewer production days. The Company expects
sales each year in the fourth quarter to be impacted by fewer production days.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s working capital was $1,618,000 and $570,000 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company’s net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,167,000, primarily
due to an increase in inventories of $791,000, a decrease in lease liability of $787,000, an increase in prepaid and other current
assets of $554,000 offset by an increase in accounts payable accrued expenses and accrued compensation of $456,000 and
non-cash adjustments used in operating activities of $416,000, compared to net cash used in operating activities for the year
ended December 31, 2020 of $3,212,000, primarily due to the net loss of $7,474,000 and a decrease in accounts payable,
accrued expenses and accrued compensation of $2,333,000, offset by a decrease in inventories of $4,421,000.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $86,000, which was attributable primarily
to capital expenditures of $31,000 and the acquisition of licenses of $55,000. Cash used in investing activities for the year
ended December 31, 2020 was $191,000, which was attributable primarily to capital expenditures of $165,000 and the
acquisition of licenses of $26,000.
Cash provided by financing activities was $1,458,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021, comprised primarily
of borrowings under the subordinated convertible debt facility of $700,000, net borrowings of line of credit of $255,000, the
net proceeds of stock issuances of $492,000, the proceeds of the exercise of stock options of $11,000 and the proceeds of the
exercise of stock warrants of $61,000 offset by repayments of debt of $61,000. Cash provided by financing activities was
$2,900,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, comprised primarily of borrowings of long-term debt of $1,769,000,
borrowings from the Subordinated Loan Facility of $900,000, net proceeds from the private placement of common stock of
$812,000 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $13,000, offset by net repayments on the line of credit of $560,000
and repayments of debt of $34,000.
For a full description of the Company’s senior secured indebtedness under the MidCap Facility and its effect upon
the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations, see Note 5 – Debt of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity have been its existing cash balances, cash generated from operations,
amounts available under the MidCap Facility, amounts available under the Subordinated Loan Facility and cash generated
from sales of its common stock, as well as funds made available to the Company through participation in several federal
government financial assistance programs implemented pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,
including the Paycheck Protection Program and the Employee Retention Tax Credit. On a going-forward basis, the Company
expects its primary sources of liquidity will be its existing cash balances, cash generated from operations and amounts available
under the MidCap Facility. The Company also may seek to raise additional capital through the issuance of shares of common
stock or other securities convertible into, or exercisable for, shares of common stock, although the Company cannot provide
any assurances that this type of additional financing will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. The Company had
approximately $92,000 and approximately $144,000 availability for borrowing under the MidCap Facility, as of December 31,
2021 and March 18, 2022, respectively.
29
As discussed in Item 2 – Properties, on February 1, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the Old Bridge Facility
to Jake Brown Road, LLC (the “Buyer”). In addition, in connection with the completion of the sale, the Company and the
Buyer (as landlord) entered into a lease (the “Lease”), pursuant to which the Company will continue to occupy, and continue
to conduct its manufacturing, engineering, sales and administrative functions in the Old Bridge Facility.
The Lease has an initial term of five years and allows the Company to extend the term for an additional five years
following the initial term. The Company was obligated to pay base rent of approximately $837,000 for the first year of the
Lease, with the amount of the base rent adjusted for each subsequent year to equal 102.5% of the preceding year’s base rent.
Without regard to any reduction in the Company’s lease expense derived from its sublease to a third party of the Sublease
Space (defined below), for the first year of the Lease, the base rent of approximately $837,000.00 would offset, in part, the
anticipated annualized saving of interest and depreciation expense of approximately $469,000 and the cash debt service of
approximately $562,000. The Lease further provides for an initial security deposit in an amount equal to eight months of base
rent, which could be reduced to not lower than three months of base rent, upon certain benchmarks being met during the Lease
term. It was determined in the first quarter 2020 that the applicable benchmark relevant to the six-month period ended August
1, 2019 was met and as a result the landlord released a portion of the security deposit equal to one month’s base rent to the
Company, leaving an aggregate security deposit held by the landlord, in an amount equal to seven months of base rent.
Subsequently, the Company determined in the third quarter 2020 that the applicable benchmark relevant to the six-month
period ended August 1, 2020 was met and as a result, the Company notified the landlord in writing that it would offset rent
otherwise due on August 1, 2020 against the reimbursement of a portion of the security deposit equal to one month’s base rent,
leaving an aggregate security deposit held by the landlord, in an amount equal to six months of base rent. The landlord
expressed its disagreement with the Company’s interpretation of the lease and requested the provision of financial information
to support the Company’s contention or in the alternative payment of the offset amount. Subsequently, no further actions or
communications regarding the offset were made by the landlord and the Company thereafter, beginning with September 2020,
resumed timely payments of its rental obligations under the Lease. In early 2021, the Company undertook an analysis of the
common area maintenance charges being assessed under the Lease in an effort to reconcile those payments with the specific
terms of the Lease. The Lease provides that this reconciliation is to be accomplished by the landlord annually, however this
has not occurred. The Company’s analysis indicates that it may have been overcharged for common area maintenance expenses
since the inception of the Lease and submitted supporting data to the landlord, requesting that the landlord review the
submission against its records. The Company has also requested that the landlord release from escrow and return to the
Company, the unexpended balance of the Repair Escrow. The landlord and the Company anticipated resolving the
reconciliation of the common area maintenance charges and Repair Escrow release request during the month of February 2021
and with the prior oral approval of the landlord, the Company refrained from paying February 2021 rent, expecting that the
reconciliation would be completed prior to the end of that month. Inasmuch as the disputed amounts, in the opinion of the
Company, exceed three months’ rent and common area maintenance expenses, the Company refrained from the payment of
base rent and common area maintenance charges for the months of February 2021 and March 2021, it being the expectation of
the parties that these amounts will be credited against the amount finally determined to be reimbursed to the Company. Without
prejudice to the Company's positions regarding these matters, and without creating any inference that the Company agrees
with any of the landlord's claims or waiving any rights available to the Company under the Lease or otherwise, on May 5,
2021, the Company made payment to the landlord of $139,550.62, representing all amounts that the landlord then claimed
were due. Notwithstanding the continuing disagreements with the landlord’s monthly payment demands, the Company is
meeting these demands on a current basis, but continues to reserve its rights regarding the same. The Company has not recently
held discussions with the landlord regarding the foregoing areas of disagreement, however its position regarding amounts due
back to the Company has not changed. At the appropriate time, the Company anticipates engaging in further discussion of
these matters with the landlord in an attempt to negotiate a resolution of these disagreements. The Company, however, cannot
assure you that these matters will be resolved in a manner that is favorable to the Company or that litigation might not result
if a negotiated resolution not forthcoming.
The landlord may, once during the lease term or any renewal thereof, require the Company to relocate to another
facility made available by the landlord that meets the Company’s specifications for a replacement facility within a defined
geographical area, by providing notice which confirms that all of the Company’s specifications for a replacement facility will
be met, that all costs relating to such relocation will be paid by the landlord, and that security for the repayment of those
relocation costs has been established. The Company will also be provided a six-month overlap period (the “Overlap Period”)
during which the Company may operate in the Old Bridge Facility with rent therein being abated, but with rent being paid at
the replacement facility, to mitigate interruptions of the Company’s on-going business while the move occurs. If the Company
declines to be relocated to the facility proposed by the landlord, the Lease will terminate 18 months from the date of the
landlord’s notice, but the Company will continue to be entitled to receive the same benefits in terms of reimbursement of its
relocation costs and an Overlap Period during which no rent will be due at the Old Bridge Facility, while the Company moves
its operations to an alternative facility that it has identified.
30
On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a two-year sublease to a third party for 32,500 square feet of the
Old Bridge Facility (the “Sublease Space”) which commenced on March 1, 2020, the rental proceeds from which inure to the
benefit of the Company. The sublease also provides for a one-year renewal option, which was exercised in January 2022. The
sublease provides rental income approximately $284,000 in the first year, approximately $293,000 in the second year and
approximately $301,000 in the third year of the sublease.
In connection with the fulfillment of certain of the Company's purchase orders, the Company was financing
expediting fees charged in connection with the purchase orders by delivering a promissory note (the “Note”) to the supplier of
the goods, in the principal amount of approximately $630,000. The Note was unsecured and has an interest rate of 12% per
annum. The Company was obligated to repay the principal balance of the note beginning in September 2021 and continuing
thereafter for an additional five consecutive monthly installments on the 15th day of each successive calendar month, as follows:
September 2021, $100,000, October 2021, $100,000, November 2021, $100,000, December 2021, $100,000, January 2022,
$100,000 and February 2022, $140,000. Accrued interest was paid concurrently with each principal installment. The note
was satisfied in March 2022.
During 2021, the Company continued to experience a decline in sales, a loss from operations and net cash used in
operating activities, in conjunction with liquidity constraints. These factors raised substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, there still exists substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue
as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of the recorded
assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going
concern. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company continued to experience a decline in sales and a loss from operations
in connection with the liquidity constraints described above which is expected to continue during 2022.
While management of the Company believes that the Company will be successful in its planned operating activities,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in generating sufficient revenues and reduced expenses to
sustain the operations of the Company. If anticipated operating results are not achieved and/or the Company is unable to obtain
additional financing, it may be required to take additional measures to reduce costs in order to conserve its cash in amounts
sufficient to sustain operations and meet its obligations, which measures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
ability to achieve its intended business objectives and may be insufficient to enable the Company to continue as a going concern
for at least twelve months from the date these financial statements are made available to be issued.
Beginning in the middle of 2019, the Company experienced a significant decline in its net sales of core or legacy
products, which while not recovering to historical norms, stabilized during the early part of the first quarter of 2020. Beginning
in February 2020, however, as the prospects of an ever-worsening outbreak of COVID-19 took hold, the Company began to
experience adverse impacts to revenues across all of its product lines. Sales of the Company’s products did not return to
historical norms during 2021. The Company still does not anticipate that sales will recover to historical norms during 2022,
due primarily to supply chain shortages related to COVID-19 impacting the Company’s ability to source raw materials used
in the manufacturing process. In light of these developments and as detailed below, the Company has taken significant steps
during the past year, implemented in several phases, in order to manage operations through what has been a period of
diminished sales levels.
As part of its efforts to improve liquidity and provide operating capital, on April 7, 2020, the Company entered into
a certain Consent and Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents with Midcap (the “MidCap First Amendment”),
which amended the MidCap Facility to, among other things, remove the existing $400,000 availability block, subject to the
same being re-imposed at the rate of approximately $7,000 per month commencing June 1, 2020. The operative provisions
relating to the removal of the availability block under the MidCap First Amendment became effective on April 8, 2020,
following the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Subordinated Loan Facility (defined
below).
On April 8, 2020, the Company, as borrower, together with Livewire Ventures, LLC (wholly owned by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward R. Grauch), MidAtlantic IRA, LLC FBO Steven L. Shea IRA (an IRA account
for the benefit of the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Steven Shea), Carol M. Pallé and Robert J. Pallé, Anthony J. Bruno,
and Stephen K. Necessary, as lenders (collectively, the “Initial Lenders”) and Robert J. Pallé, as Agent for the Lenders (in
such capacity, the “Agent”) entered into a certain Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and Security Agreement (the
“Subordinated Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which the lenders from time to time party thereto may provide up to
$1,500,000 of loans to the Company (the “Subordinated Loan Facility”). Interest accrues on the outstanding amounts
advanced under the Subordinated Loan Facility at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded and payable monthly, in-kind, by
the automatic increase of the principal amount of the loan on each monthly interest payment date, by the amount of the accrued
interest payable at that time (“PIK Interest”); provided, however, that at the option of the Company, it may pay interest in
cash on any interest payment date, in lieu of PIK Interest.
31
On April 8, 2020, the Initial Lenders agreed to provide the Company with a Tranche A term loan facility of $800,000,
of which $600,000 was advanced to the Company on April 8, 2020, $100,000 was advanced to the Company on April 17, 2020
and $100,000 was advanced to the Company on January 12, 2021. The Initial Lenders participating in the Tranche A term
loan facility have the option of converting the principal balance of the loan held by each of them, in whole (unless otherwise
agreed by the Company), into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a conversion price equal to the volume weighted
average price of the common stock as reported by the NYSE American, during the five trading days preceding April 8, 2020
(the “Tranche A Conversion Price”) which was calculated at $0.593. The conversion right was subject to stockholder
approval as required by the rules of the NYSE American, and was obtained on June 11, 2020 at the Company’s annual meeting
of stockholders.
