SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 20102011

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to        

Commission file number 0-13200

 

 

Astro-Med, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Rhode Island 05-0318215

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

600 East Greenwich Avenue,

West Warwick, Rhode Island

 02893
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (401) 828-4000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

None None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.05 Par Value

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by checkmark 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 the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statement incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”,filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer    ¨  Accelerated filer    ¨  Non-accelerated filer    ¨  Smaller reporting company    x
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting common equity held by non-affiliates at July 31, 200930, 2010 was approximately $30,256,008$41,038,746 based on the closing price on the Nasdaq Global Market on that date.

As of April 1, 201012, 2011 there were 7,204,2167,289,228 shares of Common Stock (par value $0.05 per share) of the registrant outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated.

 

 

 


ASTRO-MED, INC.

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page

PART I

      

Item 1.

    

Business

  3-7

Item 1A.

    

Risk Factors

  7-127-10

Item 1B.

    

Unresolved Staff Comments

  1210

Item 2.

    

Properties

  1310

Item 3.

    

Legal Proceedings

  1310

Item 4.

    

Reserved

  1310

PART II

      

Item 5.

    

Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  14-1611-13

Item 6.

    

Selected Financial Data

  1613

Item 7.

    

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  17-2513-20

Item 7A.

    

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  2520

Item 8.

    

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  2620

Item 9.

    

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  2620

Item 9A(T).

9A.
    

Controls and Procedures

  26-2721

Item 9B.

    

Other Information

  2721

PART III

      

Item 10.

    

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

  28-2922-23

Item 11.

    

Executive Compensation

  2923

Item 12.

    

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters

  2923

Item 13.

    

Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

  3024

Item 14.

    

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

  3024

PART IV

      

Item 15.

    

Exhibits and Financial Statement SchedulesSchedule

  31-3225-26

ASTRO-MED, INC.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We generally use the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “likely,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

PART I

Item 1.Business

General

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Astro-Med,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refer to Astro-Med, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Astro-Med, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a broad range of specialty printers and data acquisition and analysis systems, including both hardware and software, which incorporate advance technologies.technologies in order to acquire, store, analyze and present data in multiple formats. Target markets for products of the Company include aerospace, apparel, automotive, avionics, chemicals, computer peripherals, communications, distribution, food and beverage, general manufacturing, life sciences, packaging and transportation.

The Company’s products are distributed through its own sales force and authorized dealers in the United States. We sell to customers outside of the United States and Canada and in Western Europe, andprimarily by using authorized dealers elsewhere in the world.and international sales representatives, who are managed from our foreign sales offices. Approximately 30% of the Company’s sales in fiscal 20102011 were to customers located outside the United States.

We operate our business through three operating segments, Astro-Med Test & Measurement (T&M), QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass Technologies (Grass). Financial information by business segment and geographic area appearappears in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following description of our business should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” on pages 1713 through 2520 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Description of Business

Product Overview

Astro-Med, Inc. develops and manufactures specialty printers and data acquisition systems. We sell our products under the brand names Astro-Med® Test & Measurement (T&M), Grass® Technologies (Grass®), and QuickLabel® Systems (QuickLabel®).

Products sold under the Astro-Med® Test & Measurement brand acquire and record data and print the output onto charts or electronic media. Products sold under the Grass® brand electronically capture and record neurological data that is used to analyze and diagnose disorders such as epilepsy and sleep apnea. Products sold under the QuickLabel® brand make labels used in product packaging and automatic identification applications.

The Company supplies a range of products that include hardware, software and consumables to customers who are in a variety of industries.

Astro-Med Test & Measurement products include ruggedized printers and data acquisition systems. Current Astro-Med® T&M products include the TMX™ high-speed data acquisition system, ToughWriter® ruggedized cockpit printers, ToughSwitch® Ethernet switches, the TMX™ data acquisition systems, the Dash® series data recorders, and the Everest® telemetry recorders.

ToughWriter® ruggedized cockpit printers are used in the flight deck and in the cabins of military and commercial aircraft to print hard copies of airport maps, flight itineraries, weather maps, gate information, and ground communications. ToughSwitch® Ethernet switches are used in commercial and military aircraft and military vehicles to connect multiple computers or Ethernet devices together. These products are ruggedized to comply with rigorous military and commercial flightworthiness standards for operation under extreme environmental conditions. The Company is currently furnishing ToughWriter® cockpit printers for theseveral airplanes made by Airbus, A380, the Airbus A400M, theBoeing, Bombardier, Global 5000, the Bombardier Global Express XRS, the Boeing C-17, B-787, B-777, B-747, B-767, and the Lockheed C-130.Lockheed.

The Company’s family of portable data recorders, including the recently-released TMX™ and the Dash® series (Dash 2EZ+, Dash 8Xe, Dash 8HF, Dash 8XPM, Dash 18X, Dash 20HF, and Dash 32HF) are used as maintenance and troubleshooting instruments in pulp and paper mills, metal mills, power generating plants, automotive R&D centers, manufacturing plants, and for long-term testing in aerospace applications. The new TMX™ data acquisition system is designed for data capture of long-term testing in automotive, aerospace, and other industrial applications where the ability to monitor high channel counts, and accept and view a wide variety of input signals, including time-stamped and synchronized video capture data and audio notation, is important.

The Everest® telemetry recorders are used widely in the aerospace industry to monitor and track space vehicles, aircraft, missiles and other systems in flight. Everest® data recorders are used principally in the telemetry sector of the aerospace industry, where they are used to monitor parameters from an aircraft or space vehicle during flight test and vehicle launch.

Products sold under the Grass® Technologies brand include neurophysiological recording instruments, software, stimulators, electrode preps, consumable products, and Grass’ industry-renowned electrodes. Grass® equipment detects and amplifies neurophysiological signals for acquisition, review, and analysis via special Grass® software.

Grass® clinical equipment is primarily sold into the Sleep Disorders (PSG), Routine/Ambulatory EEG, and Long-Term Epilepsy Monitoring (LTM) diagnostic markets, and is sold to hospitals, free-standing clinics, and private physicians’ offices. Current Grass® clinical products include the SleepTrek®3 at-home sleep screener, a small lightweight physiological data recorder, the FDA-listed Grass® S12X Cortical Stimulator for cortical stimulation mapping to aid in cortical resection procedures, the TREA® ambulatory EEG recorder, the SleepTrek®3 at-home sleep screener, a small lightweight physiological data recorder, and TWin® Neurotrac-III Neuromonitoring Software for computing and displaying long-term trends during continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU, NICU, OR, and Seizure Monitoring units.

Grass® research products consist of square pulse stimulators; including the S88X dual-output with digital controls model and the SD9 student research model, as well as amplifiers, including the LP511 high performance AC model and P122 AC/DC Strain Gage model as well as the 15LT Amplifier System. Customers of the Grass® research line are typically university research centers or pharmaceutical companies engaged in drug research. The Grass® consumable products are comprised predominantly of sensing devices used to collect physiological data and are utilized with the systems described above.

Products sold under the QuickLabel® brand include short-run, digital color label printers developed for in-house label printing, labeling software, label and tag substrates, label printing inks including thermal transfer ribbons, toners, and inkjet inks; custom label printing services, and a range of printer accessories. The breadth of the product line allows QuickLabel sales and support staff to serve customers at virtually every level of their label printing needs.

With its broad range of entry-level, mid-range, and high-performance digital label printers, QuickLabel Systems is able to provide its customers a continuous path to upgrade to new labeling products. QuickLabel® products are primarily sold to end-user manufacturers, processors, and retailers who label products on a just-in-time basis, private label, contract package, or label products in foreign languages for export markets. These end-users can benefit from the time and cost-savings of digitally printing their own labels on-demand. Industries that commonly benefit from short-run label printing include apparel, chemicals, cosmetics, food and beverage, medical products, and pharmaceuticals, among many other packaged goods.

Current QuickLabel® models include the Vivo!®, Touch, a patented electrophotographic color label printer developed to print on continuous rollstock for in-house label printing;full-color variable information labels in an office or factory; the Zeo!®, an entry-level inkjet label printer developed in partnership with Hewlett-Packard; and the Xe series of digital color label printers utilizing thermal transfer technology, including the QLS-4100 Xe, QLS-2000 Xe and QLS-3000 Xe. The Xe Series of label printers are unique in the industry in that they can be directly integrated with automated production lines and represent a novel, patented application of multi-color thermal transfer technology, which was historically only commercialized in single-color barcode label printers. QuickLabel also sells and supports its own Pronto!® family of barcode printers/monochrome printers which utilize single color-thermal transfer label printing technology.

Technology

The core technologies of Astro-Med relate to (1) acquiring data, (2) conditioning the data, (3) displaying the data on hard copy, monitor or electronic storage media, and finally (4) analyzing the data.

We are continually improving the performance and functionality of our core technologies, enabling us to lead the competition with innovative products.

Patents and Copyrights

Astro-Med holds a number of product patents in the United States and in foreign countries. The Company copyrights its software and registers its brand trademarks. While we consider our patents to be important to the operation of our business, we do not believe that any existent patent, license, trademark or other intellectual property right is of such importance that its loss or termination would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business taken as a whole.

Manufacturing and Supplies

Astro-Med designs its products and manufactures many of the component parts. The balance of the parts required for manufacture of our products are produced to our specifications by suppliers. Raw materials required for the manufacture of products, including parts produced to our specifications, are generally available from numerous suppliers. However, we do obtain certain components of our products and certain finished products from sole sources.

Product Development

Astro-Med maintains an active program of product research and development. During fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, we incurred costs of $4,819,533, $4,884,767$5,020,000 and $4,589,022,$4,820,000, respectively, on Company-sponsored product

development. We are committed to product development as a requisite to our organic growth and expect to continue our focus on research and development efforts in fiscal 20112012 and beyond.

Marketing and Competition

The Company competes worldwide in many markets including clinical and research diagnostics; specialty printing systems; and data acquisition and analysis. We retain a competitive position in our respective markets by

virtue of proprietary technology, product reputation, delivery, technical assistance, and service to customers. We market our products worldwide by advertising and promotion using major national and international trade journals, scientific meetings and trade shows, direct mailing campaigns, and the internet.

Our products are sold by direct field sales persons as well as independent dealers and representatives. In the United States, the Company has factory-trained direct field sales people located in major cities from coast to coast specializing in either Astro-Med® T&M products, QuickLabel® products, or Grass Technologies® Technologies products. Additionally, we have direct field sales and service centers in Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom staffed by our own employees. In the remaining parts of the world, Astro-Med utilizes approximately 60 independent dealers and representatives selling and marketing our products in 8050 countries.

Astro-Med has a number of competitors in each of the markets that it serves. In the T&M area, we believe that we lead the field in data acquisition systems. In the digital color label printing field, we believe we lead the world in color label printing technology, and we were the first to market an electrophotographic color label printer capable of printing on continuous rollstock.

Our Grass Technologies® Technologies products are devoted to clinical applications in electroncephalography (EEG), polysomnography (PSG), and Long Term Epilepsy Monitoring (LTM). There are approximately ten companies that compete in one or more of the three modalities (EEG, PSG, LTM), but none are the clear leader. We believe we offer superior products based upon our long history and pioneering efforts in the field since 1935. Unlike most of our competitors, Astro-Med designs, manufactures and produces complete systems including transducers, amplifiers, sensors and Windows-based application software. Additionally, we produce a range of life science products for the research market many of which eventually find their way into clinical applications.

No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in any of the last threetwo fiscal years.

International Sales

In fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, net sales to customers in various geographic areas outside the United States, primarily in Canada and Western Europe, amounted to $19,735,000, $21,823,000$20,402,000 and $21,892,000,$19,735,000, respectively.

Order Backlog

Astro-Med’s backlog fluctuates regularly. It consists of a blend of orders for end user customers as well as original equipment manufacturer customers. Manufacturing is geared to forecasted demands and applies a rapid turn cycle to meet customer expectations. Accordingly, the amount of order backlog doesmay not indicate future sales trends. Backlog at January 31, 2011 and 2010 was $7,114,000 and 2009 was $5,675,000, and $6,405,000, respectively.

Employees

As of January 31, 2010,2011, Astro-Med employed approximately 425423 people. We are generally able to satisfy our employment requirements. No employees are represented by a union. We believe that employee relations are good.

Other Information

The Company’s business is not seasonal in nature. However, our sales are impacted by the size of certain individual transactions, which can cause fluctuations in sales from quarter to quarter.

Most of the Company’s products are generally warranted for one year against defects in materials or workmanship. Warranty expenses have generally averaged approximately $400,000$570,000 a year for the last five fiscal years.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on our Internet website (www.astro-medinc.com) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and, if applicable, amendments to

those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities Exchange Commission. These filings are also accessible on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

The following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating Astro-Med because such factors may have a significant impact on our business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition. As a result of the risk factors set forth below, actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider to be immaterial, may also impact our business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition. If any such risks occur, Astro-Med’s business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition could be materially affected in an adverse manner. Under such circumstances, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Continued depressedDepressed general economic conditions and uncertainties in the global credit and equity markets may adversely affect Astro-Med’s results of operation and financial position.

Our business is sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, both inside and outside the U.S. Worldwide financial markets have experienced extreme disruption in the past year, including, among other things, extreme volatility in security prices, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, rating downgrades and declining valuations of investments. These disruptionsfew years which are likely to have an ongoing adverse effect on the world economy. We are unable to predict how long the economic downturn will last. Continuinglast or the strength or duration of an economic recovery. A continuing and/or a return to an economic downturn and financial market disruptions may adversely impact our business resulting in:

 

Reduced demand for our products realized by diminished new orders and increases in order cancellations;

 

Increased risk of excess and obsolete inventories;

 

Increased pressure on the prices for our products and services;

 

Greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivables; and

 

Greater risk of impairment to the value and liquidity of our investment portfolio.

Astro-Med’s operating results and financial condition could be harmed if the markets into which we sell our product decline or do not grow as anticipated.

Any decline in our customers’ markets or in their general economic conditions, including declines related to the current market disruptions as described above, would likely result in a reduction in demand for our products. For example, although we have experienced weaknessmeasured progress in all segments during the current fiscal year caused largely2011 as sales have increased from prior years, we are still affected by the

continued global economic downturn as some of our customers areremain reluctant to make capital equipment purchases and are limiting consumable product purchases to quantities necessary to satisfy immediate needs with no provisions to stock supplies for future use. Also, if our customers’ markets decline, we may not be able to collect on outstanding amounts due to us. Such declines could harm our results of operations, financial position and cash flows and could limit our ability to continue to remain profitable.

Astro-Med’s actions to reduce costscost reduction and operational efficiency programs may not achieve the intended results

Changing economic and business conditions may dictate that we undertake a plan of cost and operational efficiency reductions. We cannot be certain that these programs will achieve their intended results. Additionally, these programs may be misplaced or insufficient for purposes of positioning us for further growth, in which our long-term competitive position may suffer. Failure of these programs, if any, could have a long-termmaterial adverse effectaffect on our business.

The continued decline and uncertainty in economic conditions has required us to take steps to reduce our costs by implementing a Company–wide cost reduction initiative which began in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and includes wage and salary freezes, layoffs and a general reduction in hours worked by the production staff. This cost reduction initiative will remain in effect until the Company determines otherwise. We can not, however, be certain that this initiative will achieve its intended results. It is also possible that the cost reduction initiative could have the effect of reducing our talent pool and available resources and, consequently, could have long-term effects on our business by decreasing or slowing improvements in our products, affecting our ability to respond to customers, limiting our ability to increase production quickly if and when the demand for our products increases, and limiting our ability to hire and retain key personnel. Any of these circumstances could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

Astro-Med faces significant competition and our failure to compete successfully could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We operate in an environment of significant competition, driven by rapid technological advances, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and the demands of customers to become more efficient. Our competitors range from large international companies to relatively small firms. We compete primarily on the basis of technology, performance, price, quality, reliability, brand, distribution and customer service and support. Our success in future performance is largely dependent upon our ability to compete successfully in the markets we currently serve and to expand into additional market segments. Additionally, current competitors or new market entrants may develop new products with features that could adversely affect the competitive position of our products. To remain competitive, we must develop new products, services and applications and periodically enhance our existing offerings. If we are unable to compete successfully, we could lose market share and important customers to our competitors which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

Astro-Med’s future revenue growth depends on our ability to introduce new products and services on a timely basis and achieve market acceptance of these new products and services.

The markets for our products are characterized by rapidly changing technology and accelerating product introduction cycles. Our future success depends largely upon our ability to address the rapidly changing needs of our customers by developing and supplying high-quality, cost-effective products, product enhancements and services on a timely basis and by keeping pace with technological developments and emerging industry standards. The success of our new products will also depend on our ability to differentiate our offerings from our competitors’ offerings,offerings; price our products competitively,competitively; anticipate our competitor’s development of new products; and maintain high levels of product quality and reliability. Astro-Med spends a significant amount of time and effort related to the development of our Ruggedized and Color Printer products as well as our Test and Measurement products. Failure to further develop any of our new products and their related markets as anticipated could adversely affect our future revenue growth and operating results.

