UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended April 1, 2006 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File No. 0-11201 Merrimac Industries, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) DELAWARE 22-1642321 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.) 41 FAIRFIELD PLACE WEST CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY 07006 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (973) 575-1300 (Registrant's Telephone Number) Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A 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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [x] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X] As of May 12, 2006, there were 3,136,135 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding. MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. 41 Fairfield Place West Caldwell, NJ 07006 INDEX Page PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Quarters Ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 (Unaudited)........................................................ 1 Consolidated Balance Sheets-April 1, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005.................................................. 2 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity as of April 1, 2006 (Unaudited).......................................... 3 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Quarters Ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005 (Unaudited).................. 4 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ......................................... 16 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk......... 28 Item 4. Controls and Procedures ........................................... 28 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings ................................................. 29 Item 1A. Risk Factors ...................................................... 29 Item 6. Exhibits .......................................................... 36 Signatures................................................................... 39 Exhibit Index ............................................................... PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED) Quarters Ended ----------------------------------- April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005 ------------- -------------- OPERATIONS Net sales $ 6,230,703 $ 7,258,335 ----------- ----------- Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 3,829,766 4,223,957 Selling, general and administrative 2,485,894 2,311,398 Research and development 371,948 540,596 ----------- ----------- 6,687,608 7,075,951 Operating income (loss) (456,905) 182,384 Interest and other expense, net (18,704) (52,934) Loss on disposition of capital assets -- (35,868) ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes (475,609) 93,582 (Benefit) provision for income taxes (35,000) 10,000 ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) $ (440,609) $ 83,582 =========== =========== Net income (loss) per common share-basic $ (.14) $ .03 =========== =========== Net income (loss) per common share-diluted $ (.14) $ .03 =========== =========== Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic 3,149,164 3,137,784 =========== =========== Diluted 3,149,164 3,174,520 =========== =========== COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Net income (loss) $ (440,609) $ 83,582 Comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation adjustment (8,709) (58,694) ----------- ----------- Comprehensive income (loss) $ (449,318) $ 24,888 =========== =========== See accompanying notes. 1 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS April 1, 2006 December 31, 2005 ------------- ----------------- (UNAUDITED) (AUDITED) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,302,525 $ 4,081,330 Restricted cash 1,500,000 -- Accounts receivable, net 5,405,000 5,309,786 Income tax refunds receivable 418,700 418,420 Inventories, net 4,223,659 3,709,567 Other current assets 653,539 692,832 Deferred tax assets 140,000 140,000 ----------- ----------- Total current assets: 15,643,423 14,351,935 ----------- ----------- Property, plant and equipment 39,330,224 38,708,486 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 25,395,853 24,735,905 ----------- ----------- Property, plant and equipment, net 13,934,371 13,972,581 Restricted cash -- 1,500,000 Other assets 634,537 614,553 Deferred tax assets 481,000 482,000 Goodwill 3,497,146 3,501,193 ----------- ----------- Total Assets: $34,190,477 $34,422,262 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 2,608,110 $ 907,895 Accounts payable 1,118,158 1,161,199 Accrued liabilities 1,659,249 1,545,407 Customer deposits 974,080 863,582 Deferred income taxes 20,000 20,000 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities: 6,379,597 4,498,083 Long-term debt, net of current portion 298,343 2,071,299 Deferred compensation 16,657 19,692 Deferred liabilities -- 2,720 Deferred tax liabilities 140,000 140,000 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities. 6,834,597 6,731,794 ----------- ----------- Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share: Authorized: 1,000,000 shares No shares issued Common stock, par value $.01 per share: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 3,238,862 and 3,228,715 shares issued; and 3,156,762 and 3,146,615 shares outstanding, respectively 32,389 32,287 Additional paid-in capital 18,937,981 18,823,353 Retained earnings 8,000,669 8,441,278 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,358,707 1,367,416 ----------- ----------- 28,329,746 28,664,334 Less treasury stock, at cost - 82,100 shares (573,866) (573,866) Less loan to officer-stockholder (400,000) (400,000) ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' equity 27,355,880 27,690,468 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $34,190,477 $34,422,262 =========== =========== See accompanying notes. 2 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY QUARTER ENDED APRIL 1, 2006 (UNAUDITED) Accumulated Additional Other Common Stock Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Shares Amount Capital(A) Earnings Income ------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, December 31, 2005.. 3,228,715 $32,287 $18,823,353 $8,441,278 $1,367,416 Net loss.................... (440,609) Share-based compensation.... 43,667 Stock Purchase Plan sales... 8,347 84 58,629 Exercise of stock options... 1,800 18 12,332 Foreign currency translation (8,709) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, April 1, 2006...... 3,238,862 $32,389 $18,937,981 $8,000,669 $1,358,707 ================================================================== Loan to Treasury Stock Officer- Shares Amount Stockholder Total ------------------------------------------------- Balance, December 31, 2005.. 82,100 $(573,866) $(400,000) $27,690,468 Net loss.................... (440,609) Share-based compensation.... 43,667 Stock Purchase Plan sales... 58,713 Exercise of stock options... 12,350 Foreign currency translation (8,709) ------------------------------------------------- Balance, April 1, 2006...... 82,100 $(573,866) $(400,000) $27,355,880 ================================================= (A) Tax benefits associated with the exercise of employee stock options are recorded to additional paid-in capital when such benefits are realized. See accompanying notes. 3 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) Quarters Ended ---------------------------- April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005 ------------- ------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $ (440,609) $ 83,582 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 662,728 764,495 Amortization of deferred financing costs 12,480 12,480 Share-based compensation 43,667 -- Loss on disposition of assets -- 35,868 Deferred and other compensation 860 1,437 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (82,955) 251,702 Income tax refunds receivable (485) 3,758 Inventories (514,563) (363,269) Other current assets 39,303 (86,327) Other assets (10,752) 29,559 Accounts payable (133,809) (20,232) Accrued liabilities 99,578 (325,213) Customer deposits 110,498 (43,688) Income taxes payable -- 7,657 Deferred compensation (3,895) (10,904) Other liabilities (2,720) (7,813) ---------- ---------- Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (220,674) 333,092 ---------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of capital assets (552,338) (244,963) ---------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (552,338) (244,963) ---------- ---------- Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of borrowings (232,902) (389,111) Borrowings under revolving credit facility -- 161,017 Borrowings from revolving lease line 159,988 230,753 Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 12,350 20,000 Proceeds from Stock Purchase Plan sales 58,713 11,749 ---------- ---------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (1,851) 34,408 ---------- ---------- Effect of exchange rate changes (3,942) 5,282 ---------- ---------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (778,805) 127,819 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 4,081,330 2,166,481 ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $3,302,525 $2,294,300 ========== ========== Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for: Income taxes $ -- $ 120,000 ========== ========== Interest on credit facilities $ 67,507 $ 69,133 ========== ========== Non-cash activities: Unpaid purchases of capital assets $ 150,000 $ -- ========== ========== Uncollected proceeds from disposition of capital assets $ -- $ 295,000 ========== ========== See accompanying notes. 4 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnote disclosures otherwise required by generally accepted accounting principles for a full fiscal year. The financial statements do, however, reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of April 1, 2006 and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results of operations of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. 2. CONTRACT REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104. Contract revenue and related costs on fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts that require customization of products to customer specifications are recorded when title transfers to the customer, which is generally on the date of shipment. Prior to shipment, manufacturing costs incurred on such contracts are recorded as work-in-process inventory. Anticipated losses on contracts are charged to operations when identified. Revenue related to non-recurring engineering charges is generally recognized upon shipment of the related initial units produced or based upon contractually established stages of completion. The cost rates utilized for cost-reimbursement contracts are subject to review by third parties and can be revised, which can result in additions to or reductions from revenue. Revisions which result in reductions to revenue are recognized in the period that the rates are reviewed and finalized; additions to revenue are recognized in the period that the rates are reviewed, finalized, accepted by the customer, and collectability from the customer is assured. The Company submits financial information regarding the cost rates on cost-reimbursement contracts for each fiscal year in which the Company performed work on cost-reimbursement contracts. The Company does not record any estimates on a regular basis for potential revenue adjustments, as there currently is no reasonable basis on which to estimate such adjustments given the Company's very limited experience with these contracts. No revenue was recognized related to cost-reimbursement contracts during the first quarter of 2006 or 2005, respectively. 3. ACCOUNTING PERIOD The Company's fiscal year is the 52-53 week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. The Company has quarterly dates that correspond with the Saturday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter and each quarter consists of 13 weeks in a 52-week year. Periodically, the additional week to make a 53-week year (fiscal year 2003 was the last and fiscal year 2008 will be the next) is added to the fourth quarter, making such quarter consist of 14 weeks. 4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive income at April 1, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was attributable solely to the effects of foreign currency translation. 5. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In November 2004, SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs (An amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4)," was issued. SFAS No. 151 amends Accounting Research Bulletin ("ARB") No. 43, Chapter 4, to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company adopted SFAS No. 151 on January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 did not have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations. 5 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The FASB has issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-1, "Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Act") was signed into law by the President. This Act includes tax relief for domestic manufacturers by providing a tax deduction for up to 9 percent (when fully phased in) of the lesser of (a) "qualified production activities income," or (b) taxable income (after the deduction for the utilization of any net operating loss carryforwards). As a result of this Act, an issue has arisen as to whether this deduction should be accounted for as a special deduction or a tax rate reduction under SFAS No. 109. The FASB staff believes that the domestic manufacturing deduction is based on the future performance of specific activities, including the level of wages. Accordingly, the FASB staff believes that the deduction provided for under the Act should be accounted for as a special deduction in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and not as a tax rate reduction. The Company will be utilizing its net operating loss carryforwards to offset domestic taxable income, thus the Company does not anticipate this provision will have an impact on its financial position and results of operations in 2006. In May 2005, SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3," was issued. This statement provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. This standard applies to voluntary changes in existing accounting principles and to new accounting standards that do not specify the transition requirements upon adoption of those standards. Except for changes in depreciation methods, this standard will require retrospective application of the new accounting principle to previous periods reported rather than presenting the cumulative effect of the change as of the beginning of the period of the change. Changes in depreciation methods will be applied on a prospective basis, meaning the effects of the change will be reflected only in current and future periods. Corrections of errors will be reported by restating previously issued financial statements. The Company adopted SFAS No. 154 as of the beginning of the 2006 fiscal year. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. On November 10, 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 123(R)-3 ("FSP 123R-3"), "Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-based Payment Awards," that provides an elective alternative transition method of calculating the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R (the "APIC Pool") to the method otherwise required by paragraph 81 of SFAS 123R. The Company may take up to one year from the effective date of this FSP to evaluate its available alternatives and make its one-time election. The Company is currently evaluating the alternative methods; however, neither alternative would have an impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition for the quarter ended April 1, 2006, due to the fact that the Company is currently using prior period net operating losses and has not realized any tax benefits under SFAS 123R. 6. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION On January 1, 2006, the start of the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS No. 123R") which requires that the costs resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements at their fair values. The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective application method under which the provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the adoption date. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of the awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered that are outstanding as of the adoption date is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the remaining service period after the adoption date based on the award's original estimate of fair value. Results for prior periods have not been restated. Total share-based compensation expense recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 is $44,000. The impact on both basic and diluted net income per common share for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 was $.01 per share. For the quarter ended April 1, 2006, share-based compensation expense related to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the various stock option plans was allocated as follows: Cost of sales ................................................ $ 11,000 Selling, general and administrative .......................... 