Liquidmetal Technologies Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2019

This management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All amounts described in this section are in thousands, except percentages, periods of time, and share and per share data.

This management’s discussion and analysis, as well as other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, may contain “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our plans, future events, objectives, expectations, estimates, forecasts, assumptions, or projections. Any statement that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, and in some cases, words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the anticipated outcomes or results, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and other risks and uncertainties discussed in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including risks described in subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and other filings). We disclaim any intention or obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Overview

We are a materials technology company that develops and commercializes products made from amorphous alloys. Our Liquidmetal® family of alloys consists of a variety of proprietary bulk alloys and composites that utilize the advantages offered by amorphous alloy technology. We design, develop and sell custom products and parts from bulk amorphous alloys to customers in various industries. We also partner with third-party manufacturers and licensees to develop and commercialize Liquidmetal alloy products.

Amorphous alloys are, in general, unique materials that are distinguished by their ability to retain a random atomic structure when they solidify, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure that forms in other metals and alloys when they solidify. Liquidmetal alloys are proprietary amorphous alloys that possess a combination of performance, processing, and potential cost advantages that we believe will make them preferable to other materials in a variety of applications. The amorphous atomic structure of bulk alloys enables them to overcome certain performance limitations caused by inherent weaknesses in crystalline atomic structures, thus facilitating performance and processing characteristics superior in many ways to those of their crystalline counterparts. We believe our alloys and the molding technologies we employ can result in components for many applications that exhibit exceptional dimensional control and repeatability that rivals precision machining, excellent corrosion resistance, brilliant surface finish, high strength, high hardness, high elastic limit, alloys that are non-magnetic, and the ability to form complex shapes common to the injection molding of plastics. All of these characteristics are achievable from the molding process, so design engineers often do not have to select specific alloys to achieve one or more of the characteristics as is the case with crystalline materials. We believe these advantages could result in Liquidmetal alloys supplanting high-performance alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, and other incumbent materials in a wide variety of applications. Moreover, we believe these advantages could enable the introduction of entirely new products and applications that are not possible or commercially viable with other materials.

Our revenues are derived from i) selling our bulk amorphous alloy custom products and parts for applications which include, but are not limited to, non-consumer electronic devices, medical products, automotive components, and sports and leisure goods; ii) selling tooling and prototype parts such as demonstration parts and test samples for customers with products in development; and iii) product licensing and royalty revenue. We expect that these sources of revenue will continue to significantly change the character of our revenue mix as operations are scaled.

Our cost of sales consists primarily of the costs of manufacturing, which include raw alloy and internal labor required to operate our on-site production cells. Selling, general, and administrative expenses currently consist primarily of salaries and related benefits, travel, consulting and professional fees, depreciation and amortization, insurance, office and administrative expenses, and other expenses related to our operations.

Research and development expenses represent salaries, related benefits expenses, consulting and contract services, expenses incurred for the design and testing of new processing methods, expenses for the development of sample and prototype products, and other expenses related to the research and development of Liquidmetal bulk alloys. Costs associated with research and development activities are expensed as incurred. We plan to enhance our competitive position by improving our existing technologies and developing advances in amorphous alloy technologies. We believe that our research and development efforts will focus on the discovery of new alloy compositions, the development of improved processing technology, and the identification of new applications for our alloys.

In July 2019, the Company adopted a restructuring plan pursuant to which the Company elected to wind down its prior manufacturing operations at the Company’s Lake Forest, CA facility and seek to outsource the manufacture of parts utilizing the Company’s technology through domestic and international manufacturing partners (the “July 2019 Restructuring Plan”). In connection with the July 2019 Restructuring Plan, the Company has shifted its business strategy from internal manufacture of parts and products for customers toward the use and reliance of outsourced manufacturers, which will initially be Dongguan Yihao Metals Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yihao”), a China-based company that is an affiliate of our largest beneficial stockholder our CEO and Chairman, Professor Lugee Li.

Licensing Transactions

Eontec License Agreement

On March 10, 2016, in connection with the 2016 Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Parallel License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with DongGuan Eontec Co., Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation (“Eontec”) pursuant to which we each entered into a cross-license of our respective technologies.