Astro-Med’s failure to successfully manage the transition between our new products and our older products may adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

As Astro-Med introduces new or enhanced products, we must successfully manage the transition from older products to minimize disruptions in customers’ ordering patterns, avoid excessive levels of older product inventories and provide sufficient supplies of new products to meet customer demands. When Astro-Med

introduces new or enhanced products that feature higher-performance and new technological options, we face numerous risks relating to product transitions, including the inability to accurately forecast demand, address new or higher product cost structures and manage different sales and support requirements due to the type of complexity of the new products. In addition, any customer uncertainty regarding the timeline for rolling out new products or Astro-Med’s plan for future support of existing products may negatively impact customer purchase decisions.

For certain components and assembled products, Astro-Med is dependent upon single or limited source suppliers. If these suppliers do not meet demand, either in volume or quality, then we could be materially harmed.

If the supply of a key component or assembled products were to be delayed or curtailed or, in the event a key manufacturing or sole vendor delays shipment of such components or completed products, our ability to ship products in desired quantities and in a timely manner would be adversely affected. Our business, results of operations and financial position could also be adversely affected, depending on the time required to obtain sufficient quantities from the original source or, if possible, to identify and obtain sufficient quantities from an alternative source.

Additionally, if any single or limited source supplier becomes unable or unwilling to continue to supply these components or assembled products in required volumes, we will have to identify and qualify acceptable replacements or redesign our products with different components. Alternative sources may not be available, or product redesign may not be feasible on a timely basis. Any interruption in the supply of or increase in the cost of the components and assembled products provided by single or limited source suppliers could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

Economic, political and other risks associated with international sales and operations could adversely affect Astro-Med’s results of operations and financial position.

Because we sell our products worldwide, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. Revenue from international operations, which includes both direct and indirect sales to customers outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 30% of our total revenue for fiscal year 20102011 and we anticipate that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenue. In addition, many of our employees, suppliers, job functions and facilities are located outside the U.S. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:

 

Interruption to transportation flows for delivery of parts to us and finished goods to our customers;

 

Customer and vendor financial stability;

 

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

Changes in a specific country’s or region’s environment including political, economic, regulatory or other conditions;

 

Trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;

 

Negative consequences from changes in tax laws;

 

Difficulty in staffing and managing widespreadinternational operations;

 

Differing labor regulations;

 

Differing protection of intellectual property;

 

Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and

 

Geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism and war.

Astro-Med’s profitability is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate pricing for our products and to improve our cost structure.

Our success depends on our ability to obtain adequate pricing for our products and services which provides a reasonable return to our shareholders. Depending on competitive market factors, future prices we obtain for our products and services may decline from previous levels. In addition, pricing actions to offset the effect of currency devaluations may not prove sufficient to offset further devaluations or may not hold in the face of customer resistance and/or competition. If we are unable to obtain adequate pricing for our products and services, our results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected.

We are continually reviewing our operations with a view towards reducing our cost structure, including but not limited to downsizing our employee base, exiting certain businesses, improving process and system efficiencies and outsourcing some internal functions. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, management initiated a Company-wide cost reduction program in response to the continued depressed economic conditions. From time to time we also engage in restructuring actions

to reduce our cost structure. If we are unable to maintain our cost base at or below the current level and maintain process and systems changes resulting from current cost reduction and prior restructuring actions, our results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected.

Astro-Med’s results of operation may suffer if our manufacturing capacity does not match the demand for our products.

Because we cannot immediately adapt our production capacity and related cost structures to rapidly changing market conditions, when demand does not meet our expectations, our manufacturing capacity will likely exceed our production requirements. If, during a general market upturn or an upturn in one of our segments, we cannot increase our manufacturing capacity to meet product demand, we will not be able to fulfill orders in a timely manner. This inability could materially and adversely limit our ability to improve our results. By contrast, if during an economic downturn we had excess manufacturing capacity, then our fixed costs associated with excess manufacturing capacity would adversely affect our income.

Third parties may infringe our intellectual property and we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our rights.

Astro-Med’s success depends in part on our proprietary technology. We rely on various intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements, to establish our proprietary rights. If we do not enforce our intellectual property rights successfully our competitive position may suffer which could harm our results of operation and financial position.

Our patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not provide us a significant competitive advantage. We may need to spend significant resources monitoring our intellectual property rights and we may or may not be able to detect infringement by third parties. Our competitive position may be harmed if we cannot detect infringement and enforce our intellectual property rights quickly or at all. In some circumstances, enforcement may not be available to us because an infringer has a dominant intellectual property position or for other business reasons. In addition, competitors might avoid infringement by designing around our intellectual property rights or by developing non-infringing competing technologies.

Astro-Med could incur liabilities as a result of installed product failures due to design or manufacturing defects.

Astro-Med could incur liabilities as a result of installed product failures due to design or manufacturing defects. Our products may have defects despite testing internally or by current or potential customers. These defects could result in among other things, a delay in recognition of sales, loss of sales, loss of market share, failure to achieve market acceptance or substantial damage to our reputation. We could be subject to material claims by customers, and may need to incur substantial expenses to correct any product defects.

Astro-Med depends on the ongoing service of its senior management and ability to attract and retain other key personnel.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continuing contributions of key management, sales, marketing, research and development and manufacturing personnel, many of whom we would have difficulty replacing. We believe that our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled engineers and management, sales and marketing personnel. Failure to attract and retain key personnel could have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations or financial position.

Astro-Med is subject to laws and regulations; failure to address or comply with these laws and regulations could harm our business and adversely affect our results of operations.

Our operations are subject to laws, rules, regulations, including environmental regulations, government policies and other requirements in each of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Changes in laws, rules, regulations, policies or requirements could result in the need to modify our products and could affect the demand for our products, which may have an adverse impact on our future operating results. In addition, we must comply with new regulations restricting our ability to include lead and certain other substances in our products. If we do not comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations we could be subject to costs and liabilities and our business may be adversely impacted.

A number of our products from our Grass Technologies product group are subject to regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and certain similar foreign regulatory agencies. If we or any of our suppliers or distributors fail to comply with FDA and other applicable regulatory requirements or are perceived potentially to potentially have failed to comply, we may face, among other things, adverse publicity affecting both us and our customers; investigations or notices of non-compliance; fines, injunctions and civil penalties; partial suspensions or total shutdown of production facilities or the imposition of operating restrictions; increased difficulty in obtaining required FDA clearances or approvals; seizures or recalls of our products or those of our customers, and/or the inability to sell our products.

Astro-Med sells medical equipment to customers who rely on certain third party reimbursement rates.

We cannot be certain that third party reimbursement rates and policies will continue in the future. Any change in reimbursement rates and policies could adversely impact our profitability.

Adverse conditions in the global banking industry and credit markets may adversely impact the value of our investments or impair our liquidity.

At the end of fiscal 2010,2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $14$8 million invested or held in a mix of money market funds, time deposit accounts and bank demand deposit accounts. The continued disruptions in the financial markets may, in some cases, result in an inability to access assets such as money market funds that traditionally have been viewed as highly liquid. Any failure of our counterpart financial institutions or funds in which we have invested may adversely impact our cash and cash equivalent positions and, in turn, our results of operations and financial position. As of January 31, 2010,2011, we also had an approximate $10$13 million portfolio of securities available for sale. This portfolio consists of state and municipal securities with various maturity dates, as well as an auction rate security. Allall of which have a credit rating of AA or above at the securities in the portfolio are triple AAA rated at original purchase date; however, a failure of the issuerany of any such commercial paperthese securities may result in an adverse impact on theour portfolio.

Astro-Med may not be able to effectively integrate businesses or assets acquired.

We may identify and pursue acquisitions of complementary companies and strategic assets, such as customer bases, products and technology. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition opportunities. In December 2009, we acquired Label Line Ltd. (Label Line), a manufacturer of labels and tags which has become part of our QuickLabel Systems brand. In any acquisition that we complete, including the recent acquisition of Label Line, we cannot be certain that:

 

We will successfully integrate the operations of the acquired business with our own;

 

All the benefits expected from such integration will be realized;

Management’s attention will not be diverted or divided, to the detriment of current operations;

 

Amortization of acquired intangible assets will not have a negative effect on operating results or other aspects of our business;

 

Delays or unexpected costs related to the acquisition will not have a detrimental effect on our business, operating results and financial condition;

 

Customer dissatisfaction with, or performance problems at, an acquired company will not have an adverse effect on our reputation; and

 

Respective operations, management and personnel will be compatible.

In certain instances as permitted by applicable law and NASDAQ rules, acquisitions may be consummated without seeking and obtaining shareholder approval, in which case shareholders will not have an opportunity to consider and vote upon the merits of such an acquisition. Although we will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular acquisition, there can be no assurance that we will properly ascertain or assess such risks.

Business interruptions could adversely affect Astro-Med’s business.

Our operations and the operations of our suppliers, contract manufacturers and customers are vulnerable to interruptions by fire, earthquake, hurricane, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorism and other events beyond our control. Although we carry insurance for property damage and business interruption, we do not carry insurance for interruptions or potential losses arising from terrorism. In the event that a material business interruption occurs that affects Astro-Med, its suppliers, contract manufacturers or customers, shipments could be delayed and our business and financial results could be harmed. Also, our third party insurance coverage will vary from time to time in both type and amount depending on availability, cost and our decisions with respect to risk retention. Economic conditions and uncertainties in global markets may adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain third party insurance. If our third party insurance coverage is adversely affected or to the extent we have elected to self-insure, we may be at a greater risk that our operations will be harmed by a catastrophic loss.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2.Properties

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s principal owned properties, all of which are included in the consolidated balance sheet appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Location

     Approximate    
Approximate
Square
Footage
 

Principal Use

West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

 135,500 Corporate headquarters, research and development, manufacturing, sales and service

Rockland, Massachusetts, USA

 36,000 Manufacturing

Slough, England

 1,700 Sales and service

Astro-Med also leases facilities in various other locations. The following information pertains to each location:

 

Location

 Approximate
Square
Footage

Footage
 

Principal Use

Asheboro, North Carolina, USA

 75,000 Manufacturing

Brossard, Quebec, Canada

 7,900  SalesManufacturing, sales and service

Rodgau, Germany

 6,835 Manufacturing, sales and service

Trappes, France

 2,164 Sales and service

Schaumburg, Illinois, USA

 1,131  Sales and service

El Dorado Hills, California, USA

 273 Sales

Newport Beach, California, USA

 151  Sales and service

We believe our facilities are well maintained, in good operating condition and generally adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

In November 2009, Astro-Med was awarded a $1,391,000 judgment related to a lawsuit filed by the Company against a former employee and a competitor business. At issue in the lawsuit was the violation of a non-competition agreement which the former employee had signed as a condition of employment with Astro- Med. The $1,391,000 judgment includes both punitive and exemplary damages, as well as attorney fees (all of which have been previously expensed) and related interest earned on the judgment and was recorded as a gain on legal settlement in the Company’s consolidated income statement for the fiscal year ended 2010. In November 2009, the Company also filed a motion to amend the original judgment to include additional legal fees of $73,000. This motion was granted on February 12, 2010. On February 17, 2010, the Company collected a total of $1,495,000 related to this legal proceeding, which includes the $1,391,000 gain on legal settlement which was recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and $104,000 for interest and the additional attorney fees as granted by the February 12, 2010 motion. The $104,000 will be recorded as a gain on legal settlement in the Company’s consolidated income statement for the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

There are no pending or threatened legal proceedings against the Company believed to be material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Item 4. Reserved

PART II

 

Item 5.Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Astro-Med’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ALOT.” The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing prices and dividend data, as furnished by NASDAQ, for the years ended January 31:

 

  High  Low  Dividends
Per Share
      High           Low       Dividends
     Per Share    
 

2011

      

First Quarter

  $8.05    $7.31    $0.07  

Second Quarter

  $7.75    $6.93    $0.07  

Third Quarter

  $7.49    $6.60    $0.07  

Fourth Quarter

  $7.95    $6.90    $0.07  

2010

            

First Quarter

  $7.00  $4.60  $0.06  $7.00    $4.60    $0.06  

Second Quarter

  $6.24  $5.01  $0.06  $6.24    $5.01    $0.06  

Third Quarter

  $7.38  $5.17  $0.06  $7.38    $5.17    $0.06  

Fourth Quarter

  $7.69  $6.07  $0.06  $7.69    $6.07    $0.06  

2009

      

First Quarter

  $10.00  $8.34  $0.06

Second Quarter

  $10.38  $8.25  $0.06

Third Quarter

  $10.00  $6.00  $0.06

Fourth Quarter

  $7.39  $5.55  $0.06

Astro-Med had approximately 306302 shareholders of record as of April 1, 2010,2011, which does not reflect shareholders with beneficial ownership in shares held in nominee name.

Stock Performance Graph

The graph below shows a comparison of the cumulative total return on the Company’s common stock against the cumulative total returns for the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Electronic Index for the period of five fiscal years ended January 31, 2010.2011. The NASDAQ Composite Index is calculated using all companies trading on the NASDAQ Global Select, NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Capital Markets through January 31, 2010.2011. The Index is weighted by the current shares outstanding and assumes dividends reinvested. The NASDAQ Electronic Index, designated as the Company’s peer group index, is comprised of companies classified as electronic equipment manufacturers.

 

  Cumulative Total Returns*  Cumulative Total Returns* 
  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011 

Astro-Med, Inc.

  $100.00  $110.48  $142.79  $135.82  $100.26  $103.99  $100.00    $129.25    $122.94    $90.75    $97.89    $98.24  

NASDAQ Electronic Index

  $100.00  $110.89  $115.91  $109.78  $65.61  $101.69  $100.00    $104.52    $99.00    $59.16    $91.70    $109.54  

NASDAQ Composite Index

  $100.00  $112.83  $121.39  $118.51  $59.05  $85.97  $100.00    $68.67    $105.04    $52.33    $76.81    $97.68  

 

*Assumes $100 invested on February 1, 20052006 with reinvestment of dividends

Dividend Policy

Astro-Med began a program of paying quarterly cash dividends in fiscal 1992 and has paid a dividend for 7478 consecutive quarters. During fiscal 2010, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share. On March 15, 2010, the Board of Directors voted to increase the quarterly dividend by $.01 per share to $0.07 per share beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2011, and as such, has paid a dividend of $0.28 per share for fiscal 2011.

Stock Repurchases

On August 16, 2004, Astro-Med announced that its Board of Directors had approved the repurchase of 600,000 shares of common stock. This is an ongoing authorization without any expiration date.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010,2011, the Company made the following repurchases of its common stock:

 

Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased
Average
Price paid
Per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
Maximum Number
of Shares That
May Be Purchased
Under The Plans
or Programs

November 1 – November 28

—  $—  —  392,289

November 29 – December 26

—  $—  —  392,289

December 27 – January 31

—  $—  —  392,289
   Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased
   Average
Price paid
Per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
   Maximum Number
of Shares That
May Be
Purchased
Under The Plans
or Programs
 

October 31 – November 27

   100,000   $7.03    100,000    254,089 

November 28 – December 25

                  254,089 

December 26 – January 31

                  254,089 

Item 6.Selected Financial Data

The following financial data with respectWe are a “smaller reporting company” and, as such, are not required to our results of operations, per share and financial condition data for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended January 31, 2010 set forth below has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected financial information presented below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and “Item 7- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included inprovide this Annual Report on Form 10-K.information.

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

   2010  2009  2008  2007  2006 

Results of Operations:

         

Net Sales

  $64,031  $71,783   $72,371  $65,519  $59,301  

Cost of Sales

   37,403   40,715    41,260   38,521   34,643  
                     

Gross Profit

   26,628   31,068    31,111   26,998   24,658  

Selling and Marketing

   15,342   16,942    17,126   15,437   14,143  

General and Administrative

   4,503   4,615    4,682   3,884   3,317  

Research & Development

   4,820   4,885    4,589   4,187   4,043  

Restructuring Charge

   —     —      515   —     —    
                     

Operating Expenses

   24,665   26,442    26,912   23,508   21,503  
                     

Gain on Legal Settlement

   1,391   —      —     —     —    

Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Related Costs

   —     —      —     5,252   —    
                     

Operating Income

   3,354   4,626    4,199   8,742   3,155  
                     

Investment Income

   227   489    611   649   337  

Other, Net

   101   (538)  244   234   (90
                     

Income Before Income Taxes

   3,682   4,577    5,054   9,625   3,402  

Income Tax Provision

   916   1,613    744   3,566   851  
                     

Net Income

  $2,766  $2,964   $4,310  $6,059  $2,551  
                     

Per Share:

         

Net Income per Common Share—Basic

  $0.39  $0.42   $0.63  $0.90  $0.39  

Net Income per Common Share—Diluted

  $0.38  $0.40   $0.57  $0.82  $0.35  

Dividends Declared per Common Share

  $0.24  $0.24   $0.20  $0.20  $0.13  

Financial Condition:

         

Working Capital

  $41,709  $40,119   $39,411  $34,294  $31,222  

Total Assets

  $64,676  $62,155   $61,699  $58,001  $49,647  

Long-Term Debt

  $—    $—     $—    $—    $—    

Shareholders’ Equity

  $53,819  $51,471   $49,355  $45,958  $40,301  

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Astro-Med is a multi-national enterprise, which designs, develops, manufactures, distributes and services a broad range of products that acquire, store, analyze and present data in multiple formats. The Company organizes its structure around a core set of competencies, including research and development, manufacturing, service, marketing and distribution. It markets and sells its products and services through the following three sales product groups:

 

Test and Measurement Product Group (T&M)—represents a suite of telemetry recorder products sold to the aerospace and defense industries, as well as portable data acquisition recorders, which offer diagnostic and test functions to a wide range of manufacturers including automotive, energy, paper and steel fabrication. In addition, T&M also includes a suite of ruggedized printer products designed for military and commercial applications to be used in the avionics industry to print weather maps, communications and other critical flight information.