33,000 -------- Total share-based compensation ............................... $ 44,000 ======== 6 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company's share-based compensation expense was accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and related interpretations. For the quarter ended April 2, 2005, no share-based compensation expense is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the Company's stock option plans had an exercise price equal to the underlying common stock price on the date of the grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per common share for the quarter ended April 2, 2005, as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions for share-based employee compensation of SFAS 123R: Quarter Ended ------------- April 2, 2005 Net income - as reported $ 83,582 Plus: stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income -- Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined using the fair value method (33,000) ------------- Net income - pro forma $ 50,582 ============= Basic net income per share: As reported $ .03 Pro forma $ .02 Diluted net income per share: As reported $ .03 Pro forma $ .02 The fair value of each of the options granted in 2005 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following weighted average assumptions were utilized: 2005 ----- Expected option life (years) 1.0 Expected volatility 25.00% Risk-free interest rate 3.50% Expected dividend yield 0.00% The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options and subscription rights have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options and subscription rights. Stock Option and Employee Stock Purchase Plans: At April 1, 2006, the Company maintains share-based compensation arrangements under the following plans: (i) 1993 Stock Option Plan; (ii) 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan; and (iii) 2001 Stock Option Plan. In addition, non-qualified options for the purchase of a total of 33,000 shares remained outstanding and exercisable at $10.00 per share expiring September 1, 2006, as a result of grants by the Board of Directors in 1996 to non-employee directors at fair market value on the date of grant. At April 1, 2006 there were 416,684 options outstanding under these plans of which 407,084 were exercisable. 19,700 options were available for future grant under the 2001 Stock Option Plan. No options were available for future grant under the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan. 7 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A summary of all stock option activity and information related to all options outstanding follows: Weighted average Shares exercise or price price per share ------------------- Outstanding at January 1, 2005 ..................... $ 9.81 431,766 Granted ............................................ 9.00 42,600 Exercised .......................................... 4.16 (5,300) Cancelled .......................................... 9.49 (38,197) ------------------- Outstanding at December 31, 2005 ................... 9.83 430,869 Granted ............................................ -- -- Exercised .......................................... 6.86 (1,800) Cancelled .......................................... 10.25 (12,385) ------------------- Outstanding at April 1, 2006 ....................... 9.83 416,684 ------------------- Option price range at end of period $3.10-$17.00 ------------------- The following table sets forth information as of April 1, 2006 regarding weighted average exercise prices, weighted average remaining contractual lives and remaining outstanding options under the various stock option plans sorted by range of exercise price: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- Weighted Weighted Average Weighted Options Number Average Remaining Number Average Price Range Outstanding Exercise Price Contractual Life Exercisable Exercise Price ----------- ----------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------------- $3.10-$7.00 91,300 $ 6.01 4.5 years 91,300 $ 6.01 $7.01-$10.00 154,294 $ 9.25 5.2 years 147,444 $ 9.26 $10.01-$13.00 91,790 $11.03 1.6 years 91,790 $11.03 $13.01-$17.00 79,300 $13.95 3.9 years 76,550 $13.96 In 2001, the Company's stockholders approved a stock purchase plan pursuant to which 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock were initially reserved for sale to eligible employees. Under this plan, the Company may grant employees the right to subscribe to purchase shares of common stock from the Company at 85% of the market value on specified dates and pay for the shares through payroll deductions over a period of up to 27 months. A summary of stock purchase plan subscription activity follows: Weighted average Shares exercise or price price per share ------------------- Subscribed at January 1, 2005 ....................... $ 5.36 33,176 Subscribed .......................................... 7.48 22,694 Purchased ........................................... 5.36 (8,345) Cancelled ........................................... 6.80 (3,478) ------------------- Subscribed December 31, 2005 ........................ $ 6.34 44,047 ------------------- Subscribed .......................................... -- -- Purchased ........................................... 7.03 (8,347) Cancelled ........................................... 5.36 (682) ------------------- Subscribed April 1, 2006 ............................ $ 6.19 35,018 ------------------- Subscription price range end of year .................................. $5.36 - $7.48 ------------------- 8 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS New Share-Based Compensation Plans: On April 26, 2006, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, three new share-based compensation programs as follows: (i) 2006 Stock Option Plan; (ii) 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan; and (iii) 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan. The 2006 Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock to employees, directors and consultants of the Company. Under the 2006 Stock Option Plan, the Company may grant to eligible individuals incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code"), and/or non-qualified stock options. The purposes of the 2006 Stock Option Plan are to attract, retain and motivate employees, compensate consultants, and to enable employees, consultants and directors, including non-employee directors, to participate in the long-term growth of the Company by providing for or increasing the proprietary interests of such persons in the Company, thereby assisting the Company to achieve its long-range goals. The 2006 Stock Option Plan is intended to replace the 2001 Stock Option Plan, which will be terminated if the 2006 Stock Option Plan is approved by stockholders. The 2006 Stock Option Plan may be terminated, amended, altered, or discontinued at any time by the Board, but no amendment may impair the rights of a participant without the participant's consent, subject to the terms of the 2006 Stock Option Plan. In addition, the 2006 Stock Option Plan may not be amended without the approval of the Company's stockholders to the extent such approval is required by law or listing requirement on which the Company's equity securities are publicly traded. Options may not be granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan after March 28, 2016, or earlier as the Compensation Committee may determine. The 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan replaces the 2001 Key Employee Incentive Plan, which terminated on April 20, 2006. The purpose of the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan is to give the Company a competitive advantage in retaining and motivating key officers and employees and to provide the Company and its subsidiaries with a stock plan providing incentives linked to increases in stockholder value. The 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan is substantially similar to the 2001 Key Employee Incentive Plan. The changes primarily relate to updating for changes in applicable tax law and to raise the target market capitalization levels to be achieved by the Company in order for the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan participants to receive the benefits of the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan. The number of Restricted Shares issued under the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan will depend on whether the Company achieves certain target market capitalizations during the five-year period beginning on March 29, 2006 (the "Effective Date"). If the Company attains or achieves an average market capitalization equal to or greater than $58,000,000 during any six-month period during the five-year period beginning on the Effective Date (the "$58,000,000 Market Capitalization"), then each participant who shall still be in the employ of the Company on the last day of such six-month period will be issued the number of Restricted Shares determined by multiplying (a) his or her Award Percentage, (b) 5% and (c) the average market capitalization during such six-month period and dividing the product by the average fair market value of the Common Stock during such six-month period. If the Company attains or achieves an average market capitalization equal to or greater than $93,000,000 over the course of any six-month period during the five-year period beginning on the Effective Date (the "$93,000,000 Market Capitalization"), then each participant who shall still be in the employ of the Company on the last day of such six-month period will be awarded the number of Restricted Shares determined by multiplying (a) his or her Award Percentage, (b) 5% and (c) the average market capitalization during such six-month period and dividing the product by the average fair market value of the Common Stock during such six-month period. Such six-month periods may be, in whole or in part, coterminous with, the six-month period in which the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization is achieved. In no event can Restricted Shares be issued upon attainment of either the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization or the $93,000,000 Market Capitalization more than once during the five-year term of the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan. In the event of a Change in Control prior to the achievement of the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization, the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization will be deemed to be achieved if the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis) on the date of the Change in Control multiplied by the fair market value determined as of the date of the Change of Control is equal to or greater than $58,000,000, and in the event it is achieved, each participant will be granted the number of Restricted Shares determined by multiplying (i) such participant's Award Percentage, (ii) 5% and (iii) the Change in Control Market Capitalization 9 and dividing the product by the Change in Control Price. Similarly, the $93,000,000 Market Capitalization will be deemed to be achieved if such number of shares on the date of the Change of Control multiplied by the fair market value as of the date of the Change of Control is equal to or greater than $93,000,000, and in the event it is achieved, each participant will be granted the number of Restricted Shares determined by multiplying (i) such participant's Award Percentage, (ii) (A) if the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization shall have previously been achieved, 5% or (B) if the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization shall not have previously been achieved, 10% and (iii) the Change in Control Market Capitalization and dividing the product by the Change in Control Price. The maximum value of an award of Restricted Shares which may be issued to any participant upon achievement (or deemed achievement) of the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization is $1,500,000 (based on the fair market value on the date of issuance of such shares). The maximum value of an award of Restricted Shares which may be issued to any participant upon achievement (or deemed achievement) of the $93,000,000 Market Capitalization is $3,500,000 (based on the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of issuance of the Restricted Shares). In the event a Change in Control shall occur which results in a change of control market capitalization equal to or greater than $93,000,000 prior to achievement of the $58,000,000 Market Capitalization, the maximum award would be $5,000,000. The 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan will terminate at the end of ten years after its Effective Date; provided that the Restricted Shares outstanding as of such date will not be affected or impaired by the termination of the 2006 Key Employee Incentive Plan. The 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan is a new plan that authorizes the grant of an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Common Stock to the non-employee directors of the Company. If the plan is approved by the stockholders, each non-employee director will receive 1,500 shares of restricted stock in 2006, or such other amount as the Board of Directors may decide from year to year in the future following the Company's Annual Meeting of stockholders. The purpose of the 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan is to attract, retain and motivate the most capable non-employee directors, to align the interests of the Company's non-employee directors and stockholders, to compensate the non-employee directors in line with the Company's competitors, and to generally increase the effectiveness of the Company's non-employee director compensation structure, thereby assisting the Company to achieve its long-range goals. The 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan may be terminated, amended, altered, or discontinued at any time by the Board, but no amendment may impair the rights of a participant without the participant's consent, subject to the terms of the 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan. In addition, the 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan may not be amended without the approval of the Company's stockholders to the extent such approval is required by law or listing requirement on which the Company's equity securities are publicly traded. Awards may not be granted under the 2006 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan after December 31, 2015, or earlier as the Board may determine. 7. GOODWILL The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended April 1, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as follows: 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- Original balance $ 3,179,341 $ 3,179,341 Accumulated amortization through 2001 (434,603) (434,603) Accumulated foreign currency adjustment through prior year 756,455 633,175 Foreign currency adjustment, current year (4,047) 123,280 ----------- ----------- Balance, end of period $ 3,497,146 $ 3,501,193 =========== =========== 10 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: April 1, December 31, 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- Finished goods $ 650,181 $ 365,346 Work in process 1,984,185 1,675,747 Raw materials and purchased parts 1,589,293 1,668,474 ----------- ----------- Total $ 4,223,659 $ 3,709,567 =========== ============ Total inventories are net of valuation allowances for obsolescence and cost overruns of $1,114,000 at April 1, 2006 and $1,084,000 at December 31, 2005. 9. CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT The Company was obligated under the following debt instruments at April 1, 2006 and December 31, 2005: April 1, December 31, 2006 2005 ----------- ------------ The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. (A): Revolving line of credit, interest 1/2% above prime -- -- Term loan A, due October 8, 2008, variable interest above LIBOR or prime $ 650,000 $ 725,000 Term loan B, due October 8, 2010, variable interest above LIBOR or prime 1,767,860 1,866,074 The Bank of Nova Scotia (B): Capital leases, interest 7.3%, due April 2006 59,808 74,025 Capital leases, interest 5.85%, due May 2006 14,783 36,725 Capital leases, interest 7.9%, due June 2006 55,997 67,469 Capital leases, interest 5.8%, due January 2010 200,688 209,901 Capital leases, interest 6.6%, due March 2011 157,317 -- ----------- ------------ 2,906,453 2,979,194 Less current portion 2,608,110 907,895 ----------- ------------ Long-term portion $ 298,343 $ 2,071,299 =========== ============ The financing agreement with CIT consists of a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit, that is temporarily reduced by $250,000 until certain conditions are met; a $1,500,000 machinery and equipment term loan ("Term Loan A") and a $2,750,000 real estate term loan ("Term Loan B"). In connection with this financing agreement, the Company was required to place, over the life of the loan, $1,500,000 as restricted cash collateral with CIT. The revolving line of credit, which expires October 8, 2006, is subject to an availability limit under a borrowing base calculation (85% of eligible accounts receivable as defined in the financing agreement plus 100% of the $1,500,000 restricted cash). At April 1, 2006, the Company had available borrowing capacity under its revolving line of credit of $2,800,000. The revolving line of credit bears interest at the prime rate plus 1/2 percent (currently 8.50%). The principal amount of Term Loan A is payable in 60 equal monthly installments of $25,000 and bears interest at the prime rate plus one percent (currently 9.00%). The principal amount of Term Loan B is payable in 84 equal monthly installments of $32,738 and bears interest at the prime rate plus one percent (currently 9.00%). As of April 1, 2006, the Company, under the terms of its agreement with CIT, had elected to convert $650,000 of Term Loan A and $1,750,000 of Term Loan B from their prime rate base to LIBOR-based interest rate loans. The current LIBOR interest rate options were renewed on October 11, 2005 for six months at an interest rate of 7.54% and expired April 12, 2006. The new LIBOR interest rate options were renewed for six months at 8.4543% and will expire October 13, 2006. The revolving line of credit and the term loans are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets located within the United States and the pledge of 65% of the stock of the Company's subsidiaries located in Costa Rica and Canada. 