On April 24, 2020, the Company, the Initial Lenders and Ronald V. Alterio (the Company’s Senior Vice President-
Engineering, Chief Technology Officer) and certain additional unaffiliated investors (the “Additional Lenders,” and, together
with the Initial Lenders, the “Lenders”) entered into the First Amendment to Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and
Security Agreement and Joinder (the “Amendment”). The Amendment provides for the funding of $200,000 of additional
loans as a Tranche B term loan under the Subordinated Loan Facility established under the Subordinated Loan Agreement,
with such loans being provided by the Additional Lenders. The Amendment also sets the conversion price of $0.55 (the
“Tranche B Conversion Price”) with respect to the right of the Additional Lenders to convert the accreted principal balance
of the loans held by each of them into shares of the Company’s common stock. The terms and conditions of the conversion
rights applicable to the Initial Lenders and the Additional Lenders are otherwise identical in all material respects, including
the terms restricting conversion to an aggregate amount of shares of common stock that would not result in the Company’s
non-compliance with NYSE American rules requiring stockholder approval of issuances or potential issuances of shares in
excess of the percentage limits specified therein or in an amount that may be deemed to constitute a change of control under
such rules. These restrictions terminated as the requisite stockholder approval was obtained on June 11, 2020 at the Company’s
annual meeting of stockholders.
On April 10, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds of approximately $1,769,000 (“PPP Loan”) under the
Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security
Act (“CARES Act”), provided for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll
expenses of the qualifying business. The PPP Loan and accrued interest are forgivable after twenty-four weeks (the “Covered
Period”) as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities,
and maintains its payroll levels. The amount of loan forgiveness would be reduced if the borrower terminated employees or
reduced salaries during the eight-week period.
The PPP Loan was evidenced by a promissory note, dated as of April 5, 2020 (the “Note”), between the Company,
as Borrower, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lender (the “Lender”). The interest rate on the Note was 0.98% per annum,
with interest accruing on the unpaid principal balance computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of
360 days. No payments of principal or interest were due during the ten-month period beginning after the Covered Period (the
“Deferral Period”).
On June 22, 2021, the Company applied to the SBA for full forgiveness of the PPP Loan. On June 30, 2021, the
Company received notification that the forgiveness was granted. The Company recorded the $1,769,000 forgiveness as a gain
on debt forgiveness during the year ended December 31, 2021.
On October 29, 2020, the unaffiliated Additional Investors as described in Note 6, submitted irrevocable notices of
conversion under the Tranche B Term Loan. As a result, approximately $175,000 of original principal and $11,000 of PIK
interest outstanding under the Tranche B Term Loan were converted into 338,272 shares of Company common stock in full
satisfaction of the underlying indebtedness.
On December 14, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement")
with certain accredited investors (the "Purchasers") for the sale and issuance by the Company to the Purchasers of (i) an
aggregate of 1,429,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock and (ii) warrants (the "Purchaser Warrants")
to purchase an aggregate of up to 714,000 shares of common stock (the "Purchaser Warrant Shares"), for aggregate gross
proceeds to the Company of $1,000, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses payable by the Company.
The Company also agreed to issue to the placement agents and certain persons affiliated with the placement agents, as
additional compensation, (a) fully-vested warrants (the "Placement Agent Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of up to
100,000 shares (the "Placement Agent Warrant Shares") of common stock and (b) contingent warrants (the "Placement
Agent Contingent Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of up to an additional 50,000 shares (the "Placement Agent
Contingent Warrant Shares") of common stock. The transaction closed on December 15, 2020.
32
The Purchase Agreement also includes terms that give the Purchasers certain price protections, providing for
adjustments of the number of shares of common stock held by them in the event of certain future dilutive securities issuances
by the Company for a period not to exceed 18 months following the closing of the private placement, or such earlier date on
which all of the Purchaser Warrants have been exercised. In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides the Purchasers with
a right to participate in certain future Company financings, up to 30% of the amount of such financings, for a period of 24
months following the closing of the private placement. The Purchase Agreement also required the Company to register the
resale of the Shares and the Purchaser Warrant Shares pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement between the
Company and the Purchasers, dated as of December 14, 2020, as further described below. The Company filed a registration
statement with the SEC on January 14, 2021 to register the resale of the Shares and the Purchaser Warrant Shares, which
registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 21, 2021.
The Purchaser Warrants have an exercise price of $1.25 per share, are exercisable beginning on December 15, 2020,
and have a term of three years. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each
Purchaser Warrant is subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits,
stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting the common stock. The fair value of the Purchaser Warrants
is $643,000.
In certain circumstances, upon the occurrence of a fundamental transaction, a holder of Purchaser Warrants is entitled
to receive, upon any subsequent exercise of the Purchaser Warrant, for each Purchaser Warrant Share that would have been
issuable upon such exercise of the Purchaser Warrant immediately prior to the fundamental transaction, at the option of the
holder, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving
corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of the fundamental transaction by a holder of the number
of shares of common stock of the Company for which the Purchaser Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to the
fundamental transaction. If holders of the Company's common stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property
to be received in a fundamental transaction, then the Holder shall be given the choice as to the additional consideration it
receives upon any exercise of the Purchaser Warrant following the fundamental transaction.
The Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $0.70 per share, a term of five years from December 14,
2020, and became exercisable upon the Company obtaining the stockholder approval described above. The exercise price and
the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each Placement Agent Warrant is subject to appropriate
adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or
similar events affecting the common stock. The Placement Agent Warrants also provide the holders with certain “piggyback”
registration rights, permitting the holders to request that the Company include the Placement Agent Warrant Shares for sale in
certain registration statements filed by the Company. The fair value of the Placement Agent Warrants is $121,000. During
June and July 2021, the Company received approximately $61,000 as 87,500 of Placement Agent Warrants were exercised.
The Placement Agent Contingent Warrants have an exercise price of $1.25 per share, a term of five years from
December 14, 2020, and become exercisable if, and to the extent, holders of the Purchaser Warrants exercise such Purchaser
Warrants. In no event, however, will the Placement Agent Contingent Warrants become exercisable unless and until
Stockholder Approval has been obtained. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of each Placement Agent Contingent Warrant is subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and
distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting the common stock. The Placement
Agent Contingent Warrants also provide the holders with certain “piggyback” registration rights, permitting the holders to
request that the Company include the Placement Agent Contingent Warrant Shares for sale in certain registration statements
filed by the Company. The fair value of the Placement Agent Contingent Warrants is $56,000.
On January 28, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and
Security Agreement and Joinder (the “LSA Third Amendment”) with the Tranche A Parties, the Tranche B Parties (that had
not previously converted the loans attributable to each of them into shares of common stock), the Agent and certain other
investors (the “Tranche C Parties”). Pursuant to the LSA Third Amendment, the parties agreed to increase the aggregate
loan limit under the Subordinated Loan Agreement from $1,500,000 to $1,600,000 and the Tranche C Parties agreed to provide
the Company with a commitment for a $600,000 term loan facility, all of which was advanced to the Company on January 29,
2021 (the “Tranche C Loans”). As is the case with the loans provided by the Tranche A Parties and Tranche B Parties,
interest on the Tranche C Loans accrues at 12% per annum and is payable monthly in-kind, by the automatic increase of the
principal amount of the loans on each monthly interest payment date, by the amount of the accrued interest payable at that
time. The Company, at its option, may pay any interest due on the Tranche C Loans in cash on any interest payment date in
lieu of PIK Interest. The Tranche C Parties also have the option, following Stockholder Approval (defined below) of
converting the accreted principal balance of the Tranche C Loans attributable to each of them into shares of the Company’s
common stock at a conversion price of $1.00.
33
Both the Purchase Agreement and the Subordinated Loan Agreement (as amended by the LSA Third Amendment)
obligated the Company to call a special meeting of its stockholders to seek stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of
its common stock issuable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement and the
LSA Third Amendment, in excess of 19.99% of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock, in accordance with the
requirements of Section 713(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide. Stockholder approval of the foregoing was obtained
on March 4, 2021. As the stock price was $1.31 on March 4, 2021, the Company recorded a discount of $186,000 relating to
the difference in stock price due to the beneficial conversion feature.
The obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Drake and are secured
by substantially all of the Company’s and Drake’s assets. The Subordinated Loan Agreement has a maturity date three years
from the date of closing, at which time the accreted principal balance of the loan (by virtue of the PIK Interest) plus any other
accrued unpaid interest, would be due and payable in full. In connection with the Subordinated Loan Agreement, the Company,
Drake, the Lenders and MidCap entered into a Subordination Agreement (the “Subordination Agreement”), pursuant to
which the rights of the Lenders under the Subordinated Loan Agreement were subordinated to the rights of MidCap under the
MidCap Agreement and related security documents. The Subordination Agreement precludes the Company from making cash
payments of interest in lieu of PIK Interest, in the absence of the prior written consent of MidCap or unless the Company is
able to meet certain predefined conditions precedent to the making of any such payments of interest (or principal), as more
fully described in the Subordination Agreement.
On March 15, 2021, one of the Tranche C Parties submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C
Loans. As a result, $100,000 of original principal and $1,000 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were
converted into 100,987 shares of Company common stock in partial satisfaction of the indebtedness to that Tranche C Party.
On April 6, 2021, the same Tranche C Party submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C
Loans. As a result, $50,000 of original principal and $1,000 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were
converted into 51,260 shares of Company common stock in partial satisfaction of the indebtedness to that Tranche C Party.
On May 24, 2021, the same Tranche C Party submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C
Loans. As a result, $50,000 of original principal and $2,000 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were
converted into 52,277 shares of Company common stock in complete satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On January 21, 2022, one of the Tranche A Parties submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche
A Loans. As a result, $50,000 of original principal and $12,000 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche A Loans were
converted into 104,399 shares of Company common stock in complete satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On August 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital
Partners, LLC (the “Agent”). In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may offer and sell from time
to time through the Agent shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, having an aggregate offering
price of up to $400,000. From August 16, 2021 through September 30, 2021, the Company sold an aggregate of 38,388 shares
under the Sales Agreement at prices ranging from $1.1053 to $1.1390 per share, for aggregate proceeds, net of sales
commissions, of approximately $41,000.
On August 23, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with an
institutional investor providing for the sale by the Company to the investor of 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock
at a purchase price of $1.08 per share, resulting in aggregate proceeds to the Company of $216,000. The shares were offered
and sold pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The Company's sale of the Shares
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will have the effect of reducing the amount of shares that may be sold pursuant to the
Sales Agreement from $400,000 to $184,000. Taking into account sales of common stock pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement and sales of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement to date, the amount available to be sold under the
Sales Agreement is currently $143,000.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company accrued payroll tax credits of $1,804,000, through the
Employee Retention Tax Credit program (“ERTC”). The amount was recorded as other income and included in prepaid and
other current assets as of the applicable quarter end date. The Company received $577,000 of the first quarter of 2021 ERTC
in April, $115,000 towards Q2 in July, $181,000 towards Q3 in August, $219,000 towards Q3 in October and $195,000 towards
Q3 in November. The ERTC was initially established as part of the CARES Act of 2020 and subsequently amended by the
Consolidated Appropriation Act (“CAA”) of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) of 2021. The CAA and
ARPA amendments to the ERTC program provide eligible employers with a tax credit in an amount equal to 70% of qualified
wages (including certain health care expenses) that eligible employers pay their employees after January 1, 2021 through
September 30, 2021. The maximum amount of qualified wages taken into account with respect to each employee for each
34
calendar quarter is $10,000, so that the maximum credit that an eligible employer may claim for qualified wages paid to any
employee is $7,000 per quarter. For purposes of the amended ERTC, an eligible employer is defined as having experienced a
significant (20% or more) decline in gross receipts during each 2021 calendar quarter when compared with the same quarter
in 2019. The credit is taken against the Company’s share of Social Security Tax when the Company’s payroll provider files
the applicable quarterly tax filings on Form 941. At December 31, 2021, the Company is still owed $517,000 in ERTC funds
which it expects to receive during the second quarter of 2022.