 

QuickLabel Systems Product Group (QuickLabel)—offers hardware, software and mediaconsumable products that create on demand color labels and store and produce images in color or non-color formats on a broad range of media substrates.

 

Grass Technologies Product Group (Grass)—centers on diagnostic and monitoring products that serve the clinical neurophysiology markets, as well as a range of biomedical instrumentation products and consumable supplies focused on the life sciences markets.

Astro-Med markets and sells its products and services globally through a diverse distribution structure of sales personnel, manufacturing representatives and authorized dealers that deliver a full complement of branded products and services to customers in our respective markets.

Our growth strategy centers on organic growth through product innovation made possible by research and development initiatives, as well as strategic acquisitions that fit into existing core businesses. Research and development activities are funded and expensed by the Company at approximately 7.5%7.1% of annual sales for fiscal 2010.

Although Astro-Med has experienced measured progress in fiscal 2010 as earnings have incrementally improved each quarter, our current year results continue to reflect the effects of the global recession in all of our markets and product lines as customers are reluctant to make capital equipment purchases and are limiting consumable product purchases to quantities necessary to satisfy immediate needs. We have responded to this worldwide recession and uncertainty in the global economy by implementing a Company-wide cost reduction initiative which began in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and includes wage and salary freezes, layoffs and a general reduction in hours worked by production staff. Astro-Med is continuing all research and development activities as planned, as we believe that the development of new products and the enhancement of existing products will promote future growth and profitability for the Company.2011. We also continue to invest in sales and marketing initiatives by expanding the existing sales force and increasing spending on various marketing campaigns.campaigns to achieve our goals of sales growth and increased profitability notwithstanding today’s challenging economic environment.

Results of Operations

 

($ in thousands) 2010  2009  2008 
  Net
Sales
 As a % of
Total Net Sales
  % Change
Over Prior Year
  Net
Sales
 As a % of
Total Net Sales
  % Change
Over Prior Year
  Net
Sales
 As a % of
Total Net Sales
 

T&M

 $14,247 22.2 (9.8)%  $15,796 22.0 (4.3)%  $16,505 22.8

QuickLabel

  33,294 52.0 (11.0)%   37,398 52.1 (2.0)%   38,144 52.7

Grass

  16,490 25.8 (11.3)%   18,589 25.9 (4.9)%   17,722 24.5
                        

Total

 $64,031 100.0 (10.8)%  $71,783 100.0 (0.8)%  $72,371 100.0
                        

($ in thousands) 2011  2010 
  Net
Sales
  As a % of
Total Net Sales
  % Change
Over Prior Year
  Net
Sales
  As a % of
Total Net Sales
 

T&M

 $14,837    20.9  4.1 $14,247    22.2

QuickLabel

  39,500    55.6  18.6  33,294    52.0

Grass

  16,679    23.5  1.1  16,490    25.8
                    

Total

 $71,016    100.0  10.9 $64,031    100.0
                    

Fiscal 20102011 compared to Fiscal 20092010

Astro-Med’s sales in fiscal 20102011 were $64,031,000, down 10.8% from the$71,016,000, representing a 10.9% increase as compared to prior year’s sales of $71,783,000.$64,031,000. Domestic sales of $44,296,000 decreased 11.3%$50,614,000 increased 14.3% from the prior year sales of $49,960,000.$44,296,000. International shipments of $19,735,000$20,402,000 have also declined 9.6%increased 3.4% as compared to previous year’s sales of $21,823,000. Unfavorable$19,735,000 despite a $392,000 negative impact due to foreign exchange of $744,000 accounts for 33.3% of the fiscal 2010 international sales decline from the prior year.rates.

Hardware sales in fiscal 20102011 were $28,303,000, down 18.0% from$28,686,000, a nominal increase as compared to prior year’s sales of $28,303,000. The increase in hardware sales in the current year as compared to the prior year was primarily due to the demand for T&M’s new TMX line as well as the 12.6% increase in sales of the Ruggedized product line within T&M product group. Also contributing to the increase in current year sales was the 7.0% increase in sales of QuickLabel printers and the 13.1% increase in Grass Technologies’ clinical line of diagnostic systems, especially Long Term Epilepsy Monitoring Systems. However, the increase in the current year’s hardware sales was tempered by lower sales of T&M’s recorder and data acquisition product lines, as well as lower sales of Grass Technologies’ research line of products.

Consumable sales in fiscal 2011 were $37,113,000, representing a 20.1% increase compared to prior year sales of $34,521,000 as customers have deferred capital acquisitions during$30,904,000. The overall increase in consumable sales for the current “Great Recession”, however these resultsyear was primarily due to sales in the QuickLabel product group which were tempered by a 7.4%up $5,530,000 or 21.4% as compared to prior year’s sales. QuickLabel’s increased level of consumable sales in the current year is due to an increase in bothconsumable demand from the Company’s installed base of T&M’s Everestprinter customers, as well as label shipments from the Asheboro, North Carolina business, acquired in December 2009. Also contributing to the increase in consumable sales for the current fiscal year was a 10.5% increase in Grass’ electrodes and Ruggedizedcreams product line sales, as well as a 9.8%39.5% increase in the sales of Grass Medical ResearchT&M’s chart paper product lines as compared to the prior year.

Consumable sales in fiscal 2010 were $30,904,000, representing a 3.5% decrease compared to prior year sales of $32,027,000. This decline was due to our customers reducing their consumable purchases and adjusting to a JIT purchasing policy on inventory items. Notwithstanding these results, we experienced significant growth in our Vivo! and Zeo! supply line which was up 40.4% as compared to the prior year.line.

Service and other sales revenue in fiscal 20102011 were $4,824,000, a 7.9% decrease$5,217,000, an 8.2% increase compared to prior year sales of $5,235,000$4,824,000 due to lower freight and parts revenue offset by a slightan overall increase in ourfreight, service and repairsrepair revenue.

The Company achieved $26,628,000$28,666,000 in gross profit for fiscal 20102011 and generated a gross profit margin of 41.6%40.4% as compared to prior year’s gross profit margin of 43.3%41.6%. The decline in gross profit margin for the current year is due to unfavorable mix of lower margin products included in our net sales, volume, product mixas well as higher manufacturing costs and manufacturing underabsorption.lower factory absorption at our West Warwick and Asheboro facilities.

Operating expenses for the current year were $24,664,000,$26,011,000, representing a 6.7% decrease5.5% increase from prior year’s operating expenses of $26,442,000.$24,664,000. Specifically, selling and marketing expenses decreased 9.4%increased 8.8% from prior year to $15,342,000$16,690,000 in fiscal 2010,2011, representing 24.0%23.5% of sales, a slight increasedecrease as compared to the prior year’s 23.6%24.0% of sales. The decreaseincrease in selling and marketing was primarily the result of lowerincreases in wages, benefits and benefits, lower commissions due to personnel additions and lowersales growth. The increase in sales and marketing was also impacted by the increase in travel spending.spending for fiscal 2011. General and administrative (G&A) expenses declined 2.4%4.5% from prior year to $4,503,000$4,300,000 in fiscal 2010.2011. The reduced G&A expense was primarily due to lowera decrease in banking and professional service fees as compared to the prior year. Funding of research & development (R&D) in fiscal 2010 decreased 1.3%2011 has increased 4.1% to $4,820,000. This$5,020,000. The increase in R&D for fiscal 2011 is primarily due to the

increase in outside services and is consistent with the Company’s focus on development of new products and enhancement of existing products to promote future growth. The R&D spending level for fiscal 2011 represents 7.1% of spending represents 7.5% ofnet sales, higher thana slight decrease from the prior year’s level of 6.8%7.5%.

In fiscal 2010,2011, the Company recognized a $1,391,000$104,000 gain on legal settlement for interest and attorney fees recognized as a result of damages collected from a lawsuit filed against a former employee and competitor business.

InvestmentOther income in fiscal 20102011 was $227,000,$24,000, down from $489,000$328,000 in fiscal 2009. The decrease in2010. This lower level of other income is a result of lower investment income, during fiscal 2010 was due to lower overall interest rates, available. Other income was $101,000 in fiscal 2010 as compared to other expense of $538,000 in fiscal 2009. The current year increase in other income is primarily attributable towell as foreign exchange gainslosses recognized in the current year due to the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar during the year, as well as the recognition ofUS dollar. Additionally, other income for fiscal 2010 included a $112,000 gain on bargain purchase related to the December 2009 acquisition of Label Line.our Asheboro facilities.

Astro-Med’s fiscal 2011 pretax income was reduced by approximately $333,000 related to stock-based compensation expense as compared to fiscal 2010 pretax income which was reduced by approximately $414,000 in stock-based compensation expense. During fiscal 2009, Astro-Med’s pretax income was reduced by approximately $472,000 in stock-based compensation expense.

During fiscal 2010,2011, the Company recognized income tax expense of $916,000$722,000 and had an effective tax rate of 24.9%25.9%. The current year’s income tax expense includes:includes a benefit of $241,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position and a benefit of $143,000 related to a favorable adjustment in the filing of the prior year’s tax returns. This compares to income tax expense of $916,000 and an effective tax rate of 24.9% in fiscal 2010 which includes 1) a benefit of $335,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position as a result of the conclusion of an IRS examination of the Company’s Federal Returnsfederal returns for the fiscal year 2008; 2) a benefit of $88,000 related to the difference in foreign tax rates; and 3) a

benefit of $25,000 related to differences between the prior year tax provision and the actual return as filed. This compares to income tax expense of $1,613,000 and an effective tax rate of 35.2% in fiscal 2009 which includes an expense of $59,000 related to a discrete payment of additional state franchise tax and a benefit of $27,000 related to differences between the prior year tax provision and the actual return as filed.

Net income for fiscal 2011 was $2,062,000 providing a return of 2.9% on sales and generating an EPS of $0.28 per diluted share. Included in net income is a $63,000 gain, net of tax, related to the settlement of a legal matter equal to $0.01 per diluted share; $241,000 tax benefit pertaining to previously uncertain tax positions realized equal to $0.03 per diluted share and a $143,000 tax benefit relating to a favorable adjustment in the filing of the prior year’s tax returns equal to $0.02 per diluted share. On a comparative basis, fiscal 2010 net income was $2,766,000 providing a return of 4.3% on sales and generating an EPS of $0.38 per diluted share. Included in fiscal net income for 2010 is a $904,000 gain, net of tax, related to the settlement of a legal matter equal to $0.12 per diluted share; a $335,000 tax benefit pertaining to previously uncertain tax positions realized equal to $0.05 per diluted share; and a $112,000 gain on bargain purchase related to the acquisition of Label Line equal to $0.02 per diluted share. On a comparative basis, fiscal 2009’s net income was $2,964,000 providing a return of 4.1% on sales and an EPS of $0.40 per diluted share.

Fiscal 2009 compared to Fiscal 2008

Astro-Med’s sales in fiscal 2009 were $71,783,000, down 0.8% from the prior year’s sales of $72,371,000. Domestic sales of $49,960,000 decreased 1.0% from the prior year sales of $50,479,000. The lower revenue was driven by T&M domestic sales which declined 6.5% from the prior year, due to lower sales of Ruggedized products, partially offset by an increase in shipments of Everest and Dash products. The decrease in domestic sales in fiscal 2009 was tempered by an increase in both QuickLabel and Grass domestic sales. International shipments of $21,823,000 were flat over previous year’s sales of $21,892,000, as increases in T&M and Grass sales of 6.0% and 14.1%, respectively, were tempered by an 8.0% decline in QuickLabel sales. The impact of foreign exchange rate changes added approximately $272,000 or 1.2% in sales through the international channel for fiscal 2009 when compared to the prior year.

Hardware sales in fiscal 2009 were $34,521,000, down 1.7% from the prior year sales of $35,128,000. The decrease from prior year was driven by lower sales of T&M’s Ruggedized products, QuickLabel’s color printer systems and Grass EEG systems. Increased hardware sales for fiscal 2009 as compared to prior year were attributable to T&M’s Dash and Everest and Grass diagnostic sleep product lines.

Consumable sales in fiscal 2009 were $32,027,000, relatively flat compared to prior year sales of $31,986,000, as the increase in Grass product lines was offset by lower sales of consumable products in T&M’s and QuickLabel’s product lines.

Service and related products in fiscal 2009 were $5,235,000, flat compared to prior year sales of $5,257,000, as the increase in repair revenues was offset by the lower service and freight revenue.

Gross profit for fiscal 2009 was $31,068,000, comparable to the prior year’s gross profit of $31,111,000. Astro-Med realized a gross profit margin of 43.3% as compared to prior year’s gross margin of 43.0%. The Company was able improve its gross profit margin for fiscal 2009 as compared to the prior year due to sales mix and manufacturing cost reductions, especially freight and warranty expense.

Operating expenses for fiscal 2009 were $26,442,000, approximately flat with the prior year’s operating expenses of $26,397,000 (excluding the prior year $515,000 restructuring charge related to the closure of the sales and service centers located in Italy and the Netherlands). Specifically, selling and marketing expenses decreased 1.0% to $16,942,000 in fiscal 2009, representing 23.6% of sales, relatively flat from the prior year’s 23.7% of sales. The decrease in selling and marketing was primarily the result of lower benefits, as well as lower commissions and travel spending. G&A expenses decreased 1.4% to $4,615,000 in fiscal 2009 primarily due to a decrease in benefits as compared to prior year. Spending on R&D in fiscal 2009 increased 6.5% to $4,885,000. This level represents 6.8% of sales, higher than the prior year’s level of 6.3%. The increase in R&D during fiscal 2009 is primarily due to purchases of outside software engineering services.

Investment income in fiscal 2009 was $489,000, down from $611,000 in fiscal 2008. The decrease in investment income during fiscal year 2009 was due to lower overall interest rates available, as well as the Company’s investments in tax-exempt municipal bonds. Other expense was $538,000 in fiscal 2009 as compared to other income of $244,000 in fiscal 2008. The decrease is attributable to foreign exchange losses due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar during the second half of the year.

Astro-Med’s fiscal 2009 pretax income was reduced by approximately $472,000 in stock-based compensation expense. During fiscal 2008, Astro-Med’s pretax income was reduced by approximately $585,000 in stock-based compensation expense.

During fiscal 2009 the Company incurred an income tax expense of $1,613,000 and had an effective tax rate of 35.2%. Fiscal 2009 income tax expense includes an expense of $59,000 related to a discrete payment of additional state franchise tax and a benefit of $27,000 related to differences between the prior year tax provision and the actual return as filed. This compares to an income tax expense of $744,000 and an effective tax rate of 14.7% in fiscal 2008 which includes: 1) a benefit of $167,000 related to the completion of an IRS examination, 2) a benefit of $319,000 related to changes in uncertain R&D and foreign tax credit positions, 3) an expense of $40,000 related to differences between the prior year tax provision and the actual return as filed and 4) tax benefits of $938,000 related to the restructuring and closing of the sales and service centers located in Italy and the Netherlands.

Net income for fiscal 2009 was $2,964,000 reflecting a return on sales of 4.1% and generating an EPS of $0.40 per diluted share. On a comparative basis, fiscal 2008 net income was $4,310,000 providing a return of 6.0% on sales and an EPS of $0.57 per diluted share which includes $0.06 of favorable tax benefits and $0.05 of favorable adjustments related to the restructuring of the sales and service centers located in Italy and the Netherlands.

Segment Analysis

Astro-Med reports three segments consistent with its sales product groups: Test & Measurement (T&M), QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass Technologies (Grass). Segment performance is evaluated based on the operating segment’s profit before corporate and financial administration expenses.

