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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q


 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 x(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 
For the quarterly period endedMarch 31,June 30, 2015
  
 
OR
  
 oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 For the transition period from ____________________ to ____________________
 
Commission File Number:   001-31588
   
 Commission File Number:   001-31588 

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MINNESOTA 
41-0957999
(State or other jurisdiction of(Federal Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
  
10900 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka, MN55343
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
  

(952) 996-1674

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code


 

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

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

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x  Non-Accelerated Filer o  Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  YES o     NO x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

     
Class
Name of Exchange
On Which Registered
 Name of Exchange
On Which Registered
Outstanding at MayAugust 1, 2015
Common Stock, par value NASDAQ 8,712,3308,744,631
$.05 per share
    

 


 

 

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
    
   
Page No.
Part I.Financial Information  
    
 Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)  
    
 3
 3
4
5
6
7
    
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income4
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements7
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations18 20
    
 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk2429
    
 Item 4. Controls and Procedures2530
Part II.Other Information31
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATIONS

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26 
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
CERTIFICATIONSASSETS  
     

 

 

 June 30
2015
  December 31
2014
 
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash and cash equivalents $7,972,407  $13,736,857 
Investments  2,884,792   4,602,717 
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $147,000 and $22,000, respectively  17,353,120   13,839,662 
Inventories  29,320,866   31,109,653 
Prepaid income taxes  4,813,137   2,317,688 
Other current assets  873,443   1,050,000 
Deferred income taxes  3,175,986   3,249,164 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS  66,393,751   69,905,741 
         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT,  net  18,218,327   18,153,152 
OTHER ASSETS:        
Investments  10,576,393   11,540,261 
Goodwill  1,455,784    
Funded pension assets  147,665   172,405 
Other assets  779,112   514,676 
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS  12,958,954   12,227,342 
TOTAL ASSETS $97,571,032   100,286,235 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Current portion of long-term debt $370,175  $524,220 
Line of credit borrowings  3,100,000    
Accounts payable  6,570,684   5,180,631 
Accrued compensation and benefits  3,584,913   3,696,930 
Accrued consideration  462,870    
Other accrued liabilities  1,895,580   2,146,582 
Dividends payable  1,455,216   1,446,498 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES  17,439,438   12,994,861 
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:        
Uncertain tax positions  78,372   77,279 
Deferred income taxes  1,039,587   1,089,994 
Long-term debt - mortgage payable     103,603 
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES  1,117,959   1,270,876 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (Footnote 8)        
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; 3,000,000 shares authorized; none issued        
Common stock, par value $.05 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,739,858 and 8,654,756 shares issued and  outstanding, respectively  436,993   432,738 
Additional paid-in capital  39,709,299   38,593,230 
Retained earnings  39,565,581   47,689,688 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (698,238)  (695,158)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  79,013,635   86,020,498 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $97,571,032  $100,286,235 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSSTATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
  Three Months Ended June 30  Six Months Ended June 30 
  2015  2014  2015  2014 
                 
Sales $28,197,661  $33,208,977  $47,742,597  $58,407,383 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of sales  19,658,792   21,115,209   34,316,789   37,325,598 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  10,256,538   9,688,247   20,834,714   18,690,358 
Restructuring expense           237,838 
Total costs and expenses  29,915,330   30,803,456   55,151,503   56,253,794 
Operating (loss) income  (1,717,669)  2,405,521   (7,408,906)  2,153,589 
Other  expenses :                
Investment and other income  3,897   28,065   66,857   34,024 
Gain (loss) on sale of assets  88   (141,870)  4,373   (136,131)
Interest and other expense  (61,044)  (16,391)  (74,262)  (41,046)
Other expense,  net  (57,059)  (130,196)  (3,032)  (143,153)
(Loss) income from operations before income taxes  (1,774,728)  2,275,325   (7,411,938)  2,010,436 
Income tax (benefit) expense  (746,562)  837,842   (2,220,294)  713,536 
Net (loss) income  (1,028,166)  1,437,483   (5,191,644)  1,296,900 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                
Additional minimum pension liability adjustments  (14,152)  (91,447)  (26,798)  (178,790)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale securities  (5,193)  8,280   49,926   (14,610)
Foreign currency translation adjustment  104,109   55,994   (26,208)  82,545 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  84,764   (27,173)  (3,080)  (110,855)
Comprehensive (loss) income $(943,402) $1,410,310  $(5,194,724) $1,186,045 
                 