In other efforts to alleviate the liquidity pressures and reposition the Company to generate positive cash flow at a
lower level of net sales, since August 2019, the Company has implemented a multi-phase cost-reduction program which
reduced cash expenses during 2019 by approximately $200,000 per month and which provided annualized cash savings of
approximately $2,400,000 during 2020, with another reduction in 2021 of approximately $110,000 per month and which
provided annualized savings of approximately $1,314,000 compared to the Company’s costs as they existed prior to the
commencement of the cost reduction program. Although the Company believes it has made and will continue to make progress
under these programs and the funding provided under the Subordinated Loan Agreement and available as a result of the release
of the availability block under the MidCap Facility, the Company operates in a rapidly evolving and often unpredictable
business environment that may change the timing or amount of expected future cash receipts and expenditures. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that our planned improvements will be successful.
In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak has affected the supply chain for many types of products and materials,
particularly those being manufactured in China and other countries where the outbreak has resulted in significant disruptions
to ongoing business activities. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and continuing into the first quarter of 2022, we
experienced a material disruption in our supply chain as it relates to the procurement of certain sole source and other multiple
source components utilized in a material portion of several product lines. We believe this disruption may continue beyond
2022. If these or any similar types of supply disruptions continue, it is possible that we will be unable to complete sales of any
affected products to our customers on requested schedules.
The Company has reacted to these unprecedented circumstances, as many enterprises have had to do over the course
of the pandemic, with a range of actions designed to compensate for anticipated temporary revenue shortfalls, manage the
Company’s working capital and minimize the overall financial impact of this disruption, including implementation of
exceptional short-term operating expense reductions, such as temporary manufacturing shut-downs and employee furloughs.
The Company expects to use cash generated from operations to meet its long-term debt obligations. The Company
also expects to make financed and unfinanced long-term capital expenditures from time to time in the ordinary course of
business, which capital expenditures were $31,000 and $165,000 in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company expects to use cash generated from operations, amounts available under the MidCap Facility, amounts available
under the Subordinated Loan Facility, and purchase-money financing to meet any anticipated long-term capital expenditures.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. Preparing financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires the
Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. The following paragraphs include a discussion of some critical areas where estimates are required.
You should also review Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements for further discussion of significant accounting policies.
Inventory and Obsolescence
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or net realizable
value.
The Company periodically analyzes anticipated product sales based on historical results, current backlog and
marketing plans. Based on these analyses, the Company anticipates that certain products will not be sold during the next
twelve months. Inventories that are not anticipated to be sold in the next twelve months, have been classified as non-current.
The Company continually analyzes its slow-moving and excess inventories. Based on historical and projected sales
volumes and anticipated selling prices, the Company establishes reserves. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected
use is reduced by an allowance to a level that approximates its estimate of future demand. Products that are determined to be
obsolete are written down to net realizable value.
35
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company sells its products
primarily to distributors and private cable operators. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers’
financial condition and although the Company generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from its
customers in certain circumstances.
Senior management reviews accounts receivable on a monthly basis to determine if any receivables will potentially
be uncollectible. The Company includes any accounts receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible, along with
a general reserve based on historical experience, in its overall allowance for doubtful accounts.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of the
long-lived assets, including intangible assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur,
the Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the
undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these
assets, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. The
Company did not recognize any intangible asset impairment charges in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes”.
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the recognition of certain income and expenses for financial
and tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount
expected to be realized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Incorporated by reference from the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company, which are
attached hereto beginning on page 35.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance
that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-
15(e) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Disclosure
controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is
accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal
36
financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of
the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial
officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at December 31, 2021.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems
determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, it used the 2013 criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on this
assessment the Company believes that, as of December 31, 2021 the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is
effective based on those criteria.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding
internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public
accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Smaller Reporting Companies that permit
the Company to provide only management's report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
ITEM 9C.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information about the Company’s directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference from the
discussion under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The information about the Company’s Audit Committee (excluding the Audit Committee Report)
and the Audit Committee’s “audit committee financial expert,” is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the
heading “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Information about compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated by
reference from the discussion under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the
Company’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
37
Each of the Company’s directors, officers and employees are required to comply with the Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. Code of Ethics adopted by the Company. The Code of Ethics sets forth policies covering a broad range of
subjects and requires strict adherence to laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s business. The Code of Ethics is
available on the Company’s website at www.blondertongue.com, under the “About Us - Investor Relations - Code of Ethics”
captions. The Company will post to its website any amendments to the Code of Ethics under the “About Us - Investor Relations
- Code of Ethics” caption.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information about director and executive officer compensation is incorporated by reference from the discussion under
the headings “Directors’ Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information about security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference from
the discussion under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Company’s
proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Information about certain relationships and transactions with related parties is incorporated by reference from the
discussion under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information about the independence of each director or nominee for director of the Company
during 2021 is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading “Corporate Governance and Board Matters”
in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information about procedures related to the engagement of the independent registered public accountants and fees
and services paid to the independent registered public accountants is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the
headings “Audit and Other Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Pre-Approval Policy for
Services by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
38
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
PART IV
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB No.688) ......................................................................
48
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 ..........................................................................................
49
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 ..................................................................................................................................................
50
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31,
2021 and 2020 ..........................................................................................................................................................................
51
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 ..................................................................................................................................................
52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ............................................................................................................................
53
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission are not required under the applicable instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
(a)(3) Exhibits.
The exhibits are listed in the Index to Exhibits appearing below and are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference
to exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b)
Index to Exhibits:
Exhibit No. Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blonder
Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc.
4.1
Specimen of stock certificate.
Location
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to
Registrant’s S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-
98070, originally filed October 12, 1995, as
amended.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
March 23, 2018.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 20, 2018.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to
Registrant’s S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-
98070, filed October 12, 1995, as amended.
4.2
Description of Securities.
Filed herewith.
39
Exhibit No. Description
Location
4.3
4.4
4.5
Form of Purchaser Common Stock Purchase
Warrant.
Form of Placement Agent Common Stock Purchase
Warrant.
Form of Placement Agent Contingent Common
Stock Purchase Warrant.
4.6
Warrant to VFT Special Ventures, Ltd.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 16, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 16, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 16, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3
filed January 14, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
February 1, 2021.
Form of Placement Agent Common Stock Purchase
Warrant.
4.7
10.1
Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. in favor of each
of its Directors and Officers.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed
August 14, 2013.
10.2
Bargaining Unit Pension Plan.
10.3*
Executive Officer Bonus Plan.
10.4*
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Employee
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
10.5*
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. 2005 Director
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
10.6*
Form of Option Agreement under
Employee Equity Incentive Plan.
the 2005
10.7*
Form of Option Agreement under the 2005 Director
Equity Incentive Plan.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ending December 31, 2013, filed March 31,
2014.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended March 31, 1997, filed May 13, 1997.
Incorporated by reference from Appendix A to
Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its
2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed April
21, 2014.
Incorporated by reference from Appendix B to
Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its
2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed April
21, 2014.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending June 30, 2005, filed August 15,
2005.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.24 to
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ending December 31, 2007, filed March 31,
2008.
40
Exhibit No. Description
Location
10.8*
10.9*
Form of Option Agreement under
the 2005
Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
November 3, 2010.
Form of Option Agreement under the 2005 Director
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended November 3,
2010.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.18 to
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ending December 31, 2010, filed March 21,
2011.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.19 to
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ending December 31, 2010, filed March 21,
2011.
10.10*
Form of Option Agreement under
the 2005
Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as amended May
18, 2011.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
May 20, 2011.
10.11*
Form of Option Agreement under the 2005 Director
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended May 18, 2011.
10.12*
Form of Option Agreement under
the 2005
Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and
restated.
10.13*
Form of Option Agreement under the 2005 Director
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.
10.14*
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. Executive Stock
Purchase Plan.
10.15*
Director Stock Purchase Plan.
10.16*
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. 2016 Employee
Equity Incentive Plan.
10.17*
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. 2016 Director
Equity Incentive Plan.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
May 20, 2011.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending June 30, 2014, filed August 14,
2014.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending June 30, 2014, filed August 14,
2014.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
June 20, 2014.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
March 23, 2015.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8,
filed August 25, 2016.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.4 to
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8,
filed August 25, 2016.
10.18
Agreement of Sale dated August 3, 2018 between
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. and Jake Brown
Rd LLC.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 6, 2018.
10.19*
Letter Agreement between Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. and Ronald V. Alterio.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending September 30, 2018, filed November
14, 2018.
10.20
Sale Agreement Extension dated as of September
20, 2018, between Blonder Tongue Laboratories,
Inc. and Jake Brown Rd LLC.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
September 21, 2018.
41
Exhibit No. Description
Location
10.21
Second Amendment to Agreement of Sale dated
October 8, 2018.
10.22*
Letter Agreement between Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. and Edward R. Grauch.
10.23
10.24
Third Amendment to Agreement of Sale dated
January 30, 2019.
Loan and Security Agreement dated as of October
25, 2019 by and between MidCap Business Credit
LLC, Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., R. L.
Drake Holdings, LLC and Blonder Tongue Far East,
LLC.
10.25
Form of Revolving Note.
Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of October
25, 2019 by and between Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. and MidCap Business Credit
LLC.
Patent and Trademark Security Agreement dated as
of October 25, 2019 by and between Blonder
Tongue Laboratories, Inc., R. L. Drake Holdings,
LLC and MidCap Business Credit LLC.
Continuing Guaranty dated as of October 25, 2019
of Blonder Tongue Far East, LLC and R. L. Drake
Holdings, LLC, as Guarantors, in favor of MidCap
Business Credit LLC.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s amended Current Report on Form 8-
K, filed October 9, 2018.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2018.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
January 31, 2019.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2019.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2019.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2019.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2019.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 30, 2019.
Deferred Compensation Agreement dated as of
December 29, 2019 between Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc. and Edward R. Grauch.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
January 6, 2020.
Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and
Security Agreement dated as of April 8, 2020 by
and between Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.,
the parties identified therein as Lenders and the
party identified therein as Agent.
Consent and Amendment to Loan Agreement and
Loan Documents dated as of April 8, 2020 by and
among MidCap Business Credit LLC, Blonder
Tongue Laboratories, Inc., R. L. Drake Holdings,
LLC, and Blonder Tongue Far East, LLC.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
42
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
Exhibit No. Description
Location
10.32
10.33
10.34
Subordination Agreement dated as of April 8, 2020
by and between MidCap Business Credit LLC, the
party identified therein as the Junior Creditor,
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., R. L. Drake
Holdings, LLC, and Blonder Tongue Far East,
LLC.
Continuing Guaranty of R. L. Drake Holdings,
LLC, dated as of April 8, 2020, in favor of the
parties identified therein as Lenders and the party
identified therein as Agent.
Patent and Trademark Security Agreement dated as
of April 8, 2020 by and between Blonder Tongue
Laboratories, Inc., R. L. Drake Holdings, LLC, and
party identified therein as Agent.
10.35*
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and
Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan.
10.36
First Amendment
to Senior Subordinated
Convertible Loan and Security Agreement and
Joinder, dated as of April 24, 2020 by and between
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., the parties
identified therein as Lenders and the party identified
therein as Agent.
10.37*
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement for
certain Executive Officers.
10.38*
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement for
certain Executive Officers.
10.39*
Second Amended and Restated Executive Stock
Purchase Plan.
10.40*
Amendment No. 1 Second Amended and Restated
Executive Stock Purchase Plan.
10.41*
Third Amended and Restated Director Stock
Purchase Plan.
10.42*
Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated
Director Stock Purchase Plan.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 9, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
April 27, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
May 19, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
September 4, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 14, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
October 14, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending September 30, 2020, filed November
12, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending September 30, 2020, filed November
12, 2020.
43
Exhibit No. Description
Location
10.43*
Amendment No. 2
Incentive Plan.
to 2016 Director Equity
10.44*
Amendment No. 3 to 2016 Employee Equity
Incentive Plan.