The following table summarizes selected financial information by segment:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Net Sales  Segment Operating Profit Segment Operating Profit as
a % of Net Sales
   Net Sales   Segment Operating Profit   Segment Operating Profit as
a % of Net Sales
 
  2010  2009  2008  2010  2009 2008   2010     2009     2008     2011   2010   2011   2010   2011 2010 

T&M

  $14,247  $15,796  $16,505  $1,148  $2,463   $3,056 8.1 15.6 18.5  $14,837    $14,247    $1,200    $1,148     8.1  8.1

QuickLabel

   33,294   37,398   38,144   2,517   3,664    4,222 7.6 9.8 11.1   39,500     33,294     1,847     2,517     4.7  7.6

Grass

   16,490   18,589   17,722   2,217   2,553    1,583 13.4 13.7 8.9   16,679     16,490     3,358     2,217     20.1  13.4
                                                  

Total

  $64,031  $71,783  $72,371   5,882   8,680    8,861 9.2 12.1 12.2  $71,016    $64,031     6,405     5,882     9.0  9.2
                                          

Corporate Expenses

         3,919   4,054    4,147          3,749     3,919     

Gain on Legal Settlement

         1,391   —      —            104     1,391     

Restructuring Charges

         —     —      515   
                                 

Operating Income

         3,354   4,626    4,199          2,760     3,354     

Other Income (Expense), Net

         328   (49  855   

Other Income, Net

       24     328     
                                 

Income Before Income Taxes

         3,682   4,577    5,054          2,784     3,682     

Income Tax Provision

         916   1,613    744          722     916     
                                 

Net Income

        $2,766  $2,964   $4,310         $2,062    $2,766     
                                 

Test & Measurement

T&M’s sales decreased 9.8%increased 4.1% in fiscal 20102011 to $14,247,000$14,837,000 from $15,796,000$14,247,000 in the prior year. The increase is primarily attributable to the demand for the new TMX product line, as well as, the double-digit growth in the Ruggedized printer product line. The current year as our industrial customers have continued to defer purchases of monitor recorders during this economic slowdown. Within the product group, we achieved sales growth of 7.4% from the Everest and Ruggedized product lines; however, these increases were offsetincrease is tempered by a 27.8% decreasedeclining sales in the Dash line of portable recorders as compared to the prior year. Operating expenses were 2.6% lower in fiscal 2010data acquisition and recorder product lines as compared to the prior year. T&M’s segment operating profit was $1,148,000$1,200,000 in fiscal 2010,2011, as compared to prior year’s segment operating profit of $2,463,000. The decrease in fiscal 2010 segment operating profit resulted in operating profit margin of 8.1% as compared to fiscal 2009 operating profit margin of 15.6%.$1,148,000. The fiscal 2010 decline2011 increase in operating profits is an outgrowth of lowerhigher sales volume and higher manufacturing costs.

T&M’s sales decreased 4.3% in fiscal 2009 to $15,796,000 from $16,505,000 in the prior year. Within the product group, the Ruggedized product sales were down 21.3% from the prior year due to delays in the deployment of the new Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 commercial aircraft. However, sales from the Everest and Dash product line grew 30.9% and 2.3%, respectively, from the prior year. Fiscal 2009lower selling and marketing expensesexpenses. Despite the slight increase in as a percent of sales were up slightly fromoperating profit, the prior year. T&M’sfiscal 2011 segment operating profit was $2,463,000 inmargin remained at 8.1%, comparable to the fiscal 2009, as compared to prior year’s segment operating profit of $3,056,000. The decrease in fiscal 2009 segment operating profit resulted in2010 operating profit margin of 15.6% as compared to fiscal 2008 operating profit margin of 18.5%8.1%. The decrease in segment operating profit for fiscal 2009 was due to lower sales volume and higher manufacturing costs.

QuickLabel Systems

QuickLabel Systems sales decreased 11.0%increased 18.6% in fiscal 20102011 to $33,294,000$39,500,000 from sales of $37,398,000$33,294,000 in the prior year. The lower sales volume was evidentincrease in QuickLabel’scurrent year is primarily attributable to the consumable product line of digital printers which declined 37.1% in fiscal 2010 as compared toincreased $5,530,000 or 21.4% from the prior year. This current year decline isWithin the consumables line, label and tag product line sales made a result of constraints placed on capital equipment purchases by our industrial customerssignificant contribution to the overall growth rate, due to the world wide recession and has affectednewly acquired Asheboro, North Carolina business, as well as the product line’s previous growth rate. Consumable product sales fared better thanincreased base of installed printers placed in service. QuickLabel’s hardware sales in the current fiscal year, as sales volume declined only 2.5% as compared to the prior year. Notwithstanding QuickLabel’s sales decline, we are encouraged by the continued double digit growth in demand realized in the Vivo! & Zeo! linesline of product supplies. The sales growth of these supplies is due toprinters also reported an increase in current year revenue. The 6.8% increase in hardware sales was primarily driven by the installed basegrowth in the color printer line, with unit contributions of printers placed in service duringsales from the second half of fiscal 2009.new Vivo! Touch product line. QuickLabel’s fiscal 20102011 segment operating profit was $2,517,000$1,847,000 reflecting a profit margin of 7.6%4.7%, compared to prior year’s segment profit margin of 9.8%7.6%. The decline in operating margin for fiscal 20102011 is due to unfavorable mix of lower margin products included in our net sales, volumehigher manufacturing costs and product mix.

QuickLabel Systems sales decreased 2.0% in fiscal 2009 to $37,398,000 from sales of $38,144,000 in the prior year. The fiscal 2009 sales decline was primarily due to a 6.3% decrease in printer systems and a 1.7% decrease in service and other sales. Media sales within the product group for fiscal 2009 were flatlower factory utilization, as compared to the prior year. Fiscal 2009 selling and marketing expenseswell as, a percent of sales were up slightly from the prior year. QuickLabel segmenthigher operating profit was $3,664,000 during fiscal 2009 compared to the prior year’s segment operating profit of $4,222,000. The decrease in fiscal 2009 segment operating profit resulted in operating profit margin of 9.8% as compared to fiscal 2008 operating profit margin of 11.1%. The decrease in segment operating profit for fiscal 2009 as compared to the prior year was driven by lower printer sales and increased selling and R&D spending.expenses.

Grass Technologies

Grass sales decreased 11.3% in fiscal 20102011 were $16,679,000 as compared to $16,490,000 from $18,589,000 in the prior year. Current year hardwareThis year’s sales decreased 15.6%represent a slight increase over prior year’s sales as a result of the increase in Grass’ Clinical line of diagnostic products including EEG, Sleep Systems and Long-Term Epilepsy monitoring which reported a 13.1% increase as compared to the prior year. This decline is primarily dueAlso making a positive contribution to lower sales involume during the clinical current year was the

line of diagnostic Sleep Systemsconsumable products of electrodes and creams which have been adversely affected by the economic downturn and lower funding sources currently being experienced by hospitals, laboratories and research facilities; however, the declinereported a 10.3% growth in the hardware line has been slightlysales as compared to prior year. The current year increase in Grass sales was tempered by the increase31.6% decrease in the Medical Research Instrument product line.line of products, as well as a 6.0% decrease in service and other revenue. Grass consumable sales for the current year declined 4.1%operating profit increased 51.5% to $3,358,000 resulting in a 20.1% profit margin as compared to the prior year. Grass operating profit of $2,217,000 during fiscal 2010 declined 13.2% from the prior year and resulted in a current year segment operationyear’s profit margin of 13.4% as compared to 13.7% reported in the prior year.. The decreasedincreased profitability is an outgrowth of lowerfavorable product mix of higher margin products included in net sales, volume.

Grass sales increased 4.9% in fiscal 2009 to $18,589,000 from $17,722,000 in the prior year. The product group’s increase in sales for fiscal 2009 was achieved through growth of the clinical products (EEG, Sleep and Long Term Monitoring diagnostic products) of 10% and the consumable products of creams and electrodes of 7.3%, partially offset by a decrease in the service and other product lines of 10.2%. Grass segment operating profit was $2,553,000 during fiscal 2009. The increase in fiscal 2009 segment operating profit resulted in operating profit margin of 13.7% as compared to fiscal 2008 operating profit margin of 8.9%. The improvement from fiscal 2008 segment operating profit was due to the sales increase in the clinical diagnostic systems, especially sleep applications,well as lower manufacturing costs better production absorption and lower field selling and customer serviceoperating expenses. The improved operating profits were tempered somewhat from higher R&D spending.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects to finance its future working capital needs, capital expenditures and acquisition requirements through internal funds.funds and believes that cash provided by operations will be sufficient to meet our operating and capital needs for at least the next twelve months. To the extent our capital and liquidity requirements are not satisfied internally, we may utilize a $3.5$5.0 million revolving bank line of credit which was entered into on December 1, 2010 with Wells Fargo Bank, all of which is currently available. Borrowings under this line of credit bear interest at LIBOR Advantage Rate plus 200either a fluctuating rate equal to 75 basis points.points below the base rate, as defined in the agreement, or at a fixed rate equal to 150 basis points above LIBOR.

Astro-Med’s Statements of Cash Flows for each of the threetwo years ended January 31, 2010, 20092011 and 20082010 are included on page 38.33. Net cash flowflows provided by operating activities was $1,110,000 in fiscalthe current year 2010 was $5,850,000. Thecompared to net cash flow provided by operations is attributedoperating activities of $5,850,000 in the previous year. The declining cash flows are primarily related to higher working capital requirements. Accounts receivables increased to $11,112,000 at January 31, 2011, as compared to $9,173,000 at January 31, 2010. The accounts receivable collection cycle increased to 54 days sales outstanding at January 31, 2011 as compared to 49 days outstanding at prior year end due to the positive cash flow generated from net income and from the reductions in accounts receivable and inventory balances of $871,000 and $1,113,000, respectively. Cash flow from operating activities was lowered by funding accounts payable and accrued expenses of $510,000. The increase in working capital is in supportslower paying customers. Inventory balances increased to $14,405,000 at January 31, 2011, compared to $12,039,000 at the end of the Company’s growth.previous year due to the build up of inventory in anticipation of QuickLabel’s new product launch. Inventory days on hand also increased to 124 days on hand at the end of the current quarter from 114 days at year end.

Net cash flow used in investing activities for fiscal 20102011 was $1,524,000$5,404,000 which included cash used for capital expenditures of approximately $1,622,000$2,090,000 including $853,000$1,187,000 for building improvements, $427,000$499,000 for information technology, $189,000machinery and equipment, $220,000 for tools and dies, $138,000 for information technology and $153,000$46,000 for machineryfurniture and equipment. Cash used for investing activities for fiscal year 2010 also included $1,450,000 for the acquisition of the Label Line business.fixtures.

Net cash flow used by financing activities was $1,149,000$2,141,000 in fiscal 2010.2011. During the year the Company paid dividends of $1,713,000.$2,036,000 and purchased $976,000 of the Company’s stock. Also during the current year, the Company generated $488,000$672,000 in cash through the exercise of employee stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan transactions and $76,000 in excess tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation.transactions.

Dividends paid for fiscal 2011 and 2010, 2009were $2,036,000 and 2008, were $1,713,000, $1,678,000 and $1,380,000, respectively. The Company’s annual dividend per share was $0.28 in fiscal 2011 and $0.24 in fiscal 2010 and 2009 and $0.20 in fiscal 2008.2010. Since the inception of the common stock buy back program in fiscal 1997, the Company has repurchased 1,149,3351,420,010 shares of its common stock. At January 31, 2010,2011, the Company has the Board of Directors’ authorization to purchase an additional 392,289254,089 shares of the Company’s common stock in the future.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies

Astro-Med is subject to contingencies, including legal proceedings and claims arising out of its businesses that cover a wide range of matters, such as: contract and employment claims; workers compensation claims; product liability claims; warranty claims; and claims related to modification, adjustment or replacement of component parts of units sold. While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to contingent liabilities, including lawsuits, we believe that the aggregate amount of such liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. It is possible, however, that results of operations for any particular future period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or strategies related to these contingencies or changes out of the Company’s control.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Astro-Med’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of judgment in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We periodically evaluate the judgments and estimates used for our critical accounting policies to ensure that such judgments and estimates are reasonable for our interim and year-end reporting requirements. These judgments and estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience, current trends and information available from other sources, as appropriate. If different conditions result from those assumptions used in our judgments, the results could be materially different from

our estimates. We believe the following are our most critical accounting policies as they require significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our financial statements:

Revenue Recognition: The majority of our product sales are recorded at the time of shipment, when legal title has transferred and risk of loss passes to the customer, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. When a sale arrangement involves training or installation, the deliverables in the arrangement are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. This evaluation occurs at inception of the arrangement and as each item in the arrangement is delivered. The total fee from the arrangement is allocated to each unit of accounting based on its relative fair value. Fair value for each element is established generally based on the sales price charged when the same or similar element is sold separately.

Revenue is recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each unit of accounting are met. When other significant obligations remain after products are delivered, revenue is recognized only after such obligations are fulfilled. All of our equipment contains embedded operating systems and data management software which is included in the purchase price of the equipment. The software is deemed incidental to the systems as a whole as it is not sold separately or marketed separately and its production costs are minor as compared to those of the hardware system. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Rights of return are not included in sales arrangements. Revenue associated with products that contain specific customer acceptance criteria is not recognized before the customer acceptance criteria are satisfied.

Astro-Med recognizes revenue for non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees for product modification orders upon completion of agreed-upon milestones. Revenue is deferred for any amounts received prior to completion of milestones. Certain of our NRE arrangements include formal customer acceptance provisions. In such cases, we determine whether we have obtained customer acceptance for the specific milestone before recognizing revenue.

Infrequently, the Company receives requests from customers to hold product being purchased from us for the customers’ convenience. We recognize revenue for such bill and hold arrangements provided the transaction meets the following criteria: a valid business purpose for the arrangement exists; risk of ownership of the purchased product has transferred to the buyer; there is a fixed delivery date that is reasonable and consistent with the buyer’s business purpose; the product is ready for shipment; the payment terms are customary; we have no continuing performance obligation in regards to the product and the product have been segregated from our inventories.

Warranty Claims and Bad Debts: Provisions for the estimated costs for future product warranty claims and bad debts are recorded in cost of sales and general and administrative expense, respectively, at the time a sale is recorded. The amounts recorded are generally based upon historically derived percentages while also factoring in any new business conditions that might impact the historical analysis such as new product introduction for warranty and bankruptcies of particular customers for bad debts. We also periodically evaluate the adequacy of our reserves for warranty and bad debts recorded in its consolidated balance sheet as a further test to ensure the adequacy of the recorded provisions. Warranty and bad debt analysis often involves subjective analysis of a particular customer’s ability to pay. As a result, significant judgment is required in determining the appropriate

amounts to record and such judgments may prove to be incorrect in the future. We believe that our procedures for estimating such amounts are reasonable and historically have not resulted in material adjustments in subsequent periods when the estimates are adjusted to the actual amounts.

Inventories:Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The Company records provisions to write-down obsolete and excess inventory to its estimated net realizable value. The process for evaluating obsolete and excess inventory consists of analyzing the inventory supply on hand and estimating the net realizable value of the inventory based on historical experience, current business conditions and anticipated future sales. We believe that our procedures for estimating such amounts are reasonable and historically have not resulted in material adjustments in subsequent periods when the estimates are adjusted to actual experience.

Income Taxes: A valuation allowance is established when it is “more-likely-than- not”“more-likely-than-not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence must be considered, including our performance, the market environment in which we operate, length of carryforward periods, existing sales backlog and future sales projections. If actual factors and conditions differ materially from the estimates made by management, the actual realization of the net deferred tax assets or liabilities could vary materially from the amounts previously recorded. At January 31, 2010,2011, the Company has provided valuation allowances for future tax benefits resulting from certain R&D tax credits which could expire unused.

The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. Although guidance on the accounting for uncertain income taxes prescribes the use of a recognition and measurement model, the determination of whether an uncertain tax position has met those thresholds will continue to require significant judgment by management. If the ultimate resolution of tax uncertainties is different from what we have estimated, our income tax expense could be materially impacted.

Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill: The impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset.

Management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances, such as declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the net book value of a segment exceeds its estimated fair value. Fair values are established using a discounted cash flow methodology based on the long-range planning forecast.

Share-Based Compensation: Share-based compensation expense is based on the estimated the fair value of each option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our estimate of share-based compensation requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options) the risk free interest rate and the Company’s dividend yield. The stock price volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of our common stock over a period equivalent to the weighted average expected life of our options. Management evaluated whether there were factors during that period which were unusual and would distort the volatility figure if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors. In determining the expected life of the option grants, the Company has observed the actual terms of prior grants with similar characteristics and the actual vesting schedule of the grant and has assessed the expected risk tolerance of different option groups. The risk-free interest rate used in the model is based on the actual U.S. Treasury zero coupon rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option as of the option grant date. The dividend assumption is based upon the prior year’s average dividend yield. No compensation expense is recognized for options that are forfeited for which the employee does not render the requisite service.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Reference is made to Note 1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The registrant is a smaller reporting company and is not required to provide this information.

