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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
     
 
FORM 10-Q
     
  
(Mark One)
x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

or

o   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: 1-5005
     

INTRICON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
  Pennsylvania   23-1069060  
  (State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)  
  incorporation or organization)      
         
 
1260 Red Fox Road
     
  Arden Hills, Minnesota    55112  
  (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)  
 
 
(651) 636-9770
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
  N/A  
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
     
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.

x Yes o No

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
   
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o
   
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

o Yes x No

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, on April 30, 2015 was 5,855,023.



 
 

 

 
INTRICON CORPORATION

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  Financial Statements
 
INTRICON CORPORATION
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                 
   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 693     $ 328  
Restricted cash
    594       640  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $113 at March 31, 2015 and $120 at December 31, 2014
    7,666       7,673  
Inventories
    9,948       9,983  
Other current assets
    745       1,013  
Total current assets
    19,646       19,637  
                 
Machinery and equipment
    35,807       35,104  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation
    31,207       30,859  
Net machinery and equipment
    4,600       4,245  
                 
Goodwill
    9,194       9,194  
Investment in partnerships
    338       387  
Other assets, net
    443       498  
Total assets
  $ 34,221     $ 33,961  
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Checks written in excess of cash
  $     $ 516  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    1,890       1,886  
Accounts payable
    5,628       5,438  
Accrued salaries, wages and commissions
    2,393       2,519  
Deferred gain
    110       110  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,293       1,364  
Total current liabilities
    11,314       11,833  
                 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    5,118       4,627  
Other postretirement benefit obligations
    483       485  
Accrued pension liabilities
    685       741  
Deferred gain
    28       55  
Other long-term liabilities
    102       113  
Total liabilities
    17,730       17,854  
Commitments and contingencies (note 12)
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $1.00 par value per share; 20,000 shares authorized; 5,855 and 5,844  shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
    5,855       5,844  
Additional paid-in capital
    17,138       16,939  
Accumulated deficit
    (5,990 )     (6,274 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (512 )     (402 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    16,491       16,107  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 34,221     $ 33,961  
 
(See accompanying notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements)
 
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INTRICON CORPORATION
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
       
   
March 31,
2015
   
March 31,
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Sales, net
  $ 16,602     $ 17,310  
Cost of sales
    12,274       12,537  
Gross profit
    4,328       4,773  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Sales and marketing
    987       1,007  
General and administrative
    1,709       1,624  
Research and development
    1,226       1,168  
Restructuring charges (note 3)
          83  
Total operating expenses
    3,922       3,882  
Operating income
    406       891  
                 
Interest expense
    (103 )     (138 )
Other income
    136       60  
Income from continuing operations before  income taxes and discontinued operations
    439       813  
                 
Income tax expense
    155       26  
Income before  discontinued operations
    284       787  
Loss on sale of discontinued operations
          (120 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (note 4)
          (150 )
Net income
  $ 284     $ 517  
                 
Basic income (loss) per share:
               
  Continuing operations
  $ 0.05     $ 0.14  
  Discontinued operations
          (0.05 )
   Net income per share:
  $ 0.05     $ 0.09  
                 
Diluted income (loss) per share:
               
  Continuing operations
  $ 0.05     $ 0.14  
  Discontinued operations
          (0.05 )
   Net income per share:
  $ 0.05     $ 0.09  
                 
Average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    5,849       5,729  
Diluted
    6,227       5,859  
 
(See accompanying notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements)
 
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INTRICON CORPORATION
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In Thousands)
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
       
   
March 31,
2015
   
March 31,
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Net income
  $ 284     $ 517  
Change in fair value of interest rate swap
    (2 )     10  
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustment
    (108 )     10  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 174     $ 537  

(See accompanying notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements)
 
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INTRICON CORPORATION
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
       
   
March 31,
2015
   
March 31,
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
 Net income
  $ 284     $ 517  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    423       559  
Stock-based compensation
    169       142  
Change in deferred gain
    (28 )     (28 )
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
    7       1  
Equity in loss of partnerships
    49       35  
Loss on sale of discontinued operation
          120  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    92       (1,133 )
Inventories
    41       (381 )
Other assets
    297       343  
Accounts payable
    181       544  
Accrued expenses
    (382 )     306  
Other liabilities
    38       (50 )
 Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,171       975  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
          21  
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation
          500  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (711 )     (241 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (711 )     280  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    2,926       2,999  
Repayments of long-term  borrowings
    (2,430 )     (3,980 )
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options
    42       23  
Change in restricted cash
    79       (128 )
Change in checks written in excess of cash
    (516 )     178  
 Net cash provided by (used by) financing activities
    101       (908 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (196 )     12  
                 
Net increase in cash
    365       359  
Cash, beginning of period
    328       217  
                 
Cash, end of period
  $ 693     $ 576  

(See accompanying notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements)
 
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INTRICON CORPORATION

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

1.           General

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly IntriCon Corporation’s (“IntriCon” or the “Company”) consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations expected for the full year or any other interim period.

On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global restructuring plan to accelerate future growth and reduce costs by approximately $3.0 million annually. As part of the restructuring, the Company sold its security and certain microphone and receiver operations on January 27, 2014 to Sierra Peaks Corporation. For all periods presented, the Company classified these businesses as discontinued operations (Note 4).

The Company has evaluated subsequent events occurring after the date of the consolidated financial statements for events requiring recording or disclosure in the financial statements.

2.           New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, or ASU 2015-02. ASU 2015-02 amends current consolidation guidance by modifying the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. ASU No. 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
3.           Restructuring Charges
 
On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global strategic restructuring plan designed to accelerate the Company’s future growth by focusing resources on the highest potential growth areas and reduce costs. The plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on June 12, 2013. As part of this plan, the Company: reduced investment in certain non-core professional audio communications product lines; transferred specific product lines from Singapore to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facility in Batam, Indonesia; reduced global administrative and support workforce; transferred the medical coil operations from the Company’s Maine facility to Minnesota to better leverage existing manufacturing capacity; sold its remaining security, microphone and receiver operations; added experienced professionals in value hearing health; and focused more resources in medical biotelemetry. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred charges of $83, primarily related to employee termination benefits, from the restructuring of its continuing operations. In the future, the Company does not expect to incur any additional cash charges related to this restructuring.
 