The License Agreement provides for the cross-license of certain patents, technical information, and trademarks between us and Eontec. In particular, we granted to Eontec a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to our patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of North America and Europe, and Eontec granted to us a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to Eontec’s patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of specified countries in Asia. The license granted by us to Eontec is exclusive (including to the exclusion of us) in the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, China (P.R.C and R.O.C.), East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The license granted by Eontec to us is exclusive (including to the exclusion of Eontec) in North America and Europe. The cross-licenses are non-exclusive in geographic areas outside of the foregoing exclusive territories.

Beyond the License Agreement, we collaborate with Eontec to accelerate the commercialization of amorphous alloy technology. This includes but is not limited to developing technologies to reduce the cost of amorphous alloys, working on die cast machine technology platforms to pursue broader markets, sharing knowledge to broaden our intellectual property portfolio, and utilizing Eontec’s volume production capabilities as a third party contract manufacturer.

During March 2017, we signed contracts with Eontec to purchase two hot-crucible amorphous metal molding machines (“Machines”) at a total purchase price of $780,000. The Machines were delivered to our new manufacturing facility located in Lake Forest, CA in April 2017 and were operational during the fourth quarter of 2017. As a result of the 2019 Restructuring Plan, we will seek to develop domestic manufacturing partners and will transfer the Machines, and associated equipment, to support the continued commercialization of amorphous metal applications.

Apple License Transaction

On August 5, 2010, we entered into a license transaction with Apple Inc. (“Apple”) pursuant to which (i) we contributed substantially all of our intellectual property assets to a newly organized special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary, called Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC (“CIP”), (ii) CIP granted to Apple a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in the field of consumer electronic products, as defined in the license agreement, in exchange for a license fee, and (iii) CIP granted back to us a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in all other fields of use.

Under the agreements relating to the license transaction with Apple, we were obligated to contribute, to CIP, all intellectual property that we developed through February 2012. Subsequently, this obligation was extended to apply to all intellectual property developed through February 2016. We are also obligated to maintain certain limited liability company formalities with respect to CIP at all times after the closing of the license transaction.

Visser Precision Cast, LLC License Agreement

On June 1, 2012, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the “Visser MTA”) with Visser Precision Cast, LLC (“Visser”) relating to a strategic transaction for manufacturing services and financing. On May 20, 2014, we and Visser entered into a settlement agreement significantly amending the Visser MTA, whereby we granted to Visser a fully paid-up, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, non-transferable, nonexclusive sublicense to all of our intellectual property developed on or prior to May 20, 2014 (the “Effective Date”). Visser does not have any rights, now or in the future, to our intellectual property developed after the Effective Date. The license to our intellectual property developed on or prior to the Effective Date does not include the right to use the “Liquidmetal” trademark or any of our other trademarks, except in certain defined situations, as set forth in the amended and restated agreement.

Other License Transactions

On January 31, 2012, we entered into a Supply and License Agreement for a five year term with Engel Austria Gmbh (“Engel”) whereby Engel was granted a non-exclusive license to manufacture and sell injection molding machines to our licensees. Since that time, we and Engel have agreed on an injection molding machine configuration that can be commercially supplied and supported by Engel. On December 6, 2013, the companies entered into an Exclusivity Agreement for a ten year term whereby we agreed, with certain exceptions and limitations, that we and our licensees would purchase amorphous alloy injection molding machines exclusively from Engel in exchange for certain royalties to be paid by Engel to us based on a percentage of the net sales price of such injection molding machines.

Our Liquidmetal Golf subsidiary has the exclusive right and license to utilize our Liquidmetal alloy technology for purposes of golf equipment applications. This right and license is set forth in an intercompany license agreement between Liquidmetal Technologies and Liquidmetal Golf. This license agreement provides that Liquidmetal Golf has a perpetual and exclusive license to use Liquidmetal alloy technology for the purpose of manufacturing, marketing, and selling golf club components and other products used in the sport of golf. We own 79% of the outstanding common stock of Liquidmetal Golf.