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The consolidated financial statements required under this item are submitted as a separate section of this report on the pages indicated at Item 15(a)(1). The supplementary data regarding quarterly results of operations is set forth in the following table.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

  2011 
  Q1 Q2   Q3 Q4 

Net Sales

  $17,077   $17,753    $18,329   $17,857  

Gross Profit

  $6,865   $7,024    $7,401   $7,376  

Net Income

  $430(1)  $323    $792(3)  $517  

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

  $0.06   $0.04    $0.11   $0.07  

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

  $0.06(2)  $0.04    $0.11(4)  $0.07  
  2010   2010 
  Q1 Q2  Q3  Q4   Q1 Q2   Q3 Q4 

Net Sales

  $14,677   $16,416  $16,658  $16,280    $14,677   $16,416    $16,658   $16,281  

Gross Profit

  $5,813   $6,951  $7,059  $6,805    $5,813   $6,951    $7,059   $6,805  

Net Income (Loss)

  $(231 $585  $683  $1,729(1)   $(231 $585    $683   $1,728(5) 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share—Basic

  $(0.03 $0.08  $0.10  $0.24    $(0.03 $0.08    $0.10   $0.24  

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share—Diluted

  $(0.03 $0.08  $0.09  $0.23(2)   $(0.03 $0.08    $0.09   $0.23(6) 
  2009 
  Q1 Q2  Q3  Q4 

Net Sales

  $18,687   $19,784  $17,681  $15,631  

Gross Profit

  $8,187   $8,681  $7,647  $6,553  

Net Income

  $898   $1,154  $649  $263  

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

  $0.13   $0.16  $0.09  $0.04  

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

  $0.12   $0.15  $0.09  $0.04  

 

(1)First quarter fiscal year 2011 net income includes gain on legal settlement, net of taxes of $63,000.
(2)First quarter fiscal year 2011 diluted net income per common share includes a gain on legal settlement, net of tax of $0.01.
(3)Third quarter fiscal year 2011 net income includes a tax benefit of $241,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position and a benefit of $143,000 recorded as a result of a favorable adjustment in the filing of the prior year’s tax returns.
(4)Third quarter fiscal year 2011 diluted net income per common share includes and a tax benefit of $0.03 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position and a tax benefit of $0.02 recorded as a result of a favorable adjustment in the filing of the prior year’s tax returns.
(5)Fourth quarter fiscal year 2010 net income includes a gain on legal settlement, net of taxes, of $904,000; a gain on bargain purchase related to the acquisition of Label Line of $112,000; and a tax benefit of $335,000 recorded as a result of the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position.
(2)(6)Fourth quarter fiscal year 2010 diluted net income per common share includes a gain on legal settlement, net of taxes of $0.12; a gain on bargain purchase of $0.02; and a tax benefit of $0.04 recorded as a result of the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A.(T)Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at January 31, 20102011 to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Our management, includingBecause of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls orinherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting willmay not prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the designor detect misstatements. Also, projections 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, noany evaluation of controls can provide absolute assuranceeffectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Astro-Med have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also 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 is based in part on 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 deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.deteriorate.

Management conducted its evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) as of January 31, 2010.2011. Based on this assessment, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer believe that as of January 31, 2010,2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on criteria set forth by COSO in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework.”

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporarythe rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information

Nothing to Report

PART III

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 20102011 annual meeting of shareholders.

The following is a list of the names and ages of, and the positions and offices presently held by, all executive officers of the Company. All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

Name

  Age  

Position

Albert W. Ondis

  8485    

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Everett V. Pizzuti

  7374    

President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

Joseph P. O’Connell

  6667    

Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Elias G. Deeb

  6768    

Vice President—Media Products

Gordon Bentley

  6364    

Vice President—Information Technology

Michael J. Sullivan

  5960    

Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Michael M. Morawetz

  5051    

Vice President—International Branches

Stephen M. Petrarca

  4748    

Vice President—Instrument Manufacturing

Erik J. Mancyak

  3435    

Vice President and Corporate Controller

Mr. Ondis has been a Director and Chief Executive Officer since he founded the Company in 1969. He was previously President and the Chief Financial Officer (Treasurer) of the Company from 1969 to 1985.

Mr. Pizzuti was previously a Vice President of the Company and has been functioning as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1971.

Mr. O’Connell joined the Company in 1996. He previously held senior financial management positions with Cherry Tree Products Inc., IBI Corporation and Avery Dennison Corporation. Mr. O’Connell is also Assistant Secretary of the Company. He was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President in 2007.

Mr. Deeb has held the position identified since 1987. In 1985, he was named General Manager—Media Products after having been Vice President and General Manager since 1981 of a business sold by the Company in 1984.

Mr. Bentley was appointed Vice President of Information Technology in 2007. He was previously Director of Information Technology and held other various operations positions since joining the Company in 1980.

Mr. Sullivan was appointed Vice President and Chief Technology Officer in 2000. He is an electronic engineer and has been with the Company since 1983.

Mr. Morawetz was appointed Vice President International Branches in 2006. He was previously the General Manager of Branch Operations for the Company’s German Subsidiary, having joined the Company in 1989.

Mr. Petrarca was appointed Vice President of Instrument Manufacturing in 1998. He has previously held positions as General Manager of Manufacturing, Manager of Grass Operations and Manager of Grass Sales. He has been with the Company since 1980.

Mr. Mancyak was appointed Vice President of the Company on April 1, 2011. He also holds the position of Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer to which he was appointed in January 2009. He has served as Assistant Corporate Controller of the Company sincefrom July 1, 2008 to January 2009 and prior to that was an Accounting Manager of the Company beginning July 1, 2005. Prior to June 30, 2005, Mr. Mancyak was Senior Treasury Analyst at American Power Conversion and an auditor at the international accounting firm of KPMG LLP.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Corporate Controller, as supplemented by a Code of Ethical Conduct for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, which meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” as defined in Item 406 of Regulation S-K. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided to shareholders, without charge, upon request directed to Investor Relations or can be obtained on the Company’s website, (www.astro-medinc.com), under the heading “Corporate Governance—Charters.” The Company will disclose any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Codes for the CEO, COO, CFO, Controller or persons performing similar functions by posting such information on its website and filing a Form 8-K as required under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market.

Item 11.Executive Compensation

The response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The information set forth under the heading “Compensation Committee Report” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement is furnished and shall not be deemed as filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters

The response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth information about the Company’s equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2010:2011:

 

Plan Category

  Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
 Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuances Under
Equity Compensation Plans
   Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
 Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuances Under
Equity Compensation Plans
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

  1,688,951(1)  $6.24  811,500(2)    1,219,183(1)  $7.03     726,500(2) 

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

  —      —    —       —      —       —    
                     

Total

  1,688,951(1)  $6.24  811,500(2)    1,219,183(1)  $7.03     726,500(2) 

 

(1)Includes 617,275392,507 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the Company’s incentive stock option plans, 868,051542,176 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the Company’s non-qualified stock option plans under which options may be granted to officers and key employees, 15,12511,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options granted under the Astro-Med, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and 188,500273,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.
(2)Shares under the Astro-Med, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.

Additional information regarding these equity compensation plans is contained in Note 7 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 hereto.

Item 13.Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

The response to this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule

(a)(1)Financial Statements:

The following consolidated financial statements of Astro-Med, Inc. and subsidiaries are incorporated by reference in Item 8:

 

   Page

ReportReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirms

  3428-29

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 20102011 and 20092010

  3530

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Years Ended January 31, 2010, 20092011 and 20082010

  3631

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Changes in Shareholders’ Equity—Years Ended January 31, 2010, 20092011 and 20082010

  3732

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Years Ended January 31, 2010, 20092011 and 20082010

  3833

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  39-5734-49

(a)(2)Financial Statement Schedule:

  

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves—
Years Ended January 31, 2010, 20092011 and 2008
2010

  5850

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore, have been omitted.

(a)(3)Exhibits:

 

Exhibit

Number

   
(3A)  Articles of Incorporation of the Company and all amendments thereto (filed as Exhibit No. 3A to the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 1, 1992 and by this reference incorporated herein).
(3B)  By-laws of the Company as amended to date (filed as Exhibit No. 3B to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 and by this reference incorporated herein).
(4)  Specimen form of common stock certificate of the Company (filed as Exhibit No. 4 to the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1985 and by this reference incorporated herein).
(10.1)  Astro-Med, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-24127, and incorporated by reference herein.*
(10.2)  Astro-Med, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Plan filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-24123, and incorporated by reference herein.*
(10.3)  Astro-Med, Inc. 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statements on Form S-8, Registration Nos. 333-32315, 333-93565 and 333-44414, and incorporated by reference herein.*
(10.4)  Astro-Med, Inc. 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration Nos. 333-62431 and 333-63526, and incorporated by reference herein.*
(10.5)  Astro-Med, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan as filed as Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on Schedule 14A for the 2007 annual shareholders meeting and incorporated by reference herein.*
(10.6)  Astro-Med, Inc. Management Bonus Plan (Group III) filed on Form 8-K on March 19, 2010 and by this reference incorporated herein.*
(10.7)  Astro-Med, Inc. Management Bonus Plan—Vice President International Branches filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 and by this reference incorporated herein.*
(21)  List of Subsidiaries of the Company.
(23.1)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
(23.2)Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
(31.1)  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(31.2)  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.1)  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.2)  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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.

 

  

ASTRO-MED, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: April 9, 201018, 2011

  

By:

 /s/S/    ALBERT W. ONDIS      
   (Albert W. Ondis, Chairman)

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Albert W. Ondis, Everett V. Pizzuti or Joseph P. O’Connell, or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resolution, for such person and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities in connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Astro-Med, Inc. for the year ended January 31, 20102011 to sign any and all amendments to the Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    ALBERT W. ONDIS

Albert W. Ondis

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal (Principal Executive Officer)

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    EVERETT V. PIZZUTI

Everett V. Pizzuti

  

President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
(Principal (Principal Operating Officer)

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    JOSEPH P. O’CONNELL

Joseph P. O’Connell

  

Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Treasurer
(PrincipalChief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    ERIK J. MANCYAK  

Erik J. Mancyak

  

Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal (Principal Accounting Officer)

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    JACQUES V. HOPKINS

Jacques V. Hopkins

  

Director

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    HERMANN VIETS  

Hermann Viets

  

Director

 April 9, 201018, 2011

/S/    GRAEME MACLETCHIE

Graeme MacLetchie

  

Director

 April 9, 201018, 2011

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Astro-Med, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetssheet of Astro-Med, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2010 and 2009,2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for eachthe year then ended. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a)(2) as it relates to the year ended January 31, 2011. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the three yearsCompany’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides 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 Astro-Med, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2011 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year in the period ended January 31, 2010.2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule as it relates to the year ended January 31, 2011, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Providence, Rhode Island

April 18, 2011

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors of

Astro-Med, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Astro-Med, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows the year then ended. Our auditsaudit of the basic financial statements includeincluded the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2). as it relates to the year ended January 31, 2010. These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.audit.

We conducted our auditsaudit 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 provideaudit provides 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 Astro-Med, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2010, and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the periodyear then ended, January 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule as it relates to the year ended January 31, 2010, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ GRANT THORNTONGRANT THORNTON LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

April 9, 2010, except with respect to

Note 17 as to which the date

is April 18, 2011

ASTRO-MED, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of January 31, 20102011 and 20092010

 

 2010 2009   2011 2010 
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 $14,155,096   $10,978,553    $7,720,135   $14,155,096  

Securities Available for Sale

  9,605,216    10,234,713     12,910,232    9,605,216  

Accounts Receivable, net of reserves of $518,789 in 2010 and $576,735 in 2009

  9,172,857    9,246,140  

Accounts Receivable, net of reserves of $546,870 in 2011 and $518,789 in 2010

   11,111,974    9,172,857  

Inventories

  12,039,306    12,826,427     14,404,914    12,039,306  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

  2,246,789    1,653,484     975,928    2,246,789  

Deferred Tax Assets

  2,648,294    3,083,345  

Deferred Tax Assets (as revised – See Note 17)

   2,577,166    2,455,672  
             

Total Current Assets

  49,867,558    48,022,662     49,700,349    49,674,936  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     

Land and Improvements

  1,210,463    1,210,463     1,210,463    1,210,463  

Buildings and Improvements

  12,566,362    11,610,375     13,011,082    12,566,362  

Machinery and Equipment

  22,553,840    20,766,182     23,926,971    22,553,840  
             
  36,330,665    33,587,020     38,148,516    36,330,665  

Less Accumulated Depreciation

  (24,340,083  (22,757,543   (25,606,561  (24,340,083
             

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, net

  11,990,582    10,829,477     12,541,955    11,990,582  
             

OTHER ASSETS

     

Securities Available for Sale

  —      890,925  

Intangible Assets, net

  403,056    —       331,389    403,056  

Goodwill

  2,336,721    2,336,721     2,336,721    2,336,721  

Other

  78,127    75,465     88,799    78,127  
             

Total Other Assets

  2,817,904    3,303,111     2,756,909    2,817,904  
             

TOTAL ASSETS

 $64,676,044   $62,155,250    $64,999,213   $64,483,422  
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     

Accounts Payable

 $2,885,067   $2,352,084  

Accounts Payable (as revised – See Note 17)

  $2,748,293   $2,386,305  

Accrued Compensation

  2,019,644    2,060,628     2,179,448    2,019,644  

Other Accrued Expenses

  1,584,357    1,602,670     1,750,515    1,584,357  

Income Taxes Payable

  318,930    441,275  

Deferred Revenue

   787,988    695,240  

Income Taxes Payable (as revised – See Note 17)

   36,979    211,419  

Other Current Liabilities

  654,905    582,596           -    654,905  

Deferred Revenue

  695,240    864,400  
             

Total Current Liabilities

  8,158,143    7,903,653     7,503,223    7,551,870  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

  2,056,393    1,939,234     2,060,418    2,056,393  

Other Long Term Liabilities

  642,612    840,878     1,146,978    642,612  
             

TOTAL LIABILITIES

  10,857,148    10,683,765     10,710,619    10,250,875  
             

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (as revised – See Note 17)

   

Preferred Stock, $10 Par Value, Authorized 100,000 shares, None Issued

  —      —       —      —    

Common Stock, $0.05 Par Value, Authorized 13,000,000 shares; Issued 8,322,844 shares in 2010 and 8,191,767 shares in 2009

  416,146    409,593  

Common Stock, $0.05 Par Value, Authorized 13,000,000 shares; Issued 8,660,270 shares in 2011 and 8,322,844 shares in 2010

   433,017    416,146  

Additional Paid-in Capital

  34,712,369    33,740,936     36,586,226    34,712,369  

Retained Earnings

  26,403,248    25,349,964     26,842,890    26,816,899  

Treasury Stock, at Cost, 1,165,706 shares in 2010 and 2009

  (8,030,335  (8,030,335

Treasury Stock, at Cost, 1,414,981 shares in 2011 and 1,165,706 shares in 2010

   (9,840,052  (8,030,335

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

  317,468    1,327     266,513    317,468  
             

Total Shareholders’ Equity

  53,818,896    51,471,485     54,288,594    54,232,547  
             

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 $64,676,044   $62,155,250    $64,999,213   $64,483,422  
             

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31 2010

 

 2010 2009 2008  2011 2010 

Net Sales

 $64,031,261 $71,783,338   $72,371,434  $71,016,111   $64,031,261  

Cost of Sales

  37,403,698  40,715,201    41,260,692   42,349,870    37,403,698  
              

Gross Profit

  26,627,563  31,068,137    31,110,742   28,666,241    26,627,563  

Costs and Expenses:

      

Selling and Marketing

  15,342,339  16,941,932    17,126,027   16,690,197    15,342,339  

General and Administrative

  4,502,504  4,615,207    4,681,610   4,300,525    4,502,504  

Research and Development

  4,819,533  4,884,767    4,589,022   5,020,020    4,819,533  

Restructuring Charges

  —    —      514,955
              

Operating Expenses

  24,664,376  26,441,906    26,911,614   26,010,742    24,664,376  

Gain on Legal Settlement

  1,390,603  —      —     104,448    1,390,603  
              

Operating Income

  3,353,790  4,626,231    4,199,128   2,759,947    3,353,790  

Other Income (Expense):

   

Other Income:

   

Investment Income

  227,209  488,816    610,574   49,040    227,209  

Other, Net

  101,211  (537,615  244,164   (25,373  101,211  
              
  328,420  (48,799  854,738   23,667    328,420  
              

Income before Income Taxes

  3,682,210  4,577,432    5,053,866   2,783,614    3,682,210  

Income Tax Provision

  916,363  1,613,445    744,028   721,845    916,363  
              

Net Income

 $2,765,847 $2,963,987   $4,309,838  $2,061,769   $2,765,847  
              

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

 $0.39 $0.42   $0.63  $0.28   $0.39  
              

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

 $0.38 $0.40   $0.57  $0.28   $0.38  
              

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding—Basic

  7,135,293  6,987,531    6,884,972   7,271,403    7,135,293  

Dilutive effect of options outstanding

  239,999  450,301    647,277   198,357    239,999  
              

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding—Diluted

  7,375,292  7,437,832    7,532,249   7,469,760    7,375,292  
              

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 $0.24 $0.24   $0.20  $0.28   $0.24  
              

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND CHANGES IN

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31 2010

 

 2010 2009 2008   2011 2010 

Comprehensive Income:

      

Net Income

 $2,765,847   $2,963,987   $4,309,838    $2,061,769   $2,765,847  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes and reclassification adjustments

   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes and reclassification adjustments:

   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  328,125    (627,007  285,115     (65,677  328,125  

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale

  (11,984  (20,919  77,669     14,722    (11,984
                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  316,141    (647,926  362,784     (50,955  316,141  
                

Comprehensive Income

 $3,081,988   $2,316,061   $4,672,622    $2,010,814   $3,081,988  
                

Shareholders’ Equity

      

Common Stock:

      