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4.           Discontinued Operations

On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global strategic restructuring plan designed to accelerate the Company’s future growth and reduce costs. See Note 3 for additional information. As part of the global strategic restructuring plan, the Company decided to exit the security and certain microphone and receiver businesses.  On January 27, 2014, the Company completed the sale of the security business and certain microphone and receiver businesses of IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation, IntriCon’s wholly owned subsidiary based in Camden, Maine, to Sierra Peaks Corporation, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on January 27, 2014 between Sierra Peaks Corporation, as the buyer, and IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation as the seller. Sierra Peaks Corporation paid $500 cash at closing for the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of the businesses.

The Company recorded a loss on the sale of $120. The net loss was computed as follows:
         
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 384  
Inventory, net
    128  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    127  
Other assets
    1  
Accounts payable
    (69 )
Total
  $ 571  
Cash proceeds received from Sierra Peaks
    500  
Net assets sold
    (571 )
Transaction costs
    (49 )
Loss on sale of discontinued operations
  $ (120 )
 
The following table shows the results of operations of the Company’s discontinued operations:
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
       
   
March 31,
2015
   
March 31,
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Sales, net
  $     $ 207  
Operating costs and expenses
          (357 )
Operating loss
          (150 )
Other income, net
           
Net loss from discontinued operations
  $     $ (150 )

5.           Product Warranty

In general, the Company warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will fully conform to and perform to specifications for a period of one year. The following table presents changes in the Company’s warranty liability for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014:
                 
   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Beginning balance
  $ 100     $ 72  
Warranty expense
    20       122  
Closed warranty claims
    (12 )     (94 )
Ending balance
  $ 108     $ 100  
 
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6.           Geographic Information

The geographical distribution of long-lived assets to geographical areas consisted of the following at:
                 
   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
United States
  $ 3,738     $ 3,307  
Other – primarily Asia
    862       938  
Consolidated
  $ 4,600     $ 4,245  
 
Long-lived assets consist of property and equipment and certain other assets that are difficult to move and relatively illiquid. Excluded from long-lived assets are investments in partnerships, patents, license agreements and goodwill. The Company capitalizes long-lived assets pertaining to the production of specialized parts. These assets are periodically reviewed to assure the net realizable value from the estimated future production based on forecasted cash flows exceeds the carrying value of the assets.
 
The geographical distribution of net sales to geographical areas for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Net Sales to Geographical Areas
 
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
United States 
  $ 12,582     $ 12,822  
Switzerland
    629       332  
Germany
    528       591  
Vietnam
    437       364  
China
    434       699  
Japan
    371       322  
United Kingdom
    282       523  
Turkey
    264       193  
France
    241       534  
Hong Kong
    195       178  
Singapore
    85       111  
All other countries
    554       641  
Consolidated
  $ 16,602     $ 17,310  

Geographic net sales are allocated based on the location of the customer. All other countries include net sales primarily to various countries in Europe and in the Asian Pacific. Customer concentrations greater than 10% of consolidated net sales and account receivable are disclosed below.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, one customer accounted for 39% of the Company’s consolidated net sales.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014, two customers accounted for 49% of the Company’s consolidated net sales.
 
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At March 31, 2015, two customers combined accounted for 33% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2014, two customers accounted for a combined 29% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable.
 
7.           Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following at:
                                 
   
Raw materials
   
Work-in process
   
Finished products
and components
   
Total
 
March 31, 2015
                       
Domestic
  $ 3,783     $ 1,520     $ 1,923     $ 7,226  
Foreign
    1,774       746       202       2,722  
Total
  $ 5,557     $ 2,266     $ 2,125     $ 9,948  
                                 
December 31, 2014
                               
Domestic
  $ 3,993     $ 1,300     $ 1,838     $ 7,131  
Foreign
    1,894       720       238       2,852  
Total
  $ 5,887     $ 2,020     $ 2,076     $ 9,983  
 
8.           Short and Long-Term Debt

Short and long-term debt is summarized as follows:
                 
   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Domestic Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility
  $ 1,093     $ 3,843  
Foreign Overdraft and Letter of Credit Facility
    915       920  
Domestic Term-Loan
    5,000       1,750  
Total Debt
    7,008       6,513  
Less: Current maturities
    (1,890 )     (1,886 )
Total Long-Term Debt
  $ 5,118     $ 4,627  

Domestic Credit Facilities
 
The Company and its domestic subsidiaries are parties to a credit facility with The PrivateBank and Trust Company. The credit facility, as amended, provides for:
 
 
§
an $8,000 revolving credit facility, with a $200 sub facility for letters of credit.  Under the revolving credit facility, the availability of funds depends on a borrowing base composed of stated percentages of the Company’s eligible trade receivables and eligible inventory, and eligible equipment less a reserve; and

 
§
a term loan in the original amount of $5,000.
 
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In March 2015, the Company and its domestic subsidiaries entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement with The PrivateBank and Trust Company. The amendment, among other things:
 
 
§
increased the Company’s term loan to $5,000 from its then current balance of $1,750, as a result of which the Company borrowed an additional $3,250 under the term loan facility;

 
§
extended the term loan and revolving loan maturity date to February 28, 2019, keeping the existing term loan amortization schedule in place;
 
 
§
increased the annual capital expenditure limit to $4,500;

 
§
implemented investment provisions that allow for up to $4,000 in investment spending prior to requiring bank approval;

 
§
lowered interest rates on the term loan and revolving loan;
 
Due to the Seventh Amendment as described above, the term loan and the revolving loan maturity date has been extended to February 28, 2019. All of the borrowings under this agreement have been characterized as either a current or long-term liability on our balance sheet in accordance with the repayment terms described more fully below.

Loans under the credit facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries including a pledge of the stock of its domestic subsidiaries. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at varying rates based on the Company’s leverage ratio of funded debt / EBITDA, at the option of the Company, at:

 
§
the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.50% to 4.00%, or

 
§
the base rate, which is the higher of (a) the rate publicly announced from time to time by the lender as its “prime rate” and (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, plus (0.25)% to 1.25%; in each case, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio.

Interest is payable monthly in arrears, except that interest on LIBOR based loans is payable at the end of the one, two or three month interest periods applicable to LIBOR based loans. IntriCon is also required to pay a non-use fee equal to 0.25% per year of the unused portion of the revolving line of credit facility, payable quarterly in arrears.
 
