Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
FORM 10-K
____________________
x             ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended: May 30, 2009
OR
    o       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 1-33752

MERIX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon
 
93-1135197
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

15725 SW Greystone Court, Suite 200, Beaverton, Oregon
 
97006
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   503-716-3700

Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value
NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
____________________
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o      No  x
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x     No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o     No  o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o      No  x
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the last sales price ($0.38) as reported by The NASDAQ Global Market, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (November 29, 2008), was $7,706,178. This calculation excludes approximately 0.7 million shares held by directors and executive officers of the Registrant.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of July 27, 2009 was 21,780,731 shares.
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference
 
The Registrant has incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K portions of its Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.



 
 

 

MERIX CORPORATION
2009 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
   
     
Item 1.
Business                                                                                                            
2
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors                                                                                                            
10
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments                                                                                                           
26
     
Item 2.
Properties                                                                                                            
26
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                            
26
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                                                                                            
27
     
   
     
Item 5.
28
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data                                                                                                            
30
     
Item 7.
31
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                                                                                            
49
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                                                                            
50
     
Item 9.
85
     
Item 9A(T).
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                            
85
     
Item 9B.
Other Information                                                                                                            
87
     
   
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance                                                                                                            
87
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation                                                                                                            
87
     
Item 12.
87
     
Item 13.
90
     
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services                                                                                                            
90
     
   
     
Item 15.
91
     
 
95

 
 

 

A Warning About Forward-Looking Statements
 
 
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position, made in this Annual Report are forward-looking. We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “future” and “intends” and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations, plans or projections and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations, plans or projections. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Certain risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, plans and projections are described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” under the subheading “Risk Factors Affecting Business and Results of Operations.” This section, along with other sections of this Annual Report, describes some, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, plans and projections. We do not intend to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are urged, however, to review the factors set forth in reports that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
PART I
 
Item 1 .  Business
 
Business Overview
 
Formed in 1994 and headquartered in the United States, Merix is a leading provider of technologically advanced rigid, multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in the design and development of complex electronic applications. The company maintains operations throughout Asia, Europe and North America. Principal products are complex multi-layer rigid PCBs, which serve as the platforms used to interconnect microprocessors, integrated circuits and other electronic components that are essential to the operation of electronic products and systems. Our principal markets include automotive, defense & aerospace, communications, computing, industrial, networking, peripherals and,test end markets in the worldwide electronics industry. The markets served by Merix are generally characterized by rapid technological change, high levels of complexity and short product life cycles, as new and technologically superior electronic equipment is continually being developed and introduced to the global marketplace.
 
Following the successful integration of our operations in the United States and Asia, Merix now operates as one integrated global manufacturing organization with common processes, quality and reliability standards worldwide. In addition, common tooling, training and the successful implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system have improved operational performance and created new efficiencies across the global organization. Today, our unique global value proposition provides a seamless transition of quick-turn and ramp-to-volume printed circuit board manufacturing services from our North American facilities to high-volume, low-cost manufacturing services from our plants in China. More recently, our Asia factories are also beginning to offer quick-turn production to customers based in the region. The ability to offer our customers a seamless manufacturing transition from quick turn prototyping to volume manufacturing distinguishes Merix from its competition.
 
Electronic equipment progresses through a product life cycle with stages that require differing manufacturing capabilities. In the design phase, the customer requires very compressed lead times to shorten their product’s time to market. Ramping to volume, the customer requires flexibility to adjust for minor design changes and high quality production. As the product matures, the customer requires high-quality, reliable, low-cost manufacturing. Historically, due in part to the fragmented nature of the PCB industry, electronics manufacturers procured PCBs from multiple vendors in various geographies to meet the requirements of a product’s life cycle. Each PCB vendor transition introduces incremental time, cost and risk.

 
 

 
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We fulfill our value proposition by leveraging the following manufacturing facilities:
 
North America
 
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, the 248,000 square foot Forest Grove, Oregon facility focuses on advance technology, high layer count  and HDI products. The plant offers quick-turn service with a 5- to 10-day turnaround, as well as full lead-time high-volume production. Market and technology expertise at this location includes radio-frequency (RF) and microwave materials, thermal management and defense & aerospace applications. In fiscal 2009, the plant received two key military certifications, including MIL-PRF-31032 and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These are key milestones to achieving defense & aerospace market growth.
 
The 40,000 square foot San Jose, California specializes in providing high quality, high reliability quick-turn and new product introduction (NPI) prototypes with 24- to 72-hour turnaround. This plant features three key certifications: defense & aerospace standard MIL-PRF-55110, MIL-PRF-31032 and ISO 9001.
 
Asia
 
Our 250,000 square foot Huiyang, China facility is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and has mid- to high-technology production capabilities. Plant production is focused on high-volume, low-mix orders. With the substantial expansion and technology upgrade completed in fiscal 2009, this factory is closely aligned with our capabilities in the United States.
 
Our 135,000 square foot facility in Huizhou, China provides high-quality lower-technology PCBs, primarily for automotive, microwave RF and thermal management applications. This factory is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, QS 9000 and ISO/TS 16949 qualified.
 
Products and Services
 
We provide a large and diverse global customer base with manufacturing services for complex multi-layer PCBs. These serve as platforms to interconnect microprocessors, integrated circuits and other components that are essential to the operation of electronic products and systems. Our objective is to enable our customers within defined markets to produce high quality and technologically advanced products throughout the life cycle of their products, from product conception (design and new product introduction) through volume production (ramping production through maturity). The products and services we provide include:
 
Design and engineering assistance
 
We provide design and engineering assistance in the early stages of product development to ensure that mechanical and electrical elements are integrated to achieve a high-quality and cost-effective product for our customers. Specifically, we provide customers with design-specific guidance on material selection, fabrication options, impedance modeling, thermal management, signal integrity, and design rule flexibility.  We believe this collaborative process helps our customers improve the systems they are designing, reduce manufacturing costs, and increase manufacturing yields and the overall quality of finished PCBs. We also believe this quickens the transition from development of the prototype design to volume manufacturing and facilitates the timely delivery of high quality products. In addition, by working closely with our customers throughout the design and manufacturing process, we gain insight into their product plans and production requirements, enabling us to more effectively provide future manufacturing services.
 
Quick-turn and premium services revenues
 
We rapidly manufacture custom PCBs, allowing our customers to more quickly develop and market sophisticated electronic products. We provide quick-turn services for prototype manufacturing with lead times of 24 hours to 10 days, pre-production quantities with lead times of 10 to 20 days and compressed lead time volume orders. We generally receive a premium over our standard volume pricing for each of these services. Consolidated net sales of quick-turn and premium services revenues represented approximately 18%, 22% and 26% of consolidated net sales during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007,

 
 

 
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respectively. The amount of quick-turn and premium services revenue varies significantly throughout the year and the business cycle. It is often dependent on available capacity within our own factories and at competitor facilities. The decline in quick-turn and premium services over the last three years is principally driven by the impact on demand of the deteriorating global economic conditions resulting in excess North American production capacity. As such, customers can receive shorter lead-time deliveries at either full lead-time prices or at discounted prices. A strategic objective for Merix is to grow the total amount of quick-turn revenue in both our North American and Asian production facilities as this service offering carries higher market pricing and yields improved profitability.
 
Volume production
 
Volume production of PCBs generally begins when PCBs move from quick-turn production to full-scale commercial production and is characterized by standard lead times of four to eight weeks, depending on business cycles. At this stage of production, quality, on-time delivery, process capability and price are the factors most important to our customers.
 
Our Asian facilities have historically provided a lower cost, high volume manufacturing capability for generally lower technology products to a global customer base. To enable an improved seamless transition of similar technology products that our customers value from our North American facilities to our Asian facilities, we completed a major expansion and upgrade of technological capabilities in our Huiyang, China facility in fiscal 2009. The expansion enables the manufacture of high-technology products in excess of 20 layers with an average of 12 to 14 layers, which is more closely aligned with our North American capabilities. Previously, production in this facility averaged approximately 6 layers. Prior to the expansion of technological capabilities in our Huiyang facility, the Asia factories were only able to produce about 20 percent of the technology manufactured in our two North American facilities. Today, our Asia factories can produce approximately 80 percent of the technology manufactured in North America.
 
Advanced technologies
 
Our engineering capability has enabled our Oregon facility to produce commercial volumes of technologically sophisticated PCBs of up to 40 layers, utilizing high performance materials and leading edge fabrication techniques in order to meet accelerated time-to-market and time-to-volume requirements of our customers.
 
Both our North American and Asian facilities have expertise in advanced manufacturing techniques for products utilizing high performance materials and offer specialty products, including:
 
·  
RF/Microwave application products.   We manufacture printed circuit boards using a variety of advanced insulating materials, primarily for RF/Microwave applications in the wireless infrastructure market. Although typically included in PCBs with lower layer counts, these advanced materials offer electrical, thermal and long-term reliability advantages over conventional materials. They are, however, more difficult to process through manufacturing.
 
·  
Thermal management solutions.   We offer solutions to help our customers manage heat in high performance applications, such as RF/Microwave, and address thermal and signal integrity requirements in high-power wireless products. Our manufacturing facilities support the integration of metal heat sinks with PCBs as well as other processes for managing thermal issues.
 
Industry Overview
 
The global PCB market is highly fragmented and the largest PCB manufacturer has less than 5% market share. Today the global PCB market has estimated revenues of $45 to $50 billion and comprises various types of PCB production, including flexible circuits and rigid PCBs based on composite materials or copper laminate, which is currently produced by Merix. As a result of the economic contraction, industry analysts have reported a decline of the North American PCB market of approximately 50% in the period comprising our fiscal year 2009. Current predictions for calendar 2009 project a contraction of approximately 20%-30% compared to calendar 2008. While analysts have indicated that visibility is limited, downward trends in industry bookings appeared to stabilize in spring 2009, and cautious estimates have been made that the industry could achieve a return to slow growth in calendar 2010.

 
 

 
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PCBs consist of patterns of electrical circuitry etched from copper that have been laminated on a board of insulating material. A finished multi-layer PCB consists of a number of layers of circuitry laminated together using intense heat and pressure under vacuum. There are two primary stages in a PCB’s production: the first is production of the inner layers that provide the connectivity within the PCB; and the second is production of the two outer layers that wrap the PCB to complete the final product. The electrical circuitry on the PCB connects components, such as microprocessors, that are essential to the operation of electronic products and systems.
 
PCBs are used in virtually all electronic equipment from consumer products, such as personal computers, cellular telephones, automobiles and televisions, to high-end commercial electronic equipment, such as data communication routers and switches, computer workstations and network servers, as well as in many medical and industrial applications. PCBs used in many consumer electronic products typically have lower layer counts, lower performance materials and require less manufacturing capability than PCBs used in high-end commercial equipment. High-end commercial equipment manufacturers require more complex multi-layer PCBs, often constructed with advanced specialty materials. Manufacturing PCBs for these high-end products requires substantial investment in advanced production facilities and process technology as well as engineering and manufacturing expertise.
 
We believe the following are significant trends within the PCB manufacturing industry:
 
Increasing complexity of electronic equipment
 
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are continually designing more complex and higher-performance electronic equipment, which requires sophisticated PCBs that accommodate higher speeds and frequencies and increased component densities and operating temperatures. The increasing complexity and density of electronic equipment continues to drive technological advancements such as advanced multi-layer PCBs. Manufacturers of these PCBs must continually invest in technology and advanced manufacturing processes. In the past several years there has been increasing demand for higher density and smaller PCBs to enable smaller, lighter mobile electronics. High performance devices in smaller portable platforms require greater reliability, closer tolerances, higher circuit density and increased complexity, which has resulted in development of high-density interconnect (HDI) products. Manufacturing these products often requires investment in high technology machinery such as laser microvia drilling tools and requires sophisticated capacity planning to address the increases in inherent manufacturing cycle time that results from multiple lamination processes.
 
Increased customer demand for quick-turn services and integrated solutions
 
We believe OEMs are increasingly looking to high-end PCB manufacturers that can offer engineering support in the design phase, quick-turns of prototypes and manufacturing scalability throughout the product life cycle. In order to increase the efficiency of their electronic supply chains, many OEMs are also working with a smaller number of technically qualified suppliers that have sophisticated manufacturing expertise and are able to offer a broad range of PCB products and services in varying geographies. Over the last few years, OEMs have increased their desire for quick-turn services and production of higher technology products in lower-cost areas of the world, including Asia. Also, rapid advances in technology have significantly shortened product life cycles and placed increased pressure on OEMs to develop new products in shorter periods of time. In response to these pressures, OEMs have increased their demand for engineering support in the design phase of their products and quick-turn service production of small unit volumes of PCBs in the prototype development stage. Historically, countries in North America and Western Europe were the primary source of higher technology boards. Although advanced technology manufacturing services often remain in these regions, we have seen improved capabilities in lower-cost areas of the world, including Asia.
 
Increased production of printed circuit boards in Asia
 
As mentioned above, OEMs have increased their desire for lower-cost sources of production. In recent years, Asian manufacturers of PCBs have increased their production and market share of less sophisticated, lower layer count PCBs used in high-volume consumer electronics applications, such as personal computers and cell phones, as well as in high-volume automotive applications. We believe that

 
 

 
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the technological expertise and process know-how to manufacture complex multi-layered PCBs and the resource commitments to maintain state-of-the-art capabilities have tended to serve as barriers to entry into the high-end segments of the PCB industry. However, this trend is changing and Asian manufacturers have improved their technological capabilities for more advanced, high-volume consumer products. We have experienced increasing competition from Asian PCB companies and expect that trend to continue as electronic manufacturing service providers increase high-end commercial electronic equipment assembly and manufacturing in Asia to capitalize on lower-cost labor. However, many independent industry observers believe that certain advanced technologies and certain sensitive applications (e.g. military and aerospace) will continue to be mandated to be manufactured in traditional geographies like the U.S.
 
Customers and Markets
 
Our customers include leading OEMs in the communications and networking, computing and peripherals, test, industrial and medical electronics, defense and aerospace, and automotive industries. Our five largest OEM customers, who vary from year to year, accounted for a total of 37%, 36%, and 37% of our consolidated net sales during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our strategic plan aims to diversify the customer base for our larger factories in Oregon and Asia. However, we expect to continue to depend upon a small number of customers for a significant portion of our consolidated net sales for the foreseeable future.
 
Our largest customer, Motorola, represented 13% of our net sales in fiscal 2009. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in fiscal 2009.
 
Sales attributed to OEMs include sales made through electronic manufacturing service (EMS) providers. In fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 48%, 55% and 51%, respectively, of consolidated net sales were made through EMS providers. Although our contractual relationship is with the EMS providers, most of our shipments to EMS providers are directed by OEMs that negotiate product pricing and volumes directly with us. In addition, we are on the approved vendor list of several EMS providers and are awarded incremental discretionary orders directly from some of them.
 
See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operations” for information regarding net sales by segment and net sales to each of our principal end-user markets.
 
Geographic Information
 
In fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, net sales to customers outside the United States totaled 46%, 36% and 37% of net sales, respectively.
 
Long-lived assets by geographic location were as follows at May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007 (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
United States                                                                                      
  $ 63,305     $ 79,172     $ 93,867  
People’s Republic of China  (including Hong Kong)
    57,083       71,244       56,409  
    $ 120,388     $ 150,416     $ 150,276  
 
Sales and Marketing
 
We market our services and products through a field-based direct sales force, factory-based service personnel, field application engineers, and manufacturers’ representative firms in North America, Europe and Asia. We employ field application engineers in regions across North America, Europe and Asia that serve as the technical interface between our factories and our customers’ design engineering teams. Our field application engineers provide technical design assistance, including information and modeling data to help ensure that the customers’ final PCB design meets the intended electrical performance requirements, cost goals and guidelines for manufacturability. We believe this collaboration between our engineers with our customers’ designers provides us with a significant competitive advantage.

 
 

 
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Supplier Relationships
 
We have strong relationships with certain suppliers of raw materials and services and believe these relationships help reduce the lead times associated with our acquisition of these materials and services and to reduce inventory carrying costs, enhance the quality and reliability of the supply of materials and reduce our transportation and other logistics costs. Some of our products use types of laminates that are only available from a single supplier that holds a patent on the material.
 
Manufacturing and Technology
 
Our PCBs manufactured in the U.S. typically employ advanced technology, such as various combinations of high layer counts, advanced materials, precision cavities, embedded passives, narrow circuit widths and separations of copper traces and small diameter holes, called “vias” and “microvias,” which connect internal circuitry. Our Asian facilities also employ advanced technology; however, Asia typically manufactures PCBs with lower layer counts and a narrower set of high-technology features. With the completion of the expansion project at our Huiyang, China plant, that facility has the capability to manufacture high-technology products with an average of 12 to 14 layers. We expect that future production in this plant will leverage these new technological capabilities. Our average layer count, which is a widely used technology measure of manufacturing capability, was 12.7 and 5.1 for PCBs manufactured in our North America and Asia facilities, respectively, during fiscal 2009.
 
The increasing complexity of electronic products has driven technological advancements in PCBs and has placed increasingly difficult demands on the manufacturing process. Many of our PCBs employ advanced high-performance materials, such as high-temperature composites, that offer electrical, thermal and long-term reliability advantages over conventional materials. We have significant expertise in developing advanced manufacturing techniques for processing these materials in our North American facilities and are developing similar skills in our China-based facilities.
 
We employ numerous advanced manufacturing techniques and systems, including automated imaging systems, laser drills, automated optical inspection, computer controlled hot oil vacuum lamination, high-speed computer controlled drilling and routing, automated registration optimizers, periodic reverse pulse copper plating, photo imageable solder mask processing, dual-sided access electrical testing and automated surface coating. Traditionally, board designers have utilized increased board layer count to add features and functionality to their boards.
 
We generally receive circuit designs directly from our customers in the form of electronic data files, which we review using our front-end engineering capabilities to ensure data accuracy and product manufacturability. To aid in the efficiency and accuracy of this review, we have globally implemented InPlan™, a suite of intelligent, fully integrated products for automating the PCB pre-production engineering process along with Genesis™ CAD-CAM software for design rule verification and manufacturing tools generation. This consistent set of tools standardizes across-the-globe manufacturing process planning, reduces cycle time and enhances quality. InPlan™ results in a centralized global customer specification database to enable planning and manufacturing anywhere in the world. Using these reviewed and optimized electronic requirements, we generate images of the circuit patterns that are developed on individual circuit board layers using advanced photographic processes. Through a variety of plating and etching processes, we selectively add and remove conductive materials, forming horizontal layers of thin traces, or circuits, which are separated by insulating material. We utilize TrueChem TM software for statistical process control to optimize quality of chemical processes in the manufacturing operation. A centralized web-based server network interface provides a standardized database platform for our facilities to monitor and control all of the complex process chemistries both on-site and from remote locations. A finished multi-layer PCB consists of a number of layers of circuitry laminated together using heat and pressure under vacuum. Vertical connections between layers are achieved by plating vias, which are made by highly specialized drilling equipment capable of achieving extremely fine tolerances with high accuracy. We specialize in high-layer PCBs with extremely fine geometries and tolerances. Because of the tolerances involved, we use clean rooms for certain manufacturing processes, in which tiny particles might otherwise create defects on the circuit patterns, and use automated optical inspection systems to ensure consistent quality.

 
 

 
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Research and Development
 
Expenditures for research and development activities are included as a component of engineering expense on our consolidated statements of operations and are expensed as incurred. The Company incurs relatively small research and development expenses as most of the technology we produce is owned by our customers. Our engineering costs are generally related to the development of manufacturing process technology.
 
Competition
 
We believe our major competitors have factories principally located in the U.S. and Asia and have other international independent manufacturers that produce multi-layer PCBs, provide backplanes and other electronic assemblies and offer quick-turn services. Competitors include Daeduck Electronics Co., DDi Corp., Elec and Eltek, Meadville Holdings Ltd., LG Electronics, Multek Corporation (a division of Flextronics International Ltd.), Sanmina-SCI Corporation, TTM Technologies, Inc., WUS Printed Circuit Company Ltd., Viasystems Group Inc. and Ibiden Co., Ltd.  
 
We believe our ability to compete depends upon the successful execution of a number of key deliverables. These deliverables include:
 
·  
growing our technological capability, particularly in Asia;
·  
providing customers with high quality, reliable products;
·  
meeting our committed delivery schedules; and
·  
maintaining a competitive cost structure in our global factories enabling competitive customer pricing.
 
Further, our global footprint enables us to seamlessly transition customers’ products among our factories in North America and Asia. These transitions are necessary to efficiently meet the changing life cycle requirements of our customers’ products. We believe our customers recognize this unique value proposition as a competitive strength.
 
Backlog
 
Backlog comprises purchase orders received and, in some instances, forecast requirements released for production under customer contracts. Backlog totaled $27.6 million and $66.3 million at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively. Over the past fiscal year, user demand for products containing PCBs continued to decrease primarily as a result of the significant impact of the global economic slowdown. Backlog also varies with changes in standard lead times as customers place orders ahead of their delivery needs. Thus, longer lead times tend to increase our backlog. As of the end of fiscal 2008, we had lead times that extended beyond 10 weeks in North America and approximately eight weeks in Asia. In comparison, as of the end of fiscal 2009 our lead times in both regions were four weeks. Our reported backlog represents orders scheduled for delivery within 90 days. Customers may cancel or postpone all scheduled orders, in most cases without penalty. Therefore backlog may not be a meaningful indicator of future financial results.
 
Patents and Other Intellectual Property
 
Although we seek to protect certain proprietary technology and other intangible assets through patents, trademarks and trade secret protection, we believe our business depends primarily on our effective execution of fabrication techniques and our ability to improve manufacturing processes. We generally enter into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with our employees, consultants and customers, as needed, and generally limit access to and distribution of our proprietary information and processes. We cannot provide assurance that the steps taken by us will prevent the misappropriation of our technology and processes. Furthermore, effective proprietary process protection may not be available or may be limited in China or other foreign countries.  
 
Environmental Matters
 
We are required to comply with foreign, federal, state, county and municipal regulations regarding protection of the environment and worker health and safety. PCB manufacturing requires the use of a

 
 

 
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variety of materials, including metals and chemicals. As a result, we are subject to laws relating to the storage, use, labeling, handling and disposal of and human exposure to chemicals, solid waste and other hazardous materials, as well as air quality regulations, and we incur expenses relating to compliance with these laws and regulations. Many of our activities are also subject to permits issued by governmental agencies. These permits must be renewed periodically and are subject to revocation in the event of violations of environmental laws. Certain waste materials and byproducts generated by our manufacturing processes are either processed by us or sent to third parties for recycling, reclamation, treatment or disposal. Water used in our manufacturing process must be properly treated prior to discharge.
 
Our facilities in Huiyang and Huizhou, China are not currently compliant with all applicable environmental permits and requirements. We have worked cooperatively with regulators in China and have agreed upon a compliance plan and on-going implementation of this plan has occurred in fiscal 2008 and 2009. We do not anticipate any fines, penalties or unplanned costs to bring our facilities into compliance. We believe that our other facilities currently comply in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations. However, we have, in the past, received certain notices of violations and been required to engage in certain minor corrective activities. There can be no assurance that violations will not occur in the future.
 
When violations of environmental, health, and safety laws occur, we can be held liable for damages, penalties and costs of investigation and remedial actions, which could have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Environmental laws could become more stringent over time, imposing greater compliance costs and increasing risks and penalties associated with violations. We are at risk of violation of environmental, health and safety laws in the future as a result of human error, equipment failure, facility expansion or other causes.
 
Employees
 
As of May 30, 2009, we had a total of approximately 2,950 employees. Approximately 1,950 of our employees are located in Asia. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We have never experienced an employee-related work stoppage at any of our facilities. We believe our relationship with our employees is good, although, like most manufacturing companies, we have experienced employment-related claims from time to time. 
 
Available Information
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 15725 SW Greystone Court, Suite 200, Beaverton, Oregon 97006 and our telephone number is (503) 716-3700. Our website address is www.merix.com. Our annual, quarterly and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, respectively, and all amendments thereto filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, can be accessed, free of charge, at our website as soon as practicable after we file those reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained on our website does not constitute, and shall not be deemed to constitute, part of this report and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this report.
 
You may also read and copy any materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site, http://www.sec.gov , from which you can access our annual, quarterly and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, respectively, our proxy statements, and all amendments to these materials.
 


 
 

 
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Item 1A .  Risk Factors
 
RISK FACTORS AFFECTING BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. If any of the following risks impact our business, the market price of our shares of common stock and other securities could decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment. In addition, the following risk factors and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements, whether made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or the other documents we file with the SEC, or in our annual or quarterly reports to shareholders, future press releases, or orally, whether in presentations, responses to questions or otherwise.
 
Current conditions in the global economy and the major industry sectors that we serve may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
Our business and operating results will continue to be affected by worldwide economic conditions and, in particular, conditions in the communications & networking, automotive, computing & peripherals, and test, industrial & medical, and defense & aerospace markets that we serve. As a result of slowing global economic growth, the credit market crisis, declining consumer and business confidence, increased unemployment, reduced levels of capital expenditures, fluctuating commodity prices, bankruptcies and other challenges currently affecting the global economy, our customers may experience deterioration of their businesses, cash flow shortages and difficulty obtaining financing. As a result, existing or potential customers may delay or cancel plans to purchase products produced by our customers which would have a material adverse effect on us. Further, our vendors may be experiencing similar conditions, which may impact their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. Although the United States government and the governments of other countries have enacted, and may enact further, various economic stimulus programs, there can be no assurance as to the effectiveness of these programs, and with respect to future programs, the timing and effectiveness of such programs. If the global economic slowdown continues for a significant period or there is significant further deterioration in the global economy, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
 
We are dependent upon the electronics industry, which is highly cyclical and suffers significant downturns in demand resulting in excess manufacturing capacity and increased price competition.
 
The electronics industry, on which a substantial portion of our business depends, is cyclical and subject to significant downturns characterized by diminished product demand, rapid declines in average selling prices and over-capacity. This industry has experienced periods characterized by relatively low demand and price depression and is likely to experience recessionary periods in the future. Economic conditions affecting the electronics industry in general, or specific customers in particular, have adversely affected our operating results in the past and may do so in the future. Currently, the global economy has been greatly impacted by the global recessionary conditions linked to a collapse of values in the U.S. home mortgage sector, volatile fuel prices, and a changing political and economic landscape. These factors have contributed to historically low consumer confidence levels resulting in a significantly intensified downturn in demand for products incorporating PCBs, which has in turn adversely affected our results of operations for fiscal 2009.
 
The electronics industry is characterized by intense competition, rapid technological change, relatively short product life cycles and pricing and profitability pressures. These factors adversely affect our customers and we suffer similar effects. Our customers are primarily high-technology equipment manufacturers in the communications and networking, computing and peripherals, test, industrial and medical, defense and aerospace and automotive markets of the electronics industry. Due to the uncertainty in the markets served by most of our customers, we cannot accurately predict our future financial results or accurately anticipate future orders. At any time, our customers can discontinue or modify products containing components manufactured by us, adjust the timing of orders and shipments or affect our mix of consolidated net sales generated from quick-turn and premium services revenues versus standard lead time production, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 
 

 
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Competition in the printed circuit board market is intense and we could lose sales if we are unable to compete effectively.
 
The market for PCBs is intensely competitive, highly fragmented and rapidly changing. We expect competition to persist, which could result in continued reductions in pricing and profitability and loss of market share. We believe our major competitors are U.S., Asian and other international independent manufacturers of multi-layer printed circuit boards, backplanes and other electronic assemblies. Those competitors include Daeduck Electronics Co., DDi Corp., Elec and Eltek., Meadville Holdings, Ltd., LG Electronics, Multek Corporation (a division of Flextronics International Ltd.), Sanmina-SCI Corporation, TTM Technologies, Inc., WUS Printed Circuits Company Ltd., ViaSystems, Inc and Ibiden Co., Ltd.
 