In June 2003, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with LLPG, Inc. (“LLPG”). Under the terms of the agreement, LLPG has the exclusive right to commercialize Liquidmetal alloys, particularly precious-metal based compositions, in jewelry and high-end luxury product markets. We, in turn, will receive royalty payments over the life of the contract on all Liquidmetal products produced and sold by LLPG. The exclusive license agreement with LLPG expires on December 31, 2021.

In March 2009, we entered into a license agreement with Swatch Group, Ltd. (“Swatch”) under which Swatch was granted a non-exclusive license to our technology to produce and market watches and certain other luxury products. In March 2011, this license agreement was amended to grant Swatch exclusive rights as to watches and all third parties (including us), but non-exclusive as to Apple, and our license agreement with LLPG was simultaneously amended to exclude watches from LLPG’s rights. We will receive royalty payments over the life of the contract on all Liquidmetal products produced and sold by Swatch. The license agreement with Swatch will expire on the expiration date of the last licensed patent.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to our consolidated financial statements since these policies require significant judgment or involve complex estimates that are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results:

• Revenue recognition
• Impairment of long-lived assets and definite-lived intangibles
• Deferred tax assets
• Valuation of written call/ put option liabilities and warrants
• Share based compensation

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Annual Report”) contains further discussions on our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

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Revenue and operating expenses

Revenue. Total revenue increased to $132 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $55 the three months ended June 30, 2018. Total revenue increased to $355 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $135 for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was attributable to higher volumes associated with early-production orders and continued prototyping projects in an effort to build a significant, recurring, funnel of production business during the 2019 period and prospectively.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales was $103, or 78% of products revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, an increase from $61, or 111% of products revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Cost of sales was $282, or 79% of products revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 an increase from $142, or 105% of products revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in our cost of sales as a percentage of products revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily attributable to lower raw material costs as a result of market adjustments taken during the third quarter of 2018 and improvements in production throughput. When we begin increasing our products revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through our manufacturing facility and, in future periods, third party contract manufacturers, we expect our cost of sales percentages to decrease, stabilize and be more predictable.

Gross profit (loss). Our gross profit increased to $29 for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 from $(6) for the three month period ended June 30, 2018. Our gross profit (loss) as a percentage of products revenue, increased to 22% for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 from (11)% for the three month period ended June 30, 2018. Our gross profit (loss) increased to $73 for the six month period ended June 30, 2019 from $(7) for the six month period ended June 30, 2018. Our gross profit (loss), as a percentage of products revenue, increased to 21% for the six month period ended June 30, 2019 from (5)% for the six month period ended June 30, 2018.

Early prototype and pre-production orders generally result in a higher cost mix, relative to revenue, than would otherwise be incurred in an on-site production environment, with higher volumes and more established operating processes, or through contract manufacturers. As such, our gross profit percentages have fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate based on volume and quoted production prices per unit and may not be representative of our future business. When we begin increasing our products revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through future orders to our manufacturing facility and, in future periods, third party contract manufacturers, we expect our gross profit percentages to stabilize, increase, and be more predictable.

Selling, marketing, general and administrative. Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses were $1,275 and $2,708 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $1,527 and $3,112 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The decrease in expenses was due to overall lower costs associated with employee compensation as a result of prior period headcount reductions.

Research and development. Research and development expenses were $406 and $895 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $644 and $1,254 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The decrease in expense was mainly due to reduction in mold, tooling, and alloy development initiatives. We continue to (i) perform research and development of new Liquidmetal alloys and related processing capabilities, (ii) develop new manufacturing techniques, and (iii) contract with consultants to advance the development of Liquidmetal alloys and related production processes.

Impairment of long-lived assets. In connection with the July 2019 Restructuring Plan, non-cash impairment charges of $1,676 were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 as a result of changed assumptions regarding the asset grouping and future use of the Company’s manufacturing assets. Similar charges were not recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

Operating loss. Operating loss was $3,333 and $5,211 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. This compares to $2,177 and $4,373 for the three and six months periods ended June 30, 2018, respectively. Fluctuations in our operating loss are primarily attributable to variations in operating expenses, as discussed above.