10.45
Second Amendment
to Senior Subordinated
Convertible Loan and Security Agreement and
Joinder, dated as of December 28, 2020 by and
between Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., the
parties identified therein as Lenders and the party
identified therein as Agent.
10.46*
Deferred Compensation Agreement, Dated as of
December 30, 2020.
10.47
10.48
Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, Dated as
of January 8, 2021.
Third Amendment
to Senior Subordinated
Convertible Loan and Security Agreement and
Joinder, dated as of January 28, 2021 by and
between Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., the
parties identified therein as Lenders and the party
identified therein as Agent.
10.49*
Omnibus Amendment to Non-Qualified Stock
Option Agreements.
Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, effective as
of June 14, 2021.
Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated July
30, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending September 30, 2020, filed November
12, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ending September 30, 2020, filed November
12, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 29, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 30, 2020.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
January 11, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
February 1, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
March 11, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
June 15, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 2, 2021.
Sales Agreement dated August 16, 2021, between
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. and Roth Capital
Partners, LLC.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 16, 2021.
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of August 23,
2021, between Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
and Cavalry Fund I LP.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 23, 2021.
Fifth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated August
26, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 30, 2021.
44
10.50
10.51
10.52
10.53
10.54
Exhibit No. Description
Location
10.55**
Promissory Note dated August 24, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
August 30, 2021.
10.56
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November
15, 2021 between Blonder Tongue Laboratories,
Inc. and Cavalry Fund I LP.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
November 11, 2021.
10.57*
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement.
10.58
10.59
10.60
Sixth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated
December 16, 2021.
Seventh Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated
February 11, 2022
Eighth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated
March 3, 2022
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 14, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
December 17, 2021.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
February 15, 2022.
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
March 4, 2022.
21
Subsidiaries of Blonder Tongue
Consent of Marcum LLP.
Certification of Edward R. Grauch pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Certification of Eric Skolnik pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Filed herewith.
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Furnished herewith.
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document
does not appear in the Interactive Data File because
its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline
XBRL document.
Filed herewith.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
Document.
Filed herewith.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
Document.
Filed herewith.
45
Exhibit No. Description
Location
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File––the cover page
interactive data file does not appear in the
Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are
embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
* Indicates management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements.
** Certain confidential information contained in this exhibit, market by brackets, has been omitted because the
information (i) is not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if disclosed.
(c)
Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission are not required under the applicable instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
46
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB No.688) .........................................................
48
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 .............................................................................
49
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and
2020 .............................................................................................................................................................................
50
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 ....................
51
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 ..................................
52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...............................................................................................................
53
47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a
going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has incurred recurring losses from operations, use of cash in
its operating activities and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions
raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these
matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result
from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due
to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting
but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether
due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test
basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of
the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or
required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the
financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there
were no critical audit matters.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2005.
New York, NY
March 31, 2022
48
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash ....................................................................................................................
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $240 and $275 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively ...
Inventories ..........................................................................................................
Prepaid and other current assets ..........................................................................
Total current assets ......................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ............................................................................
License agreements, net ............................................................................................
Intangible assets, net ..................................................................................................
Goodwill .....................................................................................................................
Right of use assets, net………………………………………………………………
Other assets, net .........................................................................................................
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Line of credit ......................................................................................................
Current portion of long-term debt ......................................................................
Current portion of lease liability……………………………………………………
Accounts payable ................................................................................................
Accrued compensation .......................................................................................
Accrued benefit pension liability………………………………………………
Income taxes payable ..........................................................................................
Other accrued expenses ......................................................................................
Total current liabilities ................................................................................
Subordinated convertible debt with related parties…………………………………
Lease liability, net of current portion…………………………………………………….
Long-term debt, net of current portion .......................................................................
Total liabilities………………………………………………………..
Commitments and contingencies ...............................................................................
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000 shares;
no shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively ...........
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 25,000 shares, 13,011 and 11,558
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively .....................................................................................................
Paid-in capital .....................................................................................................
Accumulated deficit ............................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss .............................................................
Total stockholders’ equity ...........................................................................
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
49
December 31,
2021
2020
$ 274
$ 69
1,765
4,854
785
7,678
290
7
755
493
1,984
703
1,741
4,063
231
6,104
372
10
927
493
2,468
756
$11,910
$11,130
$ 2,400
71
826
2,264
298
16
34
151
6,060
1,372
993
200
8,625
-
-
13
31,513
(27,310 )
(931 )
3,285
$11,910
$ 2,145
28
794
2,014
370
17
28
138
5,534
791
1,771
1,797
9,893
-
-
12
29,571
(27,394 )
(952 )
1,237
$11,130
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except per share data)
Statements of Operations
Net sales .....................................................................................................
Cost of goods sold ......................................................................................
Gross profit ...........................................................................................
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses ....................................................................................
General and administrative ...................................................................
Research and development ....................................................................
Loss from operations ..................................................................................
Gain on debt forgiveness ............................................................................
Other income ..............................................................................................
Interest expense, net ...................................................................................
Earnings (loss) before income taxes ..........................................................
Provision for income taxes .........................................................................
Net earnings (loss) ......................................................................................
Net earnings (loss) per share, basic ............................................................
Net earnings (loss) per share, diluted……………………………………
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic .............................................
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted ...........................................
Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Net earnings (loss) .........................................................................................
Changes in accumulated unrealized pension losses, net of taxes ..................
Comprehensive income (loss) .......................................................................
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Years ended
December 31
2021
2020
$15,754
9,896
5,858
2,459
3,767
2,592
8,818
(2,960)
1,769
1,804
(514)
99
15
$84
$ 0.01
$ 0.02
12,151
15,450
$16,379
13,361
3,018
2,458
5,150
2,524
10,132
(7,114)
-
-
(345)
(7,459)
15
$(7,474)
$ (0.76)
$ (0.76)
9,898
9,898
$84
21
$105
$(7,474)
(67)
$(7,541)
50
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2020
Net loss
Recognized pension loss, net of
taxes
Issuance of stock, net of offering
costs
Exercised stock options
Conversion of subordinated
convertible debt
Stock-based Compensation
Balance at December 31, 2020
Net earnings
Recognized pension gain, net of
taxes
Issuance of stock, net of offering
costs
Exercised stock options
Exercised stock warrants
Stock awards for directors’ fees
and employee compensation
Subordinated convertible debt
discount
Conversion of subordinated
convertible debt
Stock-based Compensation
Balance at December 31, 2021
Common Stock
Shares
9,766
Amount
$10
Paid-in
Capital
$28,158
Accumulated
Deficit
$(19,920)
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,429
2
810
25
338
-
-
-
-
13
186
404
(7,474)
-
-
-
-
-
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
$(885)
-
(67)
-
-
-
-
Total
$7,363
(7,474)
(67)
812
13
186
404
11,558
$12
$29,571
$(27,394)
$(952)
$1,237
-
-
-
-
-
-
788
1
491
55
87
318
-
205
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11
61
427
186
204
562
84
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
21
84
21
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
492
11
61
427
186
204
562
13,011
$13
$31,513
$(27,310)
$(931)
$3,285
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
51
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net earnings (loss) ................................................................................................................................
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash
used in operating activities:
Gain on debt forgiveness………………………………………………………………………...
Loss on disposal of right of use assets…………………………………………………………..
Depreciation ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Amortization .................................................................................................................................
Stock-based compensation expense .............................................................................................
(Recovery) provision for doubtful accounts…………………………………………………….
Fair value adjustment for stock awards………………………………………………………….
Non cash pension expense ...........................................................................................................
Amortization of loan fees……………………………………………………………………….
Amortization of subordinated debt discount…………………………………………………….
Non cash interest expense……………………………………………………………………....
Amortization of right to use assets…………………………………………..………………….
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable ..............................................................................................................
Inventories .............................................................................................................................
Prepaid and other current assets ............................................................................................
Lease liability…………………………………………………………..…..…..…..…..…..
Other assets ...........................................................................................................................
Income taxes payable………………………………………………………………………
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued compensation .........................................
Net cash used in operating activities ...............................................................................
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures .............................................................................................................................
Acquisition of licenses ..........................................................................................................................
Net cash used in investing activities ...............................................................................
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) on line of credit .....................................................................................
Repayments of debt ..............................................................................................................................
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ..............................................................................................
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants……………………………………………………..…..….
Borrowings of long-term debt………………………………………………………………..…..…..
Borrowings of subordinated convertible debt………………………………………………..…..…..
Proceeds of stock offering, net of offering costs………………………………………..…..…..……
Net cash provided by financing activities .......................................................................
Net increase (decrease) in cash ....................................................................................................................
Cash, beginning of year ...............................................................................................................................
Cash, end of year .........................................................................................................................................
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest ............................................................................................................................
Cash paid for income taxes ...................................................................................................................
Non cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures financed by notes payable………………………………..
Stock paid to officers and directors in lieu of cash……………………………..
Conversion of subordinated convertible debt to common stock……………….
Right of use assets obtained by lease obligations………………………………..
Years ended
December 31,
2021
2020
$84
$(7,474)
(1,769)
3
110
230
562
(35)
163
20
60
108
163
801
11
(791)
(554)
(787)
(8)
6
456
(1,167)
(31)
(55)
(86)
255
(61)
11
61
-
700
492
1,458
205
69
$274
$ 179
$ -
$ 276
$264
$ 204
$60
-
-
124
207
404
248
-
39
60
-
77
770
516
4,421
293
(754)
188
2
(2,333)
(3,212)
(165)
(26)
(191)
(560)
(34)
13
-
1,769
900
812
2,900
(503)
572
$69
$ 220
$ -
$ 10
$-
$ 186
-
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
52
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)
The Company and Basis of Consolidation
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a technology-development
and manufacturing company that delivers television signal encoding, transcoding, digital transport, and broadband product
solutions to the markets the Company serves, including the telecommunications, fiber optic and cable service provider markets,
MDU market, the lodging/hospitality market and the institutional market, including campuses, hospitals, prisons and schools,
primarily throughout the United States and Canada. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Blonder
Tongue Laboratories, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
(b)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months at purchase to be cash equivalents.
The Company did not have any cash equivalents at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Cash balances at financial institutions are
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). At times, cash and cash equivalents may be uninsured or in
deposit accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limit. Periodically, the Company evaluates the creditworthiness of the financial
institutions and evaluates its credit exposure.
(c)
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company sells its products primarily to
distributors and private cable operators. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial
condition and although the Company generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from its customers in
certain circumstances.
Senior management reviews accounts receivable on a monthly basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be
uncollectible. The Company includes any accounts receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible, along with a
general reserve based on historical experience, in its overall allowance for doubtful accounts.
(d)
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or net realizable value.
The Company periodically analyzes anticipated product sales based on historical results, current backlog and marketing plans.
Based on these analyses, the Company anticipates that certain products will not be sold during the next twelve months.
Inventories that are not anticipated to be sold in the next twelve months, have been classified as non-current.
The Company continually analyzes its slow-moving and excess inventories. Based on historical and projected sales volumes and
anticipated selling prices, the Company establishes reserves. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected use is reduced
by an allowance to a level that approximates its estimate of future demand. Products that are determined to be obsolete are
written down to net realizable value.
(e)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company provides for depreciation generally
on the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives of 3 to 5 years for office equipment, 5 to 7 years for furniture and
fixtures, 10 years for building improvements and 6 to 10 years for machinery and equipment.
(f)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC
350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires that goodwill and other intangibles
53
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
with indefinite lives be tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair
value of an asset has decreased below its carrying value.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the
reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis and between annual tests
when circumstances indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount of goodwill may be in doubt. Application of the
goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to
reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value. Significant judgment is required to estimate
the fair value of reporting units including estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other
assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill
impairment.
The Company’s business includes one goodwill reporting unit. The Company annually reviews goodwill for possible impairment
by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of the assets. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value
of the net asset, no goodwill impairment is deemed to exist. If the fair value does not exceed the carrying value, goodwill is
tested for impairment and written down to its implied fair value if it is determined to be impaired. The Company performed its
annual goodwill impairment test on December 31, 2021. Based upon its qualitative assessment, the Company determined that
goodwill was not impaired.
The Company considers its trade name to have an indefinite life and in accordance with ASC 350, will not be amortized and will
be reviewed annually for impairment.