Some of our competitors and potential competitors may have a number of advantages over us, including:
 
·  
significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and manufacturing resources;
·  
preferred vendor status with some of our existing and potential customers;
·  
more focused production facilities that may allow them to produce and sell products at lower price points;
·  
more capital; and
·  
larger customer bases.
 
In addition, these competitors may have the ability to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies, be more successful in entering or adapting to existing or new end markets, adapt more quickly to changes in customer requirements and devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. Consolidation in the PCB industry, which we expect to continue, could result in an increasing number of larger PCB companies with greater market power and resources. Such consolidation could in turn increase price competition and result in other competitive pressures for us. We must continually develop improved manufacturing processes to meet our customers’ needs for complex, high-technology products, and our basic interconnect technology is generally not subject to significant proprietary protection. We may not be able to maintain or expand our sales if competition increases and we are unable to respond effectively.
 
Other considerations that affect our ability to compete include providing manufacturing services that are competitively priced, providing continually evolving technical capabilities, having competitive lead times and meeting specified delivery dates.
 
Due to the severe downturn in the economic environment, coupled with our recent financial performance, we have noted and expect to see continuing concern from our customers about our ability to continue operations in the current environment. In order to minimize reductions to net sales that could result from customer concerns about our financial health, we are actively engaging with our significant customers to allay their concerns. We have not had any major customer cease doing business with us as a result of concerns about our stability, though it is possible that orders have been reduced as customers seek to secure an alternate vendor of our products. However, if one or more major customers were to significantly reduce its purchases from us, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
During recessionary periods in the electronics industry, our competitive advantages in providing an integrated manufacturing solution and responsive customer service may be less important to our customers than they are in more favorable economic climates.
 
If competitive production capabilities increase in Asia, where production costs are lower, we may lose market share in both North America and Asia and our profitability may be materially adversely affected by increased pricing pressure.
 
PCB manufacturers in Asia and other geographies often have significantly lower production costs than our North American operations and may even have cost advantages over Merix Asia. Production capability improvements by foreign and domestic competitors may play an increasing role in the PCB markets in which we compete, which may adversely affect our revenues and profitability. While PCB manufacturers in these locations have historically competed primarily in markets for less technologically

 
 

 
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advanced products, they are expanding their manufacturing capabilities to produce higher layer count, higher technology PCBs and could compete more directly with our North American operations.
 
If we are unable to respond to rapid technological change and process development, we may not be able to compete effectively.
 
The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology and continual implementation of new production processes. The success of our business depends in large part upon our ability to maintain and enhance our technological capabilities, to manufacture products that meet changing customer needs, and to successfully anticipate or respond to technological changes on a cost-effective and timely basis. In addition, the PCB industry could encounter competition from new or revised manufacturing and production technologies that render existing manufacturing and production technology less competitive or obsolete. We may not be able to respond effectively to the technological requirements of the changing market. If we need new technologies and equipment to remain competitive, the development, acquisition and implementation of those technologies and equipment may require us to make significant capital investments. We may not be able to raise the necessary additional funds at all or as rapidly as necessary to respond to technological changes as quickly as our competitors.

During periods of excess global PCB manufacturing capacity, our profitability may decrease and/or we may have to incur additional restructuring charges if we choose to reduce the capacity of or close any of our facilities.
 
A significant portion of our factory costs of sales and operating expenses are relatively fixed in nature, and planned expenditures are based in part on anticipated orders. When we experience excess capacity, our sales revenues may not fully cover our fixed overhead expenses, and our gross margins will fall. In addition, we generally schedule our quick-turn production facilities at less than full capacity to retain our ability to respond to unexpected additional quick-turn orders. However, if these orders are not received, we may forego some production and could experience continued excess capacity.
 
If we conclude we have significant, long-term excess capacity, we may decide to permanently close one or more of our facilities, and lay off some of our employees. Closures or lay-offs could result in the recording of restructuring charges such as severance, other exit costs, and asset impairments.
 
Damage to our manufacturing facilities or information systems due to fire, natural disaster, or other events could harm our financial results.
 
We have U.S. manufacturing and assembly facilities in Oregon, California and China. The destruction or closure of any of our facilities for a significant period of time as a result of fire, explosion, act of war or terrorism, or blizzard, flood, tornado, earthquake, lightning, or other natural disaster could harm us financially, increasing our costs of doing business and limiting our ability to deliver our manufacturing services on a timely basis. Additionally, we rely heavily upon information technology systems and high-technology equipment in our manufacturing processes and the management of our business. We have developed disaster recovery plans; however, disruption of these technologies as a result of natural disaster or other events could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
A small number of customers account for a substantial portion of our consolidated net sales and our consolidated net sales could decline significantly if we lose a major customer or if a major customer orders fewer of our products or cancels or delays orders.
 
Historically, we have derived a significant portion of our consolidated net sales from a limited number of customers. Our five largest OEM customers, which vary from period to period, represented 37% and 36% of our consolidated net sales during fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net sales to one customer individually represented 13% of consolidated net sales during fiscal 2009. We expect to continue to depend upon a small number of customers for a significant portion of our consolidated net sales for the foreseeable future. The loss of, or decline in, orders or backlog from one or more major customers could reduce our consolidated net sales and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Further, as part of our plan to improve the profitability of our North American operations we have reduced our reliance on certain customers and products that have historically

 
 

 
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generated significant revenues for Merix. We anticipate retaining a meaningful portion of this business, but there can be no assurance we will be successful. An unplanned loss of a large portion of this revenue could adversely affect our financial results.
 
Some of our customers are relatively small companies, and our future business with them may be significantly affected by their ability to continue to obtain financing. If they are unable to obtain adequate financing, they will not be able to purchase products, which, in the aggregate, would adversely affect our consolidated net sales.
 
We are exposed to the credit risk of some of our customers and also as a result of a concentration of our customer base.
 
Most of our sales are on an “open credit” basis, with standard industry payment terms. We monitor individual customer payment capability in granting open credit arrangements, seek to limit open credit to amounts we believe the customers can pay, and maintain reserves we believe are adequate to cover exposure for doubtful accounts. During periods of economic downturn in the global economy and the electronics and automotive industries, our exposure to credit risks from our customers increases. Although we have programs in place to monitor and mitigate the associated risk, those programs may not be effective in reducing our credit risks.
 
In total, five entities represented approximately 41% of the consolidated net trade accounts receivable balance at May 30, 2009, individually ranging from approximately 5% to approximately 18%. Our OEM customers direct our sales to a relatively limited number of electronic manufacturing service providers. Our contractual relationship is typically with the electronic manufacturing service providers, who are obligated to pay us for our products. Because we expect our OEM customers to continue to direct our sales to electronic manufacturing service providers, we expect to continue to be subject to the credit risk of a limited number of customers. This concentration of customers exposes us to increased credit risks. If one or more of our significant customers were to become insolvent or were otherwise unable to pay us, our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
 
Because we do not generally have long-term contracts with our customers, we are subject to uncertainties and variability in demand by our customers, which could decrease consolidated net sales and negatively affect our operating results.
 
We generally do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers, and, consequently, our consolidated net sales are subject to short-term variability in demand by our customers. Customers generally have no obligation to order from us and may cancel, reduce or delay orders for a variety of reasons. The level and timing of orders placed by our customers vary due to:
 
·  
fluctuation in demand for our customers’ products;
·  
changes in customers’ manufacturing strategies, such as a decision by a customer to either diversify or consolidate the number of PCB manufacturers used;
·  
customers’ inventory management;
·  
our own operational performance, such as missed delivery dates and repeated rescheduling; and
·  
changes in new product introductions.
 
We have experienced terminations, reductions and delays in our customers’ orders. Future terminations, reductions or delays in our customers’ orders could lower our production asset utilization, which would lower our gross profits, decrease our consolidated net sales and negatively affect our business and results of operations.
 
The increasing prominence of EMS providers in the PCB industry could reduce our gross margins, potential sales, and customers.   

Sales to EMS providers represented approximately 48% of our net sales in fiscal 2009. Sales to EMS providers include sales directed by OEMs as well as orders placed with us at the EMS providers’ discretion. EMS providers source on a global basis to a greater extent than OEMs. The growth and concentration of EMS providers increases the purchasing power of such providers and could result in increased price competition or the loss of existing OEM customers. In addition, some EMS providers,

 
 

 
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including some of our customers, have the ability to directly manufacture PCBs within their own businesses. If a significant number of our other EMS customers were to acquire these abilities, our customer base might shrink, and our sales might decline substantially. Moreover, if any of our OEM customers outsource the production of PCBs to these EMS providers, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed.
 
Automotive customers have higher quality requirements and long qualification times and, if we do not meet these requirements, our business could be materially adversely affected.
 
For safety reasons, our automotive customers have strict quality standards that generally exceed the quality requirements of our other customers. Because a significant portion of Merix Asia’s products are sold to customers in the automotive industry, if our manufacturing facilities in Asia do not meet these quality standards, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. These automotive customers may require long periods of time to evaluate whether our manufacturing processes and facilities meet their quality standards. If we were to lose automotive customers due to quality control issues, we might not be able to regain those customers, or gain new automotive customers, for long periods of time, which could significantly decrease our consolidated net sales and profitability.
 
The cyclical nature of automotive production and sales could adversely affect Merix’ business.
 
A significant portion of Merix Asia’s products are sold to customers in the automotive industry., Net sales to the automotive market accounted for approximately 20% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2009 and 19% of our outstanding accounts receivable at May 30, 2009. As a result, Asia’s results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by market conditions in the automotive industry. Automotive production and sales are cyclical and depend on general economic conditions and other factors, including consumer spending and preferences. In addition, automotive production and sales can be affected by labor relations issues, regulatory requirements, trade agreements and other factors. Any significant economic decline that results in a reduction in automotive production and sales by Asia’s customers could have a material adverse effect on Merix’ business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
We have experienced significant decreases in demand from our automotive customers who have been affected by the significant economic difficulties facing the automotive industry. Recent public bankruptcies and liquidity concerns of certain companies in the automotive supply chain could impact our future demand levels and the collectibility of outstanding receivables and consigned inventory with this customer base. A prolonged downturn or the failure of one or more of our automotive customers could result in the impairment of assets invested in this end market, including our Huizhou, China facility, which is heavily reliant on the automotive industry for sales of its products.
 
Products we manufacture may contain manufacturing defects, which could result in reduced demand for our products and liability claims against us.
 
We manufacture highly complex products to our customers’ specifications. These products may contain manufacturing errors or failures despite our quality control and quality assurance efforts. Further, our technology expansion efforts including the major expansion in our Huiyang factory increase the risk related to unanticipated yield issues, as well as to uncertainties related to future warranty claims. Defects in the products we manufacture, whether caused by a design, manufacturing or materials failure or error, may result in delayed shipments, increased warranty costs, customer dissatisfaction, or a reduction in or cancellation of purchase orders. If these defects occur either in large quantities or too frequently, our business reputation may be impaired. Since our products are used in products that are integral to our customers’ businesses, errors, defects or other performance problems could result in financial or other damages to our customers beyond the cost of the PCB, for which we may be liable in some cases. Although we generally attempt to sell our products on terms designed to limit our exposure to warranty, product liability and related claims, in certain cases, the terms of our agreements allocate to Merix substantial exposure for product defects. In addition, even if we can contractually limit our exposure, existing or future laws or unfavorable judicial decisions could negate these limitation of liability provisions. Product liability litigation against us, even if it were unsuccessful, would be time consuming and costly to defend. Although we maintain a warranty reserve, this reserve may not be sufficient to cover our warranty or other expenses that could arise as a result of defects in our products.

 
 

 
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We may incur material losses and costs as a result of product liability and warranty claims that may be brought against us.
 
We face an inherent business risk of exposure to warranty and product liability claims in the event that our products, particularly those supplied by Merix Asia to the automotive industry, fail to perform as expected or such failure results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage. In addition, if any of our products are or are alleged to be defective, we may be required to participate in a recall of such products. As suppliers become more integral to the vehicle design process and assume more of the vehicle assembly functions, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly looking to their suppliers for contributions when faced with product liability claims or recalls. In addition, vehicle manufacturers, who have traditionally borne the cost associated with warranty programs offered on their vehicles, are increasingly requiring suppliers to guarantee or warrant their products and may seek to hold us responsible for some or all of the costs related to the repair and replacement of parts supplied by us to the vehicle manufacturer. A successful warranty or product liability claim against us in excess of our available insurance coverage or established warranty and legal reserves or a requirement that we participate in a product recall may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We rely on suppliers for the timely delivery of materials used in manufacturing our PCBs, and an increase in industry demand, a shortage of supply or an increase in the price of raw materials may increase the cost of the raw materials we use and may limit our ability to manufacture certain products and adversely impact our profitability.
 
To manufacture our PCBs, we use materials such as laminated layers of fiberglass, copper foil and chemical solutions which we order from our suppliers. Suppliers of laminates and other raw materials that we use may from time to time extend lead times, limit supplies or increase prices due to capacity constraints or other factors, which could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to deliver our products on a timely basis. We have experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, significant increases in the cost of laminate materials, copper products and petroleum-based raw materials. These cost increases have had an adverse impact on our profitability and the impact has been particularly significant on our Asian operations which have fixed price arrangements with a number of large automotive customers. Some of our products use types of laminates that are only available from a single supplier that holds a patent on the material. Although other manufacturers of advanced PCBs also must use the single supplier and our OEM customers generally determine the type of laminates used, a failure to obtain the material from the single supplier for any reason may cause a disruption, and possible cancellation, of orders for PCBs using that type of laminate, which in turn would cause a decrease in our consolidated net sales.
 
Additionally, a significant portion of our raw material purchases is obtained from one supplier. Due to customer requalification requirements and a lack of competitive alternate suppliers, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations if this supplier were not able to provide the materials required to fulfill customer orders.
 
If we lose key management, operations, engineering or sales and marketing personnel, we could experience reduced sales, delayed product development and diversion of management resources.
 
Our success depends largely on the continued contributions of our key management, administration, operations, engineering and sales and marketing personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. We generally do not have employment or non-compete agreements with our key personnel. If one or more members of our senior management or key professionals were to resign, the loss of personnel could result in loss of sales, delays in new product development and diversion of management resources, which would have a negative effect on our business. We do not maintain “key man” insurance policies on any of our personnel.
 
Due to the global economic downturn, the Company has made substantial reductions-in-force, including a number of significant management and professional personnel. The Company does not anticipate the loss of any of the personnel will have a material impact on its operations and has attempted to mitigate

 
 

 
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the impact of the change in personnel. However, there can be no assurance that these risks are fully mitigated.
 
Successful execution of our day-to-day business operations, including our manufacturing process, depends on the collective experience of our employees and we have experienced periods of high employee turnover. If high employee turnover persists, our business may suffer and we may not be able to compete effectively.
 
We rely on the collective experience of our employees, particularly in the manufacturing process, to ensure we continuously evaluate and adopt new technologies and remain competitive. Although we are not generally dependent on any one employee or a small number of employees involved in our manufacturing process, we have generally experienced high employee turnover at our Asian facilities. If we are not able to replace these people with new employees with comparable capabilities, our operations could suffer as we may be unable to keep up with innovations in the industry or the demands of our customers. As a result, we may not be able to continue to compete effectively.

We export products from the United States to other countries. If we fail to comply with export laws, we could be subject to additional taxes, duties, fines and other punitive actions.
 
Exports from the United States are regulated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and penalties. Additionally, violations of these laws can result in punitive penalties, which would restrict or prohibit us from exporting certain products, resulting in significant harm to our business.
 
Because we have significant foreign sales and presence, we are subject to political, economic and other risks we do not face in the domestic market.
 
As a result of increased Asian operations, we expect sales in, and product shipments to, non-U.S. markets to represent an increasingly significant portion of our total sales in future periods. Our exposure to the business risks presented by foreign economies includes:
 
·  
logistical, communications and other operational difficulties in managing a global enterprise;
·  
potentially adverse tax consequences;
·  
restrictions on the transfer of funds into or out of a country;
·  
longer sales and collection cycles;
·  
potential adverse changes in laws and regulatory practices, including export license requirements, trade barriers, tariffs and tax laws;
·  
protectionist and trade laws and business practices that favor local companies;
·  
restrictive governmental actions;
·  
burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of foreign laws;
·  
political, social and economic instability impacting our foreign labor force, including terrorist activities;
·  
natural disaster or outbreaks of infectious diseases affecting the regions in which we operate or sell products; and
·  
difficulties in collecting accounts receivable.
 
Any one, or a combination, of these risks may have a material adverse effect our business operations, our results of operations and/or our financial position.
 
We must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
 
We are required to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some of our competitors, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in many jurisdictions, including mainland China. If our competitors engage in these practices they may receive preferential treatment from personnel of some companies, giving our competitors an advantage in securing business or from government officials who might give

 
 

 
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them priority in obtaining new licenses, which would put us at a disadvantage. Although we inform our personnel that such practices are illegal, we cannot assure that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties.
 
We are subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
A significant portion of our costs is denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the Chinese renminbi. Substantially all of our consolidated net sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, changes in the exchange rates of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar will affect our cost of sales and operating margins and could result in exchange losses. The exchange rate of the Chinese renminbi to the U.S. dollar is closely monitored by the Chinese government. Recent increases in the value of the renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar have caused the costs of our Chinese operations to increase relative to related dollar-denominated sales. The impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations cannot be accurately predicted. We may enter into exchange rate hedging programs from time to time in an effort to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. However, hedging transactions may not be effective and may result in foreign exchange hedging losses.
 
Our operations in the People’s Republic of China subject us to risks and uncertainties relating to the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
 
Under its current leadership, the Chinese government has been pursuing economic reform policies, including the encouragement of foreign trade, investment and greater economic decentralization. However, the government of the PRC may not continue to pursue such policies. Despite progress in developing its legal system, the PRC does not have a comprehensive and highly developed system of laws, particularly with respect to foreign investment activities and foreign trade. Enforcement of existing and future laws and contracts is uncertain, and implementation and interpretation thereof may be inconsistent. As the Chinese legal system develops, the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws and the preemption of local regulations by national laws may adversely affect foreign investors. For example, the PRC recently passed a unified enterprise income tax law, which changes and increases the income tax on foreign-owned facilities. The PRC also recently enacted new labor laws that became effective January 1, 2008 that make it more difficult and expensive for companies to make changes in their workforce. Further, the law requires certain terminations to be based upon seniority and not merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce in the PRC, the new labor law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a manner that is most advantageous to our circumstances or that is timely and cost effective. Additionally, in response to inflationary concerns, wages in certain provinces in China have increased in the past and may continue to do so in the future. In the current economic environment, these concerns are not as significant, but could arise in the future due to improving demand for products or services produced in the region. Significant increases in wages paid to employees in our Asia facilities could reduce our profitability.
 
Some government policies and rules are not published or communicated in local districts in a timely manner, if they are published at all. As a result, we may operate our business in violation of new rules and policies without having any knowledge of their existence. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us. Any litigation in the PRC may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
 
Our Chinese manufacturing operations subject us to a number of risks we have not faced in the past.
 
A substantial portion of our current manufacturing operations is located in the PRC. The geographical distances between these facilities and our U.S. headquarters create a number of logistical and communications challenges. We are also subject to a highly competitive market for labor in the PRC, which may require us to increase employee wages and benefits to attract and retain employees and spend significant resources to train new employees due to high employee turnover, either of which could cause our labor costs to exceed our expectations.

 
 

 
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In addition, because of the location of these facilities, we could be affected by economic and political instability in the PRC, including:
 
·  
lack of developed infrastructure;
·  
currency fluctuations;
·  
overlapping taxes and multiple taxation issues;
·  
employment and severance taxes;
·  
the burdens of cost, compliance and interpretation of a variety of foreign laws;
·  
difficulty in attracting and training workers in foreign markets and problems caused by labor unrest; and
·  
less protection of our proprietary processes and know-how.
 
Moreover, inadequate development or maintenance of infrastructure in the PRC, including inadequate power and water supplies, transportation or raw materials availability, communications infrastructure or the deterioration in the general political, economic or social environment, could make it difficult and more expensive, and possibly prohibitive, to continue to operate our manufacturing facilities in the PRC.
 
For example, in the winter months of fiscal 2008, certain areas of Southern China faced electrical power constraints which resulted from extreme winter weather in the area. In order to deal with the power constraints, the Southern China Province Government initiated a power rationing plan through May 2008. We may experience issues in the future with obtaining power or other key services due to infrastructure weaknesses in China that may impair our ability to compete effectively as well as adversely affect revenues and production costs. Any additional or extended power supply rationing could adversely affect our China operations.
 
Success in Asia may adversely affect our U.S. operations.
 
To the extent Asian PCB manufacturers, including Merix Asia, are able to compete effectively with products historically manufactured in the United States, our facilities in the United States may not be able to compete as effectively and parts of our North American operations may not remain viable.
 
If we do not effectively manage the expansion of our operations, our business may be harmed, and the increased costs associated with the expansion may not be offset by increased consolidated net sales.
 
In the first half of fiscal 2009, we completed efforts to significantly expand the Huiyang, China-based facility. This expansion and any other future capacity expansion with respect to our facilities will expose us to significant start-up risks including:
 
·  
delays in receiving and installing required manufacturing equipment;
·  
inability to retain management personnel and skilled employees, or labor shortages in general;
·  
difficulties scaling up production, including producing products at competitive costs, yields and quality standards at our expanded facilities;
·  
challenges in coordinating management of operations and order fulfillment between our U.S. and Asian facilities;
·  
a need to improve and expand our management information systems and financial controls to accommodate our expanded operations;
·  
additional unanticipated costs;  and
·  
shortfalls in production volumes as a result of unanticipated start-up or expansion delays that could prevent us from meeting our customers’ delivery schedules or production needs.
 
Our forward-looking statements depend upon a number of assumptions and include our ability to execute tactical changes that may adversely affect both short-term and long-term financial performance. The success of our expansion efforts will depend upon our ability to expand, train, retain and manage our employee base in both Asia and North America. If we are unable to effectively do so, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 
 

 
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In addition, if our consolidated net sales do not increase sufficiently to offset the additional fixed operating expenses associated with our Asian operations, our consolidated results of operations may be adversely affected. If demand for our products do not meet anticipated levels, the value of the expanded operations could be significantly impaired, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Failure to maintain good relations with minority investors in our China manufacturing facilities could materially adversely affect our ability to manage our Asian operations.
 
Currently, we have two PCB manufacturing plants in the PRC that are each partially owned by a separate Chinese company. While we are the majority interest holder in both of these companies, there is a minority interest holder in each subsidiary, owning a 5% and 15% share in our Huiyang and Huizhou plants, respectively. These minority holders are local investors with close ties to local economic development and other government agencies. The investors are the leaseholders for the land on which the plants owned by our Chinese operating companies are located. In connection with the negotiation of their investments, the local investors secured certain rights to be consulted and consent to certain operating and investment matters concerning the plants and to board representation. Failure to maintain good relations with the investors in either China joint venture could materially adversely affect our ability to manage the operations of one or more of the plants and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Asian acquisition.
 
We lease land for all of our owned and leased manufacturing facilities in China from the Chinese government under land use rights agreements that may be terminated by the Chinese government.
 
We lease from the Chinese government, through land use rights agreements, the land where our  Chinese manufacturing facilities are located. Although we believe our relationship with the Chinese government is sound, if the Chinese government decided to terminate our land use rights agreements, our assets could become impaired and our ability to meet our customers’ orders could be impacted. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
 
We do not currently have options to renew our leased manufacturing facility in the PRC and failure to renew such lease could adversely affect our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Asian acquisition.
 
Our Huizhou manufacturing facility is leased from a Chinese company under an operating lease that expires in 2010 and does not contain a lease renewal option. Although the landlord also has a minority interest in our subsidiary that operates the facility, this minority interest holder may choose to not renew our lease. We have renewed this lease in the past and in July 2009, the lessor indicated that it will extend the lease by one year, although no lease amendment has been finalized. Failure to maintain good relations with this investor could materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate the renewal of our operating lease or to continue to operate the plant. In addition, the lease renewal allows early termination by either party, so failure to maintain good relations with this investor could materially impact our continued leasehold of the facility. Further, zoning and changes in laws in China could impair the ability of the landlord to extend or renew the lease.
 
Our bank credit covenant that limits our incremental investment in Merix Asia may restrict our ability to adequately fund our Asian operations and our growth plans in Asia.
 
Merix has a bank credit agreement covenant that limits the incremental investment into Merix Asia to $40 million and provides that our investments cannot be made if a default exists under the credit agreement or the Excess Availability (defined in the credit agreement as a function of outstanding borrowings and available cash) is less than $20 million. As of May 30, 2009, we had advanced Asia approximately $5.3 million against the incremental investment limit. The advance to Asia was reduced significantly by an intercompany sale of accounts receivable from the Asia subsidiary to the U.S. parent company during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. If our Asian operations at any time require an amount of cash greater than our available capital resources, or than is permitted to be advanced under applicable credit agreements, there is risk that we will not be able to fund our Asian operations or achieve our growth plans in Asia.

 
 

 
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Acquisitions may be costly and difficult to integrate, may divert and dilute management resources and may dilute shareholder value.
 
As part of our business strategy, we have made and may continue to make acquisitions of, or investments in, companies, products or technologies that complement our current products, augment our market coverage, enhance our technical capabilities or production capacity or that may otherwise offer growth opportunities. In any future acquisitions or investments, we could potentially experience:
 
·  
problems integrating the purchased operations, technologies or products;
·  
failure to achieve potential sales, materials costs and other synergies;
·  
inability to retain existing customers of acquired entities when we desire to do so;
·  
the need to restructure, modify or terminate customer relationships of the acquired company;
·  
increased concentration of business from existing or new customers;
·  
unanticipated expenses and working capital requirements;
·  
diversion of management’s attention and loss of key employees;
·  
asset impairments related to the acquisitions; or
·  
fewer resources available for our legacy businesses as they are being redirected to the acquired entities to integrate their business processes.
 
In addition, in connection with any future acquisitions or investments, we could:
 
·  
enter lines of business and/or markets in which we have limited or no prior experience;
·  
issue stock that would dilute our current shareholders’ percentage ownership;
·  
incur debt and assume liabilities that could impair our liquidity;
·  
record goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets that will be subject to impairment testing and potential periodic impairment charges;
·  
incur amortization expenses related to intangible assets;
·  
uncover previously unknown liabilities;
·  
become subject to litigation and environmental remediation issues;
·  
incur large and immediate write-offs that would reduce net income; or
·  
incur substantial transaction-related costs, whether or not a proposed acquisition is consummated.
 
Any of these factors could prevent us from realizing anticipated benefits of an acquisition or investment, including operational synergies, economies of scale and increased profit margins and revenue. Acquisitions are inherently risky, and any acquisition may not be successful. Failure to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions could harm our business and operating results in a material way. Even when an acquired company has already developed and marketed products, product enhancements may not be made in a timely fashion. In addition, unforeseen issues might arise with respect to such products after the acquisition.

We face a risk that capital needed for our business and to repay our debt obligations will not be available when we need it or may not be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. Additionally, our leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect our cash flow, results of operations and financial position.
 
Recent turmoil in global financial markets has limited access to capital for many companies. We are not currently experiencing any limitation of access to our revolving line of credit and management is not aware of any issues currently impacting our lender’s ability to honor its commitment to extend credit. However, if we were unable to borrow on our revolving line of credit in the future due to the global credit crisis, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, additional capital may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity, or securities convertible into equity, current shareholders may experience dilution of their proportionate ownership.

As of May 30, 2009, we had total indebtedness of approximately $78.0 million, which represented approximately 54% of our total capitalization. We also have $37.3 million unused availability under a secured bank revolving line of credit that if utilized would increase our leverage.

 
 

 
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Our indebtedness could have significant negative consequences, including:
·  
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
·  
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;
·  
requiring the use of a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures;
·  
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we compete; and
·  
placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that have better access to capital resources.
 
Additionally, we are exposed to interest rate risk relating to our revolving credit facility which bears interest based, at our election, on either the prime rate or LIBOR plus an additional margin based on our use of the credit facility. At May 30, 2009, there was $8.0 million outstanding under the revolving line of credit. When we utilize our revolving credit facility to meet our capital requirements, we are subject to market interest rate risk that could increase our interest expense beyond expected levels and decrease our profitability.
 