Weighted average interest on the revolving credit facility was 4.39% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 4.51% for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The outstanding balance of the revolving credit facility was $1,093 and $3,843 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The total availability on the revolving credit facility was approximately $6,341 and $3,456 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
The outstanding principal balance of the term loan, as amended, is payable in quarterly installments of $250. Any remaining principal and accrued interest is payable on February 28, 2019. IntriCon is also required to use 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales (excluding inventory and certain other dispositions), sale of capital securities or issuance of debt to pay down the term loan.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the facility as of March 31, 2015.

Foreign Credit Facility
 
In addition to its domestic credit facilities, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IntriCon, PTE LTD., entered into an international senior secured credit agreement with Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd. that provides for an asset based line of credit.  Borrowings bear interest at a rate of .75% to 2.5% over the lender’s prevailing prime lending rate.  Weighted average interest on the international credit facilities was 3.38% and 4.50% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively. The outstanding balance was $915 and $920 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The total remaining availability on the international senior secured credit agreement was approximately $878 and $956 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
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9.           Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $155 compared to $26 for the same period in 2014. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was primarily due to foreign operations. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, consequently, minimal federal benefit or expense from the domestic operations was recognized as the deferred tax asset has a full valuation allowance.

The following was the income (loss) before income taxes for each jurisdiction in which the Company has operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
United States
  $ (310 )   $ 316  
Singapore
    541       382  
Indonesia
    20       19  
Germany
    188       96  
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations
  $ 439     $ 813  
 
10.         Shareholders’ Equity and Stock-based Compensation

The Company has a 2001 stock option plan, a non-employee directors’ stock option plan and a 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. New grants may not be made under the 2001 and the non-employee directors’ stock option plans; however certain option grants under these plans remain exercisable as of March 31, 2015. The aggregate number of shares of common stock for which awards could be granted under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as of the date of adoption was 699 shares. The Plan was amended in 2010 and 2012 to authorize an additional 250 and 300 shares, respectively, for issuance under the Plan. Additionally, as outstanding options under the 2001 stock option plan and non-employee directors’ stock option plan expire, the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the expired options will become available for issuance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
Under the various plans, executives, employees and outside directors receive awards of options to purchase common stock. Under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company may also grant stock awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other equity-based awards, although no such awards, other than awards under the director program and management purchase program described below, had been granted as of March 31, 2015.  Under all awards, the terms are fixed on the grant date. Generally, the exercise price of stock options equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Options under the plans generally vest over three years, and have a maximum term of 10 years.

Additionally, the board has established the non-employee directors’ stock fee election program, referred to as the director program, as an award under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The director program gives each non-employee director the right under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan to elect to have some or all of his quarterly director fees paid in common shares rather than cash.  No shares were issued in lieu of cash for director fees under the director program for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

On July 23, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the non-employee director and executive officer stock purchase program, referred to as the management purchase program, as an award under the 2006 Plan. The purpose of the management purchase program is to permit the Company’s non-employee directors and executive officers to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock directly from the Company. Pursuant to the management purchase program, as amended, participants may elect to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company not exceeding an aggregate of $100 during any fiscal year. Participants may make such election one time during each twenty business day period following the public release of the Company’s earnings announcement, referred to as a window period, and only if such participant is not in possession of material, non-public information concerning the Company and subject to the discretion of the Board to prohibit any transactions in Common Stock by directors and executive officers during a window period. There were no shares purchased under the management purchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
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On April 24, 2015, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.  The new plan replaces the 2006 Plan.

Stock option activity as of and during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:
                         
    
Number of Shares
   
Weighted-average
Exercise Price
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
    1,313     $ 5.86        
    Options forfeited or cancelled
                 
    Options granted
    128       6.87        
    Options exercised
    (11 )     3.52        
                       
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
    1,430     $ 5.97     $ 3,836  
                         
Exercisable at March 31, 2015
    1,082     $ 6.06     $ 3,031  
                         
Available for future grant at December 31, 2014
    175                  
                         
Available for future grant at March 31, 2015
    50                  

The number of shares available for future grants at March 31, 2015 does not include a total of up to 147 shares subject to options outstanding under the 2001 stock option plans and non-employee directors’ stock option plans as of March 31, 2015, which will become available for grant under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan in the event of the expiration of such options.

The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s options have characteristics different from those of traded options, in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its options. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $4.37 for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $3.85 for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

The Company calculates expected volatility for stock options and awards using the Company’s historical volatility.

The Company currently estimates a zero percent forfeiture rate for stock options, but will continue to review this estimate in future periods.

The risk-free rates for the expected terms of the stock options and awards are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable at March 31, 2015 was 4.10 years.

The Company recorded $169 of non-cash stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The Company recorded $142 of non-cash stock option expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  As of March 31, 2015, there was $904 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.29 years.

The Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”). The Purchase Plan initially provided that a maximum of 100 shares may be sold under the Purchase Plan as of the date of adoption. On April 27, 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares which may be purchased under the plan by an additional 100 shares. There were 3 shares purchased under the plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and a total of 5 shares purchased for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
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11.         Income Per Share

The following table presents a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share:
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
Numerator:
           
Income before  discontinued operations
  $ 284     $ 787  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (note 4)
          (270 )
Net income
  $ 284     $ 517  
                 
Denominator:
               
Basic – weighted shares outstanding
    5,849       5,729  
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options
    378       130  
Diluted – weighted shares outstanding
    6,227       5,859  
                 
Basic income (loss) per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.05     $ 0.14  
Discontinued operations
          (0.05 )
Net income per share:
  $ 0.05     $ 0.09  
                 
Diluted income (loss) per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.05     $ 0.14  
Discontinued operations
          (0.05 )
Net income per share:
  $ 0.05     $ 0.09  

The dilutive impact summarized above relates to the periods when the average market price of Company stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive option securities granted. Earnings per common share was based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods when computing the basic earnings per share. When dilutive, stock options are included as equivalents using the treasury stock method when computing the diluted earnings per share. Individual components of basic and diluted income (loss) per share may not sum to the total income (loss) per share due to rounding.
 