(g)
Long-Lived Assets
The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of the long-lived
assets, including intangible assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company
assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted
expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, an impairment
loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. The Company did not recognize
any intangible asset impairment charges in 2021 and 2020.
(h)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant estimates
include stock compensation and reserves related to accounts receivable, inventory and deferred tax assets. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
(i)
Royalty and License Expense
The Company records royalty expense, as applicable, when the related products are sold. Royalty expense is recorded as a
component of selling expenses. Royalty expense was $18 and zero for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively. The Company amortizes license fees over the life of the relevant contract.
License agreements are carried at cost less accumulated amortization as follows:
License agreements
Accumulated amortization
December 31,
2021
$6,139
(6,132)
$ 7
54
2020
$6,084
(6,074)
$ 10
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Amortization of license fees is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 1 to 2 years.
Amortization expense for license fees was $58 and $36 in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Amortization expense for license fees is projected to be approximately $7 in the year ending December 31, 2022.
(j)
Foreign Exchange
The Company uses the United States dollar as its functional and reporting currency since the majority of the Company’s
revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are in the United States and the focus of the Company’s operations is in that country.
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses
are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and translation
for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and cumulative translation gains and losses as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
were not material to the financial statements taken as a whole.
(k)
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures for the Company’s projects are expensed as incurred. Research and
development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, and other headcount-related
expenses associated with product development.
(l)
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue through the sale of products and services.
Revenue is recognized based on the following steps: (i) identification of contract with customer; (ii) determination of
performance obligations; (iii) measurement of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance
obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.
Revenue from the sale of products and services is recorded when the performance obligation is fulfilled, usually at the
time of shipment or when the service is provided, at the net sales price (transaction price). Estimates of variable consideration,
such as volume discounts and rebates, are reviewed and revised periodically by management. The Company elected to present
revenue net of sales tax and other similar taxes and account for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment costs rather than
separate performance obligations. Payments are typically due in 30 days, following delivery of products or completion of services.
The Company provides a three-year warranty on most products. Warranty expense was de minimis in the two years ended
December 31, 2021.
(m)
Stock-based compensation
The Company computes stock-based compensation in accordance with authoritative guidance. The Company uses the
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock options. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-
pricing model includes various assumptions, including the fair market value of the common stock of the Company, expected life
of stock options, the expected volatility and the expected risk-free interest rate, among others. These assumptions reflect the
Company’s best estimates, but they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside the control of the
Company. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur.
(n)
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”). Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the
recognition of certain income and expenses for financial and tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances are established when
necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company will classify as income tax expense any interest and penalties recognized in accordance with ASC Topic
740. The Company files income tax returns primarily in the United States and New Jersey, along with certain other jurisdictions.
55
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(o)
Net Earnings (loss) Per Share
Net earnings (loss) per share is calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic
260 “Earnings Per Share,” which provides for the calculation of “basic” and “diluted” net earnings (loss) per share. Basic net
earnings (loss) per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net earnings (loss) per share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive
effect, the effect of potential issuances of common shares. The Company calculates diluted net earnings per share using the
treasury stock method for warrants and options and the if converted method for convertible debt.
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Income
(Numerator)
Shares
(Denominator)
Basic EPS
Effect of dilutive securities
Convertible debt
Warrants
Options
Diluted EPS
$84
271
$355
12,151
2,142
48
1,109
15,450
Per-Share
Amount
$0.01
$0.02
The diluted share base excludes the following potential common shares due to their antidilutive effect for the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Stock options
Warrants
Convertible debt
December 31,
2021
712
-
-
712
2020
2,848
737
1,337
4,922
(p)
Other Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss is a measure of income which includes both net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other
comprehensive loss results from items deferred from recognition into the statement of operations and principally consists of
unrecognized pension losses net of taxes. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is separately presented on the Company's
consolidated balance sheet as part of stockholders’ equity.
(q)
Leases
The Company accounts for leases under FASB ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”). Topic 842 provides a number
of optional practical expedients and accounting policy elections. The Company elected the package of practical expedients
requiring no reassessment of whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, the lease classification of any expired
or existing leases, or initial direct costs for any existing leases. Upon adoption of Topic 842, the Company recognized right of
use assets and corresponding lease liabilities pertaining to its operating leases. Operating lease liabilities are based on the net
present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term. In determining the present value of lease payment, the Company
uses a collateralized rate based on the term of the lease based on the information available at the date of adoption of Topic 842.
56
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(r)
Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are
issued. Based upon the evaluation, the Company did not identify any additional recognized or non-recognized subsequent events
that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements, except as disclosed in the financial
statements.
(s)
Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“Topic 740”). The
list of changes is comprehensive; however, the changes will not significantly impact the Company due to the full valuation
allowance that is recorded against the Company’s deferred tax assets. Early adoption of ASU 2019-12 is permitted, including
adoption in any interim period for public business entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An
entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the
annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments
in the same period. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 in 2021. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material
impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosure.
(t)
Going Concern and COVID-19
Our business has been materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. COVID-19,
which has been declared by the World Health Organization to be a “pandemic,” has spread to many countries, including the United
States, and is impacting domestic and worldwide economic activity. Since being declared a “pandemic”, COVID-19 interfered
with our ability to meet with certain customers during 2020 and continued into the first half of 2021. In addition, the COVID-19
outbreak has affected the supply chain for many types of products and materials, particularly those being manufactured in China
and other countries where the outbreak has resulted in significant disruptions to ongoing business activities. Beginning in the
second quarter of 2021 and continuing into the first quarter of 2022, we experienced a material disruption in our supply chain as
it relates to the procurement of certain sole source and other multiple source components utilized in a material portion of several
product lines. There are frequent developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak that may impact our customers, employees
and business partners. As a result, it is not possible at this time to estimate the duration or the scope of the impact COVID-19
could have on the Company's business. The Company has experienced and is continuing to experience a significant reduction in
sales as a result of its inability to procure parts necessary to manufacture products due to the supply chain issues related to the
COVID-19 outbreak. It remains unclear when or whether our supply chain partners will resume their activities at a level where
our sales will return to historical levels.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern,
which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported reduced revenues, a loss from operations and net cash used in
operating activities, in conjunction with liquidity constraints. The above factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of
the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a
going concern.
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity have been its existing cash balances, cash generated from operations,
amounts available under the MidCap Facility (see Note 5 below), amounts available under the Subordinated Loan Facility (see
Note 6 below) and cash generated from sales of common stock (see Note 15 below). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had
approximately $2,400 outstanding under the MidCap Facility (as defined in Note 5 below) and $92 of additional availability for
borrowing under the MidCap Facility.
If anticipated operating results are not achieved and/or the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, it may be
required to take additional measures to reduce costs in order to conserve its cash in amounts sufficient to sustain operations and
meet its obligations, which measures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business
objectives and may be insufficient to enable the Company to continue as a going concern for at least twelve months from the date
these financial statements are made available to be issued.
57
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(u)
Reclassification of Prior Year Amounts
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation.
Note 2 - Revenue
The Company recognized revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring the product or service to
the customer, typically at a point in time.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company is a technology-development and manufacturing company that delivers a wide range of products and
services to the cable entertainment and media industry. Encoder/transcoder products are used by a system operator for encoding
and transcoding of digital video. Encoders accept various input sources (analog and/or digital) and output digitally encoded 4K,
UHD, HD or SD video in various output formats. Transcoders convert video files from one codec compression format to another
to allow the video to be viewed across different platforms and devices. NXG is a two-way forward-looking platform that is used
to deliver next-generation entertainment services in both enterprise and residential locations. Coax distribution products are used
to transport signals from the headend to their ultimate destination in a home, apartment unit, hotel room, office or other terminal
location along a coax distribution network. CPE products are used by cable operators to provide video delivery to customers using
IP technology. Digital modulation products are used by a system operator for acquisition, processing, compression, and
management of digital video. Analog modulation products are used by a system operator for signal acquisition, processing and
manipulation to create an analog channel lineup for further transmission. DOCSIS data products give service providers,
integrators, and premises owners a means to deliver data, video, and voice-over-coaxial in locations such as hospitality, MDU's,
and college campuses, using IP technology Contract-manufactured products provide manufacturing, research and development
and product support services for other companies’ products. Service agreements and design includes hands-on training, system
design engineering, on-site field support, remote support and troubleshooting and complete system verification testing. Fiber optic
products are used to transport signals from the headend to their ultimate destination in a home, apartment unit, hotel room, office
or other terminal location along a fiber optic distribution network.
The following table presents the Company’s disaggregated revenues by revenue source:
Encoder and Transcoder products
NXG IP video signal processing products
Coax distribution products
CPE products
Digital modulation products
Analog modulation products
DOCSIS data products
Service agreements and design
Fiber optic products
Other
Years ended December 31,
2021
$ 7,863
1,924
1,266
1,120
982
790
755
371
329
354
$ 15,754
2020
$ 4,245
705
1,603
4,165
957
1,274
2,184
168
577
501
$ 16,379
58
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
All of the Company’s sales are to customers located in North America.
Note 3 - Inventories
Inventories, net of reserves, are summarized as follows:
Raw materials ..............................................................................................
Work in process ...........................................................................................
Finished goods .............................................................................................
December 31,
2021
$ 1,824
2,730
300
$4,854
2020
$ 1,706
1,144
1,213
$4,063
The Company recorded a provision to reduce the carrying amount of inventories to their net realizable value in the amount of
$3,226 and $3,789 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 4 - Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
Machinery and equipment .....................................................................................
Furniture and fixtures ............................................................................................
Office equipment ...................................................................................................
Building improvements .........................................................................................
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization ...............................................
December 31,
2021
$7,860
442
2,442
121
10,865
(10,575)
$ 290
2020
$7,833
442
2,441
121
10,837
(10,465)
$ 372
Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $110 and $124 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
Note 5 – Intangible Assets
The components of intangible assets that are carried at cost less accumulated amortization at December 31, 2021 are as follows:
Description
Customer relationships
Proprietary technology
Amortized intangible assets
Non-Amortized Trade name
Total
Cost
$1,365
349
1,714
741
$2,455
59
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Amount
$1,354
346
1,700
-
$1,700
$ 11
3
14
741
$755
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
The components of intangible assets that are carried at cost less accumulated amortization at December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Description
Customer relationships
Proprietary technology
Amortized intangible assets
Non-Amortized Trade name
Total
Cost
$1,365
349
1,714
741
$2,455
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Amount
$1,217
311
1,528
-
$1,528
$148
38
186
741
$927
Amortization is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 10 years for customer
relationships and 10 years for proprietary technology. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $172 and $171 for the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Intangible asset amortization is projected to be approximately $14 in 2022.
Note 6 – Debt
Line of Credit
On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (All Assets) (the “Loan Agreement”)
with MidCap Business Credit LLC (“MidCap”). The Loan Agreement provides the Company with a credit facility comprising a
$5,000 revolving line of credit (the “MidCap Facility”). The MidCap Facility matures following the third anniversary of the
Loan Agreement. Interest on the amounts outstanding under the Loan Agreement is variable, based upon the three-month LIBOR
rate plus a margin of 4.75% (4.96% at December 31, 2021), subject to re-set each month. All outstanding indebtedness under the
Loan Agreement is secured by all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The Loan Agreement contains customary covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness,
the payment of cash dividends or similar distributions, the repayment of any subordinated indebtedness and the encumbrance, sale
or other disposition of assets. In addition, the Company was initially required to maintain minimum availability of $500, with the
minimum availability to be reduced to $400 upon the deliverance of an inventory appraisal satisfactory to MidCap, which occurred
during the fourth quarter 2019.
On April 7, 2020, the Company entered into a certain Consent and Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents
with Midcap (the “MidCap First Amendment”), which amended the MidCap Facility to, among other things, remove the existing
$400 availability block, subject to the same being re-imposed at the rate of approximately $7 per month commencing June 1,
2020. The operative provisions relating to the removal of the availability block under the MidCap First Amendment became
effective on April 8, 2020, following the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Subordinated
Loan Facility (See Note 6).