Restructuring efforts have required both restructuring and impairment charges and we may be required to record asset impairment charges in the future, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We have recorded impairment charges against certain assets in fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. As our strategy evolves and due to the cyclicality of our business, rapid technological change and the migration of business to Asia, we might conclude in the future that some of our manufacturing facilities are surplus to our needs or will not generate sufficient future cash flows to cover the net book value and, thus, we may be required to record an impairment charge. Such an impairment charge would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Due to the substantial variance between our market capitalization based on the current trading price range for our common stock and the net asset value reflected in our consolidated balance sheet, as well as other factors regarding our results of operations and the current economic environment, management has undertaken quarterly assessments of potential impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets in fiscal 2009. An impairment charge was recorded in fiscal 2009 to reduce the value of goodwill recorded in the acquisition of our Asia operations to $0. We have also performed an assessment for potential impairment of other long-lived assets and determined that no further impairment charges are required as of May 30, 2009. However, it is possible that further impairment charges may be recorded in the future, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

As of May 30, 2009, our consolidated balance sheet reflected $18.3 million of goodwill and intangible assets. We periodically evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining balance of goodwill and intangible assets may not be recoverable. If factors indicate that assets are impaired, we would be required to reduce the carrying value of our goodwill and intangible assets, which could adversely affect our results during the periods in which such a reduction is recognized. Our goodwill and intangible assets may increase in future periods if we consummate other acquisitions. Amortization or impairment of these additional intangibles would, in turn, adversely affect our earnings.
 
As a result of the implementation of a global ERP system, unexpected problems and delays could occur and could cause disruption to the management of our business and significantly increase costs.
 
During fiscal 2008, we completed the implementation for our world-wide ERP system at our North American operations. The new ERP system is integral to our ability to accurately and efficiently maintain our books and records, record our transactions, provide critical information to our management and prepare our financial statements. We implemented the ERP system at our Asian operations in August 2008. These systems are new to us and we have not had extensive experience with them.

 
 

 
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Implementation of the new ERP system has required us to change certain internal business practices and training may be inadequate. We may encounter unexpected difficulties, delays, internal control issues, costs, unanticipated adverse effects or other challenges, any of which may disrupt our business. Corrections and improvements may be required as we continue to refine the implementation of our new system, procedures and controls, and could cause us to incur additional costs and require additional management attention, placing burdens on our internal resources. Any disruption in the transition to our new or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, could harm our ability to accurately forecast sales demand, manage our supply chain, achieve accuracy in the conversion of electronic data and records, compete effectively and report financial and management information on a timely and accurate basis. Failure to properly or adequately address these issues could result in the diversion of management’s attention and resources and impact our ability to manage our business and our results of operations.
 
We have reported material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and if additional material weaknesses are discovered in the future, our stock price and investor confidence in us may be adversely affected.
 
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In connection with management’s assessments of our internal control over financial reporting over the prior fiscal year, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
 
We have previously identified a material weakness in controls over financial reporting for our Asia operations, which has been remediated as of May 30, 2009. At the time of the acquisition in September 2005, Asia had weak internal controls over financial reporting and needed to develop processes to strengthen its accounting systems and control environment management. We have devoted significant time and resources to improving the internal controls over financial reporting since the acquisition to remediate this material weakness. See Item 9A(T). “Controls and procedures.”
 
We may, in the future, identify additional internal control deficiencies that could rise to the level of a material weakness or uncover errors in financial reporting. Material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting may cause investors to lose confidence in us, which could have an adverse effect on our business and stock price.
 
Our failure to comply with environmental laws could adversely affect our business.
 
Our operations are regulated under a number of federal, state and municipal environmental and safety laws and regulations including laws in the U.S. and the PRC that govern, among other things, the discharge of hazardous and other materials into the air and water, as well as the handling, storage, labeling, and disposal of such materials. When violations of environmental laws occur, we can be held liable for damages, penalties and costs of investigation and remedial actions. Violations of environmental laws and regulations may occur as a result of our failure to have necessary permits, human error, equipment failure or other causes. Moreover, in connection with our acquisitions in San Jose, California and in Asia, we may be liable for any violations of environmental and safety laws at those facilities by prior owners. If we violate environmental laws, we may be held liable for damages and the costs of investigations and remedial actions and may be subject to fines and penalties, and revocation of permits necessary to conduct our business. Any permit revocations could require us to cease or limit production at one or more of our facilities, and harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. Even if we ultimately prevail, environmental lawsuits against us would be time consuming and costly to defend. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations could limit our ability to expand facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses to comply with these laws and regulations. In the future, environmental laws may become more stringent, imposing greater compliance costs and increasing risks and penalties associated with violations. We operate in environmentally sensitive locations and we are subject to potentially conflicting and changing regulatory agendas of political, business and environmental groups. Changes or restrictions on discharge limits, emissions levels, permitting requirements and material storage, handling or disposal might require a high level of unplanned capital investment, operating expenses or, depending on the severity of the impact of

 
 

 
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the foregoing factors, costly plant relocation. It is possible that environmental compliance costs and penalties from new or existing regulations may harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
 We are potentially liable for contamination at our current and former facilities as well as at sites where we have arranged for the disposal of hazardous wastes, if such sites become contaminated. These liabilities could include investigation and remediation activities. It is possible that remediation of these sites could adversely affect our business and operating results in the future.
 
Pending or future litigation could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
 
We are involved, from time to time, in litigation incidental to our business including complaints filed by investors. This litigation could result in substantial costs and could divert management’s attention and resources which could harm our business. Risks associated with legal liability are often difficult to assess or quantify, and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time. In cases where we record a liability, the amount of our estimates could be wrong. In addition to the direct costs of litigation, pending or future litigation could divert management’s attention and resources from the operation of our business. While we maintain director and officer insurance, the amount of insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover a claim and the continued availability of this insurance cannot be assured. As a result, there can be no assurance that the actual outcome of pending or future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
We may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement.
 
Several of our competitors hold patents covering a variety of technologies, applications and methods of use similar to some of those used in our products. From time to time, we and our customers have received correspondence from our competitors claiming that some of our products, as used by our customers, may be infringing one or more of these patents. Competitors or others have in the past and may in the future assert infringement claims against our customers or us with respect to current or future products or uses, and these assertions may result in costly litigation or require us to obtain a license to use intellectual property rights of others. If claims of infringement are asserted against our customers, those customers may seek indemnification from us for damages or expenses they incur.
 
If we become subject to infringement claims, we will evaluate our position and consider the available alternatives, which may include seeking licenses to use the technology in question or defending our position. These licenses, however, may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all. If we are not able to negotiate the necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms or successfully defend our position, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
We may have exposure to income tax rate fluctuations as well as to additional tax liabilities, which would impact our financial position.
 
As a corporation with operations both in the United States and abroad, we are subject to taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate is subject to fluctuation as the income tax rates for each year are a function of the following factors, among others:
 
·  
the effects of a mix of profits or losses earned by us and our subsidiaries in numerous tax jurisdictions with a broad range of income tax rates;
·  
our ability to utilize net operating losses;
·  
changes in contingencies related to taxes, interest or penalties resulting from tax audits; and
·  
changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such laws.
 
Changes in the mix of these items and other items may cause our effective tax rate to fluctuate between periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
 
We are also subject to non-income taxes, such as payroll, sales, use, value-added, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in both the United States and various foreign jurisdictions.

 
 

 
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Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, we cannot provide assurance that the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes will not be different from what is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.
 
RISKS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND STOCK
 
Our stock price has fluctuated significantly, and we expect the trading price of our common stock to remain highly volatile.
 
The closing trading price of our common stock has fluctuated from a low of less than $0.20 per share to a high of more than $70.00 per share over the past 15 years.
 
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors including:
 
·  
actual and anticipated variations in our operating results;
·  
general economic and market conditions, including changes in demand in the PCB industry and the end markets which we serve;
·  
interest rates;
·  
geopolitical conditions throughout the world;
·  
perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the PCB industry and the end markets which it serves;
·  
our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt when due;
·  
developments in our relationships with our lenders, customers, and/or suppliers;
·  
announcements of alliances, mergers or other relationships by or between our competitors and/or our suppliers and customers;
·  
announcements of plant closings, layoffs, restructurings or bankruptcies by our competitors; and
·  
developments related to regulations, including environmental and wastewater regulations.
 
We expect volatility to continue in the future. The stock market in general has recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the PCB industry and that may be unrelated to the operating performance of the companies within these industries. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and limit our ability to raise capital or finance transactions using equity instruments.
 
A large number of our outstanding shares and shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding options may be sold into the market in the future, which could cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.
 
We may, in the future, sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock, to raise capital. We may also issue additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock, to finance future acquisitions. Further, a substantial number of shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options. As of May 30, 2009, we had approximately 2.6 million outstanding options, each to purchase one share of our common stock, issued to employees, officers and directors under our equity incentive plans. The options have exercise prices ranging from $1.62 per share to $67.06 per share. These outstanding options could have a significant adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock, especially if a significant volume of the options was exercised and the stock issued was immediately sold into the public market. Further, the exercise of these options could have a dilutive impact on other shareholders by decreasing their ownership percentage of our outstanding common stock. If we attempt to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the terms upon which we will be able to obtain additional equity capital, if at all, may be negatively affected since the holders of outstanding options can be expected to exercise them, to the extent they are able, at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital on terms more favorable than those provided in such options.

 
 

 
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Some provisions contained in our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholders Rights Agreement, as well as provisions of Oregon law, could inhibit an attempt by a third party to acquire or merge with Merix Corporation.
 
Some of the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Shareholders Rights Agreement and Oregon’s anti-takeover laws could delay or prevent a merger or acquisition between us and a third party, or make a merger or acquisition with us less desirable to a potential acquirer, even in circumstances in which our shareholders may consider the merger or acquisition favorable. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board of Directors to issue series of preferred stock and determine the rights and preferences of each series of preferred stock to be issued. Our Shareholder Rights Agreement is designed to enhance the Board’s ability to protect shareholders against unsolicited attempts to acquire control of us that do not offer an adequate price to all shareholders or are otherwise not in the Company’s best interests and the best interests of our shareholders. The rights issued under the rights agreement will cause substantial dilution to any person or group who attempts to acquire a significant amount of common stock without approval of our Board of Directors. Any of these provisions that have the effect of delaying or deterring a merger or acquisition between us and a third party could limit the opportunity for our shareholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
 
Our common stock is at risk for delisting from the NASDAQ Global Market. If it is delisted, our stock price and the liquidity of our common stock may be impacted.
 
Our stock price traded below $1.00 from October 2008 to July 2009. The NASDAQ has waived the minimum $1.00 per share bid price requirement until July 31, 2009. If the bid price remains below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days after July 31, 2009, we could receive notice from the NASDAQ Global Market stating that the bid price of our common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the NASDAQ Global Market. We would then have 180 calendar days to regain compliance, which can be achieved if the bid price of our common stock closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. However, if we did not regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule within the 180 calendar days, NASDAQ may permit us to transfer the listing of our common stock to the  NASDAQ Capital Market if we satisfy the requirements for initial listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market other than the bid price requirement. If we met such criteria, we would be afforded an additional 180 calendar days in order to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule. If we fail to meet NASDAQ’s requirements for continued listing, our common stock may be delisted. If our common stock is delisted, our stock price, as well as the liquidity of our common stock, may be adversely impacted.
 
If we fail to be listed on an established national securities exchange or automated over-the-counter trading market, holders of our 4% Convertible Notes due 2013 (the Convertible Notes) could require us to repurchase their Convertible Notes. Failure to repurchase or refinance the Convertible Notes in that scenario would result in a default under our revolving credit facility.
 
We intend to pursue all available options to ensure our continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Market, including, if necessary effecting a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock, subject to approval by our shareholders.
 
If we effect a reverse stock split, the liquidity of our common stock and market capitalization could be adversely affected.
 
A reverse stock split is often viewed negatively by the market and, consequently, can lead to a decrease in our overall market capitalization. If the per share market price does not increase proportionately as a result of the reverse split, then the value of our company as measured by our market capitalization will be reduced, perhaps significantly. In addition, because the reverse split will significantly reduce the number of shares of our common stock that are outstanding, the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected.


 
 

 
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Item 1B .  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2 .  Properties
 
We have approximately 362,500 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and administration facility space in Oregon and California, with our global headquarters located at our Beaverton, Oregon facility. We also have approximately 385,000 square feet of manufacturing and administration space in the PRC. Our major facilities are as follows:

 
Location
 
 
Type of Facility
 
Approximate size (sq. ft.)
 
Owned/
Leased
Beaverton, Oregon
 
Corporate executive offices
 
19,100
 
Leased
Forest Grove, Oregon
 
Manufacturing and warehouse
 
248,000
 
Owned
   
Administration
 
62,500
 
Owned
San Jose, California
 
Manufacturing and warehouse
 
40,000
 
Leased
Huiyang, China
 
Manufacturing, warehouse and administration
 
250,000
 
Owned (1)
Huizhou, China
 
Manufacturing, warehouse and administration
 
135,000
 
Leased (2)

(1)  
We own the facility; however, the land is leased under a land use right agreement with the PRC government.
(2)  
The land is leased under a land use right agreement with the PRC government .
 
All facilities are certified under the ISO 9001:2000 quality assurance model. This certification requires that we meet standards related to management, production and quality control, among others. We use total quality management systems to meet the highest industry standards for product quality. Our North American facilities are Military Specification 31032 certified for participation in government defense programs.
 
In addition to the properties shown above, we own a building and related land use lease rights in Hong Kong which formerly housed manufacturing, warehousing and administrative offices. We used this location for administrative functions through July 15, 2009, at which time the property was vacated. This property is being actively marketed for sale and is included in assets held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet at May 30, 2009.
 
Item 3 .  Legal Proceedings
 
We are, from time to time, made subject to various legal claims, actions and complaints in the ordinary course of business. Except as disclosed below, we believes that the outcome of the litigation should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
 
Securities Class Action
 
Four purported class action complaints were filed against us and certain of our executive officers and directors in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The complaints were consolidated in a single action entitled In re Merix Corporation Securities Litigation , Lead Case No. CV 04-826-MO, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. After the court granted our motion to dismiss without prejudice, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint seeking an unspecified amount of damages. That complaint alleged that the defendants violated the federal securities laws by making certain inaccurate and misleading statements in the prospectus used in connection with the January 2004 public offering of approximately $103.4 million of our common stock. In September 2006, the Court dismissed that complaint with prejudice. The plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2008, the Ninth Circuit reversed the dismissal of the Second Amended Complaint. We sought rehearing which was denied and rehearing en banc which was also denied. We obtained a stay of the mandate from the Ninth Circuit filed a certiorari petition with the United States Supreme Court on September 22, 2008. On December 15, 2008, the Supreme Court denied our certiorari petition and the case was remanded back to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. On May 15, 2009, the plaintiffs moved to certify a class of all investors who purchased in the public offering and who were damaged thereby. The Court has not yet ruled on that motion. The case is currently in the discovery phase.

 
 

 
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We have not created any reserve for potential liability for settlements or judgments on the claim discussed above because the potential liability is neither probable nor estimable. Even when we record a liability, the amount of our estimates of costs or liabilities may be subsequently revised. In addition to the direct costs of litigation, pending or future litigation could divert management’s attention and resources from the operation of our business. Accordingly, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
 
Breach of Contract Complaint
 
In June 2008, a complaint was filed against Merix Caymans Trading Company Ltd. by Clark Sales, LLC, Case No. 2:08-CV-12551-MOR-VMM, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint alleges breach of contract in relation to payment of post-termination commissions. The plaintiffs sought damages in excess of $4 million. The parties reached a settlement agreement on November 24, 2008 and the Company recorded an accrual of $0.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The terms of the settlement included a lump sum payment of $0.4 million paid in December 2008, and monthly payments thereafter based on net sales of certain products through August 15, 2009, paid in accordance with our existing commission structure for outside sales representatives.
 
Item 4 .  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of our shareholders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.
 


 
 

 
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PART II
 
Item 5 .
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer   Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Stock Prices
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol MERX. The high and low sales prices of our common stock as quoted by the NASDAQ Global Market for the past two fiscal years were as follows:

Fiscal 2009
 
High
   
Low
 
Quarter 1                                                   
  $ 2.60     $ 1.86  
Quarter 2                                                   
    1.90       0.17  
Quarter 3                                                   
    0.65       0.20  
Quarter 4                                                   
    0.72       0.23  
                 
Fiscal 2008
 
High
   
Low
 
Quarter 1                                                   
  $ 8.52     $ 5.66  
Quarter 2                                                   
    7.15       5.57  
Quarter 3                                                   
    5.70       2.34  
Quarter 4                                                   
    2.65       1.86  

The approximate number of beneficial shareholders and shareholders of record at July 27, 2009 was  3,300 and 140, respectively.
 
Dividends 
 
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Our Revolving Credit Agreement described more fully in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains covenants prohibiting payment of dividends, except distributions to minority interest holders for our subsidiaries in China. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We repurchased the following shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009:

   
Total number of shares purchased
   
 
Average price paid per share
   
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan
   
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan
 
March 1, 2009 to April 4, 2009
    -     $ -       -       -  
April 5, 2009 to May 2, 2009
    -       -       -       -  
May 3, 2009 to May 30, 2009
    27,639       0.63       -       -  
   Total
    27,639     $ 0.63       -       -  
 
Purchases during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 represented shares purchased by the Company from employees from which the proceeds are remitted to pay the employees’ withholding taxes due at the time the employees’ restricted stock awards vest under our equity-based compensation plans.
 

 
 

 
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Stock Performance Graph
 
The following graph presents cumulative five-year shareholder returns on an indexed basis, assuming a $100 initial investment and reinvestment of dividends, the common stock of Merix Corporation, a broad-based equity market index (the NASDAQ Composite U.S. Index) and an industry-specific peer group index (Standard Industrial Code Classification (SIC) 3672 – Printed Circuit Design). This information is considered “furnished” with the Securities and Exchange Commission and not “filed.”  Historical stock price performance should not be relied upon as indicative of future stock price performance.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 Cumulative Total Return
 
May 2004
   
May 2005
   
May 2006
   
May 2007
   
May 2008
   
May 2009
 
Merix Corporation
    100.00       67.76       89.91       69.81       23.36       4.77  
NASDAQ Composite
    100.00       104.91       113.08       136.66       132.60       92.61  
Peer Group – SIC 3672
    100.00       77.04       96.80       67.60       48.60       30.71  

 
 

 
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Item 6 .    Selected Financial Data
 
 
The selected consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Statement of Operations Data (1)
                             
Net sales                                                  
  $ 287,127     $ 378,637     $ 400,496     $ 303,978     $ 186,994  
Gross profit (2)                                                   
    22,186       37,859       65,571       53,584       23,789  
Severance and impairment charges (3)(4) (5)
    24,895       15,686       81,414       1,135       -  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (49,264 )     (25,551 )     (71,915 )     1,609       (2,610 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       -       (517 )     (177 )     -  
Net income (loss)                                                  
    (49,264 )     (25,551 )     (72,432 )     1,432       (2,610 )
                                         
Basic income (loss) per share from continuing operations
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.52 )   $ 0.08     $ (0.14 )
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations
    -       -       (0.03 )     (0.01 )     -  
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.55 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.14 )
                                         
Diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.52 )   $ 0.08     $ (0.14 )
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations
    -       -       (0.03 )     (0.01 )     -  
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.55 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.14 )
                                         
Shares used in basic per share calculations
    21,098       21,019       20,406       19,519       19,224  
Shares used in diluted per share calculations
    21,098       21,019       20,406       19,715       19,224  

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Balance Sheet Data
                             
Cash and cash equivalents                                                  
  $ 17,571     $ 5,728     $ 17,175     $ 12,280     $ 9,130  
Short-term investments                                                  
    -       -       9,025       18,525       68,555  
Accounts receivable, net                                                  
    43,285       73,153       76,825       75,277       37,338  
Working capital                                                  
    32,304       41,453       70,066       59,544       99,461  
Total assets                                                  
    200,670       267,441       286,857       378,930       253,941  
Long-term debt                                                  
    78,000       70,000       75,503       98,732       27,000  
Shareholders’ equity                                                  
    66,523       113,774       138,444       202,125       198,011  


(1)  
Includes the results of Merix Asia from September 29, 2005 and the results of acquired operations in San Jose from December 10, 2004.
(2)  
Fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 gross profit have not been revised on a comparative basis for the reclassification of certain engineering costs to cost of goods sold as presented for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007.
(3)  
Severance and impairment charges in fiscal 2009 are comprised primarily of the following:
·  
a $20.5 million charge to reduce the value of goodwill recorded in the Asia acquisition to $0;
·  
a $1.1 million charge for Wood Village lease termination lease termination costs; and

 
 

 
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·  
$3.1 million for severance costs related to reductions-in-force in response to the decline in demand as a result of deteriorating global economic conditions. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(4)      Severance and impairment charges in fiscal 2008 included the following:
·  
a $1.6 million charge for severance costs and $0.4 million in asset impairments related to the closure of our Hong Kong facility and other restructuring actions at Merix Asia;
·  
$13.5 million in charges related to the closure of our Wood Village facility, including $12.3 million in asset impairments and other restructuring costs and $1.2 million related to severance payments; and
·  
a $0.4 million charge for severance costs related to executive termination.
(5)      Severance and impairment charges in fiscal 2007 included the following:
·  
a $1.5 million charge for severance, primarily related to our former Chief Executive Officer;
·  
a $26.6 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 related primarily to the property, plant and equipment and land use rights of our Hong Kong facility. In addition, it includes a $0.2 million charge related to specific assets at our Oregon facility which were determined to have limited future use; and
·  
a $53.3 million charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 for goodwill impairment, which included $14.2 million for Merix San Jose and $39.1 million for our Asia operations.
 
Item 7 . Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Company Overview
 
We are a leading global manufacturing service provider of technologically advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and their electronic manufacturing service (EMS) providers. Our principal products are complex multi-layer rigid PCBs, which are the platforms used to interconnect microprocessors, integrated circuits and other components that are essential to the operation of electronic products and systems. The market segments we serve are primarily in commercial equipment in the communications and networking, computing and peripherals, test, industrial and medical, defense and aerospace, and automotive markets. Our markets are generally characterized by rapid technological change, high levels of complexity and short product life cycles, as new and technologically superior electronic equipment is continually being developed.
 
Electronic equipment progresses through a product life cycle with stages that require differing manufacturing capabilities. In the design phase, the customer requires very compressed lead times to shorten their product’s time to market. Ramping to volume, the customer requires flexibility and high quality production and as the product matures the customer requires high quality, reliable, low cost manufacturing. Historically, manufacturers procured PCBs from multiple vendors in various geographies to meet the requirements of a product’s life cycle. Each PCB vendor transition introduces incremental time, cost and risk. Today, our strategy is to offer global PCB manufacturing to our customers with quick-turn and volume high-technology production in the United States as well as lower-cost production solutions in Asia. This capability is the foundation of our unique value proposition that provides a seamless interface for our customers as their products transition life cycles which minimizes their risk and cost and reduces time to market.
 
We fulfill our value proposition by leveraging the following manufacturing facilities:
 
North America
·  
Our Oregon manufacturing facility provides quality quick-turn and volume manufacturing services for mid- to high-technology PCBs.
·  
Our San Jose manufacturing facility provides quick-turn manufacturing services for design and prototype applications of mid- to high-technology PCBs.
 
Asia – our Asian manufacturing facilities give us access to the growing lower-cost Asian manufacturing environments.
·  
Our factory in Huizhou provides high quality lower technology PCBs primarily to automotive customers.
·  
Our Huiyang facility is targeted at mid- to high-technology production and is more closely aligned with our capabilities in the United States.
 

 
 

 
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Operating Segments
 
Today, our business has two operating segments defined by geography: (1) North America and (2) Asia. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly reviewed by senior management. Each operating segment operates predominately in the same industry with production facilities that produce similar customized products for our global customers. The chief decision maker for all of our operating segments is our Chief Executive Officer.
 
Prior to fiscal 2009, we reported three operating segments: 1) Oregon, 2) San Jose and 3) Asia. This was deemed appropriate as the operations of San Jose and Asia were managed individually for a time after the acquisition of the San Jose subsidiary in fiscal 2005 and the acquisition of the Asia subsidiary in fiscal 2006. Subsequent to the hiring of our current Chief Executive Officer at the end of fiscal 2007 and the hiring of a Vice President of North American operations at the end of fiscal 2008, our management team and management reporting was restructured to focus on managing the businesses in North America and Asia as two cohesive business units. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, an assessment of segment reporting requirements under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” was undertaken. It was determined that the San Jose subsidiary did not meet the criteria of an operating segment under SFAS No. 131. As such, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 financial information has been revised to present operating segment information consistently with the current year presentation.
 
Markets and Customers
 
The following table presents the percentage of net sales, by segment, for significant customers comprising greater than 10% of total net sales in fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007:

     
Cisco
         
Motorola
   
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
North America
16%
 
20%
 
24%
 
12%
 
12%
 
16%
Asia                          
* (1)
 
* (1)
 
* (1)
 
13%
 
8%
 
* (1)
Consolidated                          
8%
 
11%
 
15%
 
13%
 
10%
 
11%
 
(1) Less than 1%
 
Approximately 48%, 55% and 51%, respectively, of our OEM sales in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 were made to EMS providers. Although our contractual relationship is with the EMS provider, most of our shipments to EMS providers are directed by OEMs that negotiate product pricing and volumes directly with us. In addition, we are on the approved vendor list of several EMS providers and are awarded incremental discretionary orders directly from some of them.
 
Backlog
 
Backlog represents purchase orders received and, in some instances, forecast requirements released for production under customer contracts. Backlog shippable within the next 90 days totaled $27.6 million and $66.3 million at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively. The decrease in backlog is due to a decrease in demand experienced in fiscal 2009 as a result of the significant impact of the decline in general economic conditions, and also due to the reduction in lead times achieved during fiscal 2009. Compared to the average booking rate, backlog was abnormally high at the end of fiscal 2008 due to extended customer lead times resulting from the fourth quarter closure of our Wood Village facility requiring customer to place orders over a longer-than-normal period of time. As the production lead times were shortened during fiscal 2009, customers did not need to place orders as far in advance, leading to a reduction in orders placed in the current quarter that is shippable in future quarters.
 
Customers may cancel or postpone all scheduled orders, in most cases without penalty. Therefore, backlog may not be a meaningful indicator of future financial results.

 
 

 
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Overview of Financial Results
 
The financial results of fiscal 2009 reflect the impact of a significant global economic contraction affecting many end markets, products and services. The deterioration in macroeconomic conditions has adversely affected the demand for most of Merix’ customers and has significantly reduced our orders, backlog and net sales.  Industry analysts have reported a decline of the North American PCB market of approximately 50% in the period comprising our fiscal year 2009. Current predictions for calendar 2009 project a contraction of approximately 20%-30% compared to calendar 2008. While analysts have indicated that visibility is limited, downward trends in industry bookings appeared to stabilize in spring 2009, and cautious estimates have been made that the industry could achieve a return to slow growth in calendar 2010.
 
Net sales of $287.1 million decreased by $91.5 million or 24% compared to fiscal 2008, resulting from a 33% decrease in net sales in our North American segment and a 15% decrease in net sales in our Asia segment. In response to falling demand in our customers’ end markets, net sales decreased 11% to 33% in each of our end markets, with the exception of a 4% increase in defense & aerospace. The relative strength in defense & aerospace reflects the lesser impact of economic conditions on demand in that end market as well as the impact of our efforts to expand our market presence with defense & aerospace customers.
 