As a result of the July 2019 Restructuring Plan, we anticipate that on-going operating selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses and research an development will be significantly reduced, primarily through employee headcount reductions and the outsourcing of development and manufacturing operations.

We continue to invest in our technology infrastructure to expedite the adoption of our technology, but we have experienced long sales lead times for customer adoption of our technology. Until that time when we can either (i) increase our revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through third party contract manufacturers or (ii) obtain significant licensing revenues, we expect to continue to have operating losses for the foreseeable future.

Other income and expenses

Interest income. Interest income relates to interest earned from our cash deposits for the respective periods. Such amounts were $109 and $219 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. This compares to $35 and $68 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash used in operating activities

Cash used in operating activities totaled $2,456 and $3,383 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The cash was primarily used to fund operating expenses related to our business and product development efforts.

Cash used in investing activities

Cash used in investing activities totaled $592 and $71 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Investing outflows primarily consist of capital expenditures for additional production equipment and building improvements. We anticipate that our capital investments in the future will substantially decrease based on the above-described shift in our manufacturing strategy.

Cash provided by financing activities

Cash provided by financing activities totaled $14 and $47 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities is comprised of cash received for the issuance of shares following the exercise of stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Financing arrangements and outlook

During 2016, we raised a total of $62,700 through the issuance of 405,000,000 shares of our common stock in multiple closings under the 2016 Purchase Agreement. The Company has a relatively limited history of producing bulk amorphous alloy products and components on a mass-production scale. Furthermore, the ability of future contract manufacturers to produce the Company’s products in desired quantities and at commercially reasonable prices is uncertain and is dependent on a variety of factors that are outside of the Company’s control, including the nature and design of the component, the customer’s specifications, and required delivery timelines. These factors have previously required that the Company engage in equity sales under various stock purchase agreements to support its operations and strategic initiatives. As a result of the funding under the 2016 Purchase Agreement, the Company anticipates that its current capital resources, when considering expected losses from operations, will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for the foreseeable future.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Vice President of Finance (Principal Financial Officer), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of June 30, 2019. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that should be understood by any investor contemplating an investment in our stock, please refer to Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2018 Annual Report. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2018 Annual Report, except for the addition of the following risk factors:

The restructuring plan that we adopted in July 2019 and the associated shift in business strategy may not result in the anticipated benefits.

In July 2019, the Company adopted a restructuring plan pursuant to which the Company elected to wind down its prior manufacturing operations at the Company’s Lake Forest, CA facility and seek to outsource the manufacture of parts utilizing the Company’s technology through its domestic and international manufacturing partners (the “July 2019 Restructuring Plan”). In connection with this restructuring plan, the Company has shifted its business strategy from internal manufacture of parts and products for customers toward the use and reliance of outsourced manufacturers, which will initially be Dongguan Yihao Metals Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yihao”), a China-based company that is an affiliate of our largest beneficial stockholder, our CEO and Chairman, Professor Lugee Li. The purpose of this shift was to preserve and maximize the value of the Company’s assets by reducing the infrastructure and cost associated with maintaining and building manufacturing operations and maximizing the prospects of successfully and more rapidly commercializing amorphous alloy products by leveraging the manufacturing capabilities of Yihao and potentially other manufacturers. There is no assurance, however, that this strategy will enable the Company to more rapidly and successfully commercialize its products.

We will rely on the manufacturing operations of a third party controlled by our largest stockholder, CEO and Chairman, which presents potential conflicts of interest.

As a result of the July 2019 Restructuring Plan, we will rely, at least initially, on Yihao to manufacture our products. Yihao is an affiliate of Professor Li and is indirectly controlled by Professor Li. Professor Li, through his affiliates, is the largest beneficial owner of our common stock and owns approximately 45.1% of our common stock and is able to exercise significant influence over all matters affecting us, including the election of directors, formation and execution of business strategy and approval of mergers, acquisitions and other significant corporate transactions, which may have an adverse effect on our stock price and ability to execute our strategic initiatives. As a result of this significant ownership and his affiliation with Yihao, as well as the future importance of Yihao as a manufacturer of the Company’s products, Professor Li may have conflicts of interest and interests that are not aligned with those of other stockholders of the Company.