On January 8, 2021, the parties entered into a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement (the "Second Amendment"),
which amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things, modify the Loan Agreement's definition of “Minimum
EBITDA Covenant Trigger Event.” The Second Amendment amends the definition, retroactive to and as of December 1, 2020,
and also includes certain additional non-substantive changes.
On June 14, 2021, the parties entered into a Third Amendment to Loan Agreement (the "Third Amendment"), which
amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things, modify the Loan Agreement's definition of “Minimum EBITDA
Covenant Trigger Event.” The Third Amendment amends the definition, retroactive to and as of June 1, 2021, and also includes
certain additional non-substantive changes.
60
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
On July 30, 2021, the parties entered into a Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement (the "Fourth Amendment"), which
amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things, modify the Loan Agreement's definition of “Minimum EBITDA
Covenant Trigger Event.” The Fourth Amendment amends the definition, retroactive to and as of July 1, 2021, and also includes
certain additional non-substantive changes.
On August 26, 2021, the parties entered into a Fifth Amendment to Loan Agreement (the "Fifth Amendment"), which
amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things, (i) provide for an over-advance facility in the maximum amount
of $400, (ii) defer the monthly incremental increase to the existing availability block and (iii) modify the Loan Agreement's
definition of “Minimum EBITDA Covenant Trigger Event.” The Fifth Amendment amends the definition, retroactive to and as
of August 1,
On December 16, 2021, the parties entered into a Sixth Amendment to Loan Agreement (the “Sixth Amendment”),
which amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things modify the Loan Agreement's definition of "Borrowing
Base" (with such amendment retroactive to and effective as of December 15, 2021), and also includes certain additional non-
substantive changes.
On February 11, 2022, the parties entered into a Seventh Amendment to Loan Agreement (the “Seventh Amendment”),
which amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things modify the Loan Agreement's definition of "Borrowing
Base" and “Availability Block,” and also includes certain additional non-substantive changes.
On March 3, 2022, the parties entered into an Eighth Amendment to Loan Agreement (the “Eighth Amendment”), which
amendment, revised the Loan Agreement to, among other things modify the Loan Agreement's definition of "Borrowing Base"
and “Availability Block,” and also includes certain additional non-substantive changes.
Long-Term Debt
On April 10, 2020, the Company received loan proceeds of approximately $1,769 (“PPP Loan”) under the Paycheck
Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES
Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll expenses of the
qualifying business. The PPP Loan and accrued interest are forgivable after twenty-four weeks (the “Covered Period”) as long
as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll
levels. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates employees or reduces salaries during the
Covered Period.
The PPP Loan was evidenced by a promissory note, dated as of April 5, 2020 (the “Note”), between the Company, as
Borrower, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lender (the “Lender”). The interest rate on the Note was 0.98% per annum, with
interest accruing on the unpaid principal balance computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360
days. No payments of principal or interest were due during the ten-month period beginning on the date after the Covered Period.
On June 22, 2021, the Company applied to the SBA for full forgiveness of the PPP Loan. On June 30, 2021, the Company
received notification that the forgiveness was granted. The Company recorded the $1,769 forgiveness as a gain on debt
forgiveness during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Long-term debt consists of the following:
61
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Financing leases (Note 7)
PPP Loan
Less: Current portion
December 31,
2021
$271
-
2020
$56
1,769
271
1,825
(71)
(28)
$ 200
$ 1,797
Annual maturities of long term debt at December 31, 2021 are, $71 in 2022, $65 in 2023, $61 in 2024, $59 in 2025 and $15 in
2026.
Note 7 – Subordinated Convertible Debt with Related Parties
On April 8, 2020, the Company, as borrower, together with Livewire Ventures, LLC (wholly owned by the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, Edward R. Grauch), MidAtlantic IRA, LLC FBO Steven L. Shea IRA (an IRA account for the benefit
of the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Steven Shea), Carol M. Pallé and Robert J. Pallé (Company Director and employed
as Managing Director-Strategic Accounts) , Anthony J. Bruno (Company Director), and Stephen K. Necessary (Company
Director) , as lenders (collectively, the “Initial Lenders”) and Robert J. Pallé, as Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the
“Agent”) entered into a certain Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and Security Agreement (the “Subordinated Loan
Agreement”), pursuant to which the lenders from time to time party thereto were permitted to provide up to $1,500 of loans to
the Company (the “Subordinated Loan Facility”). Interest accrues on the outstanding amounts advanced under the
Subordinated Loan Facility at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded and payable monthly, in-kind, by the automatic increase
of the principal amount of the loan on each monthly interest payment date, by the amount of the accrued interest payable at that
time (“PIK Interest”); provided, however, that at the option of the Company, it may pay interest in cash on any interest payment
date, in lieu of PIK Interest.
On April 8, 2020, the Initial Lenders agreed to provide the Company with a Tranche A term loan facility of $800 of
which $600 was advanced to the Company on April 8, 2020, $100 was advanced to the Company on April 17, 2020 and $100
was advanced to the Company on January 12, 2021. The Initial Lenders participating in the Tranche A term loan facility have
the option of converting the principal balance of the loan held by each of them, in whole (unless otherwise agreed by the
Company), into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price equal to the volume weighted average price of the
common stock as reported by the NYSE American, during the five trading days preceding April 8, 2020 (the “Tranche A
Conversion Price”) which was calculated at $0.593. The conversion right was subject to stockholder approval as required by
the rules of the NYSE American, which was obtained on June 11, 2020.
On April 24, 2020, the Company, the Initial Lenders, Ronald V. Alterio (the Company’s Senior Vice President-
Engineering, Chief Technology Officer) and certain additional unaffiliated investors (the “Additional Lenders,” and, together
with the Initial Lenders, the “Lenders”) entered into the First Amendment to Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and Security
Agreement and Joinder (the “Amendment”). The Amendment provides for the funding of $200 of additional loans under the
Subordinated Loan Facility as a Tranche B term loan established under the Subordinated Loan Agreement, with such loans being
provided by the Additional Lenders. The Amendment also sets the conversion price of $0.55 (the “Tranche B Conversion
Price”) with respect to the right of the Additional Lenders to convert the accreted principal balance of the loans held by each of
them into shares of the Company’s common stock. The terms and conditions of the conversion rights applicable to the Initial
Lenders and the Additional Lenders are otherwise identical in all material respects, including the terms restricting conversion to
an aggregate amount of shares of common stock that would not result in the Company’s non-compliance with NYSE American
rules requiring stockholder approval of issuances or potential issuances of shares in excess of the percentage limits specified
therein or in an amount that may be deemed to constitute a change of control under such rules. These restrictions were eliminated
when the requisite stockholder approval was obtained on June 11, 2020.
62
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
On October 29, 2020, the additional unaffiliated investors as described above, submitted irrevocable notices of
conversion under the Tranche B Term Loan. As a result, $175 of original principal and $11 of PIK interest outstanding under the
Tranche B Term Loan were converted into 338 shares of Company common stock in full satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On January 28, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to Senior Subordinated Convertible Loan and
Security Agreement and Joinder (the “LSA Third Amendment”) with the Tranche A Parties, the Tranche B Parties (that had not
previously converted the loans attributable to each of them into shares of common stock), the Agent and certain other investors
(the “Tranche C Parties”). Pursuant to the LSA Third Amendment, the parties agreed to increase the aggregate loan limit from
$1,500 to $1,600 and the Tranche C Parties agreed to provide the Company with a commitment for a $600 term loan facility, all
of which was advanced to the Company on January 29, 2021 (the “Tranche C Loans”). As is the case with the loans provided
by the Tranche A Parties and Tranche B Parties, interest on the Tranche C Loans accrues at 12% per annum and is payable monthly
in-kind, by the automatic increase of the principal amount of the loans on each monthly interest payment date, by the amount of
the accrued interest payable at that time. The Company, at its option, may pay any interest due on the Tranche C Loans in cash
on any interest payment date in lieu of PIK Interest. The Tranche C Parties also have the option, following the stockholder
approval described in the next sentence, of converting the accreted principal balance of the Tranche C Loans attributable to each
of them into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.00. The conversion rights are subject to the terms
and conditions applicable to the Tranche C Parties restricting conversion of the Tranche C Loans to an aggregate amount of shares
of common stock that would not result in the Company’s non-compliance with NYSE American rules requiring stockholder
approval of issuances or potential issuances of shares in excess of the percentage limits specified therein. These restrictions were
eliminated when the requisite stockholder approval was obtained on March 4, 2021. As the stock price was $1.31 on March 4,
2021, the Company recorded a discount of $186 relating to the difference in stock price due to the beneficial conversion feature.
The Company issued 42 warrants at an exercise price of $1.00 to a placement agent in connection with the Tranche C Loans. The
warrants have a five-year term from January 28, 2021.
On March 15, 2021, one of the Tranche C Parties submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C
Loans. As a result, $100 of original principal and $1 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were converted into
101 shares of Company common stock in partial satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On April 6, 2021, the same Tranche C Party submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C Loans.
As a result, $50 of original principal and $1 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were converted into 51 shares
of Company common stock in partial satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On May 24, 2021, the same Tranche C Party submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche C Loans.
As a result, $50 of original principal and $2 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche C Loans were converted into 52 shares
of Company common stock in complete satisfaction of their indebtedness.
On January 21, 2022, one of the Tranche A Parties submitted an irrevocable notice of conversion under the Tranche A
Loans. As a result, $50 of original principal and $12 of PIK interest outstanding under the Tranche A Loans were converted into
104 shares of Company common stock in complete satisfaction of their indebtedness.
The obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Drake and are secured by
substantially all of the Company’s and Drake’s assets. The Subordinated Loan Agreement has a maturity date three years from
the date of closing, at which time the accreted principal balance of the loan (by virtue of the PIK Interest) plus any other accrued
unpaid interest, would be due and payable in full. In connection with the Subordinated Loan Agreement, the Company, Drake,
the Lenders and MidCap entered into a Subordination Agreement (the “Subordination Agreement”), pursuant to which the rights
of the Lenders under the Subordinated Loan Agreement were subordinated to the rights of MidCap under the MidCap Agreement
and related security documents. The Subordination Agreement precludes the Company from making cash payments of interest in
lieu of PIK Interest, in the absence of the prior written consent of MidCap or unless the Company is able to meet certain predefined
conditions precedent to the making of any such payments of interest (or principal), as more fully described in the Subordination
Agreement. The Company accrued $163 and $77 of PIK Interest with respect to the Subordinated Loan Facility during the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company recorded $108 of interest expense related to the amortization of
the debt discount during the year ended December 31, 2021.
63
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 8 – Leases
The Company recognizes right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities when it obtains the right to control an asset
under a leasing arrangement with an initial term greater than twelve months. The Company leases its real estate and certain office
equipment under non-cancellable operating leases, and certain office and factory equipment under non-cancellable financing
leases.
The Company evaluates the nature of each lease at the inception of an arrangement to determine whether it is an operating
or financing lease and recognizes the ROU asset and lease liabilities based on the present value of future minimum lease payments
over the expected lease term. The Company’s leases do not generally contain an implicit interest rate and therefore the Company
uses the incremental borrowing rate it would expect to pay to borrow on a similar collateralized basis over a similar term in order
to determine the present value of its lease payments.
The following table summarizes the Company’s operating and financing lease expense as of December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively:
Operating lease cost ...........................................................................
Financing lease cost ...........................................................................
Total ...................................................................................................
Weighted average remaining lease term ............................................
Weighted average discount rate-operating leases ..............................
2021
$ 939
33
$ 972
2.3
6.5%
2020
$1,183
38
$1,221
3.0
6.5%
Maturities of the Company’s operating leases as of December 31, 2021, excluding short term leases are as follows:
2022 ..................................................................................................
2023………………………………………………………………...
2024………………………………………………………………...
Total .................................................................................................
Less: present value discount ............................................................
Total operating lease liabilities .........................................................