Consolidated gross margin decreased to 7.7% in fiscal 2009 compared to 10.0% in fiscal 2008. Our North American segment’s gross margin decreased approximately 7 percentage points. Despite reductions in variable manufacturing costs consistent with the decrease in revenue and a reduction of approximately 20% in our labor and other fixed costs, reduced variable contribution margins on lower production volumes resulted in significantly lower gross margins. Our Asia segment gross margin increased by 2 percentage points, reflecting an improvement in product mix, a 20% reduction in our labor force, temporary factory closures and the cost efficiencies from the closing of our Hong Kong facility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Operating expense of $39.0 million, excluding severance, asset impairment and restructuring charges, decreased by $6.1 million compared to fiscal 2008 due to aggressive cost containment programs implemented in response to the demand decreases during fiscal 2009.
 
Restructuring charges of $24.9 million were primarily comprised of a $20.5 million impairment charge recorded to write-off the remaining carrying value of goodwill related to the acquisition of Merix Asia, as well as $3.1 million in severance charges related to reductions-in-force implemented during fiscal 2009 and $1.1 million in Wood Village lease termination charges.
 
Net non-operating expense of $4.3 million in fiscal 2009 is primarily comprised of interest expense and foreign exchange losses. Net loss for fiscal 2009 totaled $46.0 million, or $2.34 per basic and diluted share.
 
During normal cyclical downturns, management’s attention would be focused on minimizing the negative impact on net income. However, given the significance of the current economic decline and reduced customer demand, we are principally focused on maximizing cash flow, maintaining and improving customer service and retaining factory capacity and flexibility. Our cash position, net of outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility, increased to $9.6 million at May 30, 2009 compared to $5.7 million at May 31, 2008. The improvement in our cash position resulted from approximately $27.1 million in cost savings achieved primarily as a result of management’s cost containment actions as well as continued improvements in the management of working capital. Accounts receivable as measured by days sales outstanding improved by 9 days to 67 days and inventory levels as measured by quarterly inventory turnover improved to 15 turns as of May 30, 2009 compared to 13 turns at the end of the prior fiscal year. These improvements were somewhat offset by a reduction in accounts payable as measured by days payable outstanding which shortened from 70 days to 57 days as we balanced our own cash needs with commitments to our vendors.

 
 

 
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Results of Operations
 
Fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2007 consisted of 52 weeks, whereas fiscal 2008 consisted of 53 weeks. Accordingly, the results of operations for fiscal 2008 contain one additional week of activity as compared to fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2007. The following table sets forth our results of operations (in thousands).
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales                                                                             
  $ 287,127     $ 378,637     $ 400,496  
Cost of sales                                                                             
    264,941       340,778       334,925  
Gross profit                                                                             
    22,186       37,859       65,571  
Engineering                                                                             
    2,121       1,810       1,705  
Selling, general and administrative                                                                             
    34,915       40,963       44,477  
Amortization of intangible assets                                                                             
    1,981       2,305       2,745  
Severance, asset impairment and restructuring charges
    24,895       15,686       81,414  
Operating loss                                                                             
    (41,726 )     (22,905 )     (64,770 )
Other income (expense), net                                                                             
    (4,317 )     21       (4,994 )
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
    (46,043 )     (22,884 )     (69,764 )
Provision for income taxes                                                                             
    2,628       1,502       1,412  
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries
    593       1,165       739  
Loss from continuing operations                                                                             
  $ (49,264 )   $ (25,551 )   $ (71,915 )

The following table sets forth our results of operations data as a percentage of net sales.

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales                                                                             
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales                                                                             
    92.3       90.0       83.6  
Gross profit                                                                             
    7.7       10.0       16.4  
Engineering                                                                             
    0.7       0.5       0.4  
Selling, general and administrative                                                                             
    12.2       10.8       11.1  
Amortization of intangible assets                                                                             
    0.7       0.6       0.7  
Severance, asset impairment and restructuring charges
    8.7       4.1       20.3  
Operating loss                                                                             
    (14.5 )     (6.0 )     (16.2 )
Other income (expense), net                                                                             
    (1.5 )     0.0       (1.2 )
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
    (16.0 )     (6.0 )     (17.4 )
Provision for income taxes                                                                             
    0.9       0.4       0.4  
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries
    0.2       0.3       0.2  
Loss from continuing operations (1)                                                                              
    (17.2 )%     (6.7 )%     (18.0 )%

(1)   Percentages may not subtotal due to rounding.
 
Net sales
 
Net sales decreased $91.5 million, or 24%, to $287.1 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $378.6 million in fiscal 2008, and decreased $21.9 million, or 5% in fiscal 2008 compared to $400.5 million in fiscal 2007.
 
Segment and Per Unit Information
 
Net sales by segment were as follows (in thousands):

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America                                              
  $ 137,149     $ 203,202     $ 245,347  
Asia
    149,978       175,435       155,149  
    $ 287,127     $ 378,637     $ 400,496  
 

 

 
 

 
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Selected statistical information is summarized below. We define the term “unit” as a panel produced. Percentage increases (decreases) in unit volume and pricing were as follows:
 
   
Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008
   
Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007
 
North America:
           
Unit volume
    (37 %)     (14 %)
Average unit pricing
    8 %     (4 %)
                 
Asia:
               
Unit volume
    (23 %)     (3 %)
Average unit pricing
    10 %     16 %
                 
Consolidated:
               
Unit volume
    (24 %)     (4 %)
Average unit pricing
    0 %     (1 %)
                 
 
Merix Consolidated
 
Consolidated unit sales volume decreased 24% in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008, driven primarily by decreases in demand from customers in each of our segments as further discussed below. Consolidated average unit pricing remained stable compared to fiscal 2008, despite increases recorded in both of our operating segments. This is primarily due to an overall shift in product mix from higher-technology, higher-priced PCBs produced by our North American facilities to generally lower-technology, lower-priced PCBs produced by our facilities in Asia. The Asia segment’s average price per unit is significantly lower than the North American segment and Asia net sales increased to 52% of total net sales in fiscal 2009, compared to 46% in fiscal 2008.
 
Consolidated unit sales volume decreased by 4% in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007, primarily due to a 14% decrease in North America as further discussed below, while consolidated average unit price decreased by 1% reflecting both a 4% decrease in North America due to a reduced mix of quick turn and premium services revenue   and a higher mix of lower-priced Asia net sales as a percent of total net sales.
 
North America
 
Fiscal 2009 North America net sales of $137.1 million decreased by $66.1 million or 33% compared to net sales of $203.2 million in fiscal 2008. The reduction is primarily due to a 37% decrease in unit volume resulting from:
 
·  
demand decreases resulting from the deterioration of macroeconomic conditions;
·  
a strategic decision to rationalize our production and sales to select markets with a focus on more profitable parts;
·  
strategic efforts assist our customers in the transition of production to our Asia manufacturing facilities;
·  
capacity decrease as a result of the closure of our Wood Village facility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008; and
·  
impact to customer relationships of the extended lead time issues experienced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
The volume decrease was partially offset by an 8% increase in average unit pricing compared to fiscal 2008, due primarily to our strategic efforts to utilize plant capacity for more profitable parts as well as increase higher-technology production, such as high density interconnect (HDI) panels, which generate higher average prices.
 
In fiscal 2008, North American segment net sales decreased by $42.1 million or 17% compared to $245.3 million in fiscal 2007. A 14% decrease in unit sales volume from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008 was primarily due to lower North American demand caused by cyclicality that is inherent in the PCB industry as fiscal 2007 represented a peak in cyclical demand. To a lesser extent, the decrease was related to the transitioning of production to either Merix Asia or other lower-cost offshore competitors and capacity constraints in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as a result of the closure of the Wood Village facility. The

 
 

 
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4% decrease in average unit pricing was due to reduced quick-turn and premium services revenue that typically carries a higher market price when compared to full lead time. Quick-turn and premium services generally represent a higher percentage of net sales during peak periods of cyclical demand, such as that experienced in fiscal 2007. Deteriorating global economic conditions result in excess North American production capacity. As such, customers can receive shorter lead-time deliveries at either full lead-time prices or at discounted prices.
 
Asia
 
Fiscal 2009 Asia net sales of $150.0 million decreased by $25.5 million or 15% compared to net sales of $175.4 million in fiscal 2008. The decrease is primarily due to a 23% reduction in unit sales volumes resulting from a drop in demand due to deteriorating global economic conditions. This decrease was partially offset by a 10% increase in average unit pricing as we continued successful efforts to improve our product mix through enhanced technology offerings from our Asia manufacturing operations.
 
Fiscal 2008 net sales for Asia increased by $20.3 million or 13% compared to $155.1 million in fiscal 2007. Despite a 3% drop in unit sales volumes, net sales increased due to a 16% increase in average unit pricing as a result of targeted growth in sales of higher-priced, higher-technology, higher-layer count panels that were enabled by increasing the technological capabilities of our Asia factories and generating increased awareness within our customer base about our manufacturing capabilities.
 
Net Sales by End Market
 
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the amount of net sales to each of our principal end-user markets and their percentage of our consolidated net sales (dollars in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Communications & Networking
  $ 116,482       40.6 %   $ 159,535       42.1 %   $ 176,756       44.1 %
Automotive
    58,423       20.4 %     79,838       21.1 %     73,677       18.4 %
Computing & Peripherals
    21,368       7.4 %     32,111       8.5 %     54,132       13.5 %
Test, Industrial and Medical
    36,238       12.6 %     40,866       10.8 %     34,140       8.5 %
Defense & Aerospace
    27,401       9.5 %     26,468       7.0 %     19,827       5.0 %
Other
    27,215       9.5 %     39,819       10.5 %     41,964       10.5 %
    $ 287,127       100.0 %   $ 378,637       100.0 %   $ 400,496       100.0 %
 
Net sales into the defense & aerospace end market increased by $0.9 million or 4% as a result of our strategic efforts in the North America segment to pursue growth opportunities in this sector. During fiscal 2009, we achieved key military certifications at both of our North American factories and have focused sales and marketing efforts on key defense & aerospace customers to leverage our North American manufacturing capabilities in this end market. The net sales increase in the defense & aerospace end market continues the trend commenced in fiscal 2008, in which net sales to this end market increased by $6.6 million and 33%.
 
The $43.1 million or 27% decrease in communications & networking in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was due primarily to the deterioration in global economic conditions and the related impact on end customer demand, as well as reductions in capacity resulting from the closure of the Wood Village facility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
The $21.4 million or 27% decrease in automotive in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was due primarily to the substantial reduction in global automobile sales experienced during fiscal 2009.
 
The $10.7 million or 34% decrease in computing & peripherals during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was due to reductions in end consumer demand for these products resulting from the global recession experienced during fiscal 2009. Substantial fluctuations in net sales to this end market can be experienced as it represents a relatively small portion of net sales and is comprised of a small number of significant customers.

 
 

 
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Net sales to the test, industrial and medical end market decreased by $4.6 million or 11% in during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. The decrease in net sales to this end market was not as significant as other markets due to our efforts to penetrate this market to diversify our customer base, and to a lesser extent, the fact that end user demand in this market has not decreased as substantially as markets serving consumer end users.
 
The $12.6 million or 32% decrease in net sales to Other end markets in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was primarily driven by demand decreases in response to deteriorating global economic conditions.
 
Compared to fiscal 2007, in fiscal 2008 we achieved net sales increases of $6.7 million (20%), in the test, industrial & medical end market and $6.6 million (33%) in the defense & aerospace market as a result of strategic efforts to penetrate these markets. Additionally, automotive end market net sales increased by $6.2 million and 8% due to management’s fiscal 2007 decision to disengage from certain unprofitable automotive programs, which were replaced by more profitable automotive revenue in fiscal 2008. Those net sales increases were offset by a reduction in demand resulting in decreases of $17.2 million (10%) in communications & networking, $22.0 million (41%) in computing & peripherals and $2.1 million (5%) in other end markets. These demand decreases were due primarily to the cyclicality of the North American PCB market and the loss of certain North American business to Asian competitors.
 
Net Sales by Geographic Region
 
In fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, net sales to customers outside the United States totaled 46%, 36% and 37% of net sales, respectively. There were no other countries outside of the United States to which sales totaled 10% or more of net sales in fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
Cost of Sales and Gross Margin
 
Cost of sales includes manufacturing costs, such as materials, labor (both direct and indirect) and factory overhead. Cost of sales decreased $75.8 million, or 22%, to $264.9 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $340.8 million in fiscal 2008 and increased $5.9 million, or 2%, in fiscal 2008 compared to $334.9 million in fiscal 2007.
 
Beginning in fiscal 2009, we recorded an allocation of certain costs attributable to costs of sales in the Asia segment that were previously charged to the North America segment. Gross margin by segment for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 has been revised to present comparable results using the same allocation methodology. Additionally, certain engineering costs which are directly related to the production of goods for sale have been reclassified into cost of sales in the fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 consolidated statements of operations.
 
Gross profit by segment was as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America                               
  $ 4,739     $ 21,489     $ 54,037  
Asia
    17,447       16,370       11,534  
    $ 22,186     $ 37,859     $ 65,571  
 
Our gross margin as a percentage of net sales by segment was as follows:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America                               
    3.5 %     10.6 %     22.0 %
Asia
    11.6 %     9.3 %     7.4 %
      7.7 %     10.0 %     16.4 %
 
North America
 
North America gross margin decreased to 3.5% in fiscal 2009 compared to 10.6% in fiscal 2008 primarily due to volume decreases in net sales as a result of the deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, particularly in the higher-margin quick-turn and premium services, which decreased by 40% compared to fiscal 2008. Factory margins are heavily influenced by factory utilization rates because the cost structure needed to produce PCBs is heavily weighted to fixed or step-variable costs. Our fixed cost levels were somewhat mitigated within the year as a result of cost reduction programs which resulted in a decrease of

 
 

 
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approximately 20% in labor and other fixed costs in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. Despite these cost reductions, reduced variable contribution margins on lower production volumes resulted in lower gross margin.
 
The decrease in North America gross margin from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008 was primarily due to decreased demand and unit pricing compared to the North American PCB market cyclical peak experienced in fiscal 2007. Additionally, labor costs increased by $1.7 million due primarily to labor rate increases associated with adjustments to compensation and benefit levels in North America to align with local markets.
 
Asia
 
A number of costs, including those for labor, utilities and manufacturing supplies, incurred by our plants in China are denominated in Chinese renminbi. Strengthening or weakening of the Chinese renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar affects our cost of sales and profitability. The average exchange rate of the Chinese renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar increased 7% in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 compared to the average exchange rate in the prior fiscal years, causing the costs of our Chinese operations to increase as stated in U.S. dollars. Despite this impact, Asia gross margin increased to 11.6% in fiscal 2009 compared to 9.3% in fiscal 2008, primarily as a result of improvements in the product mix due to higher-technology capabilities developed in our China-based facilities, which offset lower factory utilization rates resulting from a decrease in demand. We also achieved cost efficiencies due to the closing of our Hong Kong facility, completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Asia has used formal reductions-in-force to a lesser extent than North America. Instead, we leveraged the higher labor attrition rates inherent in the Chinese labor market, reduced the number of hours of operations within our Asian factories through the use of temporary factory shutdowns and otherwise significantly reduced overtime costs. Along with other cost reduction measures, these actions have resulted in higher attrition and contributed to a $6.4 million reduction. The manufacturing labor force in Asia has been reduced by approximately 25% since its peak in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.
 
Asia gross margin increased from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008 primarily as a result of improvements in the product mix and better factory utilization rates. In addition, fiscal 2008 unit pricing was adjusted to reflect the increased cost of copper materials which occurred in fiscal 2007.
 
Engineering Costs
 
Engineering costs include indirect labor, materials and overhead to support the development of new manufacturing processes required to meet our customers’ technology requirements.
 
Engineering costs increased $0.3 million, or 17%, to $2.1 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $1.8 million in fiscal 2008 and increased $0.1 million, or 6%, in fiscal 2008 compared to $1.7 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was due primarily to costs to support the development of higher technology products in Asia.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Costs
 
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs include indirect labor, travel, outside services and overhead incurred in our sales, marketing, management and administrative support functions.
 
SG&A costs decreased $6.1 million, or 15%, to $34.9 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $41.0 million in fiscal 2008 and decreased $3.5 million, or 8%, in fiscal 2008 compared to $44.5 million in fiscal 2007. The decrease is primarily due to lower labor costs resulting from headcount reductions, lower stock compensation expense, reduced commission expense on the lower revenue base and reduced overall expense levels due to aggressive cost management programs.
 
The decrease in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 was primarily due to the combination of restructuring efforts completed during fiscal 2008 and our planned focus on consolidation and centralization of shared functional services across our segments. We also undertook a realignment of our arrangements with outside sales representatives, which decreased our commission expense in fiscal 2008.

 
 

 
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Amortization of Intangible Assets
 
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets was $2.0 million, $2.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
The $0.3 million decrease in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 compared to the prior fiscal year was primarily due to the declining amortization on customer lists acquired in the purchase of our San Jose subsidiary and the full amortization of the San Jose non-compete agreements during fiscal 2007.
 
Our identifiable intangible assets balance at May 30, 2009 was $6.9 million and current amortization is approximately $0.4 million per quarter.
 
Severance, Impairment and Restructuring Charges
 
Total severance, impairment and restructuring charges were as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Goodwill impairment
  $ 20,500     $ -     $ 53,310  
Asset impairment
    702       12,465       26,628  
Severance charges
    3,121       3,188       1,476  
Wood Village plant closure charges
    1,090       241       -  
Gain on sale of Hong Kong facility equipment
    (567 )     (301 )     -  
Legal and other restructuring costs                                                                    
    49       93       -  
    $ 24,895     $ 15,686     $ 81,414  
 
Fiscal 2009 Actions
 
Goodwill Impairment
 
As a result of the deepening economic downturn and resulting reduction in demand for our products, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 an impairment charge of $20.5 million was recorded to reduce the value of goodwill recorded in the acquisition of the Asia subsidiary to $0.
 
Reductions-in-Force
 
Due primarily to the deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, we have taken cost reduction actions to mitigate declines in our net sales. Most of the larger cost reductions were related to three major reductions-in-force that occurred in September 2008, December 2008 and January 2009. These headcount reductions resulted in severance and related charges paid totaling approximately $2.0 million. We have also significantly reduced our labor costs due to attrition within our labor force, particularly in Asia. As of the end of fiscal 2009, we had reduced our labor force by approximately 22% compared to the end of fiscal 2008.
 
Executive Severance
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, a reduction-in-force was implemented that impacted a number of individuals serving in executive functions, which resulted in severance charges of $1.1 million.
 
Disposal of Surplus Plant Assets
 
In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we implemented a plan to dispose of certain surplus plant assets to streamline the utilization of our Oregon factory and recorded $0.7 million in impairment charges on the assets to be disposed. The sale of the assets was finalized in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we recorded a gain of $0.6 million related to the sale of equipment previously used at the Hong Kong facility.
 
Fiscal 2008 Actions
 
Hong Kong Facility and Other Asia Restructuring
 
In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we committed to phasing out operations at our Hong Kong facility, closing the facility and relocating production to other manufacturing facilities. Full closure of the facility was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This closure was a part of our actions to consolidate

 
 

 
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our Asian operations into our lower-cost facilities in China and expand the facilities at the Huiyang plant to increase our manufacturing capacity and technological capabilities in China. We recorded approximately $1.5 million in severance and related costs in connection with closure of the Hong Kong facility, excluding amounts to be paid out to certain employees employed under a continuous contract for not less than five years (the Long Service Payment Plan). We received a total of approximately $2.3 million from the Long Service Payment Plan as a refund against the cash restructuring costs. 
 
Additionally, we recorded $0.4 million in asset impairment charges related to the closure of the Hong Kong facility and other actions. We also recorded severance costs totaling $0.2 million due to other restructuring actions at Merix Asia in fiscal 2008.
 
Wood Village, Oregon Facility
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we approved a plan to close our manufacturing facility located in Wood Village, Oregon. This restructuring action was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Under the plan, we transitioned production from the Wood Village facility to our manufacturing facility located in Forest Grove, Oregon. Overall Oregon inner layer production capacity was reduced by approximately 40% and panel capacity was reduced by approximately 20%. The decision to close the facility was brought about by a number of factors including: (a) the continued migration of traditional Merix business to Merix Asia as well as other Asian based competitors; (b) continued erosion of North American gross margins, believed to result in part from the cyclicality that is part of the PCB industry; and (c) the requirement for identical capital equipment for the Huiyang capacity and technology expansion. The manufacturing operations of the Wood Village facility were ceased on March 1, 2008, and the facility was fully closed in April 2008.
 
We incurred charges totaling approximately $13.5 million in fiscal 2008 relating to the closure of the Wood Village facility, as well as other restructuring actions, comprising approximately $12.3 million in asset impairments and other costs, including lease termination costs and adjustments to the asset retirement obligation accrual for the Wood Village lease, and $1.2 million in severance payments.
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into an agreement to sublease the facility for an amount substantially equal to its rental obligation commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2009, we recorded $1.1 million in additional lease termination charges as the sublease tenant is delinquent in payment of its sublease rentals and our management believes that it is likely that the current sublease agreement will be terminated.
 
Executive Severance
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we terminated our Executive Vice President of Global Operations. In accordance with the executive employment agreement related to this termination, we recorded $0.4 million of severance and related costs, which were paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Fiscal 2007 Actions
 
Severance charges of $1.5 million in fiscal 2007 included the following:
 
·  
a lump-sum cash payment of $0.6 million and non-cash share-based compensation of $0.1 million related to the issuance of share-based awards upon the resignation of our former Chief Executive Officer;
·  
the cost of $0.1 million for fees related to recruiting a new Chief  Executive Officer;
·  
$0.2 million of cash severance related to the termination of another senior manager of Merix Asia; and
·  
$0.5 million of cash severance related to the resignation of Merix Asia’s Chief Executive Officer in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a $26.6 million impairment charge related primarily to the property, plant and equipment and land use rights of our Hong Kong facility, which is part of the Asia operating segment. Due to continuing and forecasted future operating losses, we performed an impairment analysis pursuant to SFAS No. 144 utilizing market value analyses to determine the fair value

 
 

 
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of the assets. In addition, the $26.6 million charge included $0.2 million related to certain assets at our Oregon facility which were determined to have limited future use.
 
We also recorded a $53.3 million charge for goodwill impairment as a result of lower historical operating results than previously anticipated and lower future estimated cash flows. The $53.3 million charge consisted of a $14.2 million charge related to our San Jose manufacturing facility and a $39.1 million charge for Merix Asia.
 
Interest Income
 
Interest income decreased to $0.1 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $0.8 million in fiscal 2008 and $1.4 million in fiscal 2007.
 
The reduction in interest income in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008, and in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 was primarily due to lower average cash and investment balances due to cash used for the expansion of our facility in Huiyang, China and implementation of our global ERP system and, to a lesser extent, the impact of the decrease in market interest rates over the past two fiscal years.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense decreased $0.2 million, or 5%, in fiscal 2009 to $3.9 million compared to $4.1 million in fiscal 2008 and decreased $1.3 million, or 24%, compared to $5.4 million in fiscal 2007.
 
The decrease in fiscal 2009 compared to the prior fiscal year is primarily due the third quarter fiscal 2008 repayment of $2.5 million of outstanding principal on the subordinated promissory note issued in connection with the acquisition of Merix Asia. At that time, the remaining $5.1 million outstanding balance was eliminated as further discussed below.
 
The decrease in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 was due primarily to the repayment of $16.1 million of debt in the first three quarters of fiscal 2007, a $3.4 million reduction in our $11.0 million subordinated promissory note in connection with the reduction in the purchase price of Merix Asia in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, and the settlement of the remaining outstanding balance on the subordinated promissory note in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Debt Extinguishment Costs
 
Debt extinguishment costs of $0.5 million in fiscal 2008 were incurred in relation to the replacement of our $55 million revolving line of credit facility.
 
Gain on Settlement of Debt
 
Under the terms of the subordinated note payable related to the Merix Asia acquisition, a principal payment of approximately $2.1 million would ordinarily have been due December 1, 2007. However, we exercised our rights under the subordinated note not to make this payment due to Merix’ claims against the seller. On January 25, 2008, we settled these claims and made a payment of $2.5 million to settle all remaining obligations under the subordinated promissory note. The remaining balance of $5.1 million outstanding on the subordinated note payable was eliminated in exchange for us releasing the seller from all past and any future claims relating to the Asia acquisition. We do not expect any of the other settlement terms to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
Other Expense, net
 
Net other expense decreased $0.8 million to $0.5 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $1.3 million in fiscal 2008 and increased $0.3 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $1.0 million in fiscal 2007, due primarily to fluctuations in loss on foreign currency transactions related to the changes in the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar compared to the Chinese renminbi.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
Our provision for income taxes is the result of the mix of profit and loss earned in various tax jurisdictions with a broad range of income tax rates. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our provision for income taxes

 
 

 
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based on our projected consolidated results of operations for the full year and we record an adjustment during the current quarter accordingly.
 
In fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, our effective income tax rate was (5.7%), (6.6%) and (2.0%), respectively.
 
Our effective income tax rate in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 differs from tax computed at the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of our mix of earnings in various tax jurisdictions, the diversity in income tax rates, tax and interest accrued on the potential liability for uncertain tax positions pursuant to FIN 48, and our continuous assessment of the realization of our deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate reflects current taxes expected to be paid in profitable jurisdictions and maintenance of valuation allowances in jurisdictions with cumulative losses or profitability risks. 
 
In fiscal 2008, we reversed a net $1.2 million of valuation allowance against certain Asia deferred tax assets. This reversal is reflected on our financial statements as a $1.2 million increase in deferred tax assets, a $0.5 million decrease to goodwill and a $1.0 million decrease to tax expense. In addition, we recorded $2.9 million in potential liability for uncertain tax positions related to the adoption of FIN 48. This is reflected as a $0.7 million increase to goodwill, a $1.8 million charge to beginning accumulated deficit, and a $0.4 million increase to the provision for income taxes.
 
Our effective income tax rate in fiscal 2007 differed from tax computed at the federal statutory rate primarily due to various nondeductible charges relating to foreign activities, specifically the impairment of goodwill, certain interest and intercompany transactions and tax losses incurred by some foreign entities for which no benefit has been realized due to increasing the valuation allowance against the related deferred tax asset.
 
We indefinitely reinvest the cumulative undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. We will provide for U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent foreign subsidiaries have positive taxable earnings and they are not considered indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. At May 30, 2009, the cumulative earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries was a taxable deficit and there were no dividends from foreign subsidiaries during fiscal 2009. Accordingly, no U.S. income tax on earnings of foreign subsidiaries was provided.
 
China passed a unified enterprise income tax law in March 2007. The new law took effect on January 1, 2008. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the newly enacted rates were applied to the existing deferred tax balance and the related valuation allowance. As a result, the deferred tax balance increased by $1.1 million with an offsetting increase in the valuation allowance.
 
Discontinued Operations
 
On September 29, 2006, Merix Holding (Hong Kong) Limited (Merix Hong Kong) entered into an agreement with Citi-Power Investment Limited (Citi-Power) to sell Merix Hong Kong’s 90% shareholding interest in the Lomber single-sided manufacturing facility located in Huizhou City in the PRC (the Lomber Facility) for a nominal amount.
 
Also on September 29, 2006, Merix Hong Kong entered into an agreement with Excel Hero (China) Limited (EXCEL) to sell its 85.29% shareholding interest in its single-sided manufacturing facility located in Dongguan City in the PRC (the Dongguan Facility) for a nominal amount.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” we recorded the related assets and liabilities as current assets and liabilities on our balance sheet at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell, upon being classified as discontinued operations. The combined net book value of the Dongguan and Lomber facilities was approximately $1.07 million upon their classification as discontinued operations and their fair value, less selling costs, was determined to be approximately $120,000. Accordingly, during the quarter ended November 25, 2006, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1.26 million as a component of loss from discontinued operations and a reversal of a portion of this impairment charge of $158,000 and $37,000, respectively, were recorded in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2007 upon final disposition of the Dongguan and Lomber facilities. The sale was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

 
 

 
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The results of operations for the Dongguan and Lomber facilities have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Certain financial information related to discontinued operations was as follows (in thousands):

   
2007
 
Revenue                                                                      
  $ 8,597  
Net impairment related to assets of discontinued operations
    (1,062 )
Pre-tax loss                                                                      
    (470 )
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our sources of liquidity and capital resources as of May 30, 2009 consisted of $17.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $37.3 million unused availability under our revolving bank credit agreement, described below. We expect our capital resources to be sufficient to fund our operations and known capital requirements for at least one year from May 30, 2009, although we may seek additional sources of funds. On June 26, 2009, we entered an agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Limited that provides for borrowings up to 36 million renminbi (approximately US$5.3 million) secured by the building and land lease rights at our Huiyang manufacturing facility. Availability under this agreement is expected to increase to 50 million renminbi (approximately US$7.3 million) within 90 days of the inception date upon perfection of the security interest in the building.
 