Balance at beginning of year

 $409,593   $402,668   $395,270    $416,146   $409,593  

Par value from issuance of common stock

  6,553    6,925    7,398  

Par value from the exercise of employee stock options

   7,029    6,553  

Employee option exercise and buyback

   9,842    —    
                

Balance at end of year

 $416,146   $409,593   $402,668    $433,017   $416,146  
                

Additional Paid-In Capital:

      

Balance at beginning of year

 $33,740,936   $32,363,277   $30,638,755    $34,712,369   $33,740,936  

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

  —      —      28,248  

Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options

  480,957    786,261    794,745     505,609    480,957  

Share-based compensation

  414,399    472,425    585,328     333,240    414,399  

Tax benefit of employee stock options

  76,077    133,755    316,201     384,503    76,077  

Net cost of shares issued to employee stock ownership plan

  —      (14,782  —    

Contribute treasury shares to employee stock options plan

   10,773    —    

Employee option exercise and buyback

   639,732    —    
                

Balance at end of year

 $34,712,369   $33,740,936   $32,363,277    $36,586,226   $34,712,369  
                

Retained Earnings:

      

Balance at beginning of year

 $25,349,964   $24,064,440   $22,282,495    $26,816,899   $25,349,964  

Adoption of the provisions in ASC 740 related to uncertain tax positions

  —      —      (1,147,634

Correction of overstated liabilities (Note 17)

   —      413,651 
       

Balance at beginning of year, as revised

   26,816,899    25,763,615  

Net income

  2,765,847    2,963,987    4,309,838     2,061,769    2,765,847  

Dividends paid

  (1,712,563  (1,678,463  (1,380,259   (2,035,778  (1,712,563
                

Balance at end of year

 $26,403,248   $25,349,964   $24,064,440  

Balance at end of year, as revised

  $26,842,890   $26,816,899  
                

Treasury Stock:

      

Balance at beginning of year

 $(8,030,335 $(8,124,715 $(7,644,647  $(8,030,335 $(8,030,335

Shares issued to employee stock ownership plan

  —      94,380    —       148,605   —    

Purchase of common stock

  —      —      (480,068

Purchase of treasury stock

   (975,682  —    

Purchase of common stock from related parties

   (982,640  —    
                

Balance at end of year

 $(8,030,335 $(8,030,335 $(8,124,715  $(9,840,052 $(8,030,335
                

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:

      

Balance at beginning of year

 $1,327   $649,253   $286,469    $317,468   $1,327  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  316,141    (647,926  362,784     (50,955  316,141  
                

Balance at end of year

  317,468    1,327    649,253     266,513    317,468  
                

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 $53,818,896   $51,471,485   $49,354,923    $54,288,594   $54,232,547  
                

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31 2010

 

 2010 2009 2008   2011 2010 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      

Net Income

 $2,765,847   $2,963,987   $4,309,838    $2,061,769   $2,765,847  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

      

Depreciation and Amortization

  1,467,058    1,405,710    1,587,246     1,575,935    1,479,003  

Share-Based Compensation

  414,399    472,425    585,328     333,240    414,399  

Deferred Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

  435,890    333,712    (606,930

Deferred Income Tax (Benefit) Provision

   (134,386  435,890  

Excess Tax Benefit From Share-Based Compensation

  (76,077  (133,755  (316,201   (384,503  (76,077

Legal Settlement Receivable

  (1,390,603)  —      —       1,495,051    (1,390,603

Gain on Bargain Purchase from Acquisition of Label Line Business

  (111,503  —      —       —      (111,503

Gain on Sale of Security

  (41,776  —      —    

Loss (Gain) on Sale of Securities Available for Sale

   30,961   (41,776

Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Net of Impact of Acquisition:

      

Accounts Receivable

  871,315    3,515,143    (648,605   (1,939,117  871,315  

Inventories

  1,112,777    1,224,192    (1,981,821   (2,365,609  1,112,777  

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

  (510,153  (1,906,203)  134,260     633,685    (510,153

Income Taxes Payable

  688,098    (290,152  (261,942   (290,837  688,098  

Other

  224,375    (630,143  (89,617   93,375    212,430  
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

  5,849,647    6,954,916    2,711,556     1,109,564    5,849,647  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

      

Proceeds from Sales/Maturities of Securities Available for Sale

  8,254,248    10,379,215    8,101,737     9,644,039    8,254,248  

Purchases of Securities Available for Sale

  (6,706,050  (9,687,066  (7,413,000   (12,957,711  (6,706,050

Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment

  (1,622,326  (1,664,927  (4,734,191   (2,089,858  (1,622,326

Acquisition of Label Line Business

  (1,450,000  —      —       —      (1,450,000
                

Net Used in Investing Activities

  (1,524,128  (972,778  (4,045,454

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

   (5,403,530  (1,524,128

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

      

Proceeds from Common Shares Issued Under Employee Benefit Plans and Employee Stock Option Plans

  487,510    793,186    830,391     672,016    487,510  

Cash Settlement of Stock Options

   (186,054  —    

Purchases of Treasury Stock

  —      —      (480,068   (975,682  —    

Excess Tax Benefit from Share-Based Compensation

  76,077    133,755    316,201     384,503    76,077  

Dividends Paid

  (1,712,563  (1,678,463  (1,380,259   (2,035,778  (1,712,563
                

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

  (1,148,976  (751,522  (713,735   (2,140,995  (1,148,976
                

Cash Designated for Real Estate Purchase Transferred (from) to Long Term Investments

  —      —      3,200,000  
         

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

  3,176,543    5,230,616    1,152,367  

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   (6,434,961  3,176,543  

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

  10,978,553    5,747,937    4,595,570     14,155,096    10,978,553  
                

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year

 $14,155,096   $10,978,553   $5,747,937    $7,720,135   $14,155,096  
                

Supplemental Information:

      

Cash Paid (Received) During the Period for:

      

Income Taxes, Net of Refunds

 $(164,318) $1,589,250   $1,958,549    $1,080,994   $(164,318

Non-Cash Items:

      

Demonstration Equipment Transferred to Inventory from Property, Plant and Equipment

 $—     $—     $674,035  

Reclassification of Investment Securities to Non-Current Assets

 $—     $890,925   $—    

Accrual of Earnout on Purchase of Business

 $142,200   $—     $—      $   $142,200  

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2011 and 2010

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying financial data has been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our fiscal year end is January 31. Unless otherwise stated, all years and dates refer to our fiscal year.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Astro-Med, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification:Certain amounts in prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates: The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect these financial statements and accompanying notes. Some of the more significant estimates relate to the allowances for doubtful accounts and credits, inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, share-based compensation and warranty reserves. Management’s estimates are based on the facts and circumstances available at the time estimates are made, past historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends, and management’s assessments of the probable future outcome of these matters. Consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events—We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC.

FASB Establishes Accounting Standards Codification:  Effective August 2, 2009, Astro-Med adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“the Codification”). The Codification represents a major restructuring of accounting and reporting standards and is designed to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) by providing this literature in a topically organized structure. The Codification is not intended to change GAAP, but it will change the way GAAP is organized and presented. The Codification is now the official single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP. All existing accounting standards are superseded and all other accounting guidance not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative. The Codification also includes all relevant SEC guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections within the Codification. The FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issue Task Force Abstracts, but instead will issue Accounting Standard Updates (“ASUs”). The FASB will not consider ASUs as authoritative in their own right as they serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. The principal impact on our financial statements is limited to disclosures, as all references to authoritative accounting literature will now be referenced in accordance with the Codification.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Similar investments with original maturities beyond three months are classified as securities available for sale. Cash of $1,651,247$1,102,809 and $1,031,861$1,651,247 was held in foreign bank accounts at January 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.

Securities Available for Sale: Securities available for sale are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices, where available. The difference between cost and fair value, net of related tax effects, is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (land improvements—10 to 20 years; buildings and improvements—10 to 45 years; machinery and equipment—3 to 10 years). Depreciation expense for fiscal 2011 and 2010 was $1,500,000.

Revenue Recognition: The majority of Astro-Med’s product sales are recorded at the time of shipment, when legal title has transferred and risk of loss passes to the customer, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured in accordance with the requirements in Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.” When a sale arrangement involves training or installation, the deliverables in the arrangement are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting in accordance with SAB 104 and ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements.” This evaluation occurs at inception of the arrangement and as each item in the arrangement is delivered. The total fee from the arrangement is allocated to each unit of accounting based on its relative fair value. Fair value for each element is established generally based on the sales price charged when the same or similar element is sold separately. Revenue is recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each unit of accounting are met. When other significant obligations remain after products are delivered, revenue is recognized only after such obligations are fulfilled. All of our equipment contains embedded operating systems and data management software which is included in the purchase price of the equipment. The software is deemed incidental to the systems as a whole as

it is not sold separately or marketed separately and its production costs are minor as compared to those of the hardware system. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Rights of return are not included in sales arrangements. Revenue associated with products that contain specific customer acceptance criteria is not recognized before the customer acceptance criteria are satisfied. Discounts from list prices are recorded as a reduction to sales. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling fees are included in sales while related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Infrequently, Astro-Med recognizes revenue for non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees for product modification orders upon completion of agreed-upon milestones. Revenue is deferred for any amounts received prior to completion of milestones. Certain of our NRE arrangements include formal customer acceptance provisions. In such cases, we determine whether we have obtained customer acceptance for the specific milestone before recognizing revenue. NRE fees have not been significant in the periods presented herein.

Infrequently, Astro-Med receives requests from customers to hold product purchased from us for the customer’s convenience. Revenue is recognized for such bill and hold arrangements in accordance with the requirements of SAB No. 104 which requires, among other things, the existence of a valid business purpose for the arrangement; the transfer of ownership of the purchased product; a fixed delivery date that is reasonable and consistent with the buyer’s business purpose; the readiness of the product for shipment; the use of customary payment terms; no continuing performance obligation by us and segregation of the product from our inventories.

Research and Development Costs: The Company complies with the guidance provided in FASB ASC 730, “Research and Development” by charging any costs to expense when incurred, as well as by disclosing in the financial statements the amount of R&D charged to expense. These charges include: salaries and benefits, external engineering service costs, engineering related information costs and supplies. The Company also complies with ASC 985-20, “Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed” and ASC 350-40, “Internal-Use Software” in accounting for the costs of software either developed or acquired.

Foreign Currency: The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates with the translation adjustment recorded as a component of accumulated comprehensive

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

income in shareholders’ equity. Revenues and costs are translated at average exchange rates during the year. We do not provide for U.S. income taxes on foreign currency translation adjustments associated with our German subsidiary since its undistributed earnings are considered to be permanently invested. Our net foreign exchange gains (losses) were $27,000, $(474,000)$(44,000) and $141,000$27,000 for fiscal 2011 and 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively.

Advertising: Astro-Med expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs including advertising production, trade shows and other activities are designed to enhance demand for our products and amounted to approximately $1,193,000, $1,271,000$1,187,000 and $1,135,000$1,193,000 in fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, respectively.

Health Insurance Reimbursement Reserve: Astro-Med reimburses a portion of employee health insurance deductibles and co-payments. The total reimbursement amounted to approximately $538,000 and $411,000 in 2011 and $252,000 in 2010, and 2009, respectively. We accrued approximately $135,000 and $100,000 at January 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009,respectively, for estimated outstanding reimbursements due to employees, including a reserve for incurred but not reported amounts.

Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset.

Goodwill: Goodwill impairment reviews are performed in accordance with the provision of ASC 350, “Goodwill and Other.” Management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill annually or more frequently if

events or changes in circumstances, such as declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. Fair values are established using a discounted cash flow methodology based on the long-range planning forecast. We have completed our most recent impairment review as of January 31, 20102011 and determined that goodwill is not impaired.

Income Taxes: Astro-Med uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of the assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance against deferred tax assets is recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At January 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, a valuation allowance was provided for deferred tax assets attributable to certain state R&D credit carryforwards.

On February 1, 2007, Astro-Med adoptedaccounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” in regards to the accounting for uncertain tax positions.Taxes.” This guidance describes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and requires recognition of tax benefits that satisfy a more-likely-than-not threshold. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Net Income Per Common Share: Net income per common share has been computed and presented in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

on the basic weighted average number of shares and potential common shares for stock options outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. In fiscal years 20102011 and 2009,2010, there were 796,592752,397 and 395,758796,592 options that were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: In circumstances where we are aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is established. The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and allowances are established to state such receivables at their net realizable value. The remainder of the allowance is based upon historical write-off experience and current market assessments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Investment securities, all of which are available for sale, are carried in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value based on quoted market prices, when available.

Comprehensive Income: In accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income,” we report the change in net assets during the period from non-owner sources by major components and as a single total. The consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been included with the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity on page 37.32. Accumulated other comprehensive income at January 31, 20102011 consists of net unrealized lossesgains on available for sale securities of $6,134$8,586 and net translation gains on foreign operations of $323,602.$257,927.

Share-Based Compensation: We account for stock options granted to employees and directors using the FASB guidance included in ASC 718, “Stock Compensation.” Effective as of February 1, 2006, we adopted the “modified prospective” transition method provided in ASC 718. Under this method, share-based compensation is recognized in the consolidated statement of operation for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of February 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with prior authoritative guidance and for share basedshare-based payment awards granted subsequent to February 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.

In accordance with ASC 718, share-based compensation expense is based on the estimated fair value of each option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our estimate of share-based compensation requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options), the risk-free interest rate and the Company’s dividend yield. The stock price volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of our common stock over a period equivalent to the weighted average expected life of our options. Management evaluated whether there were factors during that period which were unusual and would distort the volatility figure if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors. In determining the expected life of the option grants, the Company has observed the actual terms of prior grants with similar characteristics and the actual vesting schedule of the grant and has assessed the expected risk tolerance of different option groups. The risk-free interest rate is based on the actual U.S. Treasury zero coupon rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option as of the option grant date. The dividend assumption is based upon the prior year’s average dividend yield. No compensation expense is recognized for options that are forfeited for which the employee does not render the requested service.

The cash flow from the tax benefits that are a result of tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified as a cash inflow from financing activities and a

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

cash outflow from operating activity in accordance with the guidance provided by ASC 718. Tax deductions from certain stock option exercises are treated as being realized when they reduce taxes payable in accordance with relevant tax law.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurement,” which requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliation disclosures which are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-06 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” and ASU 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985)—Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU 2009-13 provides amendments to the criteria in Subtopic 605-25 for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable arrangements. The amendments in this update established a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. ASU 2009-13 also eliminates the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration. ASU 2009-14 removes (1) tangible products containing software components and (2) non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible products essential functionality from the scope of software revenue guidance (ASC 965-605). ASU 2009-14 also provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance. ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting these updates on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Other Accounting Changes

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 855, “Subsequent Events,” which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. In particular, the guidance addresses: the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; and the disclosures that an entity shall make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This guidance became effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption diddo not expect them to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position orand results of operations.

Except for ASU’s discussed above, all other ASUs issued by the FASB as of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Note 2—Acquisition

On December 15, 2009, Astro-Med completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Label Line Ltd., a manufacturer of labels and tags located in Asheboro, North Carolina. Label Line is part of Astro-Med’s QuickLabel Systems brand and is reported as part of the QuickLabel segment. The results of Label Line’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the acquisition date.

The cash purchase price of the acquisition was $1,450,000. In addition to the $1,450,000 cash purchase price, the Company hashad also agreed to payment of a potential earnout totaling up to $200,000 to the former owners of Label Line. Payment of this contingent consideration is based on the Label Line business’ ability to exceed certain revenue targets during the 24 month period subsequent to the acquisition. Based on a model provided by our professional independent valuation provider, theThe estimated fair value of this earnout was $142,000 as of the acquisition date. No earnout was paid in fiscal 2011, as the Label Line business product sales did not exceed the required milestones. At January 31, 2011, we estimated that the fair value of the contingent liability related to the earnout agreement was $62,000 for the remaining twelve month period. The $80,000 change in the fair value of this contingent consideration was recorded within the general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 31, 2011.

Acquisition-related costs of approximately $67,000 are included in the general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method in accordance with the guidance provided by FASB ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (ASC 805).

The purchase price associated with the acquisition is as follows:

 

Cash Consideration

  $1,450,000  

Additional Earnout Cash Consideration

   142,000  
     

Total Purchase Price

  $1,592,000  
     

The purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated on the basis of estimated fair value as of January 31, 2010 as follows:

 

Accounts Receivable

  $798,000  

Inventories

   327,000  

Property and Equipment

   972,000  

Identifiable Intangible assets

   415,000  
     

Total Assets Acquired

   2,512,000  
     

Accounts Payable

   735,000  

Deferred Tax Liability

   73,000  
     

Total Liabilities Assumed

   808,000  

Gain on Bargain Purchase

   112,000  
     
  $1,592,000  
     

The purchase price allocation resulted in the recognition of a gain on bargain purchase of approximately $112,000 which is included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 31, 2010, in accordance with ASC 805.2010. The gain on bargain purchase resulted from the value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeding the value of the purchase consideration.