11 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The provisions of the financing agreement require the Company to maintain certain financial and other covenants. At April 1, 2006 the Company was not in compliance with one of these covenants. Due to the convenant violation, the Company has classified the amounts owed under the financing agreement with CIT as current liabilities at April 1, 2006. FMI has a revolving credit agreement in place with The Bank of Nova Scotia for up to $500,000 (Canadian) at the prime rate plus 3/4%. No borrowings were outstanding under this agreement at April 1, 2006. FMI has a $1,800,000 (Canadian) revolving lease line with the Bank of Nova Scotia, whereby the Company can obtain funding for previous production equipment purchases via a sale/leaseback transaction. As of April 1, 2006, $570,000 (Canadian) has been utilized under this facility. Such leases are payable in monthly installments for up to five years and are secured by the related production equipment. Interest rates (typically prime rate plus one percent) are set at the closing of each respective sale/leaseback transaction. During the first quarter of 2006, FMI obtained $160,000 (US) in connection with the sale/leaseback of certain production equipment. The related equipment was originally purchased by the Company in 2005. Capital leases included in property, plant and equipment, net, have a depreciated cost of approximately $806,000 at April 1, 2006 and $678,000 at December 31, 2005. 10. INCOME TAXES The current foreign tax benefit for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 represents refundable Canadian provincial tax credits for which FMI, as a technology company, has qualified. The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter ended April 2, 2005 reflects U.S. Federal Alternative Minimum Tax and state income taxes that are due based on certain statutory limitations on the use of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards. The Company currently has significant deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, which should reduce taxable income in future periods. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company's 2002 and 2003 net losses weighed heavily in the Company's overall assessment. As a result of the assessment, the Company established a full valuation allowance for its remaining net domestic deferred tax assets at December 28, 2002. This assessment continued unchanged in 2003, 2004, 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. In 2005 the Company added a valuation allowance for certain Canadian deferred tax assets of $270,000, because it believed that the probability of realization of such assets was uncertain. Management believes that a valuation allowance is not required for the remainder of FMI's recorded deferred tax assets as they are more likely than not to be realized. Internal Revenue Service Code Section 382 places a limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards when an ownership change, as defined in the tax law, occurs. Generally, an ownership change occurs when there is a greater than 50 percent change in ownership. If such a change should occur, the actual utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, for tax purposes, would be limited annually to a percentage of the fair market value of the Company at the time of such change. The Company may become subject to these limitations in 2006 depending on change in ownership. 11. BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA The Company's operations are conducted primarily through two business segments: (1) electronic components and subsystems and (2) microwave micro-circuitry. These segments, and the principal operations of each, are as follows: 12 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Electronic components and subsystems: Design, manufacture and sale of electronic component devices offering extremely broad frequency coverage and high performance characteristics for communications, defense and aerospace applications. Of the identifiable assets, 83% are located in the United States and 17% are located in Costa Rica. Included in such segment are the Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology net assets. Microwave micro-circuitry: Design, manufacture and sale of microstrip, bonded stripline and thick metal-backed Teflon(R) (PTFE) and mixed dielectric multilayer circuits for communications, defense and aerospace applications. All of the identifiable assets are located in Canada. Information about the Company's operations in different areas of its business follows. Operating income (loss) is net sales less operating expenses. Operating expenses exclude interest expense, other income and income taxes. Corporate assets consist principally of cash and corporate expenses are immaterial. Intersegment sales and the resulting intersegment assets are principally due to intercompany sales from the microwave micro-circuitry segment to the electronic components and subsystems segment. Quarters Ended -------------------------- April 1, April 2, 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- (In thousands of dollars) Industry segments: Sales to unaffiliated customers: Electronic components and subsystems $ 4,682 $ 5,637 Microwave micro-circuitry 1,646 1,635 Intersegment sales (97) (14) ----------- ----------- Consolidated $ 6,231 $ 7,258 =========== =========== Income (loss) before income taxes: Operating income (loss): Electronic components and subsystems $ (627) $ 187 Microwave micro-circuitry 170 (5) Interest and other expense, net (19) (52) Loss on disposition of assets -- (36) ----------- ----------- Consolidated $ (476) $ 94 =========== =========== Depreciation and amortization: Electronic components and subsystems $ 594 $ 696 Microwave micro-circuitry 69 69 ----------- ----------- Consolidated $ 663 $ 765 =========== =========== Capital expenditures: Electronic components and subsystems $ 538 $ 233 Microwave micro-circuitry 14 12 ----------- ----------- Consolidated $ 552 $ 245 =========== =========== Identifiable assets: Electronic components and subsystems $ 24,095 $ 25,181 Microwave micro-circuitry 6,821 6,779 Corporate 3,303 2,294 Intersegment (29) (21) ----------- ----------- Consolidated $ 34,190 $ 34,233 =========== =========== 12. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. 13 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share is similar to that of basic net income (loss) per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, principally those issuable under stock options and warrants, were issued during the reporting period to the extent they are not anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: Quarters Ended -------------------------- April 1, April 2, 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (440,609) $ 83,582 =========== =========== Basic net income (loss) per share Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic net income per share - Common stock 3,149,164 3,137,784 Net income (loss) per share - basic $ (.14) $ .03 =========== =========== Diluted net income (loss) per share Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic net income per share - Common stock 3,149,164 3,137,784 Effect of dilutive securities - stock options (1) -- 36,736 ----------- ----------- Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic Diluted net income (loss) per share 3,149,164 3,174,520 =========== =========== Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ (.14) $ .03 =========== =========== (1) Represents additional shares resulting from assumed conversion of stock options less shares purchased with the proceeds therefrom. Because of the net loss for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 approximately 417,000 shares underlying stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. Diluted net income per share excludes 253,000 shares underlying stock options for the quarter ended April 2, 2005 as the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market value of the common shares, resulting in an anti-dilutive effect on net income per share. 13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In May 1998, the Company sold 22,000 shares of Common Stock to Mason N. Carter, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, at a price of $11.60 per share, which approximated the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock during the first quarter of 1998. The Company lent Mr. Carter $255,000 in connection with the purchase of these shares and combined that loan with a prior loan to Mr. Carter in the amount of $105,000. The resulting total principal amount of $360,000 was payable May 4, 2003 and bore interest at a variable interest rate based on the prime rate. This loan was further amended on July 29, 2002. Accrued interest of $40,000 was added to the principal, bringing the new principal amount of the loan to $400,000, the due date was extended to May 4, 2006, and interest (at the same rate as was previously applicable) is now payable monthly. Mr. Carter pledged 33,000 shares of Common Stock as security for this loan, which is a full-recourse loan. On August 31, 2000, in connection with an amendment of Mr. Carter's employment agreement, the Company loaned Mr. Carter an additional $280,000. Interest on the loan varies and is based on the prime rate, payable in accordance with Mr. Carter's employment agreement. Each year the Company is required to forgive 20% of the amount due under this loan and the accrued interest thereon. During 2005, the Company forgave $56,000 of principal and $3,000 of accrued interest and paid a tax gross-up benefit of $4,300. This loan was fully satisfied in 2005. 14 MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On March 29, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Carter to purchase 42,105 shares of the Company's common stock owned by Mr. Carter at a purchase price of $9.50 per share (the closing price of the common stock on March 29, 2006) resulting in a total purchase price for the shares of $399,998. As a condition to the Company's obligation to purchase the shares, concurrent with the Company's payment of the purchase price Mr. Carter will pay to the Company $400,000 (plus any accrued and unpaid interest) in full satisfaction of Mr. Carter's promissory note in favor of the Company dated July 29, 2002. This transaction was closed on April 24, 2006. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company's outside general counsel Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP was paid $93,000 for providing legal services to the Company. During the first quarter of 2005, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP was paid $100,000. A director of the Company is counsel to Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP but does not share in the fees that the Company pays to such law firm and his compensation is not based on such fees. During 2006 and 2005 the Company retained Career Consultants, Inc. and SK Associates to perform executive searches and to provide other services to the Company. The Company paid an aggregate of $2,000 to these companies during the first quarter of 2006 and $2,000 to these companies during the first quarter of 2005. A director of the Company is the chairman and chief executive officer of these companies. During the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, a director of the Company was paid $9,000 for providing technology-related consulting services to the Company. During the first quarter of 2006, DuPont Electronic Technologies ("DuPont"), a stockholder and the employer of a director, was paid $15,000 for providing technological and marketing-related personnel and services on a cost-sharing basis to the Company under the Technology Agreement dated February 28, 2002. During the first quarter of 2005, DuPont was paid $17,000. A director of the Company is an officer of DuPont, but does not share in any of these payments. Each director who is not an employee of the Company receives a monthly director's fee of $1,500, plus an additional $500 for each meeting of the Board and of any Committees of the Board attended. In addition, the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $2,500 for his services in such capacity. The directors are also reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending Board and Committee meetings. In addition, pursuant to the 2001 Stock Option Plan, each non-employee director is granted an immediately exercisable option to purchase 2,500 shares of the Common Stock of the Company on the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each such grant has an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of such grant and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of the grant. On December 13, 2004 Infineon Technologies AG ("Infineon"), at such time the beneficial owner of approximately 15% of the Company's common stock, sold 475,000 shares of the Company's common stock to four purchasers in a privately-negotiated transaction. Two purchasers in such transaction, K Holdings LLC and Hampshire Investments, Limited, each of which is affiliated with Ludwig G. Kuttner, purchased shares representing an aggregate of approximately 9.6% of the Company's common stock. Mr. Kuttner is a nominee for election to the Company's Board of Directors at its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Infineon also assigned to each purchaser certain registration rights to such shares under the existing registration rights agreements Infineon had with the Company. In connection with the transaction, the Company and Infineon terminated the Stock Purchase and Exclusivity Letter Agreement dated April 7, 2000, as amended, which provided that the Company would design, develop and produce exclusively for Infineon certain Multi-Mix(R) products that incorporate active RF power transistors for use in certain wireless base station applications, television transmitters and certain other applications that are intended for Bluetooth transceivers. DuPont and the four purchasers above hold registration rights which currently give them the right to register an aggregate of 1,003,413 shares of Common Stock of the Company. 15 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements relating to future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with demand for and market acceptance of existing and newly developed products as to which the Company has made significant investments, particularly its Multi-Mix(R) products; the possibilities of impairment charges to the carrying value of our Multi-Mix(R) assets, thereby resulting in charges to our earnings; slower than anticipated penetration into the satellite communications, defense and wireless markets; failure of our Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, customers to successfully incorporate our products into their systems; changes in product mix resulting in unexpected engineering and research and development costs; delays and increased costs in product development, engineering and production; reliance on a small number of significant customers; the emergence of new or stronger competitors as a result of consolidation movements in the market; the timing and market acceptance of our or our OEM customers' new or enhanced products; general economic and industry conditions; the risk that the benefits expected from the Company's acquisition of Filtran Microcircuits Inc. are not realized; the ability to protect proprietary information and technology; competitive products and pricing pressures; our ability and the ability of our OEM customers to keep pace with the rapid technological changes and short product life cycles in our industry and gain market acceptance for new products and technologies; foreign currency fluctuations between the U.S. and Canadian dollars; risks relating to governmental regulatory actions in communications and defense programs; and inventory risks due to technological innovation and product obsolescence, as well as other risks and uncertainties as are detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. OVERVIEW Merrimac Industries, Inc. ("Merrimac" or the "Company") is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of electronic component devices offering extremely broad frequency coverage and high performance characteristics, and microstrip, bonded stripline and thick metal-backed Teflon(R) (PTFE) and mixed dielectric multilayer circuits for communications, defense and aerospace applications. The Company's operations are conducted primarily through two business segments: (1) electronic components and subsystems and (2) microwave micro-circuitry (through its subsidiary, Filtran Microcircuits Inc.). The following table provides a breakdown of our sales between these segments for the quarters ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005: Quarters Ended ------------------------------------------------- April 1, 2006 April 2, 2005 -------------------- ---------------------- % of % of $ sales $ sales ----------- ------ ----------- -------- Electronic components and subsystems $ 4,682,000 75.1% $ 5,637,000 77.7% Microwave micro-circuitry (1) $ 1,646,000 26.4% $ 1,635,000 22.5% Less intersegment sales $ (97,000) (1.5)% $ (14,000) (0.2)% ----------- ------ ----------- ------- Consolidated $ 6,231,000 100.0% $ 7,258,000 100.0% =========== ====== =========== ======= (1) Substantially all conducted by our Canadian subsidiary, Filtran Microcircuits Inc. Merrimac is a versatile technologically oriented company specializing in miniature radio frequency lumped-element components, integrated networks, microstrip and stripline microwave components, subsystem assemblies and ferrite attenuators. Of special significance has been the combination of two or more of these technologies into single components to achieve superior performance and reliability while minimizing package size and weight. Merrimac components are today found in applications as diverse as satellites, military and commercial aircraft, radar, cellular radio systems, medical and dental diagnostic instruments and wireless Internet connectivity. Merrimac's components range in price from $0.50 to more than $10,000 and its subsystem assemblies range from $500 to more than $1,000,000. 