We have a Loan and Security Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (the Credit Agreement) which provides a revolving line of credit of up to $55.0 million based on a borrowing base calculated with respect to the value of accounts receivable, equipment, and real property. The Credit Agreement expires in February 2013. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of our U.S. assets and certain accounts receivable from foreign customers. The borrowings bear interest based, at the Company’s election, on either the prime rate announced by Bank of America or LIBOR plus an applicable margin. As of May 30, 2009, the unused borrowing base was $37.3 million, with an outstanding balance of $8.0 million. The Credit Agreement contains usual and customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, all of which we were in compliance with as of May 30, 2009. In addition, the Credit Agreement also includes a financial covenant requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1:1 if Excess Availability, defined in the Credit Facility agreement as a function of the unused borrowing base and cash held in certain U.S. bank accounts, falls below $20.0 million. Excess Availability at May 30, 2009 was $49.4 million and as such this covenant is not currently in effect. We would not be in compliance if this covenant was currently applicable. Based on management forecasts, we do not expect that Excess Availability will fall below $20.0 million for at least one year from May 30, 2009.
 
In fiscal 2009, cash and cash equivalents increased $11.9 million to $17.6 million as of May 30, 2009 from $5.7 million as of May 31, 2008 primarily as a result of $22.7 million provided by operations (as described in more detail below) and net borrowings on our revolving line of credit totaling $8.0 million, offset by the use of $19.0 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment.
 
Cash flows from operating activities totaled $22.7 million. Cash totaling $2.7 million was consumed by net loss of $49.3 million, adjusted for $46.6 million in non-cash charges, primarily $22.6 million for depreciation and amortization and $22.3 million for impairment and non-cash restructuring charges. As discussed in more detail below, other significant changes in working capital generating $25.3 million in cash from operations in fiscal 2009 include $29.8 million from reductions in accounts receivable, $9.3 million from reductions in inventory balances and $8.3 million from reductions in other assets. Those cash in-flows were offset by consumption of $23.7 million in cash for net repayments of accounts payable and other liabilities. Note that changes in working capital balances vary from cash flows from operations due to the impact of non-cash transactions on amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts, decreased $29.9 million to $43.3 million as of May 30, 2009 from $73.2 million as of May 31, 2008, due reduced net sales volumes and improved collection programs. Our days’ sales outstanding, calculated on a quarterly basis, was 67 days at May 30, 2009 and 76 days at May 31, 2008.

 
 

 
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Inventories, net of reserves, decreased $9.3 million to $14.4 million at May 30, 2009 compared to $23.6 million at May 31, 2008. The variance is comprised of a $4.0 million, or 35%, decrease in finished goods and consignment inventories and a $5.3 million or 43% reduction in raw materials and work-in-process inventories as a result of reductions to support currently expected net sales volumes and the timing of purchases and production.
 
Prepaid and other current assets decreased $8.1 million to $4.9 million as of May 30, 2009 compared to $13.0 million as of May 31, 2008. This was primarily due to refunds of value-added taxes (VAT) from the PRC government for taxes paid to PRC local vendors for the purchase of materials, as well as refunds related to the closure of our Hong Kong facility for deposits to the Long Service Payment Plan and utility companies and decreases in prepaid employee insurance benefits.
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, exclusive of the $1.4 million net intercompany payable recorded due to the one-month reporting lag for Merix Asia, totaled $46.6 million at May 30, 2009, a decrease of $29.0 million compared to $75.6 million as of May 31, 2008. The decrease is due primarily to a $26.5 million reduction in accounts payable resulting from decreased purchases and production necessary to support the lower revenue base. Additionally, accrued warranty decreased by $1.2 million due to the decrease in net sales as well as improved quality and a transition from a three-year warranty provision to a 12-month warranty provision for our Asia operations, and other accrued liabilities decreased by $1.4 million primarily due to accruals related to the refinancing of our revolving line of credit and fiscal 2009 expenditures for Wood Village asset retirement obligations which were included in current liabilities at May 31, 2008.
 
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment of $19.0 million in fiscal 2009 primarily consisted of expenditures for the expansion and improvement of the process technology at our China-based Huiyang facility, improvement of the process technology and increasing the processing speed of our North American facility and the implementation of a company-wide ERP system. Most of the capital expenditures associated with the recent expansion of our Huiyang, China facility and ERP implementation was committed prior to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. In response to the economic downturn and the resulting reduction in demand for our products, discretionary capital expenditures have been substantially curtailed. We believe our facilities and equipment are in good condition and do not require significant investments in the near term. It is management’s intent to minimize capital spending until market conditions and cash flows improve. Planned capital expenditures in fiscal 2010 are approximately $5 million. An estimated $5 million in additional capital expenditures may be approved in fiscal 2010, but is dependent upon achievement of financial objectives.
 
We are currently marketing for sale the location formerly housing our Hong Kong manufacturing operation. Although a transaction is not imminent, we estimate proceeds on sale in the range of $10 million to $15 million.
 
Contractual Payment Obligations
 
A summary of our contractual commitments and obligations as of May 30, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):
   
Payments Due By Period
 
 
 
Contractual Obligation
 
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1 - 3
 years
   
3 - 5
 years
   
More than 5 years
 
Asset retirement obligations
  $ 504     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 504  
Lease termination liability
    835       683       152       -       -  
Borrowings on revolving credit facility
    8,000       -       -       8,000       -  
4% Convertible debenture
    70,000       -       -       70,000       -  
Operating lease obligations
    7,697       2,108       2,768       1,733       1,088  
Capital purchase obligations
    684       684       -       -       -  
    $ 87,720     $ 3,475     $ 2,920     $ 79,733     $ 1,592  
 
As discussed in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes –

 
 

 
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an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48) on May 27, 2007. At May 30, 2009, the Company had a liability for unrecognized benefits for $3.6 million. We are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of when, or if, cash settlements with taxing authorities may occur.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and the Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. It is reasonably possible that the estimates we make may change in the future.
 
Significant accounting policies and estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements include:
 
·  
revenue recognition;
·  
the allowance for doubtful accounts;
·  
valuation of excess and obsolete inventories and idle facilities;
·  
the valuation and impairment of long-lived assets;
·  
the valuation and impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets;
·  
share-based compensation;
·  
warranty liabilities;
·  
legal contingencies; and
·  
accounting for income taxes.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue upon the shipment of our products to the customer provided that we have received a purchase order, the price is fixed, title has transferred to the customer, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured, product returns are reasonably estimable, there are no further customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for estimated sales returns and adjustments are made at the point of revenue recognition based on historical experience. Sales adjustments are charged against consolidated net sales.
 
Consignment sales are recognized at the time the consignee uses the consignment goods and all criteria of revenue recognition described above have been satisfied.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of the accounts receivable balance and we maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the customers to make required payments. In determining the amount of the reserve, we consider our historical bad debt experience, ongoing credit evaluations of customers and changes in our customers’ businesses. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to identify uncollectible receivables, and accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a larger reserve may be required.
 
Valuation of Excess and Obsolete Inventories and Idle Facilities
 
Provisions for inventories are made to reduce excess inventories to their estimated net realizable values, as necessary. A change in customer demand for inventory is the primary indicator for reductions in inventory carrying values. We record inventory provisions based on historical experiences with

 
 

 
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customers, the ability to utilize inventory in other programs, the ability to redistribute inventory back to the suppliers and current and forecasted demand for the inventory.
 
Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage) are recognized as current-period charges and the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. We are required to estimate the amount of idle capacity and allocate and expense amounts in the current period.
 
Valuation and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Our long-lived assets to be held and used in the business are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We consider a trend of unsatisfactory operating results that are not in line with management’s expectations to be our primary indicator of potential impairment. When an indicator of impairment is noted, assets are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level for which cash flows are identifiable. If the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that the fair values are reduced for disposal costs. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to identify indicators of impairment and to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates.
 
Valuation and Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Instead, they are measured for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or when events indicate that an impairment may exist. In the first step of our impairment test of goodwill, we compare the fair value of the applicable reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting entity exceeds the estimate of fair value, we record an impairment charge based on the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over its estimated fair value, determined through further market research. In the impairment tests for other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we compare the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets to the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimate of fair value, we calculate impairment as the excess of the carrying value over the estimate of fair value.
 
Intangible assets that are determined to have definite lives are amortized over their useful lives and are measured for impairment only when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired, as discussed above.
 
Share-based Compensation
 
We measure and record compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted to our employees and directors based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date.
 
We utilize the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards, which requires us to make judgments on assumptions regarding the risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected term and expected volatility over the expected term of the award. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of expense could be materially different in the future.
 
Compensation expense is only recognized on awards that ultimately vest. Therefore, we have reduced the compensation expense to be recognized over the vesting period for anticipated future forfeitures. Forfeiture estimates are based on historical forfeiture patterns. We update our forfeiture estimates as warranted and recognize any changes to accumulated compensation expense in the period of change. If actual forfeitures differ significantly from our estimates, our results of operations could be materially impacted.

 
 

 
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Warranty Liabilities
 
We generally warrant our products for a period of up to twelve months from the time of sale. We record a liability for the estimated cost of the warranty upon transfer of ownership of the products to the customer. The warranty liability is calculated based on historical experience of expenses resulting from the warranty program for the twelve preceding months. We also accrue warranty liability for certain specifically identified items that are not covered by our assessment of historical experience.
 
Legal Contingencies
 
All legal contingencies which are judged to be both probable and estimable are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets based on our best estimates of the costs of resolving or disposing of the underlying claims. We regularly monitor our estimates in light of current developments and changes in circumstances and we adjust our legal reserves accordingly. If no particular amount is determined to constitute our best estimate of a particular legal contingency, a range of our estimate of the costs of resolving or disposing of the underlying claim is disclosed and we will accrue for the low end of the range of costs, unless otherwise disclosed. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to estimate legal contingency reserves. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
 
In addition, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48) clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurement and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. It does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value.. SFAS No. 157 establishes market and observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transaction in the absence of market inputs. The valuation techniques required by SFAS 157 are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect management's market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
 
·  
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical asset or liabilities.
·  
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
·  
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models,

 
 

 
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·  
discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
 
The provisions of SFAS No. 157 were to be effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. On February 6, 2008, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Effective June 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 except as it applies to those nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have any material impact on the our results of operations or financial position.
 
In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active” (FSP 157-3), which clarifies the application of SFAS No, 157 when the market for a financial asset is inactive. Specifically, FSP 157-3 clarifies how (1) management’s internal assumptions should be considered in measuring fair value when observable data are not present, (2) observable market information from an inactive market should be taken into account, and (3) the use of broker quotes or pricing services should be considered in assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data to measure fair value. The guidance in FSP 157-3 became effective immediately.
 
Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement of certain financial assets and liabilities under an instrument-by-instrument election. Subsequent measurements for the financial assets and liabilities an entity elects to fair value will be recognized in the results of operations. SFAS No. 159 also establishes additional disclosure requirements. We did not elect the fair value option under SFAS No. 159 for any of our financial assets or liabilities upon adoption. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

 
 

 
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Item 7A .  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Market Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the increase or decrease in interest expense on our debt obligations.
 
We are exposed to interest rate risk relating to our domestic credit facility agreement, which bears interest based at our election on either the prime rate or LIBOR, plus an additional margin based on our use of the credit facility. At May 30, 2009, $8.0 million was outstanding under this credit facility. A 1% change in the prime rate or LIBOR would result in a change in interest expense of approximately $0.1 million.
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
We are exposed to foreign currency fluctuation as a result of our international operations. Our primary foreign currency exposure stems from operating costs relating to manufacturing operations in the PRC. Substantially all of our consolidated net sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not currently engage in derivative activities to hedge against foreign currency risk. However, we regularly evaluate our risk management options. Net foreign currency transaction losses were $0.5 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Fair Value of Fixed-Rate Debt
 
The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise; however, the quoted market price of our debt is currently reflecting a significant risk premium. At May 30, 2009, the book value of our fixed rate debt and the fair value based upon open market trades was as follows (in thousands):
 
Book value of fixed rate debt
$70,000
Fair value of fixed rate debt
$28,000

 
 

 
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Item 8 .                          Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Merix Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merix Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, statements of shareholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss), and statements of cash flows for the years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007. Our audits of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merix Corporation and subsidiaries as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, effective May 27, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “ Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ”.
 
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
 
July 30, 2009

 
 

 
Table of Contents
 
MERIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008
 
(in thousands)
 
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 17,571     $ 5,728  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,502 and $2,252
    43,285       73,153  
Inventories, net
    14,367       23,631  
Assets held for sale
    3       1,477  
Deferred income taxes
    160       75  
Prepaid and other current assets
    4,896       12,961  
Total current assets
    80,282       117,025  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $137,772 and $121,253
    95,883       103,012  
Goodwill
    11,392       31,794  
Definite-lived intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $10,324 and $8,342
    6,884       8,866  
Deferred income taxes, net
    612       885  
Assets held for sale
    1,146       -  
Other assets
    4,471       5,859  
        Total assets
  $ 200,670     $ 267,441  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 33,263     $ 59,789  
Accrued liabilities
    14,715       15,783  
Total current liabilities
    47,978       75,572  
                 
Long-term debt
    78,000       70,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    4,234       3,522  
Total liabilities
    130,212       149,094  
                 
Minority interest
    3,935       4,573  
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 19)
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 21,781 and 21,073 issued and outstanding
    217,112       215,085  
Accumulated deficit
    (150,622 )     (101,358 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    33       47  
Total shareholders' equity
    66,523       113,774  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 200,670     $ 267,441  
                 
                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


 
 

 
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MERIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
For the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                   
   
May 30,
   
May 31,
   
May 26,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net sales
  $ 287,127     $ 378,637     $ 400,496  
Cost of sales
    264,941       340,778       334,925  
Gross profit
    22,186       37,859       65,571  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
     Engineering
    2,121       1,810       1,705  
     Selling, general and administration
    34,915       40,963       44,477  
     Amortization of intangible assets
    1,981       2,305       2,745  
     Severance, asset impairment and restructuring charges
    24,895       15,686       81,414  
         Total operating expenses
    63,912       60,764       130,341  
                         
Operating loss
    (41,726 )     (22,905 )     (64,770 )
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
     Interest income
    134       793       1,378  
     Interest expense
    (3,923 )     (4,119 )     (5,353 )
     Debt extinguishment costs
    -       (476 )     -  
     Gain on settlement of debt
    -       5,094       -  
     Other expense, net
    (528 )     (1,271 )     (1,019 )
         Total other income (expense), net
    (4,317 )     21       (4,994 )
                         
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
    (46,043 )     (22,884 )     (69,764 )
Provision for income taxes
    2,628       1,502       1,412  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interests
    (48,671 )     (24,386 )     (71,176 )
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries
    593       1,165       739  
Loss from continuing operations
    (49,264 )     (25,551 )     (71,915 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of provision for income taxes of $0, $0 and $47, respectively
    -       -       (517 )
     Net loss
  $ (49,264 )   $ (25,551 )   $ (72,432 )
                         
Basic loss per share from continuing operations
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.52 )
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations
    -       -       (0.03 )
Basic net loss per share
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.55 )
                         
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.52 )
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations
    -       -       (0.03 )
Diluted net loss per share
  $ (2.34 )   $ (1.22 )   $ (3.55 )
                         
Weighted average number of shares - basic
    21,098       21,019       20,406  
Weighted average number of shares - diluted
    21,098       21,019       20,406  
                         
                         
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


 
 

 
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MERIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
For the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007
 
(in thousands)
 
                                     
                           
Accumulated
       
                           
Other
       
               
Unearned
         
Comprehensive
   
Total
 
   
Common Stock
   
Stock
   
Accumulated
   
Income
   
Shareholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Compensation
   
Deficit
   
(Loss)
   
Equity
 
                                     
Balance at May 27, 2006
    19,806     $ 204,831     $ (1,096 )   $ (1,623 )   $ 13     $ 202,125  
Stock Plans:
                                               
     Exercise of stock options
    724       5,586       -       -       -       5,586  
     Issuance of restricted stock to employees
    198       -       -       -       -       -  
     Share-based compensation expense
    -       1,850       -       -       -       1,850  
     Issuance of stock under defined contribution plan
    126       1,234       -       -       -       1,234  
     Reversal of unearned stock compensation upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)
    -       (1,096 )     1,096       -       -       -  
     Shares repurchased, surrendered or cancelled
    (10 )     (71 )     -       -       -       (71 )
Comprehensive income:
                                               
     Net loss
    -       -       -       (72,432 )     -       (72,432 )
     Change in pension cost, net of tax
                                    17       17  
     Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       3       3  
         Annual comprehensive loss
                                            (72,412 )
Effect of adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       132       132  
Balance at May 26, 2007
    20,844       212,334       -       (74,055 )     165       138,444  
Effect of adoption of FIN 48
    -       -       -       (1,752 )     -       (1,752 )
Stock Plans:
                                               
     Exercise of stock options
    1       2       -       -       -       2  
     Issuance of restricted stock to employees
    139       -       -       -       -       -  
     Share-based compensation expense
    -       1,965       -       -       -       1,965  
     Issuance of stock under defined contribution plan
    133       873       -       -       -       873  
     Shares repurchased, surrendered or cancelled
    (44 )     (89 )     -       -       -       (89 )
Comprehensive income:
                                               
     Net loss
    -       -       -       (25,551 )     -       (25,551 )
     Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       37       37  
     Change in pension cost, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       (155 )     (155 )
         Annual comprehensive loss
                                            (25,669 )
Balance at May 31, 2008
    21,073       215,085       -       (101,358 )     47       113,774  
Stock Plans:
                                               
     Issuance of restricted stock to employees
    26       -       -       -       -       -  
     Share-based compensation expense
    -       1,617       -       -       -       1,617  
     Issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
    750       447       -       -       -       447  
     Shares repurchased, surrendered or cancelled
    (68 )     (37 )     -       -       -       (37 )
Comprehensive income:
                                               
     Net loss
    -       -       -       (49,264 )     -       (49,264 )
     Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       (14 )     (14 )
         Annual comprehensive loss
                                            (49,278 )
Balance at May 30, 2009
    21,781     $ 217,112     $ -     $ (150,622 )   $ 33     $ 66,523  
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 

 
Table of Contents


MERIX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
For the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and May 26, 2007
 
(in thousands)
 
                   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
May 30, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
   
May 26, 2007
 
Net loss                                $    (49,264)       $ (25,551)       $ (72,432)   
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    22,605       20,992       23,226  
Contribution of common stock to defined contribution plan
    -       873       1,234  
Share-based compensation expense
    1,617       1,965       1,850  
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries
    593       1,165       739  
Asset impairment charges
    21,202       13,056       80,773  
Accrual of lease termination liability
    1,090       95       -  
Debt extinguishment charges
    -       476       -  
Gain on settlement of debt
    -       (5,094 )     -  
Gain on disposition of assets
    (594 )     (343 )     -  
Other non-cash (income) expense
    -       236       -  
Deferred income taxes
    89       (485 )     -  
Changes in operating accounts:
                       
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net
    29,843       3,672       (1,863 )
(Increase) decrease in inventories, net
    9,264       1,600       (847 )
Increase in income taxes receivable
    (10 )     (23 )     (295 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    8,320       (5,968 )     196  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    (20,936 )     9,775       (62 )
Decrease in other accrued liabilities
    (2,745 )     (3,318 )     (6,165 )
Increase (decrease) in due to affiliate, net
    1,607       (1,054 )     (387 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    22,681       12,069       25,967  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (19,005 )     (28,394 )     (19,795 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
    988       278       999  
Purchases of investments
    -       (12,775 )     (179,025 )
Proceeds from sales and maturity of securities
    -       21,800       188,525  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (18,017 )     (19,091 )     (9,296 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    40,000       -       -  
Principal payments on long-term borrowings
    (32,000 )     (2,500 )     (16,125 )
Payment of deferred financing costs
    (4 )     (257 )     -  
Payments on capital lease obligations
    -       (438 )     (1,166 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock plan transactions
    447       1       5,586  
Reacquisition of common stock
    (34 )     (89 )     (71 )
Distribution to minority shareholder
    (1,230 )     (1,142 )     -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    7,179       (4,425 )     (11,776 )
                         
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    11,843       (11,447 )     4,895  
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    5,728       17,175       12,280  
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 17,571     $ 5,728     $ 17,175  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
                       
Cash paid for income taxes, net
  $ 1,783     $ 1,562     $ 1,413  
Cash paid for interest
    3,342       3,740       5,300  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITY
                       
Issuance (reduction) of promissory note related to acquisition
  $ -     $ -     $ (3,406 )
Other purchase price adjustments
    -       -       (1,435 )
Increase to asset retirement obligation
    -       130       (74 )
FIN 48 transition adjustment
    -       2,906       -  
                         
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


 
 

 
Table of Contents

 
MERIX CORPORATION
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business
 
Merix Corporation, an Oregon corporation, was formed in March 1994. Merix is a leading global manufacturing service provider for technologically advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, and their electronic manufacturing service (EMS) providers. The Company’s principal products are complex multi-layer rigid PCBs, which are the platforms used to interconnect microprocessors, integrated circuits and other components that are essential to the operation of electronic products and systems. The market segments the Company serves are primarily in commercial equipment for the communications and networking, computing and peripherals, test, industrial and medical, defense and aerospace and automotive markets. The Company’s markets are generally characterized by rapid technological change, high levels of complexity and short product life cycles, as new and technologically superior electronic equipment is continually being developed.
 
The Company services its customers from its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon and North American manufacturing facilities in Forest Grove, Oregon and San Jose, California. The Company also maintains manufacturing facilities in Huiyang and Huizhou, in the People’s Republic of China (China or the PRC). The Company maintains a direct sales force located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
 
Basis of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Merix Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). Except for activity related to Merix Asia, for which certain intercompany amounts cannot be eliminated as discussed below, all inter-company accounts, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Prior to the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company’s financial reporting systems at Merix Asia were predominantly manual in nature and required significant time to process and review the transactions in order to assure the financial information is properly stated. Additionally, Merix Asia performs a complex financial consolidation of its subsidiaries prior to the Company’s final consolidation. The time required to complete Merix Asia’s consolidation, record intercompany transactions and properly report any adjustments, intervening and/or subsequent events requires the use of a one-month lag in consolidating the financial statements for Merix Asia with Merix Corporation. Inter-company transactions which occurred during these periods have been eliminated in consolidation. Inter-company balances resulting from transactions with Merix Asia during the one-month lag period have been netted and presented as a current asset or current liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The net intercompany payable included as a component of accrued liabilities totaled $1.4 million at May 30, 2009. The net intercompany receivable included as a component of prepaid and other current assets totaled $0.2 million as of May 31, 2008.
 
The Company currently contemplates elimination of the one-month reporting lag for Merix Asia in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
 
Fiscal Year
 
The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in May. Accordingly, fiscal 2009 ended on May 30, 2009, fiscal 2008 ended on May 31, 2008 and fiscal 2007 ended on May 26, 2007 and those fiscal years were comprised of 52 weeks, 53 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. All references to years relate to fiscal years unless otherwise noted.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications were made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation, including a reclassification of certain engineering costs which are directly related to the production of goods for sale and are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of
 

 
 

 
Table of Contents
 
operations. These costs were previously included as a component of operating expenses. The impact of the reclassification on inventory balances is not material. The results of operations for fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2007 have been revised as shown below:
 
   
Fiscal 2008
 
Fiscal 2007
   
(as reported)
 
(as revised)
 
(as reported)
 
(as revised)
Net sales                                                  
$
378,637
$
378,637
$
400,496
$
400,496
Cost of sales                                                  
 
334,035
 
340,778
 
328,569
 
334,925
Gross profit                                                  
 
44,602
 
37,859
 
71,927
 
65,571
Gross margin                                                  
 
11.8%
 
10.0%
 
18.0%
 
16.4%
Engineering expense                                                  
 
8,553
 
1,810
 
8,061
 
1,705
Other operating expenses                                                  
 
58,954
 
58,954
 
128,636
 
128,636
Loss from operations                                                  
$
(22,905)
$
(22,905)
$
(64,770)
$
(64,770)
 
Segment Reporting
 
The Company has two reportable business segments defined by geography: North America and Asia. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly reviewed by senior management. The Company’s operating segments are evidence of the internal structure of its organization. Each segment operates in the same industry with production facilities that produce similar customized products for its customers. The production facilities, sales management and chief decision-makers for all processes are managed by the same executive team. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Segment disclosures are presented to the gross profit level as this is the primary performance measure for which the segment managers are responsible. No other operating results information is provided to the chief operating decision maker for review at the segment level.
 
Management’s Estimates
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Management believes that the estimates used are reasonable. Significant estimates and judgments made by management of the Company relate to:
 
·  
the allowance for doubtful accounts;
·  
the valuation of excess and obsolete inventories and idle facilities;
·  
product warranty liabilities;
·  
the valuation and impairment of long-lived assets;
·  
the valuation and impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets;
·  
share-based compensation;
·  
legal contingencies; and
·  
accounting for income taxes.
 
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
 
We estimate the fair value of our monetary assets and liabilities based upon comparison of such assets and liabilities to the current market values for instruments of a similar nature and degree of risk. Our monetary assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt. Due to their short-term nature, we estimate that the recorded value of our monetary assets and liabilities, except long-term debt as disclosed below, approximated fair value as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.
 
The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise; however, the quoted market price for the Company’s debt is currently reflecting a significant risk premium. The Company’s debt trades infrequently in the open market and as such, the quoted market
 

 
 

 
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price is considered a Level II input in the assessment of fair value. At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively, the book value of our fixed rate debt and the fair value, based on open market trades proximate to the fair value measurement date, was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Book value of fixed rate debt
  $ 70,000     $ 70,000  
Fair value of fixed rate debt
  $ 28,000     $ 38,106  
 
Foreign Currency Translation and Foreign Currency Transactions
 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations have been translated in a process which measures assets, liabilities and operations of a foreign entity using the functional currency of that entity. The functional currency of the foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, with the exception of the foreign sales offices, which use their respective local currencies as the functional currency.
 
The reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. For those foreign subsidiaries whose books of record are not maintained in their respective functional currency, remeasurement into the functional currency is required before translation into the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses are translated into the U.S. dollar at weighted average exchange rates during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity.
 
Transactions involving a currency other than the functional currency generate a gain or loss from the fluctuation of the currency relative to the functional currency and are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations during the respective period in which they occur. The Company currently does not utilize any derivative instruments to mitigate potential foreign currency transaction losses. Net foreign currency transaction losses were $0.5 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and were included as a component of other income (expense) on our consolidated statements of operations.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short maturities.
 
Short-Term Investments
 
Investments in auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale short-term investments. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, as determined by quoted market prices, with unrealized holding gains and losses (if any), net of tax, classified as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Upon sale of the investments, any previously unrealized holding gains or losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of securities sold. The Company reviews short-term investments on a periodic basis to evaluate whether such securities have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. If an other-than-temporary decline in value exists, an impairment charge is recorded within the consolidated statements of operations as the difference between the carrying value of the impaired investments and the net realizable value of the impaired investments. The Company held no short-term investments as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.
 