12.         Legal Proceedings

The Company is a defendant along with a number of other parties in lawsuits alleging that plaintiffs have or may have contracted asbestos-related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos products or equipment containing asbestos sold by one or more named defendants. These lawsuits relate to the discontinued heat technologies segment which was sold in March 2005. Due to the non-informative nature of the complaints, the Company does not know whether any of the complaints state valid claims against the Company. Certain insurance carriers have informed the Company that the primary policies for the period August 1, 1970-1978 have been exhausted and that the carriers will no longer provide defense and insurance coverage under those policies. However, the Company has other primary and excess insurance policies that the Company believes afford coverage for later years.  Some of these other primary insurers have accepted defense and insurance coverage for these suits, and some of them have either ignored the Company’s tender of defense of these cases, or have denied coverage, or have accepted the tenders but asserted a reservation of rights and/or advised the Company that they need to investigate further.  Because settlement payments are applied to all years a litigant was deemed to have been exposed to asbestos, the Company believes that it will have funds available for defense and insurance coverage under the non-exhausted primary and excess insurance policies.  However, unlike the older policies, the more recent policies have deductible amounts for defense and settlements costs that the Company will be required to pay; accordingly, the Company expects that its litigation costs will increase in the future. Further, many of the policies covering later years (approximately 1984 and thereafter) have exclusions for any asbestos products or operations, and thus do not provide insurance coverage for asbestos-related lawsuits. The Company does not believe that the asserted exhaustion of some of the primary insurance coverage for the 1970-1978 period will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations. Management believes that the number of insurance carriers involved in the defense of the suits, and the significant number of policy years and policy limits under which these insurance carriers are insuring the Company, make the ultimate disposition of these lawsuits not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
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The Company’s former French subsidiary, Selas SAS, filed for insolvency in France. The Company may be subject to additional litigation or liabilities as a result of the French insolvency proceeding.

The Company is also involved in other lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. While it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, management is of the opinion that the disposition of these lawsuits and claims will not materially affect our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

13.         Related-Party Transactions

One of the Company’s subsidiaries leases office and factory space from a partnership consisting of three present or former officers of the subsidiary, including Mark Gorder, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The subsidiary is required to pay all real estate taxes and operating expenses. The total base rent expense, real estate taxes and other charges incurred under the lease were approximately $122 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and approximately $122 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

The Company uses the law firm of Blank Rome LLP for legal services. A partner of that firm is the son-in-law of the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.   For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid that firm approximately $48 for legal services and costs.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company paid that firm approximately $39 for legal services and costs.  The Chairman of our Board of Directors is considered independent under applicable Nasdaq and Securities Exchange Commission rules because (i) no payments were made to the Chairman or the partner directly in exchange for the services provided by the law firm and (ii) the amounts paid to the law firm did not exceed the thresholds contained in the Nasdaq standards. Furthermore, the aforementioned partner does not provide any legal services to the Company and is not involved in billing matters.
 
14.         Statements of Cash Flows

The following table provides supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
             
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2014
 
Interest received
  $ 12     $  
Interest paid
    89       134  
Income taxes paid
    110        
 
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15.         Revenue by Market

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, net revenue by market:
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
2015
   
March 31,
2014
 
Medical
  $ 8,957     $ 9,483  
Hearing Health
    5,564       5,859  
Professional Audio Communications
    2,081       1,968  
Total Revenue
  $ 16,602     $ 17,310  
 
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Business Overview

Headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, IntriCon Corporation (together with its subsidiaries referred to as the “Company”, “IntriCon,” “we”, “us” or “our”) is an international company engaged in designing, developing, engineering and manufacturing body-worn devices. In addition to its operations in Minnesota, the Company has facilities in California, Singapore, Indonesia and Germany.

Information contained in this section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and expressed in U.S. dollars is presented in thousands (000s), except for per share data and as otherwise noted.

On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global strategic restructuring plan designed to accelerate the Company’s future growth by focusing resources on the highest potential growth areas and reduce costs by approximately $3.0 million annually. As part of this plan, the Company reduced investment in certain non-core professional audio communications product lines; transferred specific product lines from Singapore to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facility in Batam, Indonesia; reduced its global administrative and support workforce; transferred the medical coil operations from the Company’s Maine facility to Minnesota to better leverage existing manufacturing capacity, sold its remaining security and certain microphone and receiver businesses effective January 27, 2014; added experienced professionals in value hearing health; and focused more resources in medical biotelemetry. The sale of security, certain microphone and receivers businesses, which closed on January 27, 2014, marked the final milestone in the global strategic restructuring plan. For all periods presented, the Company classified its former security, certain microphone and receiver businesses as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise indicated, the following description of our business refers only to continuing operations.
 
Market Overview

IntriCon serves the body-worn device market by designing, developing, engineering and manufacturing micro-miniature products, microelectronics, micro-mechanical assemblies, complete assemblies and software solutions, primarily for medical bio-telemetry devices, value hearing health devices and professional audio communication devices. Revenue from the medical bio-telemetry and value hearing health markets is reported on the respective medical and hearing health lines in the discussion of our results of operation in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 15 “Revenue by Market” to the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements included herein.

Value Hearing Health Market
The Company believes the value hearing health (VHH) market offers significant growth opportunities. In the United States alone, there are approximately 48 million adults that report some degree of hearing loss. In adults the most common cause of hearing loss is aging and noise. In fact, by the age of 65 year old, one out of three people have hearing loss. The hearing impaired population is expected to grow significantly over the next decade due to an aging population and more frequent exposure to loud sounds that can cause noise-induced hearing loss. It is estimated that hearing aids can help more than 90 percent of people with hearing loss, however the current market penetration into the U.S. hearing impaired population is approximately 20 percent, a percentage that has remained essentially unchanged for the last four decades. We believe the U.S. market penetration is low primarily due to the high costs to purchase a hearing aid, consolidation at the retail level and inconveniences in the distribution channel. These factors have created the opportunity for alternative care models, such as the value hearing aid (VHA) channel and personal sound amplifier (PSAP) channel. The VHA channel is outcome based focused and requires the best device and software technology, to provide the most efficient, lowest cost solution to the consumer.   IntriCon has positioned itself as a leader in these channels through significant, on-going investments in sales and marketing and its research and development. The Company is aggressively pursuing prospective partnerships and customers who can benefit from our value proposition and the VHA and PSAP channels.
 