16 Multi-Mix(R) In 1998, Merrimac introduced Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology capabilities, an innovative process for microwave, multilayer integrated circuits and micro-multifunction module (MMFM)(R) technology and subsystems. This process is based on fluoropolymer composite substrates, which are bonded together into a multilayer structure using a fusion bonding process. The fusion process provides a homogeneous dielectric medium for superior electrical performance at microwave frequencies. This 3-dimensional Multi-Mix(R) design consisting of stacked circuit layers permits the manufacture of components and subsystems that are a fraction of the size and weight of conventional microstrip and stripline products. Multi-Mix PICO(R) In July 2001, Merrimac introduced its Multi-Mix PICO(R) Microtechnology. Through Multi-Mix PICO(R) technology, Merrimac offers a group of products at a greatly reduced size, weight and cost that includes hybrid junctions, directional couplers, quadrature hybrids, power dividers and inline couplers, filters and vector modulators along with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g Wireless LAN (Local Area Network) modules. When compared to conventional multilayer quadrature hybrids and directional coupler products, Multi-Mix PICO(R) is more than 84% smaller in size, without experiencing loss of power or performance. Merrimac has completed the development of integrated inline multi-couplers and is supplying these Multi-Mix PICO(R) products to major base station customers. Beginning in 2005 and continuing into 2006, Merrimac focused its design and manufacturing efforts on Multi-Mix(R) multilayer subsystem products for sale to several satcom and military customers during 2005 and 2006. In addition, in 2005 Merrimac started the design of a high power amplifier for use in basestation infrastructure, military and satcom applications. An important part of basestation infrastructure equipment is the high power transmit amplifier, which must provide extremely linear performance in order to boost signals carrying voice, data and video services without distortion. In 2006, the Company anticipates exploiting Multi-Mix(R) advanced high power integration technology by offering new high-power subsystem assembly solutions to wireless infrastructure OEMs for size, weight, and cost reduction of base station power amplifiers. The Company believes the Resource Module will be the foundation or building block for providing Total Integrated Platform Solutions by attaching and embedding high-power semiconductor transistor die (such as; LDMOS, SiC, GaN, SiGe, GaAs FET/MESFET and PHEMT) into 3D highly integrated multilayer modules for use in wireless infrastructure high-power amplifiers, tower top amplifiers, WiMAX base stations, radio transceivers and phased-array radar transmitter elements. The Company believes the Resource Module offers a very attractive value proposition that provides enabling solutions to a variety of different commercial and military market applications. Recently, Merrimac was granted a United States Patent for its Multi-Mix(R) Resource Module along with another Patent for its Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China entitled "Method of Making Microwave Multifunction Modules Using Fluoropolymer Composite Substrates". Merrimac has delivered custom designed and high power Multi-Mix(R) components for a Homeland Security and Public Safety integrated communications system to assist in future civil and governmental inter-departmental communications. This program offers a substantial future growth opportunity for Multi-Mix(R). In addition, Multi-Mix PICO(R) orders for WiMAX customer premise equipment (CPE) also increased in 2006. WiMAX is another growth area for Multi-Mix(R). WiMAX provides wireless access technology for "last mile" broadband services for the home, such as high-speed Internet and video on demand, offering size and cost advantages. Merrimac continues to make upgrades to existing military systems that require more functionality and advanced capabilities in smaller and lightweight equipment. Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology provides leverage to a host of military systems where size, weight and performance requirements are mission critical. Ongoing collaborative efforts with our key account customers ensure the best tradeoffs in size, cost, performance and power for their systems, while utilizing advanced integration capabilities of Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology. Merrimac's strategy is to be a reliable supplier of high quality, technically innovative signal processing products. Merrimac coordinates its marketing, research and development and manufacturing operations to develop new products and expand its markets. Merrimac's marketing and development activities focus on identifying and producing prototypes for new military and commercial programs and applications in aerospace, navigational systems, telecommunications and cellular analog and digital wireless telecommunications electronics. Merrimac's research and development efforts are targeted towards providing customers with more complex, reliable, and compact products at lower costs. 17 Filtran Microcircuits Inc. Acquired by Merrimac in February 1999, Filtran Microcircuits Inc. ("FMI") is a leading manufacturer of microwave micro-circuitry for the high frequency communications industry. FMI produces microstrip, bonded stripline, and thick metal-backed Teflon(R) (PTFE) microcircuits for RF applications including satellite, aerospace, personal communications systems, fiber optic telecommunications, automotive, navigational and defense applications worldwide. FMI participates in the market for millimeter-wave applications. FMI also supplies mixed dielectric multilayer and high speed interconnect circuitry to meet customer demand for high performance and cost-effective packaging. For more information regarding our electronics components and subsystems business and the microwave micro-circuitry business done by FMI, please see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company markets and sells its products domestically and internationally through a direct sales force and manufacturers' representatives. Merrimac has traditionally developed and offered for sale products built to specific customer needs, as well as standard catalog items. Any future demand for Multi-Mix(R) for the wireless market is dependent on various third-party programs and is directly related to the timing of our customers' and potential customers' phase-out of existing programs and their migration, which is not assured and has not yet commenced commercially, toward new programs to meet their customers' new requirements. However, the Company expects that its defense and satellite customers should continue to maintain their approximate current levels of orders for the remainder of fiscal year 2006, though there are no assurances they will do so. The Company also anticipates increased levels of orders during fiscal year 2006 for its Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology products, based on inquiries from existing customers, requests to quote from prospective and existing customers and market research. Nevertheless, in times of armed conflict or war, military spending is concentrated on armaments build up, maintenance and troop support, and not on the research and development and specialty applications that are the Company's core strengths and revenue generators. Accordingly, defense and military product revenues may decrease and should not be expected to increase, at times of armed conflicts or war. Certain defense orders from existing customers expected for FMI have been delayed into the second half of 2006. Cost of sales for the Company consists of materials, salaries and related expenses, and outside services for manufacturing and certain engineering personnel and manufacturing overhead. Our products are designed and manufactured in the Company's facilities. The Company's manufacturing and production facilities infrastructure overhead are relatively fixed and are based on its expectations of future net revenues. Should the Company experience a reduction in net revenues in a quarter, as discussed below, it could have difficulty adjusting short-term expenditures and absorbing any excess capacity expenses. If this were to occur, the Company's operating results for that quarter would be negatively impacted. In order to remain competitive, the Company must continually reduce its manufacturing costs through design and engineering innovations and increases in manufacturing efficiencies. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to reduce its manufacturing costs. The Company anticipates that depreciation and amortization expenses will exceed capital expenditures in fiscal year 2006 by approximately $800,000. The Company intends to issue commitments to purchase $1,500,000 of capital equipment from various vendors for the remainder of 2006. The Company anticipates that such equipment will be purchased and become operational during the remainder of 2006. The Company's planned equipment purchases and other commitments are expected to be funded through cash resources and cash flows expected to be generated from operations, and supplemented by the Company's $5,000,000 revolving credit facility, which expires October 8, 2006. The Company anticipates the revolving credit facility will be renewed. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of personnel costs for administrative, selling and marketing groups, sales commissions to employees and manufacturing representatives, travel, product marketing and promotion costs, as well as legal, accounting, information technology and other administrative costs. As discussed below, the Company expects to continue to make significant and increasing expenditures for selling, general and administrative expenses, especially in connection with implementation of its strategic plan for generating and expanding sales of Multi-Mix(R) products. Research and development expenses consist of materials, salaries and related expenses of certain engineering personnel, and outside services related to product development projects. The Company charges all research and development expenses to operations as incurred. The Company believes that continued investment in research and development is critical to the Company's long-term business success. The Company intends to continue to invest in research and development programs in future periods, and expects that these costs will increase over time, in 18 order to develop new products, enhance performance of existing products and reduce the cost of current or new products. The Company is currently anticipating a flat to declining level of sales and operating income for 2006, primarily resulting from materially decreased bookings in late 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 and resulting lower backlog of the Company's traditional products, particularly products sold by its Filtran subsidiary. The Company will continue to focus its Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology business strategy on development, manufacturing and marketing of the high power amplifier Multi-Mix(R) Resource Module and ancillary products. Accordingly, to support the Multi-Mix(R) initiative, the Company expects to make significant investments in additional technical designing and engineering personnel resources, resulting in increased annual compensation costs of up to approximately $700,000, and additional assets and equipment of approximately $400,000. The adoption by the Company of SFAS No. 123R accounting, effective January 1, 2006, will add additional non-cash compensation expense from previously issued stock options and Stock Purchase Plan offerings to the Company's future reported results of operations. Such expenses have not been recorded in this manner prior to 2006, in accordance with prior accounting requirements, and so future results are not directly comparable to all pre-2006 accounting periods. Further, additional non-cash share-based compensation charges to operating income will result from future stock option grants, Stock Purchase Plan offerings and restricted stock awards to co-workers and non-officer Directors under the Company's various compensation plans. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of this increased investment in our Multi-Mix(R) technology initiative, the lower level of certain traditional sales currently being experienced and anticipated, the adoption of the SFAS No. 123R accounting standard and other future events described herein, the Company anticipates that operating income, net income and net income per share could be adversely affected during the remainder of 2006 and until our Multi-Mix(R) product line sales increase as anticipated. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES The Company's management makes certain assumptions and estimates that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity, and revenues and expenses. The management judgments that are currently the most critical are related to the accounting for the Company's investments in Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology, contract revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of goodwill and valuation of deferred tax assets. 19 Impairment of long-lived assets Following is a summary of the carrying amounts of the Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology net assets included in the Company's consolidated financial statements at April 1, 2006 and the related future planned purchases and lease obligation commitments through January 2011. Net assets: Property, plant and equipment, at cost $14,625,000 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 7,079,000 ----------- Property, plant and equipment, net 7,546,000 Inventories 493,000 Other assets, net 165,000 ----------- Total net assets at April 1, 2006 $ 8,204,000 ----------- Commitments: Planned equipment purchases for the remainder of 2006 $ 950,000 Lease obligations through January 2011 885,000 ----------- Total commitments $ 1,835,000 ----------- Total net assets and commitments $10,039,000 =========== Approximately 35% of the property, plant and equipment may be utilized in other areas of our electronic components and subsystems operations. Any future demand for Multi-Mix(R) for the wireless market is dependent on various third-party programs and is directly related to the timing of our customers' and potential customers' phase-out of existing programs and their migration, which is not assured and has not yet commenced commercially, toward new programs to meet their customers' new requirements. While these circumstances have resulted in the delay or cancellation of Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology product purchases that had been anticipated from certain specific customers or programs, the Company has implemented a strategic plan utilizing product knowledge and customer focus to expand specific sales opportunities. However, continued extended delay or reduction from planned levels in new orders expected from customers for these products could require the Company to pursue alternatives related to the utilization or realization of these assets and commitments, the net result of which could be materially adverse to the financial results and position of the Company. In accordance with the Company's evaluation of Multi-Mix(R) under SFAS No. 144, the Company has determined no provision for impairment is required at this time. Management will continue to monitor the recoverability of the Multi-Mix(R) assets. Contract Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104. Contract revenue and related costs on fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts that require customization of products to customer specifications are recorded when title transfers to the customer, which is generally on the date of shipment. Prior to shipment, manufacturing costs incurred on such contracts are recorded as work-in-process inventory. Anticipated losses on contracts are charged to operations when identified. Revenue related to non-recurring engineering charges is generally recognized upon shipment of the related initial units produced or based upon contractually established stages of completion. The cost rates utilized for cost-reimbursement contracts are subject to review by third parties and can be revised, which can result in additions to or reductions from revenue. Revisions which result in reductions to revenue are recognized in the period that the rates are reviewed and finalized; additions to revenue are recognized in the period that the rates are reviewed, finalized, accepted by the customer, and collectability from the customer is assured. The Company submits financial information regarding the cost rates on cost- reimbursement contracts for each fiscal year in which the Company performed work on cost-reimbursement contracts. The Company does not record any estimates on a regular basis for potential revenue adjustments, as there currently is no reasonable basis on which to estimate such adjustments given the Company's very limited experience with these contracts. No revenue was recognized related to cost-reimbursement contracts during the first quarter of 2006 or 2005, respectively. Inventory Valuation Inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories are periodically reviewed for their projected manufacturing usage utilization and, when slow-moving or obsolete inventories are identified, a provision for a potential loss is made and charged to operations. Total inventories are net of valuation allowances for obsolescence and cost overruns of $1,114,000 at April 1, 2006 and $1,084,000 at December 31, 2005. Procurement of inventory is based on specific customer orders and forecasts. Customers have 20 certain rights of modification with respect to these orders and forecasts. As a result, customer modifications to orders and forecasts affecting inventory previously procured by us and our purchases of inventory beyond customer needs may result in excess and obsolete inventory for the related customers. Although the Company may be able to use some of these excess components and raw materials in other products it manufactures, a portion of the cost of this excess inventory may not be recoverable from customers, nor may any excess quantities be returned to the vendors. The Company also may not be able to recover the cost of obsolete inventory from vendors or customers. Write offs or write downs of inventory generally arise from: o declines in the market value of inventory; o changes in customer demand for inventory, such as cancellation of orders; and o our purchases of inventory beyond customer needs that result in excess quantities on hand and that we are not able to return to the vendor or charge back to the customer. Valuation of Goodwill With the adoption of SFAS No. 142 by the Company on December 30, 2001, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life. However, goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment and more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The Company performed the annual assessment during the fourth quarter of 2005 and determined there was no impairment. Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets The Company currently has significant deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, which should reduce taxable income in future periods. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company's 2002 and 2003 net losses weighed heavily in the Company's overall assessment. As a result of the assessment, the Company established a full valuation allowance for its remaining net domestic deferred tax assets at December 28, 2002. This assessment continued unchanged in 2003, 2004, 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. In 2005 the Company added a valuation allowance for certain Canadian deferred tax assets of $270,000, because it believed that the probability of realization of such assets was uncertain. Management believes that a valuation allowance is not required for the remainder of FMI's recorded deferred tax assets as they are more likely than not to be realized. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY (UNAUDITED) The following table reflects the percentage relationships of items from the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net sales. Percentage of Net Sales Quarters Ended ------------------------- April 1, April 2, 2006 2005 -------- -------- Net sales 100.0% 100.0% -------- -------- Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 61.5 58.2 Selling, general and administrative 39.9 31.9 Research and development. 6.0 7.4 -------- -------- 107.4 97.5 Operating income (loss). (7.4) 2.5 Interest and other expense, net (.3) (.7) Loss on disposition of capital assets -- (.5) -------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes (7.7) 1.3 (Benefit) provision for income taxes (.6) .1 -------- -------- Net income (7.1)% 1.2% ======== ======== 21 FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 COMPARED TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2005 Net sales. Consolidated results of operations for the first quarter of 2006 reflect a decrease in net sales from the first quarter of 2005 of $1,027,000 or 14.2% to $6,231,000. This decrease was attributable to a $955,000 decrease in net sales of electronic components and subsystems and was offset by an $11,000 increase in sales of microwave micro-circuitry products from the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc. ("FMI") and an $83,000 increase in intersegment sales. The decrease in net sales for the electronic components and subsystems segment for 2006 is attributable to lower orders in late 2005 as compared to late 2004 due to delays in 2005 in expected satellite and defense programs from existing customers. Sales for the first quarter of 2006 would have been favorably impacted by an additional $750,000 order, invoiced in March 2006 (and due for payment in May 2006), which the Company is holding in its own facility at the customer's specific instructions for shipment in June 2006. This order was completed and ready for shipment in March 2006 but cannot be recognized as a sale under applicable revenue recognition requirements until the order is actually shipped. The Company anticipates recognizing this order as revenue in the second quarter of 2006. The Company expects that its defense and satellite customers should continue to maintain their approximate current levels of orders during fiscal year 2006, though there are no assurances they will do so. Nevertheless, in times of armed conflict or war, military spending is concentrated on armaments build up, maintenance and troop support, and not on the research and development and specialty applications that are the Company's core strengths and revenue generators. The Company also anticipates increased levels of orders during fiscal year 2006 for its Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology products, based on inquiries from existing customers, requests to quote from prospective and existing customers and market research. Sales for the microwave micro-circuitry segment for the first quarter of 2006 were flat compared to the first quarter of 2005. New orders from existing customers in the first quarter of 2006 resulting from the automotive and defense markets have been delayed. FMI anticipates much of this new order volume to renew later in 2006. Backlog represents the amount of orders the Company has received that have not been shipped as of the end of a particular fiscal period. The orders in backlog are a measure of future sales and determine the Company's upcoming material, labor and service requirements. The book-to-bill ratio for a particular period represents orders received for that period divided by net sales for the same period. The Company looks for this ratio to exceed 1.0, indicating the backlog is being replenished by new orders at a higher rate than the sales being removed from the backlog. The following table presents key performance measures that we use to monitor our operating results for the quarters ending April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005: 2006 2005 ---- ---- Beginning backlog $ 13,139,000 $ 12,945,000 Plus bookings $ 3,945,000 $ 8,195,000 Less net sales $ 6,231,000 $ 7,258,000 Ending backlog $ 10,853,000 $ 13,882,000 Book-to-bill ratio 0.63 1.13 Orders of $3,945,000 were received during the first quarter of 2006, a decrease of $4,250,000 or 51.9% compared to $8,195,000 in orders received during the first quarter of 2005 due to delays in expected satellite and defense programs. Backlog decreased by $2,286,000 to $10,853,000 at the end of first quarter of 2006 compared to $13,139,000 at year-end 2005. Any future demand for Multi-Mix(R) for the wireless market is dependent on various third-party programs and is directly related to the timing of our customers' and potential customers' phase-out of existing programs and their migration, which is not assured and has not yet commenced commercially, toward new programs to meet their customers' new requirements. However, the Company expects that its defense and satellite customers should continue to maintain their approximate current levels of orders for the remainder of fiscal year 2006, though there are no assurances they will do so. The Company also anticipates increased levels of orders during fiscal year 2006 for its Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology products, based on inquiries from existing customers, requests to quote from prospective and existing customers and market research. Certain defense orders from existing customers expected for FMI have been delayed into the second half of 2006. 22 Cost of sales and Gross profit. The following table provides comparative gross profit information, by product segment, between the quarters ended April 1, 2006 and April 2, 2005. Quarter ended April 1, 2006 Quarter ended April 2, 2005 ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Increase/ Increase/ (Decrease) % of (Decrease) % of from prior Segment from prior Segment $ period Net Sales $ period Net Sales ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- Electronic Components and Subsystems Gross Profit $1,868,000 $ (804,000) 39.9% $2,672,000 $ (270,000) 47.4% Microwave Micro-Circuitry $ 533,000 $ 171,000 32.4% $ 362,000 $ (44,000) 22.2% Gross Profit Consolidated Gross Profit $2,401,000 $ (633,000) 38.5% $3,034,000 $ (314,000) 41.8% The decrease in gross profit for 2006 for the electronic components and subsystems segment was due to the overall decrease in segment sales augmented by an increase of intersegment purchases from FMI of $83,000 for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005. The decrease in gross margin percent to 39.9% in the first quarter of 2006 from 47.4% in the first quarter of 2005 for the electronic components and subsystems segment was due to an increased percentage of lower margin product in the overall product mix. Depreciation expense included in consolidated cost of sales for the first quarter of 2006 was $607,000, a decrease of $81,000 compared to the first quarter of 2005. For the first quarter of 2006, approximately $370,000 of depreciation expense was associated with Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology capital assets. For the first quarter of 2005, approximately $380,000 of depreciation expense was associated with Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology capital assets. FMI sales include intersegment sales of $97,000 and $14,000 in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in gross margin and gross margin percent for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005 is due to favorable material costs and production efficiencies. Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,486,000 for the first quarter of 2006 increased by $175,000 or 7.5%, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased by 8.0 percentage points to 39.9% compared to the first quarter of 2005. The increase in such expenses for the first quarter of 2006 was due to higher marketing and administrative expenses offset by lower commissions related to the lower sales level in the first quarter of 2006. The Company anticipates that these expenses will increase in future periods in connection with implementation of our strategic plan for Multi-Mix(R). Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses for new products were $372,000 for the first quarter of 2006, a decrease of $169,000 or 31.2%, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points to 6.0% compared to the first quarter of 2005. Except for $32,000 of expenses at FMI (a decrease of $8,000 from such FMI expenses in the first quarter of 2005) substantially all of the research and development expenses were related to Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology and Multi-Mix PICO(R) products. The Company anticipates that these expenses will increase in future periods in connection with implementation of our strategic plan for Multi-Mix(R). Operating income (loss). Consolidated operating loss for the first quarter of 2006 was $457,000 compared to consolidated operating income of $182,000 for the first quarter of 2005. The consolidated operating loss resulted from lower gross profit from the lower sales level. Consolidated operating loss for the first quarter of 2006 includes $44,000 of share-based compensation due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R at January 1, 2006. For the first quarter of 2006, the Company's operating loss for its electronic components and subassemblies segment was $627,000 compared to operating income of $187,000 for the first quarter of 2005. For the first quarter of 2006, operating income for the microwave micro-circuitry segment was $170,000 compared to an operating loss of $5,000 for the first quarter of 2005. 23 Interest and other expense, net. Interest and other expense, net was $19,000 for the first quarter of 2006 compared to interest and other expense, net of $53,000 for the first quarter of 2004. Interest expense for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 was principally incurred on borrowings under the term loans which the Company consummated during the fourth quarter of 2003. Despite the general rise in interest rates from 2005 to 2006, the reduction of interest and other expense was due to lower outstanding debt balances during the first quarter of 2006 and the institution of a cash management program in the fourth quarter of 2005 that generated interest income on the Company's free cash balances. Income taxes. The current foreign tax of benefit for the quarter ended April 1, 2006 represents refundable Canadian provincial tax credits for which FMI, as a technology company, has qualified. The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter ended April 2, 2005 reflects U.S. Federal Alternative Minimum Tax and state income taxes that are due based on certain statutory limitations on the use of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards. Internal Revenue Service Code Section 382 places a limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards when an ownership change, as defined in the tax law, occurs. Generally, an ownership change occurs when there is a greater than 50 percent change in ownership. If such a change should occur, the actual utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, for tax purposes, would be limited annually to a percentage of the fair market value of the Company at the time of such change. The Company may become subject to these limitations in 2006 depending on change in ownership. Net income. Net loss for the first quarter of 2006 was $441,000 compared to net income of $84,000 for the first quarter of 2005. Net loss per share for the first quarter of 2006 was $.14 compared to net income of $.03 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2005. Net loss for the first quarter of 2006 included a non-cash charge of $44,000 or $.01 per share for share-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. Net loss for the first quarter of 2006 also included a tax benefit of $35,000 or $.01 per share representing refundable Canadian provincial technology tax credits for which the Company has qualified and lower net interest expense. Net income for the first quarter of 2005 included a loss on the disposition of capital assets of $36,000 or $.01 per share. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company had liquid resources comprised of cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $3,300,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2006 compared to approximately $4,100,000 at the end of 2005. The Company's working capital was approximately $9,200,000 and its current ratio was 2.4 to 1 at the end of the first quarter of 2006 compared to $9,800,000 and 3.2 to 1, respectively, at the end of 2005. At April 1, 2006, the Company had available borrowing capacity under its revolving line of credit of $2,800,000. The Company's operating activities utilized operating cash flows of $221,000 during the first quarter of 2006 compared to generating $333,000 of operating cash flows during the first quarter of 2005. The primary uses of operating cash flows for the first quarter of 2006 were the net loss of $441,000 which was reduced by depreciation and amortization of $663,000 and share-based compensation of $44,000, an increase in accounts receivable of $83,000 and an increase in inventories of $515,000 offset by an aggregate increase in accounts payable, customer deposits and accrued liabilities of $76,000 and a decrease in other current assets of $39,000. The primary sources of operating cash flows for the first quarter of 2005 were the quarterly net income of $83,000 which was reduced by depreciation and amortization of $764,000, the reduction of accounts receivable of $252,000, offset by an increase in inventories of $363,000, an aggregate decrease in accounts payable, customer deposits and accrued liabilities of $389,000 and an increase in other current assets of $86,000. The Company made net cash investments in property, plant and equipment of $552,000 during the first quarter of 2006 compared to net cash investments made in property, plant and equipment of $245,000 during the first quarter of 2005. These capital expenditures are related to new production and test equipment capabilities in connection with the introduction of new products and enhancements to existing products. The depreciated cost of capital equipment associated with Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology was $7,546,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2006, an increase of $100,000 compared to $7,446,000 at the end of fiscal year 2005. 