Accounts Receivable, net
 
The Company makes ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of the accounts receivable balance and the Company maintains a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the customers to make required payments. In determining the amount of the reserve, the Company considers its historical bad debt experience, ongoing credit evaluations of customers and changes in the customers’ businesses. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to identify uncollectible receivables and, accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. If the financial condition of

 
 

 
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the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a larger reserve might be required.
 
Inventories, net
 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined by standard cost, which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.
 
Provisions for inventories are made to reduce excess inventories to their estimated net realizable values, as necessary. A change in customer demand for inventory is the primary indicator for reductions in inventory carrying values. The Company records inventory provisions based on historical experiences with customers, the ability to utilize inventory in other programs, the ability to redistribute inventory back to the suppliers and current and forecasted demand for the inventory.
 
The Company maintains finished goods inventories on a consignment basis at certain customer locations in the U.S. and in Asia. Consignment inventory is recorded as inventory until the product is pulled from the consignment inventories by the customer and all risks and rewards of ownership of the consignment inventory have been transferred to the customer.
 
Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage) are recognized as current-period charges and the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company is required to estimate the amount of idle capacity and expense amounts in the current period. During fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2007, the Company expensed $1.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to abnormally low production volumes as a component of cost of sales. There were no amounts expensed related to abnormally low production volumes and related excess capacity in fiscal 2008.
 
Assets Held for Sale
 
Assets held for sale are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at the lower of book value or estimated fair market value, less applicable selling costs, and are no longer being depreciated. See Note 4.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs of improvements that significantly extend the useful life or significantly increase the capacity of assets, including major upgrades or implementations in management information systems, plus related interest and qualifying internal costs, are capitalized. Costs related to the implementation of an ERP system that met the criteria for capitalization totaled $2.9 million, $7.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007. Capitalized interest totaled $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
As property and equipment is sold or retired, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the asset accounts and any gain or loss thereon is recorded. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets, which approximate up to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment.
 
For North America, leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the economic life of the asset or the contractual term of the lease. Optional renewal periods are included in the contractual term of the lease if renewal is reasonably assured at the time the asset is placed in service.
 
For Asia’s Huizhou facility, leasehold improvements are amortized over the economic useful life of ten years. Asia’s Huizhou facility has noncancelable operating lease agreements with lease terms ending through fiscal 2010 with no stated lease renewal options. In July 2009, the lessor indicated that it will extend the lease by one year, although no lease amendment has been finalized. However, as the lessor is the minority interest holder in the Asia subsidiary and it is reasonably assured that these lease agreements will be renewed and management has intentions to operate the leased manufacturing facilities indefinitely, the tenant improvements within the leased facilities are amortized over a period longer than the current underlying contractual lease obligations.

 
 

 
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Asset Retirement Obligations
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” the Company recognizes the fair value of an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The present value of the estimated asset retirement obligation is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the useful life of the asset. The liability is accreted at the end of each period through charges to operating expenses. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Company will recognize a gain or loss upon settlement. See Note 10 for additional information.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company’s long-lived assets to be held and used in the business are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When an indicator of impairment is noted, assets are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level for which cash flows are identifiable. If the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that the fair values are reduced for disposal costs. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to identify indicators of impairment and to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates.
 
Asset impairments, excluding goodwill impairments, related to continuing operations totaled $0.7 million, $12.5 million and $26.6 million, respectively, in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007. See Note 15 for additional information. During fiscal 2007, the Company also recorded a net $1.1 million asset impairment charge related to discontinued operations. As a result of the deteriorating economic conditions experienced during fiscal 2009, the Company performed impairment analyses for its long-lived assets. With the exception of the $0.7 million impairment charge recorded in relation to disposition of certain plant assets (see Note 15), no other long-lived assets were determined to be impaired as of May 30, 2009.
 
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill is not amortized but is instead tested for impairment at least annually or when events indicate that impairment may exist. The impairment test is a two step process. The first identifies potential impairments by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its book value, including goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets are not impaired and the second step is not necessary. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the second step includes determining the implied fair value through further market research. The implied fair value of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets is then compared with the carrying amount to determine if an impairment loss is recorded. See Notes 7 and 15 for further discussion of goodwill impairment charges.
 
Intangible assets that are determined to have definite lives are amortized over their useful lives and are measured for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired in accordance with SFAS No. 144, as discussed above. The Company reviewed these assets for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and determined that no impairment existed.
 
Leasehold Land Use Rights, Net
 
Leasehold land use rights, net represents amounts paid to lease land in China. Amounts are paid at the beginning of the lease term and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining period of the initial 50-year lease terms ending 2052. See Note 8.
 
Deferred Financing Costs
 
Debt issuance costs and loan origination fees paid are deferred and amortized at the rate of approximately $0.2 million per quarter through May 2013 as a component of interest expense over the life of the debt to which they relate and are included on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of other assets. See Notes 8 and 11.

 
 

 
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Warranty Liability
 
The Company generally warrants its products for a period of up to twelve months from the point of sale. The Company records a liability for the estimated cost of the warranty upon transfer of ownership of the products to the customer. Using historical data, the Company estimates warranty costs and records the provision for such charges as an element of cost of goods sold upon recognition of the related revenue. The Company also accrues warranty liability for certain specifically identified items that are not covered by our assessment of historical experience.
 
Warranty activity, adjusted for discontinued operations, for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
 Balance, beginning of period                                                                    
  $ 2,147     $ 2,129     $ 2,297  
Provision for warranty charges                                                                    
    2,504       3,565       3,383  
Change in estimate for existing warranties
    (742 )     -       -  
Warranty charges incurred                                                                    
    (2,948 )     (3,547 )     (3,551 )
Balance, end of period                                                                    
  $ 961     $ 2,147     $ 2,129  
 
Prior to its acquisition in September 2005 and in selected circumstances subsequent to acquisition, Merix Asia granted longer warranty periods to certain customers of up to three years. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company reduced its accrual for warranty charges by approximately $0.7 million to reflect the change from a three-year warranty period to a twelve-month warranty period on products currently sold by its Asia segment and the impact of improved quality on claim rates for its Asia factories.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenue upon the shipment of its products to the customer provided that the price is fixed, delivery has occurred and title has transferred to the customer, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured, product returns are reasonably estimable, there are no further customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Provisions for estimated sales returns and adjustments are made at the point of revenue recognition based on historical experience. Sales adjustments are charged against consolidated net sales.
 
Consignment sales are recognized at the time the consignee uses the consignment goods and all criteria of revenue recognition described above have been satisfied.
 
Shipping and Handling Charges
 
The Company incurs costs related to shipping and handling of its manufactured products. The Company expenses these costs as incurred as a component of cost of sales. The Company also incurs shipping and handling charges related to the receipt of raw materials, which are recorded as a cost of the related inventory. Payments received from customers for shipping and handling costs are immaterial and are included as a component of net sales upon recognition of the related sale.
 
Taxes Assessed by a Governmental Authority
 
The Company accounts for all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (i.e., sales, use, value added) on a net basis and those taxes are excluded from net sales.
 
Concentrations of Risk
 
The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk, primarily associated with cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable.
 
The Company has significant credit risk attributable to its accounts receivable. The accounts receivable are either due from an OEM customer or its electronic manufacturing service provider, depending upon the billing arrangement. At May 30, 2009, five entities represented approximately 41% of the Company’s net accounts receivable balance, individually ranging from approximately 5% to 18%. At May 31, 2008, five entities represented approximately 48% of the Company’s net accounts receivable balance, individually ranging from approximately 5% to 18%.

 
 

 
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Certain of the Company’s products use types of laminate materials that are only available from a single supplier that holds a patent on the material. Although other manufacturers of advanced PCBs must also use the same supplier, and the Company’s OEM customers generally determine the type of laminate materials used, a failure to obtain the material from the single supplier for any reason may cause disruption and possible cancellation of orders for PCBs using that type of laminate, which in turn would cause a decrease in the Company’s consolidated net sales.
 
One customer accounted for 13% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal 2009. Two customers accounted for 11% and 10%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales in fiscal 2008 and accounted for 15% and 11%, respectively, in fiscal 2007. No other customer represented more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2009 2008 and 2007.
 
Legal Contingencies Reserve
 
All legal contingencies which are judged to be both probable and estimable are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets based on the Company’s best estimates. The Company regularly monitors its estimates in light of current developments and changes in circumstances and the Company adjusts its legal reserves accordingly. If no particular amount is determined to constitute the Company’s best estimate of a particular legal contingency, a range of the Company’s estimate of the costs of resolving or disposing of the underlying claim is disclosed and the Company will accrue for the low end of the range of costs, unless otherwise disclosed. Considerable management judgment and assumptions are necessary to estimate legal contingency reserves. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Legal fees are expensed in the period in which they occur.
 
Environmental Contingencies
 
Accruals for environmental matters, if any, are recorded in operating expenses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Accrued environmental liabilities, if any, are exclusive of claims against third parties and are not discounted. There were no material environmental remediation liabilities at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.
 
In general, ongoing costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense. Environmental costs are capitalized if such costs increase the value of the property and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.
 
Engineering Expense
 
Expenditures for engineering of products and manufacturing processes are expensed as incurred.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. This approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applicable to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
 
In addition, effective May 27, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded a transition adjustment of $1.8 million to beginning accumulated deficit and $0.7 million as an adjustment to goodwill.

 
 

 
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The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to potential liability for uncertain tax positions as a component of tax expense. This policy did not change as a result of the adoption of FIN 48. No penalties were recognized during fiscal 2008, fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006. The Company recorded accrued interest on the potential liability for uncertain tax positions totaling $0.3 million and $0.4 million during fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Net Loss Per Share
 
The effect of potential dilutive common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods in which losses are reported because the effect is antidilutive. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 as the Company was in a loss position for each of those years.
 
The following common stock equivalents were excluded from the diluted EPS calculations because inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Stock options
    3,221       2,970       1,607  
Convertible notes                                          
    4,608       4,608       4,608  
      7,829       7,578       6,215  
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company measures share-based compensation expense based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date. Share-based compensation expense is recognized using the graded vesting attribution method for stock options and the straight-line attribution method for restricted stock awards over the vesting period of the individual award, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Share-based compensation for performance-based stock option awards is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The Company does not accrue compensation expense if it is not probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The Company does not reverse previously recognized compensation expense if vested awards expire unexercised. New shares are issued upon the exercise of stock options.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” SFAS Nos. 141(R) and 160 require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with noncontrolling interest holders. Both statements are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. SFAS No. 141(R) will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date and SFAS No. 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date. The adoption of SFAS Nos. 141(R) and 160 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s current financial position and results of operations.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which requires certain disclosures related to derivative instruments. SFAS No. 161 is effective prospectively for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on its financial position and results of operations. The Company currently has no derivative instruments and does not currently engage in hedging activity and as such, the adoption of SFA No. 161 is not expected to have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations.
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3 "Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets" (FSP 142-3). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The intent of this Staff Position is to improve the

 
 

 
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consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of FSP 142-3 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. APB 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" (FSP 14-1). FSP 14-1 clarifies convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, "Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants." Additionally, FSP 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company currently has no convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion and, as such, the adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 “Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments” which requires disclosure about the method and significant assumptions used to establish the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as annual reporting periods. The FSP is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (SFAS 165). SFAS 165 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, the standard requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, which will alert users of the financial statements that the Company has not evaluated subsequent events occurring after that date. SFAS 165 is effective for interim or annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurement and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. It does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value.. SFAS No. 157 establishes market and observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transaction in the absence of market inputs. The valuation techniques required by SFAS 157 are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
·  
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical asset or liabilities.
·  
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
·  
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
 
The provisions of SFAS No. 157 were to be effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. On February 6, 2008, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at

 
 

 
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fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Effective June 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 except as it applies to those nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have any material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 
In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active” (FSP 157-3), which clarifies the application of SFAS No, 157 when the market for a financial asset is inactive. Specifically, FSP 157-3 clarifies how (1) management’s internal assumptions should be considered in measuring fair value when observable data are not present, (2) observable market information from an inactive market should be taken into account, and (3) the use of broker quotes or pricing services should be considered in assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data to measure fair value. The guidance in FSP 157-3 became effective immediately.
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement of certain financial assets and liabilities under an instrument-by-instrument election. Subsequent measurements for the financial assets and liabilities an entity elects to fair value will be recognized in the results of operations. SFAS No. 159 also establishes additional disclosure requirements. The Company did not elect the fair value option under SFAS No. 159 for any of its financial assets or liabilities upon adoption. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 
NOTE 2. TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO MERIX ASIA ACQUISITION
 
Eastern Pacific Circuits Holdings Limited and Purchase Price Allocation Adjustment
 
On September 29, 2005, Merix Corporation completed the acquisition of the business operations of Eastern Pacific Circuits Limited and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Merix Asia), a Hong Kong based supplier of PCBs from Eastern Pacific Circuits Holdings Limited (EPCH). Existing minority interest owners retained, subsequent to completion of the acquisition, their ownership percentage in the four entities that hold facilities and conduct business operations in the PRC. The individual ownership percentages of these minority interest owners are 5% and 15%, respectively. The acquisition of the business operations of Merix Asia was completed for an adjusted purchase price of $116.8 million. The acquisition was financed with a combination of approximately $32.8 million of available cash, term loans, including the assumption of certain EPCH debt, and revolving credit borrowings under two credit facilities totaling approximately $71.2 million and the issuance of an $11.0 million subordinated promissory note to EPCH, which was subsequently reduced to $7.6 million and then again to $2.5 million, as described below. The purchase price included $5.2 million of direct acquisition costs, which were funded with available cash. The term loans and revolving credit borrowings were refinanced in May 2006 (see Note 11). The purchase price did not reflect potential additional consideration based on changes in working capital, cash and an additional earn-out payment of up to $13 million if the business met certain EBITDA targets during the calendar year 2005.
 
During fiscal 2007, the Company and EPCH resolved several uncertainties that existed regarding the application of the post-closing working capital adjustment and EBITDA earn-out provisions of the purchase agreement. The resolution of these values resulted in a $3.4 million reduction of the $11.0 million subordinated promissory note to $7.6 million. A corresponding reduction of goodwill related to this acquisition was also recorded. In addition, no payout was made pursuant to the earn-out provisions. The adjustment to the promissory note, combined with final purchase allocation adjustments totaling $1.4 million, reduced goodwill resulting from the acquisition by $4.8 million. In addition, interest expense was recalculated on the note from the date of inception as if the principal balance was always $7.6 million, which resulted in a $0.3 million offset to interest expense in fiscal 2007 to reverse previously recognized interest expense.
 
In fiscal 2008, the Company settled certain claims outstanding against EPCH and made a payment of $2.5 million to settle all remaining obligations under the subordinated promissory note. The remaining balance of $5.1 million outstanding on the subordinated note payable, including accrued interest, was

 
 

 
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eliminated in exchange for the Company releasing EPCH from all past and any future claims relating to the Merix Asia acquisition. The $5.1 million balance including accrued interest was included as a component of gain on settlement of debt on the statement of operations in fiscal 2008.
 
NOTE 3. INVENTORIES, NET
 
Inventories, net of related reserves, consisted of the following at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
 
Raw materials                                                                      
  $ 2,986     $ 4,876  
Work in process                                                                      
    4,129       7,542  
Finished goods                                                                      
    3,398       3,901  
Consigned finished goods                                                                      
    3,854       7,312  
    $ 14,367     $ 23,631  
 
The increase (decrease) to inventory valuation reserves was ($0.1 million), $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007. As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the Company’s inventory reserves totaled $3.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
 
NOTE 4. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
 
At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, assets held for sale included the following (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Two parcels of land                                                                        
  $ 1,146     $ 1,146  
Excess equipment                                                                        
    3       331  
      1,149       1,477  
Assets held for sale included in current assets
    (3 )     (1,477 )
Assets held for sales included in non-current assets
  $ 1,146     $ -  
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, these assets are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less disposal costs and are no longer being depreciated.
 
During fiscal 2009, the Company determined that land included in assets held for sale should be presented in non-current assets as a result of deteriorating general economic conditions. At May 31, 2008, these assets were classified as current assets.
 
During fiscal 2009, the Company sold assets previously used in the Hong Kong facility valued at $0.3 million at May 31, 2008 and recorded a gain on sale of $0.6 million, which is reflected as a reduction to restructuring charges on the consolidated statement of operations.
 
During fiscal 2008, the Company ceased manufacturing operations at its Hong Kong facility. The net book values of the building and related land use rights were reduced to $0 by an impairment charge recorded in fiscal 2007 (see Note 15). These assets are classified as assets held for sale at May 30, 2009.
 
 
NOTE 5. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Prepaid expenses                                                                     
  $ 1,410     $ 1,778  
Income taxes receivable (Note 16)                                                                     
    328       318  
Value-added tax receivable                                                                     
    1,646       7,176  
Intercompany receivable (Note 1)
    -       227  
Other
    1,512       3,462  
    $ 4,896     $ 12,961  
 


 
 

 
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NOTE 6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment included the following at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Land                                                                      
  $ 922     $ 922  
Buildings and grounds
    47,116       40,098  
Leasehold improvements
    2,640       1,979  
Machinery and equipment
    182,645       162,486  
Construction in progress
    332       18,780  
      233,655       224,265  
Accumulated depreciation
    (137,772 )     (121,253 )
    $ 95,883     $ 103,012  
 
The Company recognized depreciation and amortization expense relating to property, plant and equipment of $19.7 million, $17.7 million and $19.3 million, respectively, during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company implemented a plan to dispose of certain surplus assets to streamline the utilization of equipment in its Oregon factory and recorded $0.7 million in impairment charges on the assets to be disposed. The sale of the assets was finalized in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
 
In fiscal 2008, the Company recorded net asset impairment charges totaling $12.5 million related to the closure of its Hong Kong and Wood Village facilities. See Note 15 for additional information.
 
In fiscal 2007, the Company recorded a net $1.1 million asset impairment charge related to discontinued operations and a $26.6 million asset impairment charge to other assets. See Notes 12 and 15 for additional information.
 
NOTE 7. GOODWILL AND DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Goodwill
 
The following is a reconciliation of changes in goodwill for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance, beginning of period                                                                      
  $ 31,794     $ 31,614     $ 89,889  
Recognition of deferred tax assets related to Asia acquisition in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”
    98       (545 )     (123 )
Impairment (Note 15)                                                                      
    (20,500 )     -       (53,311 )
Adjustment related to $3.4 million decrease in promissory note and $1.4 million purchase allocation adjustment
    -       -       (4,841 )
Adjustment related to adoption of FIN 48
    -       725       -  
Balance, end of period                                                                      
  $ 11,392     $ 31,794     $ 31,614  
 
The Company has historically performed its annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year by assessing the fair value of its reporting units using a calculation based on the present value of future cash flows. Due to a number of factors including: 1) the substantial variance between the Company’s market capitalization based on the current trading price range for its common stock and the net asset value reflected in its consolidated balance sheet, 2) continuing operation losses sustained in the first three quarters of fiscal 2009 and 3) the deterioration of the general economic environment, management has undertaken quarterly assessments of potential impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets throughout fiscal 2009.
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $20.5 million to reduce the value of goodwill recorded in the acquisition of the Asia subsidiary to $0. The Company determined that there was no impairment in fiscal 2008. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company determined that goodwill impairment charges totaling $53.3 million were required, consisting of an impairment charge of $39.1 million related to the acquisition of its Asia subsidiary and a charge of $14.2 million related to the acquisition of its San Jose manufacturing facility.

 
 

 
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Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
 
The gross amount of our definite-lived intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):
 
Amortization
           
 
Period
 
2009
   
2008
 
Customer relationships                                                        
6.5-10 years
  $ 17,168     $ 17,168  
Accumulated amortization                                                        
      (10,291 )     (8,317 )
        6,877       8,851  
Manufacturing sales representatives network
5.5 years
  $ 40     $ 40  
Accumulated amortization                                                        
      (33 )     (25 )
        7       15  
Total definite-lived intangible assets
    $ 6,884     $ 8,866  
 
Amortization expense for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Customer relationships                                                                      
  $ 1,975     $ 2,298     $ 2,415  
Non-compete agreement                                                                      
    -       -       323  
Manufacturing sales representatives network
    7       7       7  
 
  $ 1,982     $ 2,305     $ 2,745  
 
Amortization is as follows over the next five fiscal years and thereafter (in thousands):
 
 
Fiscal Year
 
Total
 
2010                               
  $ 1,765  
2011                               
    1,553  
2012                               
    1,120  
2013                               
    727  
2014                               
    727  
Thereafter                               
    992  
    $ 6,884  
 
NOTE 8. OTHER ASSETS
 
Other assets consisted of the following at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Leasehold land use rights, net                                                                                
  $ 1,199     $ 1,227  
Deferred financing costs, net                                                                                
    3,022       3,842  
Other assets
    250       790  
    $ 4,471     $ 5,859  
 
Deferred financing costs are amortized at the rate of approximately $0.2 million per quarter through May 2013. During fiscal 2008, the Company recorded debt extinguishment costs totaling $0.5 million for unamortized deferred financing costs as a result of the replacement of its revolving credit facility. See Note 11.

 
 

 
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NOTE 9. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Accrued compensation                                                                                    
  $ 6,686     $ 7,177  
Accrued warranty (Note 1)                                                                                    
    961       2,147  
Income taxes payable (Note 16)
    469       316  
Intercompany payable (Note 1)
    1,380       -  
Asset retirement obligation – current portion (Note 10)
    -       873  
Other liabilities
    5,219       5,270  
    $ 14,715     $ 15,783  
 
NOTE 10. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
 
At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, asset retirement obligations primarily related to the restoration of the leased facilities to shell condition upon termination of the leases in place at those facilities. Refer to Note 13 for a discussion of the related lease terms. Activity related to asset retirement obligations for the years ended May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Asset retirement obligations at the beginning of the period
  $ 1,328     $ 1,106  
Costs incurred for restoration of facilities
    (841 )     (108 )
Revisions in estimated cash flows
    -       130  
Accretion expense
    17       200  
Asset retirement obligations at the end of the period
    504       1,328  
Asset retirement obligations included in current liabilities
    -       (873 )
Asset retirement obligations included in other long-term liabilities
  $ 504     $ 455  
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company incurred $0.8 million in costs related to the restoration of leased facilities formerly housing the Wood Village manufacturing facility, which were charged to the asset retirement obligation.
 
 
NOTE 11. REVOLVING LINES OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
$55.0 Million Revolving Line of Credit
 
During fiscal 2008, the Company terminated its previous $55 million revolving loan agreement and entered into a new loan and security agreement for a $55 million credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and lender (the Credit Facility). Upon termination of the previous $55 million revolving loan agreement, the Company recognized $0.5 million in unamortized debt issuance costs related to the terminated credit facility as a component of debt extinguishment costs.
 
The Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculated using the value of accounts receivable, equipment, and real property and is reduced by a reserve for an $8 million guarantee for the Merix Singapore Revolving Facility Agreement (as defined below). The Credit Facility is secured by a lien upon substantially all of the Company’s assets, including, without limitation, accounts receivable, inventory, deposit accounts, intellectual property and real estate, but excluding a portion of the equity securities of Merix’ foreign subsidiaries owned by Merix or one of its domestic subsidiaries.
 
Borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest based, at the Company’s election, on either the prime rate announced by Bank of America or LIBOR plus an applicable margin. All amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility will be due and payable on February 15, 2013. The Credit Facility has usual and customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including covenants limiting debt incurrence, liens, dividends, investments, asset sales, formation of subsidiaries, mergers, restrictive agreements, hedging agreements, affiliate transactions, and material changes in business. The Credit Facility also includes a financial covenant requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1:1 if Excess Availability, defined in the Credit Facility agreement as a function of outstanding borrowings and available cash, falls below $20.0 million. Excess Availability at May 30, 2009 was $37.3 million and as such this covenant is not currently in effect. The Company would not be in compliance if this covenant was currently applicable. At

 
 

 
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May 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all other debt covenants. Exclusive of the $8.0 million amount outstanding under the Merix Singapore Revolving Facility Agreement sub-facility as discussed below, there were no amounts outstanding on the master Credit Facility.
 
Merix Singapore Revolving Facility Agreement
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, Merix Holding (Singapore) Pte Ltd (MHS) entered into a Letter Agreement (the Merix Singapore Facility Agreement) for a credit sub-facility with Bank of America, N.A. as lender, with an original availability of $12.0 million. This agreement was amended on October 13, 2008 to cap availability at $8.0 million. Borrowings under the Merix Singapore Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The facility is uncommitted and the lender reserves the right to vary, reduce, cancel or terminate the facility and require full repayment of amounts outstanding. The Merix Singapore Facility Agreement had an initial term of one year and automatically renews on an annual basis unless terminated by either party with 30 days’ notice. The Credit Facility and the Merix Singapore Facility Agreement are subject to a cross-default covenant. As of May 30, 2009, $8.0 million was outstanding on the Merix Singapore Facility Agreement. In the event of termination of this credit agreement, the Company intends to refinance any amounts outstanding on this line with borrowings under the master Credit Facility. As such, borrowings under the Merix Singapore Facility Agreement are classified as long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet at May 30, 2009.
 
See Note 21 for discussion of a new credit facility established subsequent to May 30, 2009.
 
Long-Term Debt
 
The Company’s outstanding debt at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
 
4% Convertible debenture                                                      
  $ 70,000     $ 70,000  
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
    8,000       -  
      78,000       70,000  
Less current maturities                                                      
    -       -  
    $ 78,000     $ 70,000  
 
4% Convertible Debenture
 
On May 16, 2006, the Company completed the sale of $60 million 4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. On May 24, 2006, the initial purchaser of these notes exercised its option to purchase an additional $10 million principal amount, bringing the total gross proceeds to $70 million (collectively referred to as the Notes due 2013).
 
The Notes due 2013 mature on May 15, 2013 and bear interest at the rate of 4% per year. Interest is payable in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2006. The Notes due 2013 are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to maturity, unless the notes are earlier redeemed or repurchased. The Notes due 2013 are convertible at an initial conversion rate of 65.8328 shares per $1,000 principle amount, subject to certain adjustments. This is the equivalent to a conversion price of $15.19 per share. The Notes due 2013 are general unsecured obligations of the Company and are subordinate in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt and are equal with any future unsecured debt that is not senior debt.
 
Embedded Derivatives
 
The Notes due 2013 contain a provision pursuant to which the Company may be required to issue additional shares based on a variable conversion feature if certain events occur. The Company concluded that the debentures are not conventional convertible debt instruments. In addition, the Company concluded that the embedded conversion option qualifies as a derivative under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Furthermore, in accordance with EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock,” the Company determined that the embedded derivative would be properly classified in equity if it were a freestanding security due to the following:
 

 
 

 
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·  
it has no net cash settlement feature;
·  
delivery of the shares is within the control of the Company since the settlement shares were registered contemporaneously with the registration of the Notes due 2013;
·  
the Company has sufficient authorized shares to meet the settlement requirements;
·  
the contract has an explicit limit on the number of shares in settlement;
·  
there are no cash payments to the counterparty in the event the Company fails to make timely filings with the SEC;
·  
there are no required cash payments to the counterparty if the shares initially delivered upon settlement are subsequently sold by the counterparty and the sales proceeds are insufficient to provide the counterparty with full return of the amount due;
·  
there are no provisions in the contract that indicate that the counterparty has rights that rank higher than those of a shareholder of the stock underlying the contract; and
·  
there is no requirement in the contract to post collateral at any point or for any reason.
 
Since the Company concluded that the embedded derivative would be properly classified in equity if it were a freestanding security, it was able to further conclude that the embedded derivative qualifies for the scope exception set forth in SFAS No. 133, paragraph 11(a). Accordingly, the Company is not required to bifurcate and separately account for the embedded derivative.
 
Subordinated Note Payable
 
On September 29, 2005, the Company issued a subordinated Promissory Note (the Note) to EPCH for a total of (a) $11 million, plus (b) the amount of the earn-out consideration determined under the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement in connection with the acquisition of Merix Asia (see Note 2). The principal was to be paid in four equal installments on March 1, 2007, December 1, 2007, December 1, 2008 and March 15, 2009. The outstanding principal balance earned interest at 7% through December 1, 2006, 8% through December 1, 2007 and 9% thereafter, payable quarterly. The Company was able to offset its payment obligations under the Note by the amount of warranty claims arising under the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement.
 