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In the VHA channel, the Company entered into a manufacturing agreement with hi HealthInnovations, a UnitedHealth Group company, to become their supplier of hearing aids. At the beginning of 2012, hi HealthInnovations launched a suite of high-tech, lower-cost hearing devices for their Medicare and Part D participants and later in the year announced they were increasing this offering to the over 26 million people enrolled in their employer-sponsored and individual health benefit plans. Recently they have expanded their offering to include a hearing aid discount program for health plans. This program is available nationwide to all health insurers, including employer-sponsored, individual and Medicare plans. The insurance model has been successfully demonstrated internationally, where several countries providing a full insurance program are serving 40 to 70 percent of the hearing impaired population. Further, research in the U.S. has shown a fully insured model will encourage an individual to seek treatment at an earlier stage of hearing loss, greatly increasing the market size and penetration. The Company also has various international VHA initiatives. In 2014 the Company entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with PC Werth in the United Kingdom. PC Werth, through its partnership with IntriCon, has been appointed as one of the main suppliers to the National Health Service (NHS) Supply Chain’s National Framework. The NHS, which offers free hearing health care to UK citizens, is the largest purchaser of hearing aids in the world, supplying an estimated 1.2 million hearing aids annually.
 
We also believe there are niches in the conventional hearing health channel that will embrace our VHA proposition. High costs of conventional devices and retail consolidation have constrained the growth potential of the independent audiologist and dispenser. We believe our software and product offering can provide the independent audiologist and dispensers the ability to compete with larger retailers, such as Costco and manufacturer owned retail distributors.
 
In the past few years the PSAP channel, which includes ear worn devices that provide cost effective sound amplification, has begun to emerge.  These sound amplification devices are not regulated by the FDA, as they are hearing aids and make no claims of compensating for hearing loss. They can be purchased “off-the-shelf” and are not fit or prescribed to meet a specific individual’s needs rather, these devices amplify sound and tend to be used in noisy or challenging environments. They have a significantly lower retail price to the consumer than traditional hearing aids. Additionally, the Company believes there is great potential to market its situational listening devices (SLD’s). Similar to the PSAP devices, the Company’s SLD’s are intended to help people hear in noisy environments, like restaurants and automobiles, and listen to television, music, and direct broadcast by wireless connection. Such devices are intended to be supplements to conventional hearing aids, which do not handle those situations well. The product line consists of an earpiece, TV transmitter, companion microphone, iPod/iPhone transmitter, and USB transmitter.
 
We believe IntriCon is very well positioned to serve these VHH market channels. Over the past several years the Company has invested heavily in core technologies, product platforms and its global manufacturing capabilities geared to provide high-tech, lower-cost hearing devices and can help drive efficiencies in the delivery model. Our DSP devices provide better clarity and an improved ability to filter out background noise at attractive pricing points. We believe product platform introductions such as the Audion Amplifiers, APT™ and Lumen™ devices will drive market share gains into all channels of the emerging VHH market.

Medical Bio-Telemetry
In the medical bio-telemetry market, the Company is focused on sales of bio-telemetry devices for life-critical diagnostic monitoring. Using our nanoDSP and BodyNet™ technology platforms, the Company manufactures microelectronics, micro-mechanical assemblies, high-precision injection-molded plastic components and complete bio-telemetry devices for emerging and leading medical device manufacturers. The medical industry is faced with pressures to reduce the cost of healthcare. Driven by core technologies, such as the IntriCon Physiolink™ that wirelessly connects patients and care givers in non-traditional ways, IntriCon helps shift the point of care from expensive traditional settings, such as hospitals, to less expensive non-traditional settings like the home. IntriCon currently serves this market by offering medical manufacturers the capabilities to design, develop and manufacture medical devices that are easier to use, are more miniature, use less power, and are lighter. Increasingly, the medical industry is looking for wireless, low-power capabilities in their devices. We have a strategic relationship with Advanced Medical Electronics Corp. (AME) that allows us to develop new bio-telemetry devices that better connect patients and care givers, providing critical information and feedback. Through the further development of our ULP BodyNet family, we believe the bio-telemetry markets offer significant opportunity.
 
IntriCon currently has a strong presence in both the diabetes and cardiac diagnostic monitoring bio-telemetry markets. For diabetes, IntriCon has partnered with Medtronic to manufacture their wireless continuous glucose monitors, sensors, and related accessories that measure glucose levels and deliver real-time blood glucose trend information. During the 2013 third quarter, Medtronic received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for their MiniMed 530G insulin pump system. To support their MiniMed 530G system launch in the United States, IntriCon built and sold significant inventory from the fourth quarter of 2013 through the first half of 2014.  In addition to the MiniMed 530G system, the products we manufacture also support Medtronic’s international insulin pump system offerings, such as the recently unveiled MiniMed 640G system.  Further, we believe there are opportunities to expand our diabetes product offering with Medtronic as well as move into new markets outside of the diabetes market.
 
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In the cardiac diagnostic monitoring market, we provide solutions for ambulatory cardiac monitoring. Our first two product platforms, Sirona and Centauri, received FDA 510(k) approval in late 2011. The Sirona platform, which incorporates the PhysioLink technology, is essentially two products in one design: it can be used as an event recorder, a holter monitor or both. This platform is very small, rechargeable, and water spray proof. IntriCon is receiving feedback from its customers about the treatment flexibility and economic benefits of remote patient monitoring. The Company has contracts in place with lead customers for the Sirona platform and anticipates expanding that customer base during 2015.
 
IntriCon has a suite of medical coils and micro coils that it offers to various original equipment manufacturing (OEM) customers. These products are currently used in pacemaker programming and interventional catheter positioning applications. As part of the global restructuring initiative, the Company is increasing its investment of resources and capital to help expand our customer base and market share.
 
IntriCon manufactures bubble sensors and flow restrictors that monitor and control the flow of fluid in an intravenous infusion system as well as a family of safety needle products for an OEM customer that utilizes IntriCon’s insert and straight molding capabilities. These products are assembled using full automation, including built-in quality checks within the production lines.
 
Lastly, IntriCon is targeting other emerging biotelemetry and home care markets, such as sleep apnea, that could benefit from its capabilities to develop devices that are more technologically advanced, smaller and lightweight. To do so, IntriCon is focusing more capital and resources in sales and marketing and research and development to expand its reach to other large medical device and health care companies.