Basic net (loss) income per share: $(0.12) $0.17  $(0.60) $0.15 
Diluted net (loss) income per share: $(0.12) $0.17  $(0.60) $0.15 
Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding  8,707,564   8,621,387   8,684,321   8,593,561 
Weighted Average Dilutive Shares Outstanding  8,707,564   8,644,505   8,684,321   8,616,858 
Dividends declared per share $0.16  $0.16  $0.32  $0.32 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ASSETSCOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 March 31  December 31 
 2015 2014 
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $9,149,624  $13,736,857 
Investments  4,878,321   4,602,717 
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $145,000 and $22,000, respectively
  10,877,375   13,839,662 
Inventories  32,478,501   31,109,653 
Prepaid income taxes  3,814,609   2,317,688 
Other current assets  1,318,797   1,050,000 
Deferred income taxes  3,250,106   3,249,164 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS  65,767,333   69,905,741 
         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT,  net  18,437,556   18,153,152 
OTHER ASSETS:        
Investments  10,585,239   11,540,261 
Funded pension assets  152,010   172,405 
Other assets  857,794   514,676 
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS  11,595,043   12,227,342 
TOTAL ASSETS $95,799,932   100,286,235 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Current portion of long-term debt $500,096  $524,220 
Accounts payable  6,462,791   5,180,631 
Accrued compensation and benefits  2,935,454   3,696,930 
Other accrued liabilities  2,391,084   2,146,582 
Dividends payable  1,463,075   1,446,498 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES  13,752,500   12,994,861 
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:        
Uncertain tax positions  77,823   77,279 
Deferred income taxes  1,001,688   1,089,994 
Long-term debt - mortgage payable     103,603 
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES  1,079,511   1,270,876 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (Footnote 7)        
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; 3,000,000 shares authorized; none issued        
Common stock, par value $.05 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,707,564 and 8,654,756 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
  435,378   432,738 
Additional paid-in capital  39,232,052   38,593,230 
Retained earnings  42,083,492   47,689,688 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (783,001)  (695,158)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  80,967,921   86,020,498 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $95,799,932  $100,286,235 
             
     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    
  Common Stock          
  Shares  Amount        Total 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2014  8,654,756  $432,738  $38,593,230  $47,689,688  $(695,158) $86,020,498 
Net loss              (5,191,644)      (5,191,644)
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan  8,794   440   96,283           96,723 
Issuance of common stock to Employee Stock Ownership Plan  36,707   1,835   383,588           385,423 
Issuance of common stock under Non-Employee Stock Option Plan  12,000   600   121,920           122,520 
Issuance of common stock under Executive Stock Plan  43,244   2,162   0           2,162 
Tax benefit from stock based payments          85,399           85,399 
Share based compensation          499,475           499,475 
Purchase of common stock  (15,643)  (782)  (70,596)  (103,961)      (175,339)
Shareholder dividends              (2,828,502)      (2,828,502)
Other comprehensive loss                  (3,080)  (3,080)
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2015  8,739,858  $436,993  $39,709,299  $39,565,581  $(698,238) $79,013,635 
      ��                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSSCASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
       
  Three Months Ended March 31 
  2015  2014 
       
Sales $19,544,936  $25,198,406 
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of sales  14,657,998   16,210,390 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  10,578,176   9,002,112 
Restructuring expense     237,838 
Total costs and expenses  25,236,174   25,450,340 
Operating loss  (5,691,238)  (251,934)
Other  income and (expenses) :        
Investment and other income  62,963   5,960 
Gain on sale of assets  4,285   5,740 
Interest and other expense  (13,218)  (24,655)
Other income (expense),  net  54,030   (12,955)
Loss from operations before income taxes  (5,637,208)  (264,889)
Income tax benefit  (1,473,732)  (124,306)
Net loss  (4,163,476)  (140,583)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:        
Additional minimum pension liability adjustments  (12,646)  (87,343)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities  55,120   (22,890)
Foreign currency translation adjustment  (130,317)  26,550 
Total other comprehensive loss  (87,843)  (83,683)
Comprehensive loss $(4,251,319) $(224,266)
         
Basic net loss per share: $(0.48) $(0.02)
Diluted net loss per share: $(0.48) $(0.02)
Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding  8,660,819   8,565,426 
Weighted Average Dilutive Shares Outstanding  8,660,819   8,565,426 
Dividends declared per share $0.16  $0.16 