During fiscal 2007, the Company and EPCH resolved several uncertainties that existed regarding the application of the post-closing working capital adjustment and EBITDA earn-out provisions of the purchase agreement. The resolution of these values resulted in a $3.4 million reduction of the Note to $7.6 million. A corresponding reduction of goodwill related to this acquisition was also recorded. In addition, no payout was made pursuant to the earn-out provisions.
 
In addition, in fiscal 2008, the Company exercised its rights under the Note to not make its December 1, 2007 payment due to Merix’ claims against the seller. On January 2008, the Company settled these claims and made a payment of $2.5 million to settle all remaining obligations under the Note. The remaining balance of $5.1 million outstanding on the Note, including accrued interest, was eliminated in exchange for the Company releasing the seller from all past and any future claims relating to the Merix Asia acquisition. The $5.1 million of principal and accrued interest that was eliminated are included as a component of gain on settlement of debt on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2008. The Company does not expect any of the other settlement terms to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.
 
Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt
 
Principal payments on long-term debt related to the $70.0 million convertible debenture and any outstanding borrowings under the revolving Credit Facility are due in fiscal 2013.
 
NOTE 12. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
On September 29, 2006, Merix Asia entered into an agreement with Citi-Power Investment Limited (Citi-Power) to sell Merix Hong Kong’s 90% shareholding interest in the Lomber single-sided manufacturing facility located in Huizhou City in the PRC (the Lomber Facility) for a nominal amount. Also on September 29, 2006, Merix Asia entered into an agreement with Excel Hero (China) Limited (EXCEL) to sell its 85.29% shareholding interest in its single-sided manufacturing facility located in Dongguan City in the PRC (the Dongguan Facility) for a nominal amount. On March 31, 2007, Merix Asia sold the stock of

 
 

 
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Merix Holding (Hong Kong) Limited, the holding company of the Lomber Facility and Dongguan Facility to East Bridge Group Limited for an amount approximately equal to the book value of the facilities.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company recorded the related assets and liabilities as current assets and liabilities on its balance sheet at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell, upon being classified as discontinued operations. The combined net book value of the Dongguan and Lomber facilities was approximately $1.1 million upon their classification as discontinued operations and their fair value, less selling costs was determined to be approximately $0.1 million. Accordingly, during fiscal 2007, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1.1 million, including estimated closing costs, as a component of loss from discontinued operations.
 
 
The results of operations for the Dongguan and Lomber facilities were reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Certain financial information related to discontinued operations for fiscal 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
   
2007
 
Revenue                                                
  $ 8,597  
Net impairment related to assets of discontinued operations
    (1,062 )
Pre-tax loss                                                
    (470 )
 
NOTE 13. LEASE AGREEMENTS
 
Operating Leases
 
In August 2000, the Company entered into a noncancelable operating lease agreement to lease a manufacturing facility located in Wood Village, Oregon. Under the terms of the lease agreement, lease payments began in July 2001 and escalate at specific points over the minimum ten-year term of the lease. Rent expense is recognized on the straight line basis. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company announced that it was closing down this facility. In April 2008, the Company entered a sublease agreement for its Wood Village manufacturing facility. The terms of the sublease provide for escalating rent payments of approximately $0.6 million per year through the termination date of the master lease agreement in July 2011. As of May 30, 2009, the sublease rentals are delinquent and the Company’s management believes that it is likely that the current sublease agreement will be terminated.
 
In February 2007, the Company entered into a noncancelable operating lease agreement for administrative office space in Beaverton, Oregon with an initial term ending August 2014. Under the terms of this lease agreement, lease payments began in September 2007 and escalate at specific points over the term of the lease. Rent expense is recognized on a straight line basis. In April 2008, the Company amended this lease to provide for an expansion of the leased premises. Additional lease payments commenced November 2008 and are included in the summary of future minimum lease payments shown below.
 
Merix San Jose leases office space and production facilities under noncancelable operating lease agreements with various initial terms ending through fiscal 2010 with options to extend the lease terms beyond the initial lease terms through fiscal 2019. Lease payments escalate at specific points over the minimum five-year lease terms. Rent expense is recognized on the straight line basis.
 
Merix Asia leases office, apartment space and production facilities under noncancelable operating lease agreements with various initial terms ending through fiscal 2011. Rent expense is recognized on the straight line basis. These lease agreements do not contain options to extend the lease terms and the lease payments do not escalate.
 
Rental expense under significant operating leases was $3.6 million, $3.5 million and $2.0 million during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See also Note 20 regarding related party lease payments.

 
 

 
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Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of May 30, 2009, net of sublease payments, were as follows (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year:
     
2010
  $ 2,108  
2011
    1,808  
2012
    960  
2013
    903  
2014
    830  
Thereafter
    1,088  
    $ 7,697  
 
NOTE 14. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
Stock Incentive Plans
 
2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
Prior to January 22, 2009, the Company had the Merix Corporation 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), which was approved by shareholders, pursuant to which 750,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to participating employees. Eligible employees could elect to contribute up to 5% of their gross earnings and could purchase shares only through payroll deductions permitted under the ESPP. The ESPP provided for 6-month offerings commencing on July 21 and January 21 of each calendar year, or the immediately preceding business day if these dates occur on a weekend. At the end of each six-month purchase period, the purchase price was determined and the accumulated funds were used to purchase shares of common stock. The purchase price per share was equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on (a) the first day of the offering period or (b) the date of purchase. At the end of the second six-month purchase period, which ended in January 2009, all 750,000 reserved shares were issued to ESPP participants and the plan was suspended at that time.
 
2006 Equity Incentive Plan
 
The Company has the Merix Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan), which replaced its 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the 1994 Plan). The 2006 Plan permits the granting of any or all of the following types of awards: (1) incentive and nonqualified stock options, (2) stock appreciation rights, (3) stock awards, restricted stock and stock units, (4) performance shares and performance units conditioned upon meeting performance criteria and (5) other stock- or cash-based awards. Awards may be granted under the 2006 Plan to employees, officers, directors, consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors. Under the 2006 Plan, 750,000 new shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. 396,363 shares of common stock previously reserved for issuance, but not subject to outstanding awards, under the 1994 Plan as of October 5, 2006 ceased to be available for issuance under the 1994 Plan and instead became available for grant under the 2006 Plan. Additionally, shares of common stock subject to outstanding options or unvested restricted stock awards under the 1994 Plan will also become available for grant under the 2006 Plan in the future to the extent that such awards expire or otherwise terminate without shares of common stock being issued pursuant to options, or to the extent that shares issued pursuant to restricted stock awards are forfeited. As of May 30, 2009, approximately 375,000 shares of common stock were subject to outstanding options or unvested stock awards under the 1994 Plan and approximately 975,000 shares had been forfeited or otherwise terminated and became available for grant under the 2006 Plan.
 
2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
The Company also has the Merix Corporation 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the 2000 Plan) that did not require approval by its shareholders. The 2000 Plan, as amended, permits the grant of up to 4,000,000 shares of common stock in the form of nonqualified stock options and stock awards to employees, directors and non-employee consultants, agents, independent contractors and advisors who provide services to the Company. The number of shares subject to stock options and stock awards granted under the 2000 Plan to officers and directors in any given year cannot exceed 25% of the total number of shares subject to awards granted in that year.

 
 

 
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In both plans, a committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to determine option prices. To date, all options have been granted at or above the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. The options vest as determined by the Human Resources Compensation Committee (HRCC) of the Board of Directors and generally become exercisable ratably over a four-year period, beginning one year after the date of grant . The options may, in no event, have a term exceeding ten years from the date of grant.
 
On February 11, 2008, the Company granted performance-based stock options to certain key employees, 30,000 of which were granted under the terms of the 2006 Plan and 510,000 of which were granted under the terms of the 2000 Plan. The options were to vest as to 25% on various dates in October and November 2008 if certain targets are met and as to the remaining 75% in April 2009 if the remaining targets are met. Substantially all of these performance-based stock options failed to vest as the performance targets were not met and no material share-based compensation expense was recognized on these options.
 
At May 30, 2009, there were approximately 2,175,000 shares available for grant under the 2000 Plan and the 2006 plan. Activity under these plans was as follows:
 
   
Shares Subject
 to Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Balances, May 31, 2008
    3,304,842     $ 8.48              
Granted                                       
    588,250     $ 1.73              
Forfeited                                       
    (474,314 )   $ 4.43              
Expired                                       
    (835,105 )   $ 8.41              
Exercised                                       
    -     $ -              
Balances, May 30, 2009
    2,583,673     $ 7.71       4.09     $ -  
Vested and expected to vest as of May 30, 2009
    2,003,218     $ 8.48       3.66     $ -  
Exercisable as of May 30, 2009
    1,396,560     $ 10.23       2.79     $ -  

   
Restricted
Stock Awards
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Per Share
Fair Value
 
Balances, May 31, 2008
    344,061     $ 7.36  
Granted                                       
    26,000     $ 2.13  
Vested                                       
    (122,945 )   $ 7.59  
Forfeited                                       
    (40,858 )   $ 6.32  
Balances, May 30, 2009
    206,258     $ 6.76  
 
As of May 30, 2009, unrecognized share-based compensation related to outstanding unvested stock options and restricted stock awards was $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, which will be recognized over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.41 years and 2.05 years, respectively.
 
Share-based Compensation Summary
 
Certain information regarding our share-based compensation for fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was as follows (in thousands, except per share information):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Weighted average grant-date per share fair value of share options granted
  $ 1.73     $ 4.56     $ 9.47  
Total intrinsic value of share options exercised
    -       1       2,591  
Fair value of non-vested shares that vested during the period
    130       270       582  
Share-based compensation recognized in results of operations
    1,617       1,963       1,850  
Cash received from options exercised and shares purchased under all share-based arrangements
    447       1       5,586  
Weighted average grant-date per share fair value of shares issued under ESPP
    0.70       2.45       -  
Total fair value expensed for shares issued under the ESPP
    248       278       -  
 
No material amount of share-based compensation was capitalized as a part of an asset during fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007. There was no tax deduction realized from the exercise of stock options and no tax

 
 

 
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benefit recognized in the statement of operations related to share-based compensation in fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007. The Company did not recognize a tax benefit from the share-based compensation expense because it is believed that it was more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets, which have been reduced by a valuation allowance, will not be realized.
 
Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified and reported as both an operating cash outflow and a financing cash inflow. The excess tax benefits that would otherwise be available to reduce income taxes payable have the effect of increasing the net operating loss carryforwards. Accordingly, because the Company is not able to realize these excess tax benefits, such benefits have not been recognized in its consolidated statement of cash flows for fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
The Company’s share-based compensation expense was included in its statements of operations for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cost of sales
  $ 300     $ 163     $ 296  
Engineering
    89       66       58  
Selling, general and administrative
    1,228       1,734       1,496  
    $ 1,617     $ 1,963     $ 1,850  
 
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and stock grants is based on the fair value of the underlying shares on the date of grant as if the shares were vested. For fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, compensation expense related to options granted pursuant to our stock incentive plans was determined based on the estimated fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Risk-free interest rate                                               
    1.85% - 3.64 %     1.59% - 5.13 %     4.48% - 5.10 %
Dividend yield                                               
    0 %     0 %     0 %
Expected term                                               
 
2.09 – 5.22 years
   
1.57 – 5.27 years
   
2.17 – 5.67 years
 
Volatility                                               
    55% - 65 %     46% - 93 %     46% - 91 %
Discount for post vesting restrictions
    0 %     0 %     0 %
Assumed forfeiture rate                                               
    21.86 %     20.34 %     11.57 %
 
For fiscal 2009 and 2008, compensation expense related to shares to be issued pursuant to the ESPP was determined using the following weighted average assumptions:
   
2009
   
2008
 
Risk-free interest rate
    1.91% -3.01 %     3.01 %
Dividend yield
    0 %     0 %
Expected term
 
6 months
   
6 months
 
Volatility
    69% - 81 %     81 %
 
The risk-free interest rate used is based on the implied yield on Treasury Constant Maturities with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the stock option. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has not paid cash dividends in the past and has no expectation of paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The expected term is based on historical stock option exercise patterns. Expected volatility is calculated based on applying historical volatility over the expected life of the stock options granted.
 
NOTE 15. SEVERANCE, ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
 
Total severance, impairment and restructuring charges for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Goodwill impairment
  $ 20,500     $ -     $ 53,310  
Asset impairment
    702       12,465       26,628  
Severance charges
    3,121       3,188       1,476  
Wood Village plant closure charges
    1,090       241       -  
Gain on sale of Hong Kong facility equipment
    (567 )     (301 )     -  
Legal and other restructuring costs                                                                    
    49       93       -  
    $ 24,895     $ 15,686     $ 81,414  

 
 

 
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Fiscal 2009 Actions
 
Goodwill Impairment
 
As a result of the deepening economic downturn and resulting reduction in demand for the Company’s products, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 an impairment charge of $20.5 million was recorded to reduce the value of goodwill recorded in the acquisition of the Asia subsidiary to $0.
 
Reductions-in-Force
 
Due primarily to the deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, the Company has taken cost reduction actions to mitigate declines in the Company’s net sales. Most of the larger cost reductions were related to three major reductions-in-force that occurred in September 2008, December 2008 and January 2009. These headcount reductions resulted in severance and related charges paid totaling approximately $2.0 million. The Company has also significantly reduced its labor costs due to attrition within its labor force, particularly in the PRC. As of the end of fiscal 2009, the Company has reduced its labor force by approximately 22% compared to the end of fiscal 2008.
 
Executive Severance
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, a reduction-in-force was implemented that impacted a number of individuals serving executive functions within the Company, which resulted in severance charges of $1.1 million.
 
Disposal of Surplus Plant Assets
 
In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company implemented a plan to dispose of certain surplus plant assets to streamline the utilization of its Oregon factory and recorded $0.7 million in impairment charges on the assets to be disposed. The sale of the assets was finalized in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded a gain of $0.6 million related to the sale of equipment previously used at the Hong Kong facility.
 
Fiscal 2008 Actions
 
Hong Kong Facility and Other Merix Asia Restructuring
 
In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company committed to phasing out operations at its Hong Kong facility, closing the facility and relocating production to other manufacturing facilities. Full closure of the facility was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This closure was a part of the Company’s actions to consolidate its Asian operations at its lower-cost facilities in China and expand the facilities at its Huiyang plant to increase its manufacturing capacity in China. The Company recorded approximately $1.5 million in severance and related costs in connection with closure of the Hong Kong facility, excluding amounts to be paid out to certain employees employed under a continuous contract for not less than five years (the Long Service Payment Plan). The Company received a total of approximately $2.3 million from the Long Service Payment Plan as a refund against the cash restructuring costs. 
 
Additionally, the Company recorded $0.4 million in asset impairment charges related to the closure of the Hong Kong facility and other actions. The Company also recorded severance costs totaling $0.2 million due to other restructuring actions at Merix Asia in fiscal 2008.
 
Wood Village, Oregon Facility
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company approved a plan to close its manufacturing facility located in Wood Village, Oregon. This restructuring action was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Under the plan, the Company transitioned production from its Wood Village facility to its manufacturing facility located in Forest Grove, Oregon. Overall Oregon inner layer production capacity was reduced by approximately 40% and panel capacity was reduced by approximately 20%. The decision to close the facility was brought about by a number of factors including: (a) the continued migration of traditional Merix business to Merix Asia as well as other Asian based competitors; and (b) continued erosion of Merix’ North American gross margins, believed to result in part from the cyclicality that is part of the PCB

 
 

 
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industry. The manufacturing operations of the Wood Village facility were ceased on March 1, 2008, and the facility was fully closed in April 2008.
 
The Company incurred charges totaling approximately $13.5 million in the fiscal 2008 relating to the closure of the Wood Village facility, as well as other restructuring actions, comprising approximately $12.3 million in asset impairments and other costs, including lease termination costs and adjustments to the asset retirement obligation accrual for the Wood Village lease, and $1.2 million in severance payments.
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease the facility for an amount substantially equal to its rental obligation commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2009, the Company recorded $1.1 million in additional lease termination charges as the sublease tenant is delinquent in payment of its sublease rentals and the Company’s management believes that it is likely that the current sublease agreement will be terminated.
 
Executive Severance
 
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company terminated its Executive Vice President of Global Operations. In accordance with the executive employment agreement related to this termination, the Company recorded $0.4 million of severance and related costs, which were paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Fiscal 2007 Actions
 
Severance charges of $1.5 million in fiscal 2007 included the following:
 
·  
a lump-sum cash payment of $0.6 million and non-cash share-based compensation of $0.1 million related to the issuance of share-based awards upon the resignation of the former Chief Executive Officer;
·  
the cost of $0.1 million for fees related to recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer;
·  
$0.2 million of cash severance related to the termination of another senior manager of Merix Asia; and
·  
$0.5 million of cash severance related to the resignation of Merix Asia’s Chief Executive Officer in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a $26.6 million impairment charge related primarily to the property, plant and equipment and land use rights of its Hong Kong facility, which is part of its Asia operating segment. Due to continuing and forecasted future operating losses, the Company performed an impairment analysis pursuant to SFAS No. 144. The Company primarily utilized market value analyses to determine the fair value of the assets. In addition, the $26.6 million charge included $0.2 million related to certain assets at the Company’s Oregon facility which were determined to have limited future use.
 
The Company also recorded a $53.3 million charge for goodwill impairment as a result of lower historical operating results than previously anticipated and lower future estimated cash flows. The $53.3 million charge consisted of a $14.2 million charge related to the Company’s San Jose manufacturing facility and a $39.1 million charge for Merix Asia.  See Note 7 for further discussion of goodwill impairment charges.
 
Severance Accrual
 
A roll-forward of the Company’s severance accrual for the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):
   
Balance May 31, 2008
   
Charged to Expense
   
Amounts Paid
   
Balance
May 31,
2009
 
Hong Kong plant closure
  $ 134     $ 60     $ (194 )   $ -  
Executive severance
    -       1,081       (646 )     435  
    $ 134     $ 1,141     $ (840 )   $ 435  

   
Balance May 26, 2007
   
Charged to Expense
   
Amounts Paid
   
Balance
May 31,
2008
 
Merix Asia’s Chief Executive Officer severance
  $ 453     $ -     $ (453 )   $ -  
  Hong Kong plant closure     -       1,462       (1,328 )     134  
    $ 453     $ 1,462     $ (1,781 )   $ 134  

 
 

 

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NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES
 
The components of income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interests and income taxes and the provision for income taxes for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 are presented in the table below (in thousands). Fiscal 2007 amounts exclude the impact of discontinued operations as discussed in Note 12:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
U.S.
  $ (31,644 )   $ (28,041 )   $ 5,294  
Foreign
    (14,399 )     5,157       (75,058 )
Loss from continuing operations before minority interests and income taxes
  $ (46,043 )   $ (22,884 )   $ (69,764 )
                         
Tax provision:
                       
Current:
                       
Federal                                                        
  $ (123 )   $ 19     $ 362  
State                                                        
    61       53       257  
Foreign                                                        
    2,430       1,826       671  
      2,368       1,898       1,290  
Deferred:
                       
Federal                                                        
    (10,700 )     (9,714 )     5,040  
State                                                        
    (170 )     (1,177 )     (2,559 )
Foreign                                                        
    747       (77 )     (6,939 )
      (10,123 )     (10,968 )     (4,458 )
Valuation allowance:
                       
Federal                                                        
    10,700       9,714       (5,040 )
State                                                        
    170       1,177       2,559  
Foreign                                                        
    (487 )     (319 )     7,061  
      10,383       10,572       4,580  
Total tax provision                                                        
  $ 2,628     $ 1,502     $ 1,412  
 
The effective income tax rate applied to net income (loss) varied from the United States federal statutory rates of 35% in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 due to the following (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Tax expense at statutory rates                                                            
  $ (16,115 )   $ (8,009 )   $ (24,418 )
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
                       
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    (692 )     (338 )     (1,788 )
Effect of foreign income tax rates
    (293 )     (663 )     5,360  
Effect of enacted change in future foreign tax rates
    -       -       (1,035 )
Federal qualified research and experimentation credit
    -       -       (44 )
State tax credits, net of federal benefits
    (7 )     (6 )     -  
Stock option windfall                                                         
    -       -       (863 )
Non-deductible items:
                       
Goodwill impairment                                                         
    7,175       -       18,698  
Intercompany charges not deductible in certain foreign jurisdictions
    194       78       411  
Interest expense not deductible in certain foreign jurisdictions
    345       428       1,347  
Amortization of intangibles                                                         
    120       125       254  
Capital loss not deductible in foreign jurisdiction
    -       -       (678 )
Other                                                         
    127       196       116  
Change in valuation allowance
    10,383       10,572       4,580  
Other, net
    1,391       (881 )     (528 )
    $ 2,628     $ 1,502     $ 1,412  
 


 
 

 
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Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):  
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred tax assets – current:
           
Inventories
  $ 2,190     $ 1,856  
Vacation accrual
    431       481  
Sales allowances
    563       556  
Other
    835       900  
      4,019       3,793  
Deferred tax assets – long-term:
               
Alternative minimum tax credit
    1,130       1,130  
Fixed asset basis difference
    1,765       359  
Net operating loss carryforwards
    30,478       21,511  
Qualified research and experimentation credits and other
    5,808       6,475  
      39,181       29,475  
Deferred tax liabilities – long-term:
               
Intangible basis difference
    (484 )     (844 )
Other
    (558 )     (461 )
      (1,042 )     (1,305 )
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
    42,158       31,963  
Valuation allowance
    (41,386 )     (31,003 )
    $ 772     $ 960  
 
At May 30, 2009, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $64.3 million, $65.8 million and $19.3 million for U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign income tax purposes, respectively. As of May 30, 2009, the Company had unused federal and state credit carryforwards of approximately $2.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Net operating losses and research and experimentation credits will expire between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2028 and certain state credits may be carried forward indefinitely until exhausted. In addition, the Company had alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.1 million, which are available to reduce future federal regular income taxes, if any, over an indefinite period. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income before these carryforwards expire. Included in the federal net operating loss carryforward is $7.9 million from the exercise of employee stock options, the tax benefit of which, when recognized, will be accounted for as an increase to additional paid-in capital rather than a reduction of the income tax provision.
 
A valuation allowance was recorded against net deferred tax assets due to cumulative losses in recent years and the lack of consistent, positive evidence to support the utilization of net operating losses and other tax attributes against future income. When realization of the deferred tax asset is more-likely-than-not to occur, the benefit related to the deductible temporary differences attributable to ordinary operations will be recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes. The benefit related to deductible temporary differences attributable to purchase accounting may result in a reduction to goodwill.  The cumulative change in the valuation allowance for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 was an increase of approximately $10.4 million, an increase of approximately $10.0 million and an increase of approximately $4.5 million, respectively. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we reversed a net $1.2 million of valuation allowance against certain Asia deferred tax assets. This reversal is reflected on the consolidated financial statements as a $1.2 million increase in deferred tax assets, a $0.5 million decrease to goodwill and a $0.7 million decrease to tax expense.   
 
A subsidiary in China is in a tax holiday effective through December 2009, whereby the applicable statutory rate was zero through December 2006 and subject to a reduced rate of 12.5% through December 2009. The impact of the China tax holiday was to increase net income by $0.4 million ($0.2 per diluted share in fiscal 2009, $0.5 million ($0.2 per diluted share) in fiscal 2008 and $0.4 million ($0.02 per diluted share) during fiscal 2007.
 
The Company will provide for U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries if foreign subsidiaries have positive taxable earnings and they are not considered indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. The Company indefinitely reinvests the cumulative undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. At May 30, 2009, the cumulative earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries was a taxable deficit.

 
 

 
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In fiscal 2008, the Company recorded $2.5 million in potential liability for uncertain tax positions related to the adoption of FIN 48.  This was reflected as a $0.7 million increase to goodwill and a $1.8 million charge to beginning accumulated deficit. All of the Company’s potential liability for uncertain tax positions would have an impact on the effective tax rate if recognized. Accrued interest on potential liability for uncertain tax positions was $1.1 million at May 30, 2009 and $0.8 million at May 31, 2008.
 
Following is a rollforward of changes in fiscal 2008 to the Company’s potential liability for uncertain tax positions included as a component of other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at May 30, 2009 (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
 
Beginning Balance
  $ 2,124     $ -  
Additions for tax positions taken in prior periods
    -       2,119  
Additions for tax positions taken in current period
    318       5  
Decreases for lapses in statutes of limitation
    -       -  
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities
    -       -  
Ending Balance
  $ 2,442     $ 2,124  
                 
Net Change
  $ 318     $ 2,124  
 
The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of potential liability for uncertain tax positions may change within the next 12 months but is unable to estimate the amount of the potential change.
 
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties on the potential liability for uncertain tax positions as a component of tax expense. This policy did not change as a result of the adoption of FIN 48. During fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in interest related to the potential liability for uncertain tax positions. No penalties were recognized related to potential liability for uncertain tax positions in fiscal 2009 or 2008.
 
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state and local and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examinations for fiscal years prior to fiscal 2001, state or local examinations prior to fiscal 2002, and foreign income tax examinations before fiscal year 2002. The Company does not currently have any examinations in process.
 
NOTE 17. SEGMENT AND ENTERPRISE-WIDE DISCLOSURES
 
Prior to fiscal 2009, the Company reported three operating segments: 1) Oregon, 2) San Jose and 3) Asia. This was deemed appropriate as the operations of San Jose and Asia were managed individually for a time after the acquisition of the San Jose subsidiary in fiscal 2005 and the acquisition of the Asia subsidiary in fiscal 2006. Subsequent to the hiring of the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer at the end of fiscal 2007 and the hiring of a Vice President of North American operations at the end of fiscal 2008, the Company’s management team and management reporting was restructured to focus on managing the businesses in North America and Asia as two cohesive business units. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, an assessment of segment reporting requirements under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” was undertaken. It was determined that the San Jose subsidiary did not meet the criteria of an operating segment under SFAS No. 131. As such, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 financial information has been revised to present operating segment information consistently with the current year presentation. The following tables reconcile certain financial information by segment.
 
Net sales by segment for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America                                              
  $ 137,149     $ 203,202     $ 245,347  
Asia
    149,978       175,435       155,149  
    $ 287,127     $ 378,637     $ 400,496  
 

 

 
 

 
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Gross profit by segment for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
North America                                              
  $ 4,739     $ 21,489     $ 54,037  
Asia
    17,447       16,370       11,534  
    $ 22,186     $ 37,859     $ 65,571  
 
Beginning in fiscal 2009, the Company recorded an allocation of certain costs attributable to costs of sales in all segments that were previously charged to the Merix Oregon segment and included certain engineering costs in costs of sales that were previously presented as a component of operating expenses. Gross profit by segment for the fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 has been revised to present comparable results. The impact of these revisions on gross margin by segment is presented in the tables below for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007:
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2008:
 
Fiscal
2008
(as reported)
   
Effect of Engineering Cost Reclassification
   
 
Effect of Global Cost Allocation
   
Fiscal
2008
(as revised)
 
Merix North America                                      
    12.2 %     (2.4 )%     0.8 %     10.6 %
Merix Asia
    11.3 %     (1.1 )%     (0.9 )%     9.3 %
Consolidated                                      
    11.8 %     (1.8 )%     -       10.0 %

 
 
 
Fiscal 2007:
 
Fiscal
2007
(as reported)
   
Effect of Engineering Cost Reclassification
   
 
Effect of Global Cost Allocation
   
Fiscal
2007
(as revised)
 
Merix North America                                      
    23.5 %     (2.2 )%     0.7 %     22.0 %
Merix Asia
    9.2 %     (0.7 )%     (1.1 )%     7.4 %
Consolidated                                      
    18.0 %     (1.6 )%     -       16.4 %
 
Total assets by segment at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
North America                                              
  $ 132,225     $ 153,075  
Asia
    68,445       114,366  
    $ 200,670     $ 267,441  
 
Net sales to customers outside the United States totaled 46%, 35% and 37% in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were no countries outside of the United States to which sales totaled 10% or more of net sales.
 