24 The Company's planned equipment purchases and other commitments are expected to be funded through cash resources and cash flows expected to be generated from operations, and supplemented by the Company's $5,000,000 revolving credit facility, which expires October 8, 2006. The Company anticipates the revolving credit facility will be renewed. The financing agreement with CIT consists of a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit, that is temporarily reduced by $250,000 until certain conditions are met; a $1,500,000 machinery and equipment term loan ("Term Loan A") and a $2,750,000 real estate term loan ("Term Loan B"). In connection with this financing agreement, the Company was required to place, over the life of the loan, $1,500,000 as restricted cash collateral with CIT. The revolving line of credit, which expires October 8, 2006, is subject to an availability limit under a borrowing base calculation (85% of eligible accounts receivable as defined in the financing agreement plus 100% of the $1,500,000 restricted cash). At April 1, 2006, the Company had available borrowing capacity under its revolving line of credit of $2,800,000. The revolving line of credit bears interest at the prime rate plus 1/2 percent (currently 8.50%). The principal amount of Term Loan A is payable in 60 equal monthly installments of $25,000 and bears interest at the prime rate plus one percent (currently 9.00%). The principal amount of Term Loan B is payable in 84 equal monthly installments of $32,738 and bears interest at the prime rate plus one percent (currently 9.00%). As of April 1, 2006, the Company, under the terms of its agreement with CIT, had elected to convert $650,000 of Term Loan A and $1,750,000 of Term Loan B from their prime rate base to LIBOR-based interest rate loans. The current LIBOR interest rate options were renewed on October 11, 2005 for six months at an interest rate of 7.54% and expired April 12, 2006. The new LIBOR interest rate options were renewed for six months at 8.4543% and will expire October 13, 2006. The revolving line of credit and the term loans are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets located within the United States and the pledge of 65% of the stock of the Company's subsidiaries located in Costa Rica and Canada. The provisions of the financing agreement require the Company to maintain certain financial and other covenants. The provisions of the financing agreement require the Company to maintain certain financial and other covenants. At April 1, 2006 the Company was not in compliance with one of these covenants. Due to the covenant violation, the Company has classified the amounts owed under the financing agreement with CIT as current liabilities at April 1, 2006. FMI has a revolving credit agreement in place with The Bank of Nova Scotia for up to $500,000 (Canadian) at the prime rate plus 3/4%. No borrowings were outstanding under this agreement at April 1, 2006. FMI has a $1,800,000 (Canadian) revolving lease line with the Bank of Nova Scotia, whereby the Company can obtain funding for previous production equipment purchases via a sale/leaseback transaction. As of April 1, 2006, $570,000 (Canadian) has been utilized under this facility. Such leases are payable in monthly installments for up to five years and are secured by the related production equipment. Interest rates (typically prime rate plus one percent) are set at the closing of each respective sale/leaseback transaction. During the first quarter of 2006, FMI obtained $160,000 (US) in connection with the sale/leaseback of certain production equipment. The related equipment was originally purchased by the Company in 2005. Capital leases included in property, plant and equipment, net, have a depreciated cost of approximately $806,000 at April 1, 2006 and $678,000 at December 31, 2005. Depreciation and amortization expenses exceeded capital expenditures for production equipment during the first quarter of 2006 by approximately $110,000, and the Company anticipates that depreciation and amortization expenses will exceed capital expenditures in fiscal year 2006 by approximately $800,000. The Company intends to issue commitments to purchase $1,500,000 of capital equipment from various vendors for the remainder of 2006. The Company anticipates that such equipment will be purchased and become operational during the second half of 2006. The functional currency for the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary FMI is the Canadian dollar. The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 reflect the changes in the exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the United States dollar for those respective periods. The functional currency for the Company's Costa Rica operations is the United States dollar. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In November 2004, SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs (An amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4)", was issued. SFAS No. 151 amends Accounting Research Bulletin ("ARB") No. 43, Chapter 4, to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company adopted SFAS No. 151 on January 1, 2006. The adoption of 25 SFAS No. 151 did not have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations. The FASB has issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-1, "Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Act") was signed into law by the President. This Act includes tax relief for domestic manufacturers by providing a tax deduction for up to 9 percent (when fully phased in) of the lesser of (a) "qualified production activities income," or (b) taxable income (after the deduction for the utilization of any net operating loss carryforwards). As a result of this Act, an issue has arisen as to whether this deduction should be accounted for as a special deduction or a tax rate reduction under SFAS No. 109. The FASB staff believes that the domestic manufacturing deduction is based on the future performance of specific activities, including the level of wages. Accordingly, the FASB staff believes that the deduction provided for under the Act should be accounted for as a special deduction in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and not as a tax rate reduction. The Company will be utilizing its net operating loss carryforwards to offset domestic taxable income, thus the Company does not anticipate this provision will have an impact on its financial position and results of operations in 2006. In May 2005, SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3," was issued. This statement provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. This standard applies to voluntary changes in existing accounting principles and to new accounting standards that do not specify the transition requirements upon adoption of those standards. Except for changes in depreciation methods, this standard will require retrospective application of the new accounting principle to previous periods reported rather than presenting the cumulative effect of the change as of the beginning of the period of the change. Changes in depreciation methods will be applied on a prospective basis, meaning the effects of the change will be reflected only in current and future periods. Corrections of errors will be reported by restating previously issued financial statements. The Company adopted SFAS No. 154 as of the beginning of the 2006 fiscal year. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. On November 10, 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 123(R)-3 ("FSP 123R-3"), "Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-based Payment Awards", that provides an elective alternative transition method of calculating the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R (the "APIC Pool") to the method otherwise required by paragraph 81 of SFAS 123R. The Company may take up to one year from the effective date of this FSP to evaluate its available alternatives and make its one-time election. The Company is currently evaluating the alternative methods; however, neither alternative would have an impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition for the quarter ended April 1, 2006, due to the fact that the Company is currently using prior period net operating losses and has not realized any tax benefits under SFAS 123R. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In May 1998, the Company sold 22,000 shares of Common Stock to Mason N. Carter, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, at a price of $11.60 per share, which approximated the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock during the first quarter of 1998. The Company lent Mr. Carter $255,000 in connection with the purchase of these shares and combined that loan with a prior loan to Mr. Carter in the amount of $105,000. The resulting total principal amount of $360,000 was payable May 4, 2003 and bore interest at a variable interest rate based on the prime rate. This loan was further amended on July 29, 2002. Accrued interest of $40,000 was added to the principal, bringing the new principal amount of the loan to $400,000, the due date was extended to May 4, 2006, and interest (at the same rate as was previously applicable) is now payable monthly. Mr. Carter has pledged 33,000 shares of Common Stock as security for this loan, which is a full-recourse loan. On August 31, 2000, in connection with an amendment of Mr. Carter's employment agreement, the Company loaned Mr. Carter an additional $280,000. Interest on the loan varies and is based on the prime rate, payable in accordance with Mr. Carter's employment agreement. Each year the Company is required to forgive 20% of the amount due under this loan and the accrued interest thereon. During 2005, the Company forgave $56,000 of principal and $3,000 of accrued interest and paid a tax gross-up benefit of $4,300. This loan was fully satisfied in 2005. On March 29, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Carter to purchase 42,105 shares of the Company's common stock owned by Mr. Carter at a purchase price of $9.50 per share (the closing price of the common stock on March 29, 2006) resulting in a total purchase price for the shares of $399,998. As a condition to the Company's obligation to purchase the shares, concurrent with the Company's payment of the purchase price Mr. Carter will pay to the Company $400,000 (plus any accrued and unpaid interest) in full satisfaction of Mr. Carter's promissory 26 note in favor of the Company dated July 29, 2002. This transaction was closed on April 24, 2006. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company's outside general counsel Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP was paid $93,000 for providing legal services to the Company. During the first quarter of 2005, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP was paid $100,000. A director of the Company is counsel to Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP but does not share in the fees that the Company pays to such law firm and his compensation is not based on such fees. During 2006 and 2005 the Company retained Career Consultants, Inc. and SK Associates to perform executive searches and to provide other services to the Company. The Company paid an aggregate of $2,000 to these companies during the first quarter of 2006 and $2,000 to these companies during the first quarter of 2005. A director of the Company is the chairman and chief executive officer of these companies. During the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, a director of the Company was paid $9,000 for providing technology-related consulting services to the Company. During the first quarter of 2006, DuPont Electronic Technologies ("DuPont"), a stockholder and the employer of a director, was paid $15,000 for providing technological and marketing-related personnel and services on a cost-sharing basis to the Company under the Technology Agreement dated February 28, 2002. During the first quarter of 2005, DuPont was paid $17,000. A director of the Company is an officer of DuPont, but does not share in any of these payments. On December 13, 2004 Infineon Technologies AG ("Infineon"), at such time the beneficial owner of approximately 15% of the Company's common stock, sold 475,000 shares of the Company's common stock to four purchasers in a privately-negotiated transaction. Two purchasers in such transaction, K Holdings LLC and Hampshire Investments, Limited, each of which is affiliated with Ludwig G. Kuttner, purchased shares representing an aggregate of approximately 9.6% of the Company's common stock. Mr. Kuttner is a nominee for election to the Company's Board of Directors at its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Infineon also assigned to each purchaser certain registration rights to such shares under the existing registration rights agreements Infineon had with the Company. In connection with the transaction, the Company and Infineon terminated the Stock Purchase and Exclusivity Letter Agreement dated April 7, 2000, as amended, which provided that the Company would design, develop and produce exclusively for Infineon certain Multi-Mix(R) products that incorporate active RF power transistors for use in certain wireless base station applications, television transmitters and certain other applications that are intended for Bluetooth transceivers. DuPont and the four purchasers above hold registration rights which currently give them the right to register an aggregate of 1,003,413 shares of Common Stock of the Company. 27 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the market risks affecting Merrimac, see "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in Item 7A of Part II of the Company's annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. Our exposure to market risk has not changed materially since December 31, 2005. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES As of April 1, 2006 (the end of the period covered by this report), the Company's management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of April 1, 2006, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective. In designing and evaluating the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We believe that our disclosure controls and procedures provide such reasonable assurance. No change occurred in the Company's internal controls concerning financial reporting during the Company's first quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting. 28 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. Merrimac is a party to lawsuits, arising in the normal course of business. It is the opinion of Merrimac's management that the disposition of these various lawsuits will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or the results of operations of Merrimac. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS. There have been certain material changes to our risk factors from those presented in our Form 10-K for fiscal 2005. Our risk factors, as revised, are provided below for your convenience. You should carefully consider the matters described below before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Our business operations may be impaired by additional risks and uncertainties of which we are unaware or that we currently consider immaterial. Our business, results of operations or cash flows may be adversely affected if any of the following risks actually occur. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose part or all of your investment. The market for our products, in particular our Multi-Mix(R) products, is new and rapidly evolving. If we are not able to develop or enhance our products, or to respond to customer needs, our net sales will suffer. Our future success depends in large part on our ability to develop and market our new line of Multi-Mix(R) modules, filters, couplers and delay lines products, particularly to the wireless basestation and defense sectors. We will also need to continually enhance our existing core products (passive RF and microwave component assemblies, power dividers and other micro circuitry products), lower product cost and develop new products that maintain technological competitiveness. Our core products must meet changing customer, regulatory and particular technological requirements and standards, and our Multi-Mix(R) products especially must respond to the changing needs of our customers, particularly our OEM customers. These customer requirements might or might not be compatible with our current or future product offerings. We might not be successful in modifying our products and services to address these requirements and standards and our business could suffer. Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology and Multi-Mix PICO(R) Products. We have made capital investments of approximately $14.6 million in our proprietary line of Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology products. While we have generated revenues and developed a customer base for our Multi-Mix(R) products, if a competitive product or decreased consumer demand for our Multi-Mix(R) products resulted in significant decrease in those revenues, our ability to recover our investment in our Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology product assets could be negatively impacted and result in a write off of the carrying value of these assets and an impairment charge to our earnings. In addition, we have invested significant engineering, research and development, personnel and other resources in developing our Multi-Mix Zapper(R) product line, introduced in June 2004. While revenues to date have not been material, we intend to incur significant additional expenses, including sales and marketing costs, in implementing our strategic plan to commercialize various applications of our Multi-Mix(R) technologies. These products are direct drop-in replacements for competing technologies used in virtually all wireless basestations. There are competing technologies already in the marketplace, and in order to obtain market share we will have to convince customers to convert to our products from those that are already in use. We may seek to enter into joint ventures, research and development, distribution and other arrangements with third party OEM's, defense contractors, universities and research institutions and others in order to successfully market our Multi-Mix(R) products. In fact, we may find it necessary to enter into such arrangements if our own resources are inadequate to develop recurring revenues and a sustained commercial market for these products. There can be no assurance we will be able to enter into such arrangements, or do so on commercially attractive terms, if necessary. 