     
  Six Months Ended June 30 
  2015  2014 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net (loss) income $(5,191,644) $1,296,900 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,633,260   1,143,272 
Share based compensation  499,475   240,485 
Deferred taxes  22,772   278,601 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets  (4,373)  136,131 
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments  (85,399)  (75,425)
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Trade receivables  (3,475,720)  3,743,374 
Inventories  1,797,692   (1,934,942)
Prepaid income taxes  (2,495,449)  397,360 
Other assets  (130,430)  135,705 
Accounts payable  1,304,217   2,079,869 
Accrued compensation and benefits  273,601   (12,258)
Other accrued liabilities  (297,840)  127,808 
Income taxes payable  86,492   (3,753)
Other  (58,224)   
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (6,121,570)  7,553,127 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Capital expenditures  (1,654,960)  (2,495,463)
Purchases of investments     (9,872,086)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired  (917,363)   
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets  22,941   15,993 
Proceeds from the sale of investments  2,731,718   3,020,000 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  182,336   (9,331,556)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Borrowings against line of credit  3,100,000    
Cash dividends paid  (2,819,784)  (2,800,528)
Mortgage principal payments  (257,648)  (240,684)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld  46,066   180,394 
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments  85,399   75,425 
Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisition     (565,647)
Purchase of common stock     (2,161)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  154,033   (3,353,201)
EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  20,751   24,942 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (5,764,450)  (5,106,688)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD  13,736,857   20,059,120 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $7,972,407  $14,952,432 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Income taxes paid $52,979  $30,763 
Interest paid  28,931   41,046 
Dividends declared not paid  1,455,216   1,419,807 
Capital expenditures in accounts payable  6,000   50,871 
Acquisition costs in accrued consideration  462,870    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
              Accumulated    
        Additional     Other    
  Common Stock  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Loss  Total 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2014  8,654,756  $432,738  $38,593,230  $47,689,688  $(695,158) $86,020,498 
Net loss              (4,163,476)      (4,163,476)
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  4,028   201   42,093           42,294 
Issuance of common stock to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  36,707   1,835   383,588           385,423 
Issuance of common stock under Executive Stock Plan
  16,440   822   0           822 
Tax benefit from stock based payments          (5,712)          (5,712)
Share based compensation          238,349           238,349 
Purchase of common stock  (4,367)  (218)  (19,496)  (30,943)      (50,657)
Shareholder dividends              (1,411,777)      (1,411,777)
Other comprehensive loss                  (87,843)  (87,843)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2015  8,707,564  $435,378  $39,232,052  $42,083,492  $(783,001) $80,967,921 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
       
  Three Months Ended March 31 
  2015  2014 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net loss $(4,163,476) $(140,583)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to        
  net cash provided by operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization  780,477   560,622 
    Share based compensation  238,349   48,281 
    Deferred taxes  (89,248)  91,364 
    Gain on sale of assets  (4,285)  (5,740)
    Excess tax benefit from share-based payments  5,712   9,067 
    Changes in assets and liabilities:        
      Trade receivables  2,956,932   6,686,463 
      Inventories  (1,398,048)  (733,914)
      Prepaid income taxes  (1,496,921)  (225,644)
      Other assets  (657,485)  14,645 
      Accounts payable  1,071,831   617,539 
      Accrued compensation and benefits  (371,707)  (996,144)
      Other accrued liabilities  256,330   (98,905)
      Income taxes payable  (5,168)  (3,663)
        Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (2,876,707)  5,823,388 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Capital expenditures  (853,074)  (823,633)
Purchases of investments     (6,539,789)
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets  22,853   5,740 
Proceeds from the sale of investments  734,537   1,380,000 
      Net cash used in investing activities  (95,684)  (5,977,682)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Cash dividends paid  (1,395,200)  (1,368,532)
Mortgage principal payments  (127,727)  (119,318)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld  (7,541)  35,686 
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments  (5,712)  (9,067)
Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisition     (565,647)
      Net cash used in financing activities  (1,536,180)  (2,026,878)
         
EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  (78,662)  9,368 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (4,587,233)  (2,171,804)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD  13,736,857   20,059,120 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $9,149,624  $17,887,316 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:        
Income taxes paid $500  $14,613 
Interest paid  13,121   18,405 
Dividends declared not paid  1,463,075   1,454,417 
Capital expenditures in accounts payable  218,019   237,330 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Communications Systems, Inc. (herein collectively called “CSI” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota corporation organized in 1969 that operates primarily as a holding company conducting its business through three business units having operations in the United States, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom. Through its Suttle business unit, the Company is principally engaged in the manufacturemanufactures and sale ofsells copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, and active technologies for voice, data and video communications. Through its Transition Networks business unit, the Company is engaged in the manufacture ofmanufactures and sells media converters, network interface devices, network interface cards, Ethernet switches and other connectivity products that offer the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network. Through its JDL Technologies business unit, the Company provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, HIPAA-compliant IT services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment.