As part of the acquisition, the Company entered into a lease agreement with the previous owners for the current Label Line facility. This lease has a three year term with an option for a three year renewal. The facility is approximately 75,000 square feet. Based on the model utilized by our professional independent valuation provider, thisThis lease was determined to be favorable due to comparable market values.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimated useful lives:

 

   Fair Value   Useful Life
(Years)
 

Trade Name

  $15,000     3  

Favorable Lease

   400,000     6  
       

Total

  $415,000    
       

Included in the income statement for fiscal 2011 and 2010 is amortization expense of $72,000 and $12,000, respectively, in regards to the above acquired intangibles. Amortization of intangibles is expected to be approximately $72,000 in 2011 and 2012, $71,000 in 2013, $67,000 in 2014 and 2015 and $55,000 in 2016. Accumulated amortization for fiscal 2011 and 2010 was $84,000 and $12,000, respectively.

The following unaudited pro forma information assumes the acquisition of Label Line occurred on either February 1, 2009 or 2008 (in thousands, except per share data).2009. This information has been prepared for informational purposes only and doesis not purport to representindicative of the results of operations that would have happened had the acquisition occurred as of the date indicated noror of future results of operations:

 

   Year Ended
January 31, 2010
  Year Ended
January 31, 2009

Net revenues

  $69,300,000  $77,100,000
   Year Ended
January 31, 2010
 

Net revenues

  $69,300,000  

The impact on net income and earnings per share would not have been material to the Company in either year.fiscal 2010.

Note 3—Securities Available for Sale

Pursuant to our investment policy, securities available for sale include state and municipal securities with various contractual or anticipated maturity dates and an auction rate security.ranging from one month to three years. These securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available for sale securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis. A decline in the fair value of any available for sale security below cost that is determined to be other than temporary will result in a write-down of its carrying amount to fair value. No such impairment charges were recorded for any period presented. All short-term investment securities have original maturities greater than 90 days.

During this year, our remaining auction rate security was settled by our investment advisor at par value.

The fair value, amortized cost and gross unrealized gains and losses of the securities are as follows:

 

  Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value 

January 31, 2011

       

State and Municipal Obligations

  $12,897,221    $15,949    $(2,938 $12,910,232  
               
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value  Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value 

January 31, 2010

              

State and Municipal Obligations

  $9,114,511  $35,385  $(33,350) $9,116,546

Auction Rate Security

   500,000   —     (11,330  488,670
            
  $9,614,511  $35,385  $(44,680 $9,605,216
            
  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value

January 31, 2009

       

State and Municipal Obligations

  $10,116,775  $117,938  $—     $10,234,713  $9,114,511    $35,385    $(33,350 $9,116,546  

Auction Rate Securities

   1,000,000   —     (109,075  890,925   500,000     —       (11,330  488,670  
                           
  $11,116,775  $117,938  $(109,075 $11,125,638  $9,614,511    $35,385    $(44,680 $9,605,216  
                           

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The expectedcontractual maturity dates of these securities are as follows:

 

   January 31,
   2010  2009

Less than one year

  $8,131,612  $3,876,135

One to five years

   1,473,604   6,672,745

Greater than five years

   —     576,758
        
  $9,605,216  $11,125,638
        
   January 31, 
   2011   2010 

Less than one year

  $8,749,743    $8,131,612  

One to three years

   4,160,489     1,473,604  
          
  $12,910,232    $9,605,216  
          

Actual maturities mayare expected to differ from contractual dates as a result of sales or earlier issuer redemptions.

Note 4—Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:

 

  January 31,  January 31, 
  2010  2009  2011   2010 

Materials and Supplies

  $7,422,465  $8,021,888  $8,450,985    $7,422,465  

Work-in-Progress

   898,332   1,333,935   982,092     898,332  

Finished Goods

   3,718,509   3,470,604   4,971,837     3,718,509  
              
  $12,039,306  $12,826,427  $14,404,914    $12,039,306  
              

Included within finished goods inventory is $1,248,784$1,413,198 and $1,184,927$1,248,784 of demonstration equipment at January 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.

Note 5—Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

 

  January 31,  January 31, 
  2010  2009  2011   2010 

Sales and VAT taxes

  $297,872  $215,087

Inventory in-transit

  $260,779    $88,090  

Warranty

   260,235   302,464   258,082     260,235  

Dealer commissions

   154,081   133,857   187,733     154,081  

R&D outsourcing

   165,750     55,000  

Health insurance reimbursement reserve

   135,000     100,000  

Professional fees

   122,110   135,160   117,911     122,110  

Health insurance reimbursement reserve

   100,000   100,000

Freight

   58,518   81,814

Other

   591,541   634,288   625,260     804,841  
              
  $1,584,357  $1,602,670  $1,750,515    $1,584,357  
              

Note 6—Line of Credit

TheOn December 1, 2010, the Company hasentered into a $3,500,000$5,000,000 revolving bank line of credit all of which is currently available.with Wells Fargo Bank. Borrowings under this line of credit bear interest based on LIBOR plus 200at either a fluctuating 75 basis points. Thispoints below the base rate, as defined in the agreement, or at a fixed rate 150 basis points above LIBOR. At January 31, 2011, there were no borrowings against this line of creditand the entire line is subject to annual review by the lender.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

currently available.

Note 7—Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock: The Company repurchased 138,200 shares of its common stock for $975,682 in fiscal 2011. During fiscal 2010 and 2009, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. The Company repurchased 55,300 shares of its common stock for $480,068 in fiscal 2008. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to an additional 392,289254,089 shares Company’s common stock on the open market as of January 31, 2010.2011.

During fiscal 2011, certain of the Company’s employees delivered a total of 132,475 shares of the Company’s common stock to satisfy the exercise price for stock options exercised and related taxes. The shares delivered were valued at a total of $982,640 and are included with the treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at January 31, 2011. These transactions did not impact the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the Company’s current repurchase program.

Astro-Med maintains the following benefit plans involving its common stock:

Stock Plans: As of January 31, 2010,2011, Astro-Med has one equity incentive plan (“2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based awards may be granted to officers and keycertain employees. To date, only options have been granted under this plan. Options granted to employees vest over four years. An aggregate of 1,000,000 shares were authorized for awards under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The exercise price of each stock option will be established at the discretion of the Compensation Committee,Committee; however, any incentive stock options granted under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan must be at an exercise price of not less than fair market value at the date of grant. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan provides for an automatic annual grant of ten-year options to purchase 5,000 shares of stock to each non-employee director upon the adjournment of each shareholders’ meeting. Each such option is exercisable at the fair market value as of the grant date and vests immediately prior to the next succeeding shareholders’ meeting. During fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, 15,000 shares were awarded each year to non-employee directors. At January 31, 2010, 811,5002011, 726,500 shares were available for grant under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.

Summarized option data for all plans is as follows:

 

  Number
of Shares
 Option Price
Per Share
  Weighted Average
Option Price Per
Share
  Number
of Shares
 Option Price
Per Share
   Weighted Average
Option Price Per
Share
 

Options Outstanding, January 31, 2009

  1,765,550   $2.40–11.90  $6.04

Options Outstanding, January 31, 2010

   1,688,951   $2.40–11.90    $6.24  

Options Granted

  85,000   $5.78–  6.84  $6.18   85,000   $7.36–8.10    $7.45  

Options Exercised

  (121,735 $3.59–  4.41  $3.61   (329,916 $2.73–5.45    $4.15  

Options Expired

  (39,864 $3.59–11.90  $5.05   (224,852 $5.45–11.90    $5.51  
                    

Options Outstanding, January 31, 2010

  1,688,951   $2.40–11.90  $6.24

Options Outstanding, January 31, 2011

   1,219,183   $2.40–11.90    $7.03  
                    

Options Exercisable, January 31, 2010

  1,450,731   $2.40–11.90  $5.86

Options Exercisable, January 31, 2011

   1,010,812   $2.40–11.90    $6.81  

Set forth below is a summary of options outstanding at January 31, 2010:2011:

 

Outstanding

  Exercisable

Range of

Exercise prices

  Options  Weighted Average
Exercise Price
  Remaining
Contractual Life
  Options  Weighted Average
Exercise Price

$2.40-$5.45

  882,431  $3.97  1  882,431  $3.97

$5.78-$8.72

  560,670  $7.85  6  443,598  $8.17

$8.73-$11.90

  245,850  $10.73  7  124,702  $10.94
            
  1,688,951      1,450,731  
            

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Outstanding

   Exercisable 

Range of

Exercise prices

  Options   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Remaining
Contractual Life
   Options   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 

$ 2.40 - $5.78

   346,416    $2.94     1     346,416    $2.94  

$ 6.22 - $9.59

   700,692    $7.96     5     529,408    $8.16  

$ 9.81 - $11.90

   172,075    $11.47     6     134,988    $11.46  
                
   1,219,183         1,010,812    
                

The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

  Years Ended January 31,  

Years Ended January 31,

  2010  2009  2008  

2011

  

2010

Risk-free interest rate

  1.54%–2.12%  3.13%–3.95%    4.5%  2.11%–2.42%  1.54%–2.12%

Expected life (years)

  5  5  5  5  5

Expected volatility

  41.9%  46.5%  48.1%  40.66%–41.46%  41.9%

Expected dividend yield

  3.85%–4.39%  2.04%–3.82%    1.9%  3.35%–3.67%  3.85%–4.39%

The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2011 and 2010 2009was $2.11 and 2008 was $1.36, $3.40 and $4.74, respectively. As of January 31, 2010,2011, there was $436,687$292,830 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested stock options granted under the plans. The expense is to be recognized over a weighted average of two years. Share-based compensation expense has been recognized as follows:

 

  Years Ended January 31,  Years Ended January 31, 
  2010  2009  2008  2011   2010 

Cost of Sales

  $72,889  $79,690  $97,134  $60,457    $72,889  

Operating Expenses

   341,510   392,735   488,194   272,783     341,510  
                 

Total

  $414,399  $472,425  $585,328  $333,240    $414,399  
                 

As of January 31, 2010,2011, the aggregate intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2010,2011, and the exercise price of the outstanding options) that would have been received by the option holders if all options had been exercised was $2,933,748$1,825,576 for all exercisable options and $3,026,509$1,946,412 for all options outstanding. The weighted average remaining contractual terms for these options are 2.73.5 years for options that are exercisable and 3.44.2 years for all options outstanding. The total aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2011 and 2010 was $1,094,579 and 2009 was $271,094, and $174,177, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): Astro-Med’s ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a 15% discount from fair market value on the date of purchase. A total of 247,500 shares were initially reserved for issuance under this plan. Summarized plan activity is as follows:

 

  Years Ended January 31,   Years Ended January 31, 
  2010 2009 2008         2011             2010       

Shares reserved, beginning

  93,860   100,192   103,244     84,518    93,860  

Shares purchased

  (9,342 (6,332 (3,052   (7,510  (9,342
                 

Shares reserved, ending

  84,518   93,860   100,192     77,008    84,518  
                 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Astro-Med has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) providing retirement benefits to all eligible employees. Annual contributions in amounts determined by the Company’s Board of Directors are invested by the ESOP’s Trustees in shares of common stock of Astro-Med. Contributions may be in cash or stock. Astro-Med’s contributions (paid or accrued) amounted to $80,000 in each of fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 20082010 which were recorded as compensation expense. All shares owned by the ESOP have been allocated to participants.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company purchased approximately 200,000 stock options held by certain key executives. The options had an exercise price of $5.45 and were due to expire on March 20, 2010. The purchase price paid by the Company for the options was approximately $250,000, representing the closing price for the Astro-Med’s common stock on March 3, 2010, less a 10% discount and the exercise price for each of the options. The original underlying stock options were granted during fiscal 2000 and there was no unrecognized compensation expense associated with the options. This transaction was charged to equity. The cash settlement of these options during the current quarter was a one-time event, as the Company has not historically settled any options for cash and has no plans to do so again in the future.

Note 8—Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:

 

  Years Ended January 31,  Years Ended January 31, 
  2010  2009  2008  2011   2010 

Domestic

  $1,758,973  $2,142,252  $3,710,798  $1,772,680    $1,758,973  

Foreign

   1,923,237   2,435,180   1,343,068   1,010,934     1,923,237  
                 
  $3,682,210  $4,577,432  $5,053,866  $2,783,614    $3,682,210  
                 

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

  Years Ended January 31,   Years Ended January 31, 
  2010 2009 2008   2011 2010 

Current:

       

Federal

  $(241,936 $(77,513 $191,378    $699,622   $(241,936

State

   179,686    373,024    273,531     170,930    179,686  

Foreign

   542,723    984,222    886,049     (14,321  542,723  
                 
   480,473    1,279,733    1,350,958     856,231    480,473  
                 

Deferred:

       

Federal

   233,320    175,653    (243,017   (191,938  233,320  

State

   155,092    139,184    (321,246   (27,024  155,092  

Foreign

   47,478    18,875    (42,667   84,576    47,478  
                 
   435,890    333,712    (606,930)   (134,386  435,890  
                 
  $916,363   $1,613,445   $744,028    $721,845   $916,363  
                 

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate (34%) to income before income taxes due to the following:

 

   Years Ended January 31, 
   2010  2009  2008 

Income tax provision at statutory rate

  $1,251,951   $1,556,327   $1,718,314  

State taxes, net of federal tax effect

   220,954    338,057    (174,684

Change in valuation allowance

   45,228    (531,735  480,463  

Reversal of reserves no longer required

   (237,807  —      (446,538

Italian subsidiary receivable write off

   —      —      (657,478

Italian net operating loss

   —      616,534    —    

Share-based compensation

   74,381    68,852    124,612  

Tax-exempt income

   (68,000  (131,753  (117,652

R&D credits

   (118,333  (111,431  (95,212

Other, net

   (252,011  (191,406  (87,797
             
  $916,363   $1,613,445   $744,028  
             

   Years Ended January 31, 
   2011  2010 

Income tax provision at statutory rate

  $946,428   $1,251,951  

State taxes, net of federal tax effect

   94,978    220,954  

Change in valuation allowance

   65,202    45,228  

Reversal of reserves no longer required

   (241,098  (237,807

Meals and entertainment

   59,580    32,701  

Domestic product deduction

   (44,162  (7,002

Share-based compensation

   76,162    74,381  

Tax-exempt income

   (21,983  (68,000

R&D credits

   (108,093  (118,333

Other, net

   (105,169  (277,710
         
  $721,845   $916,363  
         

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

During 2011, the Company recorded a benefit of $241,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position and a benefit of $143,000 as a result of a favorable adjustment in the filing of the prior year’s tax returns. During 2010, the Company recorded a benefit of $335,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position as a result of the conclusion of an IRS examination of the Company’s Federalfederal returns for fiscal year 2008. During 2009, the Company wrote off the deferred tax asset of approximately $617,000 related to the net operating loss carryforward of the Italian subsidiary as a result of the dissolution of this subsidiary. As a full valuation allowance had been recorded in prior years, this write-off had no impact on the provision for income taxes. During fiscal 2008, the Company recorded a benefit of $167,000 related to the completion of an IRS examination, a benefit of $319,000 related to changes in uncertain R&D and foreign tax credit positions, an expense of $40,000 related to differences between the prior year tax provision and the actual return as filed and benefits of $728,000 related to the restructuring of the sales and service centers located in Italy and the Netherlands.

The components of deferred income tax expense arise from various temporary differences and relate to items included in the statement of operations. The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at January 31, 20102011 and 20092010 are as follows:

 

  January 31,   January 31, 
  2010 2009   2011 2010 

Deferred Tax Assets:

      

Inventory Reserves

  $1,458,849   $1,385,122    $1,507,591   $1,458,849  

R&D Credits

   250,847    193,739     244,948    250,847  

Vacation Accrual

   373,415    364,568     400,343    373,415  

Foreign Tax Credits

   —      231,587  

Deferred Service Contract Revenue

   268,002    331,624     300,844    268,002  

Reserve for Doubtful Accounts

   172,370    189,166     190,578    172,370  

Other

   974,917    1,313,908     915,280    974,917  
              
   3,498,400    4,009,714     3,559,584    3,498,400  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

      

Accumulated Tax Depreciation in Excess of Book Depreciation

   875,567    849,733     980,925    875,567  

Deferred Tax Gain on Sale of Real Estate

   1,235,098    1,235,098     1,235,098    1,235,098  

Other

   616,088    555,798     581,865    808,707  
              
   2,726,753    2,640,629     2,797,888    2,919,372  
              

Subtotal

   771,647    1,369,085     761,696    579,028  

Valuation Allowance

   (179,746  (224,974   (244,948  (179,749
              

Net Deferred Tax Assets

  $591,901   $1,144,111    $516,748   $399,279  
              

The valuation allowance at January 31, 2010,2011 relates to certain state R&D tax credit carryforwards which are expected to expire unused.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Several prior year state tax returns are expected to be reviewed by the various taxing authorities during the next twelve months. The Company believes thatdoes not believe it is reasonably possible that the relatedany unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest and penalties could decrease income tax expense by up to approximately $510,000in the next year due to either the review of thesepreviously filed tax returns or the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties follows:

 

  2010 2009 2008   2011 2010 

Balance at February 1

  $1,127,452   $1,372,767   $2,016,280    $875,225   $1,127,452  

Decreases in prior period tax positions

   —      (134,323  (520,845

Increases in prior period tax positions

   26,788    —    

Increases in current period tax positions

   76,379    80,712    506,057     72,140    76,379  

Reductions related to lapse of statute of limitations

   (247,492  —    

Decreases related to settlements with tax authorities

   (360,494  (152,917  (659,593   —      (360,494

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   31,888    (38,787  30,868     —      31,888  
                 

Balance at January 31

  $875,225   $1,127,452   $1,372,767    $726,661   $875,225  
                 

If the $875,225$726,661 is recognized, $600,677$488,704 would decrease the effective tax rate in the period in which each of the benefits is recognized and the remainder would be offset by a reversal of deferred tax assets.