29 Our business plan anticipates significant future revenues from our Multi-Mix(R) products. Any future demand for Multi-Mix(R) for the wireless market is dependent on various third-party programs and is directly related to the timing of our customers' and potential customers' phase-out of existing programs and their migration, which is not assured and has not yet commenced commercially, toward new programs to meet their customers' new requirements. While these circumstances have resulted in the delay or cancellation of Multi-Mix(R) Microtechnology product purchases that had been anticipated from certain specific customers or programs, the Company has implemented a strategic plan utilizing product knowledge and customer focus to expand specific sales opportunities. Continued extended delay or reduction from planned levels in new orders expected from customers for these products could require the Company to pursue alternatives related to the utilization or realization of these assets and commitments. If we are unable to generate significant future revenues from these Multi-Mix(R) products or identify alternative uses, sufficient to recover our investment, we could have to write down the carrying value of these assets, thereby incurring an impairment charge to earnings, which would significantly harm our operations and financial condition. Dependence on Limited Number of Suppliers Electronic devices, components and made-to-order assemblies used in the Company's traditional (i.e., non-Multi-Mix) products are generally obtained from a number of suppliers, although certain components are obtained from a limited number of suppliers. Some devices or components are standard items while others are manufactured to the Company's specifications by its suppliers. Except as described below, the Company believes that most raw materials used in manufacturing its products are available from alternative suppliers. We do not have binding agreements or commitments with our suppliers for the quantity and prices of our raw materials. Our reliance on suppliers, especially sole source or limited suppliers, involves the risks of adequate capacity and reduced control over delivery schedules and costs. While there may be alternative qualified suppliers for some of these components, substitutes for certain materials are not readily available. Any significant interruption in delivery of such items could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations. Manufacturing of our Multi-Mix products requires certain components and raw materials that currently are only available from a sole supplier or limited number of suppliers, particularly for products intended for specific applications. The Company's Multi-Mix products utilize certain substrate materials in the fusion bonding process, currently obtained from a single vendor. Although there may be alternative types of substrates that are under evaluation, the Company has designed its current Multi-Mix products utilizing the current source of supply, and use of alternative substrates could result in design, engineering, manufacturing, performance and cost challenges and delays. In addition, certain Multi-Mix products utilizing high power RF circuitry designed for telecommunications/wireless base station infrastructure applications require the use of LDMOS transistors which are not currently generally commercially available in the configurations required by the Company. The Company's Multi-Mix Resource Module would require such commercially unavailable components when used for commercial high power amplifier base station infrastructure applications but does not depend on these components for military and other commercial applications for which a variety of components are available in the proper configuration from a number of alternative sources. In order to commercialize this high power base station LDMOS application of the (R) Resource Module, the Company would need to establish a supply relationship with a vendor willing to provide commercial quantities of the needed components in a configuration that that would maximize the value of the patented Multi-Mix Resource Module for this market. Although discussions are on-going with LDMOS transistor providers, there is no assurance we will be able to do so, in which case would be unable to manufacture commercial quantities of (R) products for high power base station infrastructure applications. Any difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of such raw materials on a timely basis, and at economic prices, could result in design and engineering changes and expenses, shipment delays and/or our inability to manufacture certain Multi-Mix products. Significant increases in the costs of such materials could also have a material adverse effect on our value proposition and marketing efforts with potential customers and our results of operations and profitability. Our products are intended for use in various sectors of the satellite, defense and telecommunications industries, which produces technologically advanced products with short life cycles. 30 Factors affecting the satellite, defense and telecommunications industries, in particular the short life cycle of certain products, could seriously harm our customers and reduce the volume of products they purchase from us. These factors include: - the inability of our customers to adapt to rapidly changing technology and evolving industry standards that result in short product life cycles; - the inability of our customers to develop and market their products, some of which are new and untested; and - the potential that our customers' products may become obsolete or the failure of our customers' products to gain widespread commercial acceptance. The expenses relating to our products might increase, which could reduce our gross margins. In the past, developing engineering solutions, meeting research and development challenges and overcoming production and manufacturing issues have resulted in additional expenses. These expenses create pressure on our average selling prices and may result in decreased margins of our products. We expect that this will continue. In the future, competition could increase, and we anticipate this may result in additional pressure on our pricing. We also may not be able to increase the price of our products in the event that the cost of components or overhead increase. Changes in exchange rates between the United States and Canadian dollars, and other currencies, might result in further disparity between our costs and selling price and hurt our ability to maintain gross margins. We carry inventory and there is a risk we may be unable to dispose of certain items. We procure inventory based on specific customer orders and forecasts. Customers have certain rights of modification with respect to these orders and forecasts. As a result, customer modifications to orders and forecasts affecting inventory previously procured by us and our purchases of inventory beyond customer needs may result in excess and obsolete inventory for the related customers. Although we may be able to use some of these excess components and raw materials in other products we manufacture, a portion of the cost of this excess inventory may not be recoverable from customers, nor may any excess quantities be returned to the vendors. We also may not be able to recover the cost of obsolete inventory from vendors or customers. Write offs or write downs of inventory generally arise from: - declines in the market value of inventory; - changes in customer demand for inventory, such as cancellation of orders; and - our purchases of inventory beyond customer needs that result in excess quantities on hand and that we are not able to return to the vendor or charge back to the customer. Our products and therefore our inventories are subject to technological risk. At any time either new products may enter the market or prices of competitive products may be introduced with more attractive features or at lower prices than ours. There is a risk we may be unable to sell our inventory in a timely manner and avoid it becoming obsolete. As of April 1, 2006, our inventories including raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods, were valued at $4.2 million reflecting reductions due to valuation allowances for obsolescence of approximately $1.1 million against these inventories. In the event we are required to substantially discount our inventory or are unable to sell our inventory in a timely manner, we would be required to increase our valuation allowances and our operating results could be substantially adversely affected. We generally do not obtain long-term volume purchase commitments from customers, and, therefore, cancellations, reductions in production quantities and delays in production by our customers could adversely affect our operating results. We generally do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from our customers. Customers may cancel their orders, choose not to exercise options for further product purchases, reduce production quantities or delay production for a number of reasons. In the event our customers experience significant decreases in demand for their products and services, our customers may cancel orders, delay the delivery of some of the products that we manufactured or place purchase orders for fewer products than we previously anticipated. Even when our customers are contractually obligated to purchase products from us, we may be unable or, for 31 other business reasons, choose not to enforce our contractual rights. Cancellations, reductions or delays of orders by customers would: - adversely affect our operating results by reducing the volumes of products that we manufacture for our customers; - delay or eliminate recoupment of our expenditures for inventory purchased in preparation for customer orders; and - lower our asset utilization, which would result in lower gross margins. Products we manufacture may contain design or manufacturing defects that could result in reduced demand for our services and liability claims against us. We manufacture products to our customers' specifications that are highly complex and may at times contain design or manufacturing defects. Defects have been discovered in products we manufactured in the past and despite our quality control and quality assurance efforts, defects may occur in the future. Defects in the products we manufacture, whether caused by design, manufacturing or component defects, may result in delayed shipments to customers or reduced or cancelled customer orders. Should these defects occur in large quantities or frequently, our business reputation may also be tarnished. In addition, these defects may result in liability claims against us. Even if customers are responsible for the defects, we may assume responsibility for any costs or payments. We are subject to risks of currency fluctuations. A portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in exchange rates among other currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect our cost of sales, operating margins and revenues. Our Canadian operations were adversely impacted in fiscal 2005 as a result of changes in the Canadian and U.S. Dollar exchange rates. We cannot predict the impact of future exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries that have non-U.S. dollar functional currencies transact business in U.S. dollars. We rely on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of our net sales, and declines in sales to these customers could adversely affect our operating results. Sales to our five largest customers accounted for 47.3% of our net sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and our three largest customers, Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Company, accounted for 11.2%, 10.9% and 10.5%, respectively, of our 2005 sales. We depend on the continued growth, viability and financial stability of our customers, substantially all of which operate in an environment characterized by rapid technological change, short product life cycle, consolidation, and pricing and margin pressures. We expect to continue to depend upon a relatively small number of customers for a significant percentage of our revenue. Consolidation among our customers may further concentrate our business in a limited number of customers and expose us to increased risks relating to dependence on a small number of customers. In addition, a significant reduction in sales to any of our large customers or significant pricing and margin pressures exerted by a key customer would adversely affect our operating results. In the past, some of our large customers have significantly reduced or delayed the volume of products ordered from us as a result of changes in their business, consolidation or divestitures or for other reasons. We cannot be certain that present or future large customers will not terminate their arrangements with us or significantly change, reduce or delay the amount of products ordered from us, any of which would adversely affect our operating results. A substantial portion of our revenues are related to the defense and military communications sectors. However, in times of armed conflict or war, military spending is concentrated on armaments build up, maintenance and troop support, and not on the research and development and specialty applications that are the Company's core strengths and revenue generators. Accordingly, our defense and military product revenues may decrease, and should not be expected to increase, at times of armed conflicts or war. Variations in our quarterly operating results could occur due to factors including changes in demand for our products, the timing of shipments and changes in our mix of net revenues. Our quarterly net revenues, expenses and operating results have varied in the past and might vary significantly from quarter to quarter in the future. Quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance, and should not be relied on to predict our future performance. Our short-term expense levels and manufacturing and production facilities infrastructure overhead are relatively fixed and are based on our expectations of future net revenues. If we were to experience a reduction in net revenues in a 32 quarter, we could have difficulty adjusting our short-term expenditures and absorbing our excess capacity expenses. If this were to occur, our operating results for that quarter would be negatively impacted. Other factors that might cause our operating results to fluctuate on a quarterly basis include: - customer decisions to defer, accelerate or cancel orders; - timing of shipments of orders for our products; - changes in the mix of net revenues attributable to higher-margin and lower-margin products; - changes in product mix which could cause unexpected engineering or research and development costs; - announcements or introductions of new products by our competitors; - engineering or production delays due to product defects or quality problems and production yield issues; and - dynamic defense budgets which could cause military program delays or cancellations. Recent changes in accounting for equity-related compensation could impact our financial statements. On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"). SFAS 123R is a revision of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, as amended, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123") and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". SFAS 123R eliminates the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in SFAS 123, which generally resulted in no compensation expense being recorded in the financial statements related to the issuance of equity awards to employees. SFAS 123R requires the Company to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and to record such expense in the consolidated financial statements, as opposed to the pro forma note presentation previously used. The Company adopted SFAS 123R at the beginning of its first quarter in fiscal 2006, and will apply the provisions of the statement prospectively for any newly issued, modified or settled award after the date of initial adoption, as well as for any awards that were granted prior to the adoption date for which the requisite service period has not been provided as of the adoption date. We intend to continue to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate total stock compensation expense. The Company expects the adoption of this statement will have a non-cash material effect on its financial statements, but the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of the adoption because certain assumptions used in the calculation of the value of share-based payments may change. As of December 31, 2005 the total future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and the employee stock purchase plan not yet recognized in the consolidated statement of operations was $185,000. Of that total, $119,000, $57,000 and $9,000 are expected to be recognized in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Competition. The microwave component and subsystems industry continues to be highly competitive. The Company competes against many companies, both foreign and domestic, many of which are larger and have greater financial and other resources. Direct competitors for Merrimac in the commercial market are Anaren, Sirenza, Vari-L, Radiall and Sochen. Major competitors for Merrimac in the military market are Anaren, M/A Com, L-3 Communications (Narda), Sage, TRM and KW Microwave. Major competitors for Filtran in the microwave micro-circuitry market are Labtech, MPC and Precision Instruments. As a direct supplier to OEMs, the Company also faces significant competition from the in-house capabilities of its customers. However, the current trend in the wireless marketplace has been for the OEMs to outsource more design and production work, thereby freeing up their internal resources for other use. Thus, the Company believes that internal customer competition exists predominantly in its defense and satellite businesses. In the wireless market, increased price pressure from the Company's customers is a continuing challenge. It is anticipated that this pricing pressure will continue indefinitely. The principal competitive factors are technical performance, reliability, ability to produce in volume, on-time delivery and price. Based on these factors, the Company believes that it competes favorably in its markets. The Company believes that it is particularly strong in the areas of technical performance and on-time delivery in the wireless marketplace. The Company believes that it competes favorably on price as well. The RF Microwave components industry is highly competitive and has become more so as defense spending has changed program spending profiles. Furthermore, current Department of 33 Defense efforts are shifting funds to support troops engaged in existing hostilities around the world. We compete against numerous U.S. and foreign providers with global operations, as well as those who operate on a local or regional basis. In addition, current and prospective customers continually evaluate the merits of manufacturing products internally. Changes in the industries and sectors we service could significantly harm our ability to compete, and consolidation trends could result in larger competitors that may have significantly greater resources with which to compete against us. We may be operating at a cost disadvantage compared to manufacturers who have greater direct buying power from component suppliers, distributors and raw material suppliers or who have lower cost structures. Our manufacturing processes are generally not subject to significant proprietary protection, and companies with greater resources or a greater market presence may enter our market or increase their competition with us. Increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced sales