$922
943
87
1,952
(133)
$1,819
Note 9- Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company from time to time is a party to certain proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of its business, none
of which, in the current opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Promissory Note
In connection with the fulfillment of certain of the Company's purchase orders, the Company is financing expediting
fees charged in connection with the purchase orders by delivering a promissory note (the “Note”) to the supplier of the goods, in
the principal amount of approximately $630. The Note is unsecured and has an interest rate of 12% per annum. The Company is
obligated to repay the principal balance of the note beginning in September 2021 and continuing thereafter for an additional five
consecutive monthly installments on the 15th day of each successive calendar month, as follows: September 2021, $100, October
2021, $100, November 2021, $100, December 2021, $100, January 2022, $100 and February 2022, $140. Accrued interest will
be paid concurrently with each principal installment. Upon a default under the Note, including the non-payment of principal or
interest, the Company's obligations may be accelerated and the Note holder may pursue its rights under the Note and under
applicable law.
64
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 10 – Benefit Plans
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company has a defined contribution plan covering all full-time employees qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code, in which the Company matches a portion of an employee’s salary deferral. The Company’s contributions
to this plan were $64 and $45, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
At December 31, 2021, approximately 25% of the Company’s employees were covered by a collective bargaining
agreement, that is scheduled to expire in February 2023.
Substantially all union employees who met certain requirements of age, length of service and hours worked per year were
covered by a Company sponsored non-contributory defined benefit pension plan. Benefits paid to retirees are based upon age at
retirement and years of credited service.
On August 1, 2006, the plan was frozen. The defined benefit pension plan is closed to new entrants and existing participants
do not accrue any additional benefits. The Company complies with minimum funding requirements. The total expense for this
plan was $20 in 2021 and $39 in 2020, respectively.
The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension plan measured as the difference between the fair
value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021 and
2020, the funded status related to the defined benefit pension plan was underfunded by $(16) and $(17), respectively, and is
recorded in current liabilities.
Note 11 - Related Party Transactions
A director and shareholder of the Company is a partner of a law firm that serves as outside legal counsel for the Company.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, this law firm billed the Company approximately $548 and $834, respectively
for legal services provided by this firm. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company owed $293 and $183, respectively to this
firm.
Note 12 - Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally
of cash deposits and trade accounts receivable.
Credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable was concentrated with three of the Company’s customers in both 2021
and 2020, respectively. These customers accounted for approximately 62% and 39% of the Company’s outstanding trade accounts
receivable at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’
financial condition, uses credit insurance and requires collateral, such as letters of credit, to mitigate its credit risk. The
deterioration of the financial condition of one or more of its major customers could adversely impact the Company’s operations.
From time to time where the Company determines that circumstances warrant, such as when a customer agrees to commit to a
large blanket purchase order, the Company extends payment terms beyond its standard payment terms.
The following table summarizes credit risk with respect to customers as percentage of sales for the years ended December 31,
2021 and 2020:
Customer A ...................................................................................
Customer B ...................................................................................
Customer C ..................................................................................
65
Years ended December 31,
2021
20%
14%
13%
2020
-
-
-
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
No customer exceeded ten percent of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The following table summarizes credit risk with respect to customers as percentage of accounts receivable:
Customer A ...................................................................................
Customer B ...................................................................................
Customer D……………………………………………………...
Customer E ...................................................................................
December 31,
2021
24%
-
21%
17%
2020
11%
13%
-
15%
The following table summarizes credit risk with respect to vendors as percentage of purchases for the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Vendor A ......................................................................................
Vendor B .......................................................................................
Vendor C ......................................................................................
Vendor D .....................................................................................
Vendor E ......................................................................................
Years ended December 31,
2021
20%
16%
10%
-
-
2020
15%
-
-
17%
15%
The following table summarizes credit risk with respect to vendors as percentage of accounts payable:
Vendor A .....................................................................................
Vendor C .....................................................................................
Vendor F ......................................................................................
Vendor G .....................................................................................
December 31,
2021
28%
10%
-
-
2020
11%
-
20%
45%
Note 13 – Stock Repurchase Program
On July 24, 2002, the Company commenced a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $300 of its outstanding
common stock (the “2002 Program”). The stock repurchase was funded by a combination of the Company’s cash on hand and
borrowings against its revolving line of credit. On February 13, 2007, the Company announced a new stock repurchase program
to acquire up to an additional 100 shares of its outstanding common stock (the “2007 Program”). As of December 31, 2021, the
Company can purchase up to $72 of its common stock under the 2002 Program and up to 100 shares of its common stock under
the 2007 Program. The Company may, in its discretion, continue making purchases under the 2002 Program up to its limits, and
thereafter to make purchases under the 2007 Program. During 2021 and 2020, the Company did not purchase any of its common
stock under the 2002 Program or 2007 Program.
66
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 14 – Executive and Director Stock Purchase Plans
On June 16, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which
was subsequently amended several times most recently on September 10, 2020, retroactively effective to September 1, 2020. The
ESPP allows executive officers of the Company to elect to purchase common stock of the Company in lieu of receiving a portion
of their salary. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be purchased by all participants, in the aggregate,
pursuant to the ESPP is 750 shares. The shares will be purchased directly from the Company at the fair market value of the
Company’s common stock on the date of purchase (based on selling prices reported on NYSE American), which is the payroll
date when the salary is withheld. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 217 shares were purchased under the ESPP.
On November 8, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Director Stock Purchase Plan (the “DSPP”),
which was subsequently amended several times most recently on October 12, 2020. The DSPP allows non-employee directors
of the Company to elect to purchase common stock of the Company in lieu of receiving a portion of their director and meeting
fees. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be purchased by all participants, in the aggregate, pursuant to
the DSPP is 1,000 shares. The shares will be purchased directly from the Company at the fair market value of the Company’s
common stock on the date of purchase (based on selling prices reported on NYSE American), which is the check date when the
fees would normally be paid. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 390 shares were purchased under the DSPP.
Note 15 – Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 5,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and
preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no
outstanding preferred shares.
Note 16 – Private Placement and Common Stock Sales
On December 14, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with
certain accredited investors (the "Purchasers") for the sale and issuance by the Company to the Purchasers of (i) an aggregate of
1,429 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock and (ii) warrants (the "Purchaser Warrants") to purchase an
aggregate of up to 714 shares of common stock (the "Purchaser Warrant Shares"), for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company
of $1,000, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company also agreed to
issue to the placement agents and certain persons affiliated with the placement agents, as additional compensation, (a) fully-vested
warrants (the "Placement Agent Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of up to 100 shares (the "Placement Agent Warrant
Shares") of common stock and (b) contingent warrants (the "Placement Agent Contingent Warrants") to purchase an aggregate
of up to an additional 50 shares (the "Placement Agent Contingent Warrant Shares") of common stock. The transaction closed
on December 15, 2020.
The Purchase Agreement also includes terms that give the Purchasers certain price protections, providing for adjustments
of the number of shares of common stock held by them in the event of certain future dilutive securities issuances by the Company
for a period not to exceed 18 months following the closing of the private placement, or such earlier date on which all of the
Purchaser Warrants have been exercised. In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides the Purchasers with a right to participate
in certain future Company financings, up to 30% of the amount of such financings, for a period of 24 months following the closing
of the private placement. The Purchase Agreement also required the Company to register the resale of the Shares and the Purchaser
Warrant Shares pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the Purchasers, dated as of
December 14, 2020, as described further below. The Company filed a registration statement with the SEC on January 14, 2021 to
register the resale of the Shares and the Purchaser Warrant Shares, which registration statement was declared effective by the SEC
on January 21, 2021.
The Purchase Agreement obligated the Company to call a special meeting of its stockholders to seek stockholder
approval of the issuance of shares of its common stock issuable in connection with this transaction in excess of 19.99% of the
Company's outstanding shares of common stock, in accordance with the requirements of Section 713(a) of the New York Stock
Exchange (“NYSE”) American Company Guide. Stockholder approval was obtained on March 4, 2021.
The Purchaser Warrants have an exercise price of $1.25 per share, are exercisable beginning on December 15, 2020, and
have a term of three years. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each Purchaser
67
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Warrant is subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock
combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting the common stock. The fair value of the Purchaser Warrants is $643.
In certain circumstances, upon the occurrence of a fundamental transaction, a holder of Purchaser Warrants is entitled
to receive, upon any subsequent exercise of the Purchaser Warrant, for each Purchaser Warrant Share that would have been
issuable upon such exercise of the Purchaser Warrant immediately prior to the fundamental transaction, at the option of the holder,
the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving
corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of the fundamental transaction by a holder of the number of
shares of common stock of the Company for which the Purchaser Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to the fundamental
transaction. If holders of the Company's common stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received
in a fundamental transaction, then the Holder shall be given the choice as to the additional consideration it receives upon any
exercise of the Purchaser Warrant following the fundamental transaction.
The Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $0.70 per share, a term of five years from December 14, 2020,
and became exercisable upon the Company obtaining the stockholder approval described above. The exercise price and the
number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each Placement Agent Warrant is subject to appropriate adjustments
in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events
affecting the common stock. The Placement Agent Warrants also provide the holders with certain “piggyback” registration rights,
permitting the holders to request that the Company include the Placement Agent Warrant Shares for sale in certain registration
statements filed by the Company. The fair value of the Placement Agent Warrants is $121. During June and July 2021, the
Company received approximately $61 as the result of the exercise of certain Placement Agent Warrants, and the Company issued
87 shares of common stock upon exercise.
The Placement Agent Contingent Warrants have an exercise price of $1.25 per share, a term of five years from December
14, 2020, and become exercisable if, and to the extent, holders of the Purchaser Warrants exercise such Purchaser Warrants. In
no event, however, will the Placement Agent Contingent Warrants become exercisable unless and until Stockholder Approval has
been obtained. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of each Placement Agent
Contingent Warrant is subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits,
stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting the common stock. The Placement Agent Contingent Warrants
also provide the holders with certain “piggyback” registration rights, permitting the holders to request that the Company include
the Placement Agent Contingent Warrant Shares for sale in certain registration statements filed by the Company. The fair value
of the Placement Agent Contingent Warrants is $56.
On August 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners,
LLC (the “Agent”). In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may offer and sell from time to time
through the Agent shares of the Company’s common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $400. From August 16,
2021 through December 31, 2021, the Company sold an aggregate of 163 shares under the Sales Agreement at prices ranging
from $1.088 to $1.139 per share, for aggregate proceeds, net of sales commissions, of approximately $175.
On August 23, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “August Purchase Agreement”) with
an institutional investor providing for the sale by the Company to the investor of 200 shares of the Company’s common stock at
a purchase price of $1.08 per share, resulting in aggregate proceeds to the Company of $216. The shares were offered and sold
pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The Company's sale of the shares pursuant to the
August Purchase Agreement will have the effect of reducing the amount of shares that may be sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement
from $400 to $184. Taking into account sales of common stock pursuant to the August Purchase Agreement and sales of common
stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement to date, the amount available to be sold under the Sales Agreement is currently $9.
On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “November Purchase
Agreement”) with an institutional investor providing for the sale by the Company to the investor of 425 shares of the Company’s
common stock, at a purchase price of $1.12 per share, resulting in aggregate proceeds to the Company of $476. The shares were
offered and sold pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3.
68
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 17 – Equity Incentive Plans
In May 2016, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2016 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Employee
Plan”), which authorized the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) to grant a maximum of
1,000 shares of equity based and other performance based awards to executive officers and other key employees of the Company.
The term of the 2016 Employee Plan expires on February 4, 2026. In May 2017, the stockholders of the Company approved an
amendment to the 2016 Employee Plan to increase the annual individual award limits relating to stock options and stock
appreciation rights from 100 to 250 shares of common stock. In June 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved an
amendment to the 2016 Employee Plan to increase the maximum number of equity based and other performance awards to 3,000.
The Committee determines the recipients and the terms of the awards granted under the 2016 Employee Plan, including the type
of awards, exercise price, number of shares subject to the award and the exercisability thereof.
In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Employee
Plan”), which initially authorized the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) to grant a maximum
of 500 shares of equity based and other performance based awards to executive officers and other key employees of the Company.
In May 2007, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Employee Plan to increase the maximum number
of equity based and other performance awards to 1,100. In May 2010, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment
to the Employee Plan to increase the maximum number of equity based and other performance awards to 1,600. In May 2014,
the stockholders of the Company approved the amendment and restatement of the Employee Plan to extend the term of the
Employee Plan to February 7, 2024 and increase the maximum number of equity based and other performance awards to 2,600.