Long-lived assets by geographic location at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
 
United States                                                               
  $ 63,305     $ 79,172  
People’s Republic of China  (including Hong Kong)
    57,083       71,244  
    $ 120,388     $ 150,416  
 
NOTE 18. BENEFIT PLANS
 
Defined Contribution 401(k) Plans
 
The Company maintains two defined contribution plans that cover all regular U.S.-based employees, which meet the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Prior to January 1, 2009, the Company provided matching contributions to the defined contributions under the terms described below. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company suspended matching contributions as part of cost containment measures in response to declining net sales. Reinstatement of the matching contributions will be considered when economic conditions improve and the Company achieves sustainable improvements in its financial performance.
 
Prior to suspension of the matching contribution, under the 401(k) plan for employees that reside in Oregon, the Company matches employee contributions of 100% of the first 3% of an employee’s base pay and Company contributions vest at a rate of 25% per year. The Company’s contributions may be

 
 

 
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made in cash or in the Company’s stock. Under the 401(k) plan for employees that reside in California, the Company matches employee contributions of 20% of the first 15% of an employee’s base pay and Company contributions vest at a rate of 20% per year after the first year. Contribution expense for matching contributions paid in cash totaled $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.1 million in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During 2008 and 2007, contribution expense for matching contributions in the Company’s common stock totaled $0.9 million and $1.2 million.
 
Effective September 3, 2008, the two defined contribution plans were merged. Employees residing in California became participants in the existing defined contribution plan for the employees residing in Oregon.
 
Long Service Payment Plan
 
Under statutory requirement, certain Asia employees are entitled to receive a long service payment if they have been employed under a continuous contract for a period of not less than five years. Upon termination of employment, the employee is entitled to receive either the long service payment, if eligible, or a severance payment, which are calculated as the lesser of (1) the employee’s last full month’s wages multiplied by two-thirds multiplied by the employee’s total number of service years, or (2) 22,500 Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $2,900 at May 30, 2009) multiplied by two-thirds multiplied by the employee’s total number of service years. The total cumulative severance and long service plan payment are subject to a maximum payment not to exceed 390,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately U.S. $50,300 at May 30, 2009).
 
The Company’s Long Service Payment Plan accrual, included as a component of other long-term liabilities, at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 was $25,000 and $32,000, respectively, and was offset by an unrecognized actuarial gain (loss) of $6,000 and ($6,000), respectively, which was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. During fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, net periodic pension expense related to this plan was $8,000, $43,000 and $97,000, respectively. Detailed information pursuant to SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” and SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003), “Employer’s Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” is not provided due to the immateriality of the defined benefit pension amounts. The Company’s liability under the Long Service Plan was significantly reduced due to the closure of the Hong Kong facility during fiscal 2008.
 
In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the accrual for the Long Service Payment Plan was reduced by $1.4 million with a corresponding reduction to goodwill based on an estimate prepared by an outside actuary. The Company engaged an outside actuary to calculate the liability in accordance with SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” and SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).”
 
NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Litigation
 
The Company is, from time to time, made subject to various legal claims, actions and complaints in the ordinary course of its business. Except as disclosed below, the Company believes that the outcome of the litigation should not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
 
Securities Class Action
 
Four purported class action complaints were filed against the Company and certain of its executive officers and directors in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The complaints were consolidated in a single action entitled In re Merix Corporation Securities Litigation, Lead Case No. CV 04-826-MO, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. After the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss without prejudice, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint. That complaint alleged that the defendants violated the federal securities laws by making certain inaccurate and misleading statements in the prospectus used in connection with the January 2004 public offering of approximately $103.4 million of the Company’s common stock. In September 2006, the Court dismissed that complaint with prejudice. The plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2008, the Ninth Circuit reversed the dismissal of the second amended complaint seeking an unspecified amount of damages. The Company

 
 

 
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sought rehearing which was denied and rehearing en banc was also denied. The Company obtained a stay of the mandate from the Ninth Circuit and filed a certiorari petition with the United States Supreme Court on September 22, 2008. On December 15, 2008, the Supreme Court denied the certiorari petition and the case was remanded back to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. On May 15, 2009, the plaintiffs moved to certify a class of all investors who purchased in the public offering and who were damaged thereby. The Court has not yet ruled on that motion. The case is currently in the discovery phase. A potential loss or range of loss that could arise from these cases is not estimable or probable at this time.
 
Breach of Contract Complaint
 
In June 2008, a complaint was filed against Merix Caymans Trading Company Ltd. by Clark Sales, LLC, Case No. 2:08-CV-12551-MOR-VMM, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint alleges breach of contract in relation to payment of post-termination commissions. The plaintiffs sought damages in excess of $4 million. The parties reached a settlement agreement on November 24, 2008 and the Company recorded an accrual of $0.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The terms of the settlement amount included a lump sum payment of $0.4 million paid in December 2008, and monthly payments thereafter based on net sales of certain products through August 15, 2009, paid in accordance with the Company’s existing commission structure for outside sales representatives.
 
Third-Party Indemnification
 
In the normal course of business, the Company indemnifies customers with respect to certain matters. The Company has agreed, under certain conditions, to hold these third parties harmless against specified losses, such as those arising from other third party claims that the Company’s products, when used for their intended purposes, infringe the intellectual property rights of such other third parties. To date, the Company has not recorded any material charges related to these types of indemnifications.
 
Commitments
 
As of May 30, 2009, the Company had capital commitments of approximately $0.7 million, primarily relating to the purchase of manufacturing equipment. The Company also had consignment agreements with certain suppliers for raw material inventory, some of which obligate the Company to purchase inventory on hand upon termination of the agreement. As of May 30, 2009, potential commitments under these agreements were insignificant.
 
NOTE 20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company recorded the following amounts for transactions with Huizhou Desay Holdings Co. Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, a minority shareholder of two Asia manufacturing facilities, during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 as follows (in thousands):
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Consulting fees                                                
  $ 213     $ 198     $ 174  
Operating lease rental fees                                                
    329       305       270  
Management fees                                                
    146       78       50  
Capitalized construction costs
    325       1,597       -  
Other fees
    287       406       400  
    $ 1,300     $ 2,584     $ 894  
 
NOTE 21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On June 26, 2009, the Company entered into a Maximum Amount Mortgage Agreement that provides for  borrowings up to 36 million renminbi (approximately US$5.3 million) under a credit facility secured by the building and land lease at the Company’s Huiyang manufacturing facility. The borrowing limit is expected to be increased to 50 million renminbi (approximately US$7.3 million) within 90 days upon perfection of the security interest in the building. The Company also entered into a related Loan Contract on June 26, 2009 for an initial loan advance under the credit facility of US$1.5 million which matures one year from the date of drawdown, which is expected to occur in August 2009. In the event of termination of this credit facility, the Company intends to refinance any amounts outstanding on this line with borrowings under the master revolving Credit Facility. As such, borrowings under this Maximum Amount Mortgage Agreement will be classified as long-term debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
 

 
 

 
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NOTE 22. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Unaudited quarterly financial data   for each of the eight fiscal quarters in the two-year period ended May 30, 2009 was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
Fiscal 2009
  1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
Net sales                                                           
  $ 90,627     $ 76,900     $ 60,721     $ 58,879  
Gross profit                                                           
    10,274       6,035       876       5,001  
Operating income (loss) (1)                                                            
    16       (4,260 )     (30,833 )     (6,649 )
Net loss (1)                                                            
    (2,147 )     (6,088 )     (32,666 )     (8,363 )
Basic net loss per share
    (0.10 )     (0.29 )     (1.54 )     (0.39 )
Diluted net loss per share
    (0.10 )     (0.29 )     (1.54 )     (0.39 )
                                 
Fiscal 2008
  1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
Net sales                                                           
  $ 99,430     $ 97,378     $ 94,275     $ 87,544  
Gross profit                                                           
    11,043       9,523       7,924       9,369  
Operating loss (2)                                                            
    (1,878 )     (3,216 )     (17,510 )     (301 )
Net loss (2)                                                            
    (3,649 )     (5,009 )     (13,354 )     (3,539 )
Basic net loss per share
    (0.17 )     (0.24 )     (0.63 )     (0.17 )
Diluted net loss per share
    (0.17 )     (0.24 )     (0.63 )     (0.17 )

(1)  
Includes $24.9 million of severance, impairment and restructuring charges in fiscal 2009. See Note 15 for additional information.
(2)  
Includes $15.7 million of severance, impairment and restructuring charges in fiscal 2008. See Note 15 for additional information.



 
 

 
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MERIX CORPORATION
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
 
               
Additions
                   
   
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
   
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   
Charged to Other Accounts (1)
   
Acquired
through
Acquisitions
   
Deductions
 (2)
   
Balance at
End of
Period
 
For the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009
                                   
Allowance for sales adjustments and doubtful accounts
  $ 2,252     $ 1,162     $ 1,975     $ -     $ (3,887 )   $ 1,502  
Inventory obsolescence reserve
    3,719       5,311       -       -       (5,410 )     3,620  
Tax valuation allowance
    31,003       10,383       -       -       -       41,386  
                                                 
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008
                                               
Allowance for sales adjustments and doubtful accounts
  $ 3,168     $ 304     $ 1,236     $ -     $ (2,456 )   $ 2,252  
Inventory obsolescence reserve
    3,379       5,658       -       -       (5,318 )     3,719  
Tax valuation allowance
    20,976       10,572       -       (545 )     -       31,003  
                                                 
For the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007
                                               
Allowance for sales adjustments and doubtful accounts
  $ 2,683     $ 1,655     $ 1,442     $ -     $ (2,612 )   $ 3,168  
Inventory obsolescence reserve
    2,592       3,020       -       -       (2,233 )     3,379  
Tax valuation allowance
    16,518       4,580       -       (122 )     -       20,976  

(1)  
Charged to net sales.
(2)  
Charges to the accounts included in this column are for the purposes for which the reserves were created and include write-offs, net of recoveries.

 
 

 
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Item 9 .  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A (T).  Controls and Procedures
 
Attached to this annual report as exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 are the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officers (CFO) required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Section 302 Certifications). This “Controls and Procedures” section of our annual report on Form 10-K is our disclosure of the conclusions of our management, including our CEO and CFO, regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on management’s evaluation of those disclosure controls and procedures. This section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read in conjunction with the Section 302 Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.
 
(a)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management evaluated, with the participation and under the supervision of our CEO and CFO, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and our CFO concluded that as of the end of the period covered by the Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and our CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.
 
(b)  Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company and for assessing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009. As defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the issuer’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
 
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Management conducted, with the participation and supervision of our CEO and CFO, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009. Management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting was conducted using the criteria set forth in the report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
 
Based on our assessment, our management concluded that, subject to the limitations discussed in (c) below, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

 
 

 
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(c)  Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
 
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
 
(d)  Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting, except as follows:
 
Remediation of Previously-Identified Material Weakness
 
In connection with management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and continuing through the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we determined that a material weakness existed with respect to our Asia operations.
 
Asia was acquired in September 2005. Upon acquisition Asia had weak internal controls over financial reporting and needed to develop processes to strengthen its accounting systems and control environment management. We have devoted significant time and resources to improving the internal controls over financial reporting since the acquisition. These improvements include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
·  
In August 2008, we implemented our global ERP system for the Asia operations. The new ERP system allows for greater consistency of accounting processes and internal controls between our U.S. and Asia operations and provides greater visibility into the accounting records and accounting practices in Asia.
 
·  
We have strengthened our staffing as well as the cost accounting procedures and related analytics to focus on trends and variance analysis to budgets and forecasts. In fiscal 2008, we implemented detailed periodic reviews of the results of Asia. These reviews provide for more formal communication processes related to the financial statement adjustments and changes in the internal control environment.
 
·  
We have invested significant amounts of time and expense on training for financial personnel in the U.S. and Asia. U.S. management has also commenced more frequent oversight trips to Asia.
 
·  
We have realigned our organization structure across the company along functional lines. This has resulted in an integration of the Asia finance team members into one globally-focused finance team. We believe this has resulted in more accountability across the organization and allows for sharing of best practices across all functions, improving the internal control environment.
 
During our annual control testing procedures undertaken in the fourth quarter to support management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, we determined that the control improvements enabled by the successful implementation of the ERP system in Asia, in addition to the other control improvements discussed above, were sufficient to remediate the material weakness.

 
 

 
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Item 9B .  Other Information
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Item 10 .  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information required by this item with respect to our directors and executive officers and information about the Company’s audit committee, is included under the headings “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters – Board Structure and Committee Composition,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”  in our Proxy Statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days subsequent to May 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, a code of ethics and business practices with which every person who works for the Company is expected to comply. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is publicly available on the Company’s website under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Relations section at www.merix.com . This website address is intended to be an inactive, textual reference only; none of the material on this website is part of this report. If any waiver is granted, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to the Company’s executive officers or directors, the Company will disclose the nature of such waiver on that website or in a report on Form 8-K.
 
Item 11 . Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this item is included under the headings “Director Compensation,” “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our Proxy Statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days subsequent to May 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 12 . Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information required by this item is included under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” relating to beneficial owners holding more than five percent of our common stock and common stock ownership of our directors and executive officers in our Proxy Statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days subsequent to May 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
During fiscal year 2009, Merix maintained two equity compensation plans, the 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the “2000 Plan”) and the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan"). The Company may grant awards to eligible persons pursuant to the 2000 and 2006 Plan. The Company’s 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1994 Plan”) was retired following shareholder approval of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan on October 5, 2006. Shares granted under the 1994 Plan that are cancelled or retired become eligible for issuance out of the 2006 Plan. The Merix Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Plan in August 2006 and Merix' shareholders approved the 2006 Plan in October 2006. The material terms of the 2000 Plan are described below.
 

 
 

 
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The following table summarizes information about the 2000 Plan and 2006 Plan as of May 30, 2009:
 
 
Plan category
 
Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (A)
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options
   
Number of Shares of Common Stock Available for Future Issuance [excluding shares reflected in (A)]
 
Equity compensation plan approved by security holders (1)
    1,027,125     $ 9.37       832,134  
Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders (2)
    1,556,548       6.60       1,341,573  
      2,583,673     $ 4.09       2,173,707  
 
 

 
(1)
Consists of shares of common stock remaining available for issuance under 2006 Plan. Directors not affiliated with Merix participate in a program under which each receives an option to purchase 20,000 shares and a restricted stock award of shares having a value of $10,000 at the time first elected to the Board and an option to purchase 5,000 shares and a restricted stock award of shares having a value of $40,000 on each anniversary of that date. The options granted under this program vest and become exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the grant date and an additional 25% of the shares vest and become exercisable on each anniversary thereafter (assuming continued Board service). The number of restricted shares granted will be determined by dividing $40,000 by the fair market value of a share of Merix’ common stock on the date of grant. The restricted shares are fully vested at grant, but will be subject to an agreement between Merix and each recipient prohibiting the sale or the disposition of such shares so long as the recipient remains a Merix director. The agreement will also provide that any director who resigns from the Board without the consent of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office will forfeit all such stock awards. Due to the decline the Company’s stock price, the fiscal 2009 annual grants to members of the board of directors were not issued.
 
   
Shares available for issuance under the 2006 Plan can be granted pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or units, performance units, performance shares and any other stock based award selected by the plan administrator.
 
(2)
Consists of shares of common stock remaining available for issuance under the 2000 Plan. Shares available for issuance under the 2000 Plan can be granted pursuant to non-statutory stock options and stock awards.
 
Description of 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
Merix’ Board of Directors adopted the 2000 Plan in December 2000 and approved amendments in March 2002 and August 2002. The 2000 Plan has not been approved by Merix’ shareholders.
 
Under the 2000 Plan, Merix is limited in the number of shares that we can award to our officers or directors in any calendar year to 25% of the total awards made for that year. Effective October 2005, Merix ceased to make awards under the 2000 Plan to our executive officers or directors.
 
The following description of the 2000 Plan is a summary and does not purport to be a complete description. You can find a copy of the full text of the 2000 Plan attached as Exhibit 10.28 to Merix’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 25, 2002, filed with the SEC.
 
Shares Available
 
As amended, the 2000 Plan reserves up to 4,000,000 shares of Merix’ common stock for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2000 Plan. The 2000 Plan permits the grants of non-statutory stock options (NSOs) and stock awards. If an option granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled, or if shares awarded are forfeited to Merix or repurchased by Merix, the shares again become available for issuance under the 2000 Plan.
 
Eligibility
 
Only non-executive officer employees of Merix and its subsidiaries are now eligible to participate in the 2000 Plan. Non-employee consultants, agents, independent contractors and advisors who provide services to Merix are also eligible to participate. Executive officers and directors are not eligible for awards under the 2000 Plan.  
 
Administration
 
  The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the 2000 Plan. The Committee may designate, from time to time, the individuals to whom awards are made under the 2000 Plan, the amount of any such award and the price and other terms and conditions of any such award. The Committee has the full and exclusive power to interpret the 2000 Plan and may, subject to the provisions of the 2000 Plan, establish the rules for its operation. Only the Board of Directors may amend, modify or terminate the 2000 Plan.  
 
Stock Options
 
  The Committee determines the persons to whom options are granted, the option price, the number of shares subject to each option, the period of each option and the times at which options vest and may be exercised. No monetary consideration is paid to Merix upon the granting of options.  
 
Options granted under the 2000 Plan generally continue in effect for the period fixed by the Committee. Options are exercisable in accordance with the terms of an option agreement entered into at the time of grant. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, options are nontransferable except on death. Options may be exercised only while an optionee is employed by or in the service of Merix or a subsidiary or until the earliest of (i) the option’s expiration date; (ii) within 12 months following termination of employment by reason of death or disability; or (iii) 90 days following termination for any other reason. The purchase price for each share purchased pursuant to exercise of options must be paid (i) in cash; (ii) by check; (iii) in shares of common stock valued at fair market value that have been owned by the optionee for at least six months (or any shorter period necessary to avoid a charge to Merix’ earnings for financial reporting purposes); or (iv) in other forms of consideration permitted by the Committee. Upon the exercise of an option, the number of shares subject to the option and the number of shares available under the 2000 Plan for future option grants are reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the option is exercised, less any shares surrendered in payment or withheld to satisfy withholding obligations.
 
Stock Awards
 
The Committee may award common stock of Merix under the 2000 Plan on such terms and conditions and subject to repurchase or forfeiture restrictions, if any, as the Committee determines at the time the

 
 

 
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stock is awarded. The Committee may determine the recipients of the awards, the number of shares to be awarded and the time of the award.  
 
Changes in Capital Structure
 
The 2000 Plan provides that if the outstanding common stock of Merix is increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of Merix or of another corporation by reason of any recapitalization, merger, consolidation, stock split or certain other transactions, appropriate adjustment will be made by the Committee in the number and kind of shares available for awards under the 2000 Plan and the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding option. In the event of dissolution of Merix, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, options and stock awards shall immediately terminate prior to dissolution or liquidation.  
 
Term of Plan and Amendments
 
The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the 2000 Plan in such respect as it shall deem advisable. The 2000 Plan will continue until all shares available for issuance under the 2000 Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.
 
Tax Consequences
 
No income is realized by the grantee under federal income tax law until a stock option is exercised. Because the stock options granted under the 2000 Plan are NSOs, at the time of exercise of an NSO, the optionee will realize ordinary compensation income, and Merix will generally be entitled to a deduction, in the amount by which the market value of the shares subject to the option at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price. Merix’ deduction is conditioned upon withholding income taxes on the income amount. Upon the sale of shares acquired upon exercise of an NSO, the excess of the amount realized from the sale over the market value of the shares on the date of exercise will be taxable at capital gains rates.
 
An employee who receives a stock award in connection with the performance of services will generally realize taxable income at the time of receipt unless the shares are not substantially vested for purposes of Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code and no Section 83(b) election is made. If the shares are not vested at the time of receipt, the employee will realize taxable income in each year in which a portion of the shares substantially vest, unless the employee makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code within 30 days after the original date of the receipt of the award. Merix generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in the amount includable as income by the employee at the same time or times as the employee recognizes income with respect to the shares, provided Merix withholds income taxes on the income amount.
 
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits to $1,000,000 per person the amount that Merix may deduct for compensation paid to any of its most highly compensated officers in any year after 1993. Because the 2000 Plan was not approved by Merix shareholders, compensation received through the exercise of options granted under the Plan is subject to the $1,000,000 deduction limit.
 
Item 13 .  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information required by this item is included under the headings “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters” in our Proxy Statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days subsequent to May 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 14 .  Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
The information required by this item is included under “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees” in our Proxy Statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days subsequent to May 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
 

 
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PART IV

Item 15 .  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1) and (a)(2) Financial Statements and Schedules
The Consolidated Financial Statements, together with the reports thereon of our independent registered public accounting firms, are included on the pages indicated below:


 
(a)(3) Exhibits
Unless otherwise indicated, the following exhibits are filed herewith and this list is intended to constitute the exhibit index. An asterisk (*) beside the exhibit number indicates a management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement, which are required to be identified in this report.

Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2001  (File No. 000-23818).
   
3.2
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation establishing Series A Preferred Stock, dated October 16, 2007 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
3.3
Merix Corporation Bylaws, as amended – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 1, 2007  (File No. 000-23818).

4.3
Rights Agreement dated as of October 16, 2007, between Merix Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent, which includes the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).

10.1*
1994 Stock Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-59672).
   
10.2*
Merix Corporation 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 25, 2002 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.3*
Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Agreement - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 25, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.4*
Restricted Stock Award Grant Program for Non-Employee Directors under the Merix Corporation 1994 Stock Incentive Plan - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 25, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.5*
Form of Employee Stock Bonus Agreement - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 27, 2005 (File No. 000-23818).
   

 
 

 
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Exhibit No.
Description
10.6*
Merix Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 25, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).

10.7*
Merix Corporation 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan – incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 1, 2007 (Registration No. 333-148711).
   
10.8*
Merix Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended November 25, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.9*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and William C. McCormick as of October 21, 1997 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 29, 1997 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.10*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Robert C. Strandberg as of June 30, 1998 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 1998 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.11*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Dr. William Lattin dated as of September 28, 2000 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 25, 2000 (File No. 000-23818).

10.13*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and George H. Kerckhove dated as of June 28, 2001 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2001 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.14*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Donald D. Jobe dated as of December 20, 2001 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 24, 2001 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.15*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Kirby A. Dyess dated as of September 24, 2002 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 23, 2002 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.16*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Francis Yuen dated as of April 8, 2008.
   
10.17
Summary of Key Terms of Compensation Arrangements with Merix Corporation Executive Officers – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.18
Summary of Key Terms of Compensation Arrangements with Merix Corporate Non-Employee Directors – incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.19*
Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between Merix Corporation and Michael D. Burger, dated April 26, 2007 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).

10.20*
Indemnity Agreement between Merix Corporation and Michael D. Burger, dated April 26, 2007 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.21*
Executive Severance Agreement between the Company and Thomas R. Ingham, dated August 22, 2005 - incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2005 (File No. 000-23818).

10.22*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Thomas R. Ingham, dated August 22, 2005 - incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2005 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.23*
Executive Severance Agreement between the Company and Kelly E. Lang as of July 31, 2006 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.24*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Kelly E. Lang as of July 31, 2006 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).

 
 

 
Table of Contents

Exhibit No.
Description
10.25*
Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between the Company and Linda Moore, dated April 11, 2007 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.26*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Linda Moore, dated April 23, 2007 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.27*
Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between the Company and Allen L. Muhich, dated April 7, 2008 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K fir the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 (File No. 000-23818.
   
10.28*
Indemnity Agreement between the Company and Allen L. Muhich, dated December 10, 2007 2008 – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K fir the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 (File No. 000-23818.
   
10.29*
Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between the Company and Steven N. Lach, dated July 29, 2008.
   
10.30*
Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between the Company and Alfred Pang, dated May 15, 2008.
   
10.31*
Form of Offer Letter for Vice President level position at Merix Corporation – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to the Company’s Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2007 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.32
Lease Agreement between the Company and Opus Northwest, LLC, dated as of August 22, 2000 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended August 26, 2000 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.33
Lease Agreement between the Company and Triple Net Properties Realty, Inc. as Agent for NNN VF Woodside Corporate Park, LLC dated as of February 9, 2007.
   
10.34
First Amendment to Lease between the Company and Triple Net Properties Realty, Inc. as Agent for NNN VF Woodside Corporate Park, LLC dated as of April 2, 2008.
   
10.35
Loan and Security Agreement, dated May 9, 2008 and executed on May 12, 2008, by and between Merix Corporation and Bank of America, N.A., and the other parties named therein - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2008 (File No. 001-33752).
   
10.36
Merix Singapore Facility Agreement, dated May 9, 2008 and executed on May 12, 2008, by and between Merix Holding (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Bank of America, N.A., and the other parties named therein - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2008 (File No. 001-33752).

10.37
Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated May 9, 2008 and executed on May 12, 2008, by Merix Nevada, Inc. and Merix Asia, Inc. in favor of Bank of America, N.A. as Agent and certain financial institutions - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2008  (File No. 001-33752).
   
10.38
First Amendment, dated May 18, 2009, to Loan and Security Agreement by and between Merix Corporation and Bank of America, N.A. and the other parties name therein- incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2009 (File No. 001-33752).
   
10.39
Indenture dated May 16, 2006, between Merix Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2006 (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.40
Form of 4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note Due 2013 (incorporated by reference to Section 2.2 of Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 24, 2007) (File No. 000-23818).

10.41
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 2006, between Merix Corporation and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2006  (File No. 000-23818).
   
10.42*
Amendment #2 To Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement between the Company and Linda Moore, effective April 8, 2009.

 
 

 
Table of Contents

Exhibit No.
Description
10.43*
Form of Amendment to Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement for Michael Burger, Kelly Lang, Thomas Ingham and Linda Moore.
   
10.44*
Form of Amendment to Executive Severance and Noncompetition Agreement for other officers.
   
10.45
First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated May 18, 2009, by and between Merix Corporation and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and lender -- incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2009 (File No. 001-33752).
   
10.46
Foreign Exchange Loan Contract, dated June 26, 2009, by and between Merix Printed Circuits Technology Limited and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Limited – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2009 (File No. 001-33752).
   
10.47
Maximum Amount Mortgage Agreement, dated June 26, 2009, by and between Merix Printed Circuits Technology Limited and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Limited -- – incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2009 (File No. 001-33752).
   
21
List of Subsidiaries
   
23.1
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
   
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   
32.1+
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.2+
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

+ furnished herewith.

 
 

 
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  Company Name  
       
Date: July 30, 2009 
By:
/s/ MICHAEL D. BURGER  
    Name: Michael D. Burger   
    Title: Director, President and Chief Executive Officer  
       
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on July 30, 2009:
 
         
/s/ MICHAEL D. BURGER
   
/s/ KELLY E. LANG
 
Name: Michael D. Burger 
   
Name: Kelly E. Lang 
 
Title: Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
     (Principal Executive Officer)
   
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     (Principal Financial Officer)
 
         
/s/ ALLEN L. MUHICH
   
/s/ KIRBY A. DYESS
 
Name: Allen L. Muhich
   
Name: Kirby A. Dyess
 
Title: Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller
     (Principal Accounting Officer)
   
Title: Director
 
         
/s/ DONALD D. JOBE
   
/s/ GEORGE H. KERCKHOVE
 
Name: Donald D. Jobe
   
Name:  George H. Kerckhove
 
Title: Director 
   
Title: Director
 
         
/s/ DR. WILLIAM W. LATTIN
   
/s/ WILLIAM C. MCCORMICK
 
Name: Dr. William W. Lattin
   
Name: William C. McCormick 
 
Title: Director
   
Title: Chairman of the Board
 
         
/s/ ROBERT C. STRANDBERG
   
/s/ FRANCIS YUEN KIN PHENG
 
Name: Robert C. Strandberg
   
Name: Francis Yuen Kin Pheng 
 
Title: Director 
   
Title: Director
 
 

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