Professional Audio Communications
IntriCon entered the high-quality audio communication device market in 2001, and now has a line of miniature, professional audio headset products used by customers focusing on emergency response needs. The line includes several communication devices that are extremely portable and perform well in noisy or hazardous environments. These products are well suited for applications in the fire, law enforcement, safety, aviation and military markets. In addition, the Company has a line of miniature ear- and head-worn devices used by performers and support staff in the music and stage performance markets. We believe performance in difficult listening environments and wireless operations will continue to improve as these products increasingly include our proprietary nanoDSP, wireless nanoLink and PhysioLink technologies.

Core Technologies Overview

Our core technologies expertise is focused on three main markets: medical bio-telemetry, value hearing health and professional audio communications. Over the past several years, the Company has increased investments in the continued development of four critical core technologies: Ultra-Low-Power (ULP) Digital Signal Processing (DSP), ULP Wireless, Microminiaturization, and Miniature Transducers. These four core technologies serve as the foundation of current and future product platform development, designed to meet the rising demand for smaller, portable more advanced devices and the need for greater efficiencies in the delivery models. The continued advancements in this area have allowed the Company to further enhance the mobility and effectiveness of miniature body-worn devices.

ULP DSP
DSP converts real-world analog signals into a digital format. Through our nanoDSP™ technology, IntriCon offers an extensive range of ULP DSP amplifiers for hearing, medical and professional audio applications. Our proprietary nanoDSP incorporates advanced ultra-miniature hardware with sophisticated signal processing algorithms to produce devices that are smaller and more effective.

The Company further expanded its DSP portfolio including improvements to its Reliant CLEAR™ feedback canceller, offering increased added stable gain and faster reaction time. Additionally, newly developed DSP technologies are utilized in our recently unveiled Audion8™, our new eight-channel hearing aid amplifier. The Audion8 is a feature-rich amplifier designed to fit a wide array of applications. In addition to multiple compression channels, the amplifier has a complete set of proven adaptive features which greatly improve the user experience.
 
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ULP Wireless
Wireless connectivity is fast becoming a required technology, and wireless capabilities are especially critical in new body-worn devices. IntriCon’s BodyNet™ ULP technology, including the nanoLink™ and PhysioLink™ wireless systems, offers solutions for transmitting the body’s activities to caregivers, and wireless audio links for professional communications and surveillance products. Potential BodyNet applications include electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnostics and monitoring, diabetes monitoring, sleep apnea studies and audio streaming for hearing devices.

IntriCon is in the final stages of commercializing its PhysioLink wireless technology, which will be incorporated into product platforms serving the medical, hearing health and professional audio communication markets. This system is based on 2.4GHz proprietary digital radio protocol in the industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) frequency band and enables audio and data streaming to ear-worn and body-worn applications over distances of up to five meters.

Microminiaturization
IntriCon excels at miniaturizing body-worn devices. We began honing our microminiaturization skills over 30 years ago, supplying components to the hearing health industry. Our core miniaturization technology allows us to make devices for our markets that are one cubic inch and smaller. We also are specialists in devices that run on very low power, as evidenced by our ULP wireless and DSP. Less power means a smaller battery, which enables us to reduce size even further, and develop devices that fit into the palm of one’s hand.

Miniature Transducers
IntriCon’s advanced transducer technology has been pushing the limits of size and performance for over a decade. Included in our transducer line are our miniature medical coils and micro coils used in pacemaker programming and interventional catheter positioning applications. We believe with the increase of greater interventional care that our coil technology harbors significant value.
 
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

Certain statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are not historical facts, or that include forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “should”, “optimistic” “continue”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “would”, “could”, “guidance”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “project”, “forecast”, “confident”, “projections”, “schedule”, “designed”, “future”, “discussion”, “if” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and the regulations thereunder), which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These statements may include, but are not limited to statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” such as net operating loss carryforwards, the ability to meet cash requirements for operating needs, the ability to meet liquidity needs, assumptions used to calculate future level of funding of employee benefit plans, the adequacy of insurance coverage and the impact of new accounting pronouncements and litigation. Forward-looking statements also include, without limitation, statements as to the Company’s expected future results of operations and growth, the Company’s ability to meet working capital requirements, the Company’s business strategy, the expected increases in operating efficiencies, anticipated trends in the Company’s markets, estimates of goodwill impairments and amortization expense of other intangible assets, the effects of changes in accounting pronouncements, the effects of litigation and the amount of insurance coverage, expected costs and savings from the restructuring, and statements as to trends or the Company’s or management’s beliefs, expectations and opinions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the factors discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, certain risks, uncertainties and other factors can cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following:
 
 
§
our ability to successfully implement our business and growth strategy;
 
§
risks arising in connection with the insolvency of our former subsidiary, Selas SAS, and potential liabilities and actions arising in connection with the insolvency;
 
§
the volume and timing of orders received by the Company, particularly from Medtronic and hi HealthInnovations;
 
§
changes in estimated future cash flows;
 
§
our ability to collect our accounts receivable;
 
§
foreign currency movements in markets that we serve;
 
§
changes in the global economy and financial markets;
 
§
weakening demand for our products due to general economic conditions;
 
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§
changes in the mix of products sold;
 
§
our ability to meet demand;
 
§
changes in customer requirements;
 
§
timing and extent of research and development expenses;
 
§
FDA approval, timely release and acceptance of our products;
 
§
competitive pricing pressures;
 
§
pending and potential future litigation;
 
§
cost and availability of electronic components and commodities for our products;
 
§
our ability to create and market products in a timely manner and develop products that are inexpensive to manufacture;
 
§
our ability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements or to obtain waivers if we do not comply;
 
§
our ability to repay debt when it comes due;
 
§
ability to obtain extensions of our current credit facility or a new credit facility;
 
§
the loss of one or more of our major customers;
 
§
our ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions;
 
§
effects of legislation;
 
§
effects of foreign operations;
 
§
our ability to develop new products;
 
§
our ability to recruit and retain engineering and technical personnel;
 
§
the costs and risks associated with research and development investments;
 
§
the recent recessions in Europe and the debt crisis in certain countries in the European Union;
 
§
our ability and the ability of our customers to protect intellectual property;
 
§
cybersecurity threats;
 
§
loss of members of our senior management team; and
 
§
other risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any prior Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this Report.

For a description of these and other risks, see Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and other risks described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or in other filings the Company makes from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.