In June 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Employee Plan to increase the maximum number
of equity based and other performance awards to 2,700. The Committee determines the recipients and the terms of the awards
granted under the Employee Plan, including the type of awards, exercise price, number of shares subject to the award and the
exercisability thereof.
In May 2016, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2016 Director Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Director
Plan”). The 2016 Director Plan authorizes the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to grant a maximum of 400 shares of equity
based and other performance-based awards to non-employee directors of the Company. The term of the 2016 Director Plan
expires on February 4, 2026. The Board determines the recipients and the terms of the awards granted under the 2016 Director
Plan, including the type of awards, exercise price, number of shares subject to the award and the exercisability thereof.
In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Director Equity Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”).
The Director Plan authorizes the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to grant a maximum of 200 shares of equity based and other
performance-based awards to non-employee directors of the Company. In May 2010, the stockholders of the Company approved
an amendment to the Director Plan to increase the maximum number of equity based and other performance awards to 400. In
May 2014, the stockholders of the Company approved the amendment and restatement of the Director Plan to extend the term of
the Director Plan to February 7, 2024 and increase the maximum number of equity based and other performance awards to 600.
The Board determines the recipients and the terms of the awards granted under the Director Plan, including the type of awards,
exercise price, number of shares subject to the award and the exercisability thereof.
The Company issues performance-based stock options to employees. The Company estimates the fair value of
performance stock option awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Compensation expense for stock option
awards is amortized on a straight-line basis over the awards’ vesting period.
The expected term of the stock options represents the average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding
and is based on the expected term calculated using the approach prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 110 for “plain vanilla” options. The expected stock price volatility for the Company’s stock options was
determined by using an average of the historical volatilities of the Company. The Company will continue to analyze the stock
price volatility and expected term assumptions as more data for the Company’s common stock and exercise patterns become
available. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury instruments whose term was consistent with the
expected term of the Company’s stock options. The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company’s history and
expectation of dividend payouts. The Company does not estimate forfeitures based on historical experience but rather reduces
compensation expense when they occur.
The fair value of employee stock options is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of
the respective awards. The fair value of employee stock options was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
69
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Fair value of the company’s common stock on date of grant ......................
Expected term ..............................................................................................
Risk free interest rate ...................................................................................
Dividend yield…………………………………………………………….
Volatility ......................................................................................................
Fair value of options granted……………………………………………...
Years ended December 31,
2021
$ 1.513
6.5 years
1.13%
0.00%
79.0%
$1.06
2020
$ 0.595
6.5 years
0.44%
0.00%
79.0%
$0.41
The following table summarizes total stock-based compensation costs recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021
and 2020:
Cost of goods sold .......................................................................................
Selling expenses ..........................................................................................
General and administrative ..........................................................................
Research and development……………………………………………….
Total .............................................................................................................
Years ended December 31,
2021
$42
77
343
100
$562
2020
$40
40
227
97
$404
The following table summarizes information about stock-based awards outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Plan
2016 Employee Plan
2016 Director Plan
Other
2005 Employee Plan
2005 Director Plan
Stock-based awards
available for grant as of
December 31, 2021
Stock Options
1,974
649
500
865
261
4,249
648
Stock options award activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
Outstanding at
January 1, 2021
Options granted
Options exercised
Options forfeited
Number of
shares
3,998
616
(99)
(54)
Weighted
-Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted-
Average
Contractual
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
$0.86
1.44
0.89
1.10
70
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Options expired
Outstanding at
December 31,
2021
Exercisable at
December 31,
2021
(212)
1.61
4,249
$0.90
2,970
$0.85
5.2
5.3
$55
$18
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company granted options under the 2016 Employee Plan and the 2016
Director Plan to purchase 616 shares of common stock to its employees and directors. The fair value of these options was
approximately $634.
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the difference between exercise price of the underlying
stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock or $0.59 per share at December 31, 2021.
The Company does not capitalize any cost associated with stock-based compensation.
The Company issues new shares of common stock (or reduces the amount of treasury stock) upon exercise of stock
options or release of restricted stock awards.
As of December 31, 2021, the unamortized stock compensation expense was approximately $482.
The following table represents warrant activity for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Weighted
-Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted-
Average
Contractual
Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
shares
Outstanding at
January 1, 2021
Warrants granted
Warrants exercised
Warrants forfeited
Warrants expired
Outstanding at
December 31,
2021
Exercisable at
December 31,
2021
887
42
(88)
-
-
$1.17
0.73
0.70
-
-
841
$1.21
2.25
779
$1.22
2.11
$1
$1
In May 2020, the Company issued a 5-year warrant to purchase 22 shares of common stock of the Company to VFT Special
Ventures, Ltd. a Delaware corporation (“VFT”). The warrant was granted as partial consideration in connection with the
placement fee for the Subordinated Loan Facility (see Note 7). The warrant is exercisable at $0.55 per share and vested
immediately. The fair value of the warrant was $9.
In January 2021, the Company issued a 5-year warrant to purchase 42 shares of common stock of the Company to VFT
Special Ventures, Ltd. a Delaware corporation (“VFT”). The warrant was granted as partial consideration in connection with the
placement fee for the Subordinated Loan Facility (see Note 7). The warrant is exercisable at $1.00 per share and vested
immediately. The fair value of the warrant was $60.
71
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Note 18 – Other Income
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company accrued payroll tax credits of $1,804, through the Employee
Retention Tax Credit program (“ERTC”). The amount was recorded as other income and included in prepaid and other
current assets as of the applicable quarter end date. The Company received $577 of the first quarter of 2021 ERTC in April,
$115 towards Q2 in July, $181 towards Q3 in August, $219 towards Q3 in October and $195 towards Q3 in November. The
ERTC was initially established as part of the CARES Act of 2020 and subsequently amended by the Consolidated
Appropriation Act (“CAA”) of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) of 2021. The CAA and ARPA
amendments to the ERTC program provide eligible employers with a tax credit in an amount equal to 70% of qualified wages
(including certain health care expenses) that eligible employers pay their employees after January 1, 2021 through September
30, 2021. The maximum amount of qualified wages taken into account with respect to each employee for each calendar
quarter is $10,000, so that the maximum credit that an eligible employer may claim for qualified wages paid to any employee
is $7,000 per quarter. For purposes of the amended ERTC, an eligible employer is defined as having experienced a significant
(20% or more) decline in gross receipts during each 2021 calendar quarter when compared with the same quarter in 2019.
The credit is taken against the Company’s share of Social Security Tax when the Company’s payroll provider files the
applicable quarterly tax filings on Form 941. At December 31, 2021, the Company is still owed $517 in ERTC funds which
it expects to receive during the second quarter of 2022.
Note 19 - Income Taxes
The following summarizes the benefit for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Current:
Federal ...................................................................................................
State and local ........................................................................................
Deferred:
Federal ...................................................................................................
State and local ........................................................................................
Valuation allowance ....................................................................................
Provision for income taxes ...................................... .……....…..................
2021
2020
$ -
15
15
(266)
(3)
(269)
269
$ 15
$ -
15
15
(1,488)
(26)
(1,514)
1,514
$ 15
The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the applicable Federal statutory rates due to
the following for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes at the statutory rate ..............
State and local income taxes, net of Federal provision (benefit) ................
Permanent differences:
Other .....................................................................................................
Change in valuation allowance ...................................................................
Other ...........................................................................................................
Provision for income taxes .........................................................................
2021
$21
10
(285)
269
-
$ 15
2020
$(1,567)
12
73
1,514
(17)
$ 15
72
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts ...........................................................................
Inventories .............................................................................................................
Intangible ...............................................................................................................
Share based compensation
Net operating loss carry forward ...........................................................................
Depreciation ..........................................................................................................
Pension liability .....................................................................................................
Other ......................................................................................................................
Total deferred tax assets ....................................................................................
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible ...............................................................................................................
Indefinite life intangibles .......................................................................................
Total deferred tax liabilities .... ……….
Valuation allowance ..................................................................................................
Net .............................................................................................................................
December 31,
2021
2020
$ 51
668
139
332
7,691
22
43
2
8,948
(4)
(174)
(178)
8,770
(8,770)
$ -
$ 59
779
130
261
7,385
6
39
2
8,661
(4)
(156)
(160)
8,501
(8,501)
$ -
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $27,937 and $24,134 of federal and state net
operating loss carryovers ("NOL"), respectively, which begin to expire in 2022. Additionally, there are federal NOL carryovers
of $8,300 which do not expire.
The change in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $269 and
$1,514, respectively.
In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management
considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and taxing strategies in making this
assessment. The decision to record this valuation allowance was based on management evaluating all positive and negative
evidence. The significant negative evidence includes a loss for the current year, a cumulative pre-tax loss for the three years
ended December 31, 2021, the inability to carryback the net operating losses, limited future reversals of existing temporary
differences and the limited availability of tax planning strategies. The Company expects to continue to provide a full valuation
allowance until, or unless, it can sustain a level of profitability that demonstrates its ability to utilize these assets.
The Company had no change in its liability for uncertain tax position during 2021 and no liabilities for uncertain tax
positions as of December 31, 2021. ASC 740 discusses the classification of related interest and penalties on income taxes. The
Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties incurred in connection with income taxes as a component of income tax
expense. No interest or penalties were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The Company is required to file U.S. federal and state income tax returns. These returns are subject to audit by tax
authorities beginning with the year ended December 31, 2018 or tax years beginning with the year ended December 31,2003 as
the Company utilizes net operating losses.
73
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: March 31, 2022
BLONDER TONGUE LABORATORIES, INC.
By: /s/ Edward R. Grauch
Edward R Grauch
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Eric Skolnik
Eric Skolnik
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
/S/ EDWARD R. GRAUCH
Edward R. Grauch
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ ERIC SKOLNIK
Eric Skolnik
/S/ ANTHONY BRUNO
Anthony Bruno
/S/ JAMES F. WILLIAMS
James F. Williams
/S/ CHARLES E. DIETZ
Charles E. Dietz
/S/ ROBERT J. PALLÉ
Robert J. Pallé
/S/ GARY P. SCHARMETT
Gary P. Scharmett
/S/ STEVEN L. SHEA
Steven L. Shea
/S/ JAMES H. WILLIAMS
James H. Williams
/S/ STEPHEN K. NECESSARY
Stephen K. Necessary
/S/ JOHN BURKE
John Burke
/S/ MICHAEL HAWKEY
Michael Hawkey
Senior Vice President , Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
74
Date
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
March 31, 2022
CORP ORATE
INFOR MATIO N
2
0
2
1
A
N
N
U
A
L
R
E
P
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R
T
LEADERSHIP TEAM
STEV EN L. SHEA
Chairman of the Board
EDWAR D R. ‘TED’ GRAUCH
Chief Executive Officer and President
ERIC SK OLNIK
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
Secretary
R ON ALTERIO
Chief Technlogy Officer, Senior Vice President - Engineering
A LLEN HORVATH
Senior Vice President - Operations
BOARD MEMBERS
ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Corporate Headquarters
One Jake Brown Road
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
NYSE American: BDR
STOCKHOLDER INQUIRIES
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
Eric Skolnik - Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: investor@blondertongue.com
A NTHONY J. BRUNO
Retired, Former VP of Finance, Besam Entrance Solutions
COUNSEL
JOHN B URKE
Managing Partner, Vetust Advisors
C HA RLES E. DIETZ
Retired, Former CTO, Insight Communications
MIC HA EL HAWKEY
VP General Manager, 75F, Inc.
STEPHEN K. NECESSARY
Chairman of the Board, ComSonics, Inc.
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2005 Market Street, Suite 2600
Philadelphia, PA 19103
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
Marcum LLP
730 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
R OB ERT J. ‘BOB’ PALLÉ
Co-founder, TelePortXX, LLC, and Big Splash Partners, LLC
G ARY P. SCHARMETT
Partner, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
STEV EN L. SHEA – CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Chairman of the Board, Unico American Corp.
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.
One Jake Brown Road
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Phone: 800-523-6049
www.blondertongue.com
JA MES F. WILLIAMS
CFO and Director, OSC Holding, Inc.
JA MES H. WILLIAMS
Consultant
TRANSFER AGENT & REGISTRAR
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Shareholder Services Phone: 718-921-8124
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