and margins or loss of market share. Intellectual property. Substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in our industry. We do not believe our intellectual properties infringe those of others, and are not aware that any third party is infringing our intellectual property rights. A risk always exists that third parties, including current and potential competitors, could claim that our products, or our customers' products, infringe on their intellectual property rights or that we have misappropriated their intellectual property. We may discover that a third party is infringing upon our intellectual property rights, or has been issued an infringing patent. Infringement suits are time consuming, complex, and expensive to litigate. Such litigation could cause a delay in the introduction of new products, require us to develop non-infringing technology, require us to enter into royalty or license agreements, if available, or require us to pay substantial damages. We have agreed to indemnify certain customers for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. We could incur substantial expenses and costs in case of a successful indemnification claim. A significant negative impact would result if a successful claim of infringement were made against us and we could not develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely and cost-effective basis. The Company's success depends to a significant degree upon the preservation and protection of its product and manufacturing process designs and other proprietary technology. To protect its proprietary technology, the Company generally limits access to its technology, treats portions of such technology as trade secrets, and obtains confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements from persons with access to the technology. The Company's agreements with its employees prohibits employees from disclosing any confidential information, technology developments and business practices, and from disclosing any confidential information entrusted to the Company by other parties. Consultants engaged by the Company who have access to confidential information generally sign an agreement requiring them to keep confidential and not disclose any non-public confidential information. The Company currently has 18 active patents. The Company plans to pursue intellectual property protection in foreign countries, primarily in the form of international patents, in instances where the technology covered is considered important enough to justify the added expense. By agreement, Company employees who initiate or contribute to a patentable design or process are obligated to assign their interest in any potential patent to the Company. Our executive officers, engineers, research and development and technical personnel are critical to our business, and without them we might not be able to execute our business strategy. Our financial performance depends substantially on the performance of our executive officers and key employees. We are dependent in particular on Mason N. Carter, who serves as our Chief Executive Officer, Reynold Green, our Chief Operating Officer, Robert Condon, who serves as our Chief Financial Officer and James Logothetis, our Chief Technology Officer. We are also dependent upon our other highly skilled engineering, research and development and technical personnel, due to the specialized technical nature of our business. If we lose the services of any of our key personnel and are not able to find replacements in a timely manner, our business could be disrupted, other key personnel might decide to leave, and we might incur increased operating expenses associated with finding and compensating replacements. Government regulation. The Company's products are incorporated into telecom and wireless communications systems that are subject to regulation domestically by various government agencies, including the 34 Federal Communications Commission and internationally by other government agencies. In addition, because of its participation in the satellite and defense industry, the Company is subject to audit from time to time for compliance with government regulations by various governmental agencies. The Company is also subject to a variety of local, state and federal government regulations relating to environmental laws, as they relate to toxic or other hazardous substances used to manufacture the Company's products. The Company believes that it operates its business in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations. However, any failure to comply with existing or future laws or regulations could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Export controls. The Company's products are subject to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and may, in certain instances, be subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") administered by the U.S. Department of State. EAR restricts the export of dual-use products and technical data to certain countries, while ITAR restricts the export of defense products, technical data and defense services. The Company believes that it has implemented internal export procedures and controls in order to achieve compliance with the applicable U.S. export control regulations. However, the U.S. government agencies responsible for administering EAR and ITAR have significant discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these regulations, and it is possible that these regulations could adversely affect the Company's ability to sell its products to non-U.S. customers. Risks of international operations. A significant percentage of the Company's revenues is derived from the operations of its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Costa Rica and Canada. These revenues are subject to the risks normally associated with international operations which include, without limitation, fluctuating currency exchange rates, changing political and economic conditions, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, greater difficulty and expense in administering business abroad, complications in complying with foreign laws and changes in regulatory requirements, and cultural differences in the conduct of business. While the Company believes that current political and economic conditions in Canada and Costa Rica are relatively stable, such conditions may adversely change so as to effect underlying business assumptions about the current opportunities which exist for doing business in those countries. In particular, the government in Costa Rica could change, the currency exchange rate between the U.S. and Canadian dollars may change adversely (as occurred in 2005 and 2004), or the cost of labor and/or goods and services necessary to the operations of the Company may increase. Recently enacted changes in the Securities Laws and Regulations are likely to increase costs. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") has required changes in some of our corporate governance, securities disclosure and compliance practice. In response to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the SEC and the American Stock Exchange have promulgated new rules in a variety of subjects. Compliance with these new rules has increased our legal and accounting costs, and we expect these increased costs to continue indefinitely. These developments may also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors or qualified executive officers. If we receive other than an unqualified opinion on the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007 and future year-ends as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock. As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company's internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K or 10-KSB that contains an assessment by management of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the public accounting firm auditing a company's financial statements must attest to and report on both management's assessment as to whether the company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting and on the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting. We are currently undergoing a comprehensive effort to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we are unable to complete our assessment in a timely manner or if our independent auditors issue other than an unqualified opinion on the design, operating 35 effectiveness or management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting, this could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could cause the market price of our shares to decline. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS Exhibits: EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------- ---------------------- 3(a) Certificate of Incorporation of Merrimac is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-68862) of Merrimac dated February 23, 2001. 3(b) By-laws of Merrimac are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-68862) of Merrimac dated February 23, 2001. 4(a) Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999, between Merrimac and ChaseMellon Stockholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Merrimac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 1999. 4(b) Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 9, 1999, to the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999, between Merrimac and ChaseMellon Stockholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Merrimac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 1999. 4(c) Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 7, 2000, to the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999, between Merrimac and ChaseMellon Stockholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to Merrimac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2000. 4(d) Amendment No. 3 dated as of October 26, 2000, to the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999, between Merrimac and ChaseMellon Stockholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Merrimac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2000. 4(e) Amendment No. 4 dated as of February 21, 2001, to the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1999, between Merrimac and Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C. (formerly known as ChaseMellon Stockholder Services, L.L.C.), as Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(d) to Merrimac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2001. 4(f) Amendment No. 5, dated February 28, 2002, to the Rights Agreement, between Merrimac and Mellon Investor Services LLC (f.k.a. ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.), as Rights Agent is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to Merrimac's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2002. 4(g) Amendment No. 6, dated September 18, 2002, to the Rights Agreement, between Merrimac and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Merrimac's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2002. 4(h) Amendment No. 7, dated December 13, 2004, to the Rights Agreement, between Merrimac and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as successor Rights Agent, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Merrimac's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2004. 10(a) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 7, 2000, between Merrimac and Ericsson Holding International, B.V. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending July 1, 2000. 10(b) Registration Rights Agreement dated October 26, 2000, between Merrimac and Ericsson Holding International, B.V. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB dated for the year ending December 30, 2000. 36 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------- ---------------------- 10(c) Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 28, 2002 between Merrimac and DuPont Chemical and Energy Operations, Inc., a subsidiary of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Merrimac's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2002. 10(d) Profit Sharing Plan of Merrimac is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(n) to Merrimac's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 2-79455).* 10(e) 1993 Stock Option Plan of Merrimac effective March 31, 1993, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to Merrimac's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-68862) dated September 14, 1993.* 10(f) 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Merrimac is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Merrimac's Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 1997.* 10(g) Resolutions of the Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors of Merrimac adopted June 3, 1998, amending the 1983 Key Employees Stock Option Plan of Merrimac, the 1993 Stock Option Plan of Merrimac and the 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Merrimac and adjusting outstanding awards thereunder to give effect to Merrimac's 10% stock dividend paid June 5, 1998, are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending March 30, 1999.* 10(h) Resolutions of the Stock Purchase Plan Committee of the Board of Directors of Merrimac adopted June 3, 1998, amending the 1995 Stock Purchase Plan of Merrimac and adjusting outstanding awards thereunder to give effect to Merrimac's 10% stock dividend paid June 5, 1998, are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g)(2) to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending January 2, 1999.* 10(i) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Merrimac, adopted June 3, 1998, amending the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Merrimac and adjusting outstanding awards thereunder to give effect to Merrimac's 10% stock dividend paid June 5, 1998, are hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)(2)to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending January 2, 1999.* 10(j) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998, between Merrimac and Mason N. Carter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending July 4, 1998.* 10(k) Amendment dated August 31, 2000 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1998, between Merrimac and Mason N. Carter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending September 30, 2000.* 10(l) Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement dated as of May 4, 1998, between Merrimac and Mason N. Carter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending July 4, 1998.* 10(m) Amended Promissory Note dated as of May 4, 1998, executed by Mason N. Carter in favor of Merrimac is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending January 2, 1999.* 10(n) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 4, 1998, between Merrimac and Mason N. Carter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending July 4, 1998.* 10(o) Consulting Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998, between Merrimac and Arthur A. Oliner is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending April 4, 1998.* 10(p) Separation Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998, between Merrimac and Eugene W. Niemiec is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to Merrimac's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ending January 2, 1999.* 10(q) Stockholder's Agreement dated as of October 30, 1998, between Merrimac and Charles F. Huber II is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending October 3, 1998. 37 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------- ---------------------- 10(r) Shareholder's Agreement dated as of June 3, 1999, among Merrimac, William D. Witter, Inc. and William D. Witter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending July 3, 1999. 10(s) 2001 Key Employee Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to Merrimac's Form S-8 (No. 333-63434) dated June 20, 2001.* 10(t) 2001 Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to Merrimac's Form S-8 (No. 333-63436) dated June 20, 2001.* 10(u) 2001 Stock Purchase Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to Merrimac's Form S-8 (No. 333-63438) dated June 20, 2001.* 10(v) 2001 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to Merrimac's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ending June 30, 2001.* 10(w) Financing Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, between Merrimac and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(qq) to Merrimac's Form 10-QSB for the period ending September 27, 2003. 10(x) Trademark and Patent Security Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, between Merrimac and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(rr) to Merrimac's Form 10-QSB for the period ending September 27, 2003. 10(y) Mortgage and Security Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, by Merrimac in favor of The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ss) to Merrimac's Form 10-QSB for the period ending September 27, 2003. 10(z) Merrimac Severance Plan, as adopted March 29, 2006 is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to Merrimac's Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2005.* 10(aa) Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 29, 2006, between Merrimac and Mason N. Carter is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to Merrimac's Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2005. 31.1+ Chief Executive Officer's Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2+ Chief Financial Officer's Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.1+ Chief Executive Officer's Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2+ Chief Financial Officer's Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. * Indicates that exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. + Indicates that exhibit is filed as an exhibit hereto. 38 SIGNATURES In accordance with the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. MERRIMAC INDUSTRIES, INC. Date: May 16, 2006 By: /s/ Mason N. Carter ------------------- Mason N. Carter Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Date: May 16, 2006 By: /s/ Robert V. Condon -------------------- Robert V. Condon Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer 39