Certain accounting estimates and assumptions are particularly sensitive because their significance to the consolidated condensed financial statements and the possibility that future events affecting them may differ markedly. The accounting policies of the Company with significant estimates and assumptions include the Company’s revenue recognition, accounts receivable reserves, inventory valuation, goodwill, long-lived assets, deferred taxes policies and employee benefit obligations. These and other significant accounting policies are described in and incorporated by reference from “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 1 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Results of Operations

Sales, net

Our net sales are comprised of three main markets: medical, hearing health, and professional audio communications.  Below is a summary of our sales by main markets for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
                                 
                Change  
Three Months Ended March 31
 
2015
   
2014
   
Dollars
   
Percent
 
Medical
  $ 8,957     $ 9,483     $ (526 )     -5.5 %
Hearing Health
    5,564       5,859       (295 )     -5.0 %
Professional Audio Communications
    2,081       1,968       113       5.7 %
Consolidated Net Sales
  $ 16,602     $ 17,310     $ (708 )     -4.1 %
 
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For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we experienced a decrease of 5.5% in net sales in the medical market compared to the same period in 2014. To support Medtronic’s MiniMed 530G insulin pump launch in late 2013, IntriCon built and sold significant inventory from the fourth quarter of 2013 through the first half of 2014. While Medtronic volumes were down year-over-year, we experienced significant sequential Medtronic revenue of 29% from the 2014 fourth quarter.  We continue to anticipate sequential Medtronic revenue growth throughout 2015 driven by market share growth for legacy products and the introduction of new products. IntriCon currently serves this market by offering medical manufacturers the capabilities to design, develop and manufacture medical devices that are easier to use, are more miniature, use less power, and are lighter. IntriCon has a strong presence in both the diabetes market, with its Medtronic partnership, and cardiac diagnostic monitoring bio-telemetry market. The Company believes there are growth opportunities in these markets as well other emerging biotelemetry and home care markets, such as sleep apnea, that could benefit from its capabilities to develop devices that are more technologically advanced, smaller and lightweight.

Net sales in our hearing health business for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased 5.0% compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to decreases in the conventional hearing health channel, partially offset by gains in targeted value hearing health initiatives, including value hearing aids, personal sound amplifier products (PSAP) and assistive listening devices. The Company remains very optimistic about the progress that has been made and the long term prospects of the value hearing health market. Market dynamics, such as low penetration rates, an aging population, and the need for reduced cost and convenience, have resulted in the emergence of alternative care models, such the insurance channel and PSAP channel. IntriCon believes it is very well positioned to serve these value hearing health market channels. The Company will be aggressively pursuing larger customers who can benefit from our value proposition.  Over the past several years, the Company has invested heavily in core technologies, product platforms and its global manufacturing capabilities geared to provide high-tech, lower-cost hearing devices.

Net sales to the professional audio device sector increased 5.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.  IntriCon will continue to leverage its core technology in professional audio to support existing customers, as well as pursue related hearing health and medical product opportunities.

Gross profit

Gross profit, both in dollars and as a percent of sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:
                                 
   
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Dollars
 
Percent
of Sales
 
Dollars
 
Percent
of Sales
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Gross Profit
 
$
 4,328
 
26.1
$
 4,773
 
27.6
$
 (445
-9.3

The 2015 gross profit decrease over the comparable prior year period was primarily due to lower overall sales volumes partially offset by a more favorable sales mix.

Sales and Marketing, General and Administrative and Research and Development Expenses

Sales and marketing, general and administrative and research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
                                 
   
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Dollars
 
Percent
of Sales
 
Dollars
 
Percent
of Sales
 
Dollars
 
Percent
 
Sales and Marketing
 
$
 987
 
5.9
$
 1,007
 
5.8
%
$
 (20
-2.0
General and Administrative
   
 1,709
 
10.3
%  
 1,624
 
9.4
 
 85
 
5.2
Research and Development
   
 1,226
 
7.4
%  
 1,168
 
6.7
 
 58
 
5.0
%
 
Sales and marketing remained steady with the prior year. General and administrative expenses were slightly greater than the prior year period primarily due to increased support costs. Research and development increased over the prior year three month period primarily due to increased outside service materials and support costs.

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Restructuring charges

On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global strategic restructuring plan designed to accelerate the Company’s future growth by focusing resources on the highest potential growth areas and reduce costs. The plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on June 12, 2013. As part of this plan, the Company: reduced investment in certain non-core professional audio communications product lines; transferred specific product lines from Singapore to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facility in Batam, Indonesia; reduced global administrative and support workforce; transferred the medical coil operations from the Company’s Maine facility to Minnesota to better leverage existing manufacturing capacity; sold its remaining security, microphone and receiver operations; added experienced professionals in value hearing health; and focused more resources in medical biotelemetry. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred charges of $83, primarily related to employee termination benefits, from the restructuring of its continuing operations. In the future, the Company does not expect to incur any additional cash charges related to this restructuring.

Interest expense

Net interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $103 compared to $138 for the comparable three month period in 2014.  The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to lower average debt balances and interest rates as compared to the prior year.

Other income

Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $136 compared to other income of $60 for the same period in 2014. The change in other income primarily related to a royalty earned in the 2015 first quarter.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $155 compared to $26 for the same period in 2014. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to taxable income generated by foreign operations.

Loss from discontinued operations

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $270 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was due to a discontinued operations loss of $150 and a loss on the sale of discontinued operations of $120.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2015, we had $693 of cash on hand.  Sources of our cash for the three months ended March 31, 2015 have been from our operating and financing activities, as described below.  The Company’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the statement of cash flows, are summarized as follows:
                 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
Cash provided by (used in):
           
Operating activities
  $ 1,171     $ 975  
Investing activities
    (711 )     259  
Financing activities
    101       (908 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (196 )     12  
Increase in cash
  $ 365     $ 338  
 
The most significant items that contributed to the $1,171 of cash provided by operating activities was the net income of $284, add backs for non-cash depreciation and stock compensation, partially offset by increases in accrued expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities of $(711) consisted of purchases of property, plant and equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities of $101 was comprised primarily of proceeds from long-term borrowings partially offset by repayments of borrowings under our credit facilities.

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash fluctuated largely due to the dollar strengthening in comparison to the euro.
 