During fiscal 2011 and 2010 the Company recognized $60,127 and $64,169, respectively, of potential interest and penalties, which are included as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying statement of operations. At January 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had accrued potential interest and penalties of $360,191.$420,317 and $360,191, respectively.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the statute of limitations expired related to a foreign tax return position. As a result, we recorded a benefit of $241,000 related to this foreign tax return position.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Internal Revenue Service officially concluded its examination the Company’s federal returns for fiscal year 2008. As a result of these tax return years being settled, we recorded a benefit of the $335,000 related to the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Internal Revenue Service officially concluded its examination of the Company’s fiscal 2005 and 2006 Federal tax returns. As a result, the Company received a $140,100 federal tax refund during fiscal 2009.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local income taxes and non-U.S. tax examinations in accordance with the statute of limitation in each applicable jurisdictions.

At January 31, 2010,2011, the Company has indefinitely reinvested $3,399,850$3,865,932 of the cumulative undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiary, all of which would be subject to U.S. taxes if repatriated to the U.S. Through January 31, 2010,2011, the Company has not provided deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of this subsidiary because such earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Non-U.S. income taxes are, however, provided on these undistributed earnings.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Note 9—Leases and Other Contractual Obligations

Minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases at January 31, 20102011 were as follows:

 

2011

  $328,244

2012

   211,351  $419,952  

2013

   167,764   298,702  

2014

   72,646   173,353  

2015 and Thereafter

   66,437

2015

   48,430  

2016 and Thereafter

   17,459  
       

Minimum Lease Payments

  $846,442  $957,896  
       

The Company incurred rent expenseand lease expenses in the amount of $470,000, $557,000$641,000 and $612,000$470,000 for the fiscal years 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, respectively.

The Company has purchase obligations in the amount of $5,508,473$5,119,547 due within one year for goods and services with defined terms as to price, quantity, delivery and termination liability.

Note 10—Nature of Operations, Segment Reporting and Geographical Information

The Company’s operations consist of the design, development, manufacture and sale of specialty data recorder and acquisition systems, label printing and applicator systems, neuropsychological instrumentation systems and consumable supplies. The Company organizes and manages its business as a portfolio of products and services designed around a common theme of data acquisition and information output. The Company reports three reporting segments consistent with its sales product groups: Test & Measurement (T&M); QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass Technologies (Grass).

T&M produces data recording equipment used worldwide for a variety of recording, monitoring and troubleshooting applications for the aerospace, automotive, metal mill, power and telecommunications industries. QuickLabel produces an array of high-technology digital label printers, labeling software and consumables for a variety of commercial industries worldwide. Grass produces a range of instrumentation equipment and supplies for clinical neurophysiology (EEG and epilepsy monitoring), polysomnography (PSG—Sleep Monitoring) and biomedical research applications used worldwide by universities, medical centers and companies engaged in a variety of clinical and research activities. The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies herein. The Company evaluates segment performance based on the segment profit before corporate and financial administration expenses.

Business is conducted in the United States and through foreign affiliates in Canada and Europe. Virtually all manufacturing activities are conducted in the United States. Sales and service activities outside the United States are conducted through wholly-owned entities and, to a lesser extent, through authorized distributors and agents. Transfer prices are intended to produce gross profit margins as would be associated with an arms-length transaction.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Summarized below are the Net Sales and Segment Operating Profit (both in dollars and as a percentage of Net Sales) for each reporting segment:

 

($ in thousands)  Net Sales  Segment Operating Profit Segment Operating Profit %
of Net Sales
   Net Sales   Segment Operating Profit   Segment Operating Profit %
of Net Sales
 
  2010  2009  2008  2010  2009 2008   2010     2009     2008         2011           2010           2011           2010           2011         2010     

T&M

  $14,247  $15,796  $16,505  $1,148  $2,463   $3,056 8.1 15.6 18.5  $14,837    $14,247    $1,200    $1,148     8.1  8.1

QuickLabel

   33,294   37,398   38,144   2,517   3,664    4,222 7.6 9.8 11.1   39,500     33,294     1,847     2,517     4.7  7.6

Grass

   16,490   18,589   17,722   2,217   2,553    1,583 13.4 13.7 8.9   16,679     16,490     3,358     2,217     20.1  13.4
                                                  

Total

  $64,031  $71,783  $72,371   5,882   8,680    8,861 9.2 12.1 12.2  $71,016    $64,031     6,405     5,882     9.0  9.2
                                          

Corporate Expenses

         3,919   4,054    4,147          3,749     3,919     

Gain on Legal Settlement

         1,391   —      —            104     1,391     

Restructuring Charges

         —     —      515   
                                 

Operating Income

         3,354   4,626    4,199          2,760     3,354     

Other Income (Expense), Net

         328   (49  855   

Other Income, Net

       24     328     
                                 

Income Before Income Taxes

         3,682   4,577    5,054          2,784     3,682     

Income Tax Provision

         916   1,613    744          722     916     
                                 

Net Income

        $2,766  $2,964   $4,310         $2,062    $2,766     
                                 

No customer accounted for greater than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2010, 2009 or 2008.2011 and 2010.

Other information by segment is presented below:

 

($ in thousands)  Assets  Assets 
  2010  2009  2011   2010 

T&M

  $8,275  $8,243  $10,205    $8,275  

QuickLabel

   19,761   16,173   21,714     19,761  

Grass

   10,860   11,278   11,780     10,860  

Corporate*

   25,780   26,461   21,300     25,587  
              

Total

  $64,676  $62,155  $64,999    $64,483  
              

 

*Corporate assets consist of cash investments,and cash equivalents, securities available for sale, income tax accounts and miscellaneous fixed assets.

 

($ in thousands)  Depreciation  Capital Expenditures
   2010  2009  2008  2010  2009  2008

T&M

  $484  $465  $472  $330  $834  $623

QuickLabel

   568   514   713   1,106   479   744

Grass

   415   427   402   186   352   3,367
                        

Total

  $1,467  $1,406  $1,587  $1,622  $1,665  $4,734
                        

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

($ in thousands)  Depreciation and
Amortization
   Capital Expenditures 
   2011   2010       2011           2010     

T&M

  $455    $484    $324    $330  

QuickLabel

   751     580     1,664     1,106  

Grass

   370     415     102     186  
                    

Total

  $1,576    $1,479    $2,090    $1,622  
                    

Geographical Data

Presented below is selected financial information by geographic area:

 

($ in thousands)  Net Sales  Long-Lived Assets  Net Sales   Long-Lived Assets 
  2010  2009  2008  2010  2009  2011   2010   2011   2010 

United States

  $44,296  $49,960  $50,479  $14,320  $12,711  $50,614    $44,296    $11,352    $11,580  

Europe

   12,164   13,824   13,563   410   455   12,016     12,164     705     411  

Asia

   3,450     2,922     —       —    

Canada

   2,989   3,244   2,697   —     —     3,014     2,989     485     —    

Asia

   2,922   2,745   2,938   —     —  

Central and South America

   1,174   921   1,736   —     —     1,059     1,174     —       —    

Other

   486   1,089   958   —     —     863     486     —       —    
                               

Total

  $64,031  $71,783  $72,371  $14,730  $13,166  $71,016    $64,031    $12,542    $11,991  
                               

Included in long-lived assets is goodwill assigned to the following segments: T&M $0.7 million and Grass $1.6 million at January 31, 20102011 and 2009.2010.

Note 11—Profit-Sharing Plan

Along with the ESOP described in Note 7, Astro-Med sponsors a Profit-Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) which provides retirement benefits to all eligible domestic employees. The Plan allows participants to defer a portion of their cash compensation and contribute such deferral to the Plan through payroll deductions. The Company makes matching contributions up to specified levels. The deferrals are made within the limits prescribed by Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

All contributions are deposited into trust funds. It is the policy of the Company to fund any contributions accrued. The Company’s annual contribution amounts are determined by the Board of Directors. Contributions paid or accrued amounted to $234,239, $263,124$253,362 and $230,160$234,239 in fiscal 2010, 20092011 and 2008,2010, respectively.

Note 12—Product Warranty Liability

Astro-Med offers a one-year warranty for the majority of its products. The specific terms and conditions of warranties vary depending upon the product sold and country in which the Company does business. For products sold in the United States, a basic limited warranty, including parts and labor is provided. The Company estimates the costs based on historical claims experience and records a liability in the amount of such estimates at the time product revenue is recognized. The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. Activity in the product warranty liability is as follows:

 

   January 31, 
   2010  2009  2008 

Balance, beginning of the year

  $302,464   $368,073   $354,901  

Warranties issued

   511,604    295,306    522,968  

Settlements made

   (553,833  (360,915  (509,796
             

Balance, end of the year

  $260,235   $302,464   $368,073  
             

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

   January 31, 
   2011  2010 

Balance, beginning of the year

  $260,235   $302,464  

Warranties issued

   499,906    511,604  

Settlements made

   (502,059  (553,833
         

Balance, end of the year

  $258,082   $260,235  
         

Note 13—Concentration of Risk

Credit is generally extended on an uncollateralized basis to almost all customers after review of credit worthiness. Concentration of credit and geographic risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the large number and general dispersion of accounts which constitute the Company’s customer base. The Company periodically performs on-going credit evaluations of its customers. The Company has not historically experienced significant credit losses on collection of its accounts receivable.

Excess cash is invested principally in investment grade government and state municipal securities. The Company has established guidelines relative to diversification and maturities that maintain safety of principal, liquidity and yield. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to reflect changes in market conditions. The Company has not historically experienced any significant losses on its cash equivalents or investments.

Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies

Astro-Med is subject to contingencies, including legal proceedings and claims arising in the normal course of business that cover a wide range of matters including, among others, contract and employment claims, workers compensation claims, product liability, warranty and modification, adjustment or replacement of component parts of units sold.

Direct costs associated with the estimated resolution of contingencies are accrued at the earliest date at which it is deemed probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to contingent liabilities, including lawsuits, the Company believes that the aggregate amount of such liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular future period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or strategies related to these contingencies or changes out of the Company’s control.

Note 15—Fair Value Measurements

We measure our financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures” which defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In addition, ASC 820 establishes a three-tiered hierarchy for inputs used in management’s determination of fair value of financial instruments that emphasizes the use of observable inputs over the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect management’s belief about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing a financial instrument based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The fair value hierarchy is summarized as follows:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

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

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following tables represent the fair value hierarchy for our financial assets (cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

January 31, 2011

  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Money market funds

  $4,926,983    $—      $—      $4,926,983  

State and municipal obligations

   12,910,232     —       —       12,910,232  
                

Total

  $17,837,215    $—      $—      $17,837,215  
                

January 31, 2010

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Money market funds

  $8,126,245  $—    $—    $8,126,245  $8,126,245    $—      $—      $8,126,245  

State and municipal obligations

   9,116,546   —     —     9,116,546   9,116,546     —       —       9,116,546  

Governmental obligations

   1,249,998   —     —     1,249,998   1,249,998     —       —       1,249,998  

Auction rate security

   —         —     488,670   488,670   —       —       488,670     488,670  
                            

Total

  $18,492,789  $—    $488,670  $18,981,459  $18,492,789    $—      $488,670    $18,981,459  
                            

January 31, 2009

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total

Money market funds

  $4,770,188  $—    $—    $4,770,188

State and municipal obligations

   10,234,713   —     —     10,234,713

Governmental obligations

   1,400,000   —     —     1,400,000

Auction rate securities

   —     —     890,925   890,925
            

Total

  $16,404,901  $—    $890,925  $17,295,826
            

TheAt January 31, 2010, the Level 3 asset consistsconsisted of an auction rate security whose underlying assets arewere backed by municipal assets. While we continuewere continuing to earn interest on our auction rate security at the maximum contractual rate, this investment iswas not currently trading and therefore doesdid not currently have a readily determinable market value. The Company usesused the services of a global investment management and advisory firm to manage its auction rate security position. This investment management firm hashad developed and implemented a proprietary methodology for pricing auction rate securities using a disciplined discounted cash flow approach to establish fair market valuation. As of January 31, 2010, we usedDuring the market valuation as publishedcurrent year, this auction rate security was redeemed by our investment management firm relative to our one remaining auction rate security. Accordingly,advisor at full par value and accordingly, we recorded an unrealized lossa realized gain of $11,330 related to our auction rate security as of January 31, 2010. We believe this unrealized loss is primarily attributable to the limited liquidity of this investment and have no reason to believe that any of the underlying issuers are presently at risk of default. Management has the intent and the ability to hold this security for an indefinite period of time and, accordingly, believes that the unrealized loss on its auction rate security holding is temporary in nature.settlement.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s auction rate securities:

 

   January 31,
2010
  January 31,
2009
 

Beginning Balance

  $890,925   $6,250,000  

Transferred to variable rate demand notes*

   —      (700,000

Sales

   (500,000  (5,025,000

Purchases

   —      475,000  

Realized gain included in net income

   109,075    —    

Unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income (loss)

   (11,330  (109,075
         

Ending Balance

  $488,670   $890,925  
         

*During fiscal 2009, the Company’s investment advisor redefined variable rate demand notes as fixed income municipal securities as these investments continue to trade in a liquid market.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

   January 31,
2011
  January 31,
2010
 

Beginning balance

  $488,670   $890,925  

Settlement

   (500,000  (500,000

Realized gain included in net income

   11,330    109,075  

Unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income (loss)

   —      (11,330
         

Ending balance

  $—     $488,670  
         

Note 16—Restructuring

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company restructured its sales and service centers located in Italy and the Netherlands in order to reduce costs and streamline operations. The restructuring involved a reduction of employees, closing the two sales and service centers and disposing of certain assets and other miscellaneous expenses. The following table summarizes the activity and balances of the restructuring reserve:

   Severance  Lease  Other  Total 

Balance at February 1, 2008

  $207,230   $33,701   $58,830   $299,761  

Reserve transfer

   (52,000  —      52,000    —    

Utilization of reserve

   (155,230  (33,701  (110,830  (299,761
                 

Balance at January 31, 2009

  $—     $—     $—     $—    
                 

All restructuring activity for these sales and service centers has been concluded as of January 31, 2009.

Note 17—Litigation Settlement

In November 2009, Astro-Med was awarded a $1,391,000 judgment related to a lawsuit filed by the Company against a former employee and a competitor business. At issue in the lawsuit was the violation of a non-competition agreement which the former employee had signed as a condition of employment with Astro-Med. The $1,391,000 judgment includes both punitive and exemplary damages, as well as attorney fees (all of which have been previously expensed) and related interest earned on the judgment and was recorded as a gain on legal settlement in the accompanying statement of operations and as a receivable in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying balance sheet for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. In November 2009, the Company also filed a motion to amend the original judgment to include additional legal fees of $73,000. This motion was granted on February 12, 2010. On February 17, 2010, the Company collected a total of $1,495,000 related to this legal proceeding, which includes the $1,391,000 gain on legal settlement recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and $104,000 for interest and the additional attorney fees as granted by the February 12, 2010 motion. The $104,000 will bewas recorded as an additional gain on legal settlement in fiscal 2011 and is included gain on legal settlement in the firstaccompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 31, 2011.

Note 17—Prior Period Adjustments

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.2011, we determined that our accounts payable balance was overstated due to clerical errors in processing which had accumulated over a period of years. In addition, we determined that our income taxes payable balance was overstated due to an error in accounting for refundable income taxes of our subsidiary in Germany. These errors, which arose in periods prior to February 1, 2010, are not considered to be material to previously issued financial statements.

In order to correct these immaterial errors, the Company has revised the accompanying balance sheet as of January 31, 2010, to decrease accounts payable by $498,762, to decrease income tax payable by $107,511 and to decrease current deferred tax assets by $192,622 and has increased beginning balance retained earnings as of February 1, 2009 by $413,651. No adjustments were required to be made to the accompanying fiscal 2010 statements of operations and cash flows as such adjustments were deemed immaterial.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

 

Description

  Balance at
Beginning
of Year
  Provision
Charged to
Operations
  Deductions(2) Balance
at End
of Year
  Balance at
Beginning
of Year
   Provision
Charged to
Operations
   Deductions(2) Balance
at End
of Year
 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts(1):

              

Year Ended January 31,

              

2011

  $518,789    $81,981    $(53,900 $546,870  

2010

  $576,735  $70,000  $(127,946 $518,789  $576,735    $70,000    $(127,946 $518,789  

2009

  $591,018  $83,129  $(97,412 $576,735

2008

  $588,508  $105,000  $(102,490 $591,018

 

(1)The allowance for doubtful accounts has been netted against accounts receivable as of the respective balance sheet dates.
(2)Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries, also includes foreign exchange adjustment.

 

5850