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The Company had the following bank arrangements:
                 
   
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
Total borrowing capacity under existing facilities
  $ 14,227     $ 10,925  
                 
Facility Borrowings:
               
Domestic revolving credit facility
    1,093       3,843  
Domestic term loan
    5,000       1,750  
Foreign overdraft and letter of credit facility
    915       920  
Total borrowings and commitments
    7,008       6,513  
Remaining availability under existing facilities
  $ 7,219     $ 4,412  

Domestic Credit Facilities
 
The Company and its domestic subsidiaries are parties to a credit facility with The PrivateBank and Trust Company. The credit facility, as amended, provides for:
 
 
§
an $8,000 revolving credit facility, with a $200 sub facility for letters of credit.  Under the revolving credit facility, the availability of funds depends on a borrowing base composed of stated percentages of the Company’s eligible trade receivables and eligible inventory, and eligible equipment less a reserve; and

 
§
a term loan in the original amount of $5,000.
 
In March 2015, the Company and its domestic subsidiaries entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement with The PrivateBank and Trust Company. The amendment, among other things:
 
 
§
increased the Company’s term loan to $5,000 from its then current balance of $1,750, as a result of which the Company borrowed an additional $3,250 under the term loan facility;

 
§
extended the term loan and revolving loan maturity date to February 28, 2019, keeping the existing term loan amortization schedule in place;
 
 
§
increased the annual capital expenditure limit to $4,500;

 
§
implemented investment provisions that allow for up to $4,000 in investment spending prior to requiring bank approval;

 
§
lowered interest rates on the term loan and revolving loan;

Due to the Seventh Amendment as described above, the term loan and the revolving loan maturity date has been extended to February 28, 2019. All of the borrowings under this agreement have been characterized as either a current or long-term liability on our balance sheet in accordance with the repayment terms described more fully below.

Loans under the credit facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries including a pledge of the stock of its domestic subsidiaries. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at varying rates based on the Company’s leverage ratio of funded debt / EBITDA, at the option of the Company, at:

 
§
the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.50% to 4.00%, or

 
§
the base rate, which is the higher of (a) the rate publicly announced from time to time by the lender as its “prime rate” and (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, plus (0.25)% to 1.25%; in each case, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio.

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Interest is payable monthly in arrears, except that interest on LIBOR based loans is payable at the end of the one, two or three month interest periods applicable to LIBOR based loans. IntriCon is also required to pay a non-use fee equal to 0.25% per year of the unused portion of the revolving line of credit facility, payable quarterly in arrears.
 
Weighted average interest on the revolving credit facility was 4.39% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 4.51% for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The outstanding balance of the revolving credit facility was $1,093 and $3,843 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The total availability on the revolving credit facility was approximately $6,341 and $3,456 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
The outstanding principal balance of the term loan, as amended, is payable in quarterly installments of $250. Any remaining principal and accrued interest is payable on February 28, 2019. IntriCon is also required to use 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales (excluding inventory and certain other dispositions), sale of capital securities or issuance of debt to pay down the term loan.

The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the facility as of March 31, 2015.

Foreign Credit Facility
 
In addition to its domestic credit facilities, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IntriCon, PTE LTD., entered into an international senior secured credit agreement with Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd. that provides for an asset based line of credit. Borrowings bear interest at a rate of .75% to 2.5% over the lender’s prevailing prime lending rate.  Weighted average interest on the international credit facilities was 3.38% and 4.50% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively. The outstanding balance was $915 and $920 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The total remaining availability on the international senior secured credit agreement was approximately $878 and $956 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
We believe that funds expected to be generated from operations, the available borrowing capacity through our revolving credit loan facilities and the control of capital spending will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for operating needs and for repayment of maturing debt for at least the next 12 months. If, however, we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, or if we incur additional unanticipated liabilities, we may be required to seek additional financing or sell equity or debt on terms which may not be as favorable as we could have otherwise obtained. No assurance can be given that any refinancing, additional borrowing or sale of equity or debt will be possible when needed or that we will be able to negotiate acceptable terms. In addition, our access to capital is affected by prevailing conditions in the financial and equity capital markets, as well as our own financial condition. Furthermore, if we fail to meet our financial and other covenants under our loan agreements, absent waiver, we will be in default of the loan agreements and our lenders could take action that would adversely affect our business. There can be no assurance that our lenders will provide a waiver of any default in our loan covenants. While management believes that we will be able to meet our liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months, no assurance can be given that we will be able to do so.
 
ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of March 31, 2015 (the “Disclosure Controls Evaluation”). Based on the Disclosure Controls Evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide a reasonable level of assurance that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, all in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).

 
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There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

The information contained in note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements in Part I of this quarterly report is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the foregoing and the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results.  The risk factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have not materially changed.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

ITEM 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  Other Information

None.
 
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ITEM 6.  Exhibits
 
(a)
 
Exhibits
 
+10.1
 
Amendment No. 2 to Equity Plans (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).

10.2
*
Seventh Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among the Company, IntriCon, Inc., IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation and The PrivateBank and Trust Company, dated as of March 31, 2015.

10.3
*
Second Amended and Restated Term Note from the Company, IntriCon, Inc. and IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation to The PrivateBank and Trust Company

+10.4
 
2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 6, 2015).

+10.5
*
Form of Stock Option Agreement issued to employees pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

+10.6
*
Form of Stock Option Agreement issued to directors pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

31.1
*
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2
*
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1
*
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2
*
Certification of principal financial officer to U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101
*
The following materials from IntriCon Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015,  (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014; (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014; (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014;  (iv) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
Filed herewith.
Denotes management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.
     
  INTRICON CORPORATION
(Registrant)
       
Date: May 13, 2015
By:
/s/ Mark S. Gorder  
  Mark S. Gorder  
  President and Chief Executive Officer  
  (principal executive officer)  
       
Date: May 13, 2015
By:
/s/ Scott Longval  
  Scott Longval  
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
  (principal financial officer)  
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
+10.1
Amendment No. 2 to Equity Plans (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).

10.2*
Seventh Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among the Company, IntriCon, Inc., IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation and The PrivateBank and Trust Company, dated as of March 31, 2015 .

10.3*
Second Amended and Restated Term Note from the Company, IntriCon, Inc. and IntriCon Tibbetts Corporation to The PrivateBank and Trust Company

+10.4
2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 6, 2015).

+10.5*
Form of Stock Option Agreement issued to employees pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

+10.6*
Form of Stock Option Agreement issued to directors pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

31.1*
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2*
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*
Certification of principal financial officer to U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*
The following materials from IntriCon Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015, (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014; (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014; (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014;  (iv) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2014; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
Filed herewith.
Denotes management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
29