Financial Statement Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity as of March 31,June 30, 2015 and the related condensed consolidated statements of loss(loss) income and comprehensive loss,(loss) income, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared by Company management. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments, except where noted) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014 and for the periods then ended have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. We recommend these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s December 31, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the period ended March 31,June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the time of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Except to the extent updated or described below, the significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies, and are incorporated herein by reference.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows:

       
  March 31  December 31 
  2015  2014 
Foreign currency translation $(2,735,000) $(2,605,000)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale investments  14,000   (41,000)
Pension liability adjustment  1,938,000   1,951,000 
  $(783,000) $(695,000)

     
  June 30  December 31 
  2015  2014 
Foreign currency translation $(2,632,000) $(2,605,000)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale investments  9,000   (41,000)
Pension liability adjustment  1,925,000   1,951,000 
  $(698,000) $(695,000)

NOTE 2 – CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

The following tables show the Company’s cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities’ amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by significant investment category recorded as cash and cash equivalents or short and long term investments as of March 31,June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

                      
  March 31, 2015 
  Amortized Cost  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized Losses
  Fair Value  Cash
Equivalents
  Short-Term Investments  Long-Term Investments 
Cash equivalents:                     
Money Market funds $442,000  $  $  $442,000  $442,000  $   $  
Subtotal  442,000         442,000   442,000       
                             
Investments:                            
Certificates of deposit  6,693,000   9,000   (3,000)  6,699,000      1,683,000   5,016,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds  8,763,000   7,000   (6,000)  8,764,000      3,195,000   5,569,000 
Subtotal  15,456,000   16,000   (9,000)  15,463,000      4,878,000   10,585,000 
                             
Total $15,898,000  $16,000  $(9,000) $15,905,000  $442,000  $4,878,000  $10,585,000 
                      
December 31, 2014 
  
  Amortized Cost  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  Cash
Equivalents
  Short-Term Investments  Long-Term Investments 
                      
Cash equivalents:                     
Money Market funds $1,073,000  $  $  $1,073,000  $1,073,000  $   $  
Subtotal  1,073,000         1,073,000   1,073,000       
                             
Investments:                            
Certificates of deposit  7,414,000   1,000   (32,000)  7,383,000      1,920,000   5,463,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds  8,777,000   6,000   (23,000)  8,760,000      2,683,000   6,077,000 
Subtotal  16,191,000   7,000   (55,000)  16,143,000      4,603,000   11,540,000 
                             
Total $17,264,000  $7,000  $(55,000) $17,216,000  $1,073,000  $4,603,000  $11,540,000 

                       
  June 30, 2015 
                
  Amortized Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value Cash
Equivalents
 Short-Term
Investments
 Long-Term
Investments
 
                       
Cash equivalents:                      
Money Market funds $2,473,000 $ $ $2,473,000 $2,473,000 $  $  
Subtotal  2,473,000      2,473,000  2,473,000     
                       
Investments:                      
Certificates of deposit  5,973,000  12,000  (1,000) 5,984,000    962,000  5,022,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds  7,487,000  2,000  (12,000) 7,477,000    1,923,000  5,554,000 
Subtotal  13,460,000  14,000  (13,000) 13,461,000    2,885,000  10,576,000 
                       
Total $15,933,000 $14,000 $(13,000)$15,934,000 $2,473,000 $2,885,000 $10,576,000 
                       
  December 31, 2014 
                
  Amortized Cost Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value Cash
Equivalents
 Short-Term
Investments
 Long-Term
Investments
 
                       
Cash equivalents:                      
Money Market funds $1,073,000 $ $ $1,073,000 $1,073,000 $  $  
Subtotal  1,073,000      1,073,000  1,073,000     
                       
Investments:                      
Certificates of deposit  7,414,000  1,000  (32,000) 7,383,000    1,920,000  5,463,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds  8,777,000  6,000  (23,000) 8,760,000    2,683,000  6,077,000 
Subtotal  16,191,000  7,000  (55,000) 16,143,000    4,603,000  11,540,000 
                       
Total $17,264,000 $7,000 $(55,000)$17,216,000 $1,073,000 $4,603,000 $11,540,000 

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The Company tests for other than temporaryother-than-temporary losses on a quarterly basis and has considered the unrealized losses indicated above to be temporary in nature. The Company intends to hold the investments until it can recover the full principal amount and has the ability to do so based on other sources of liquidity. The Company expects these recoveries to occur prior to the contractual maturities. All unrealized losses as of March 31,June 30, 2015 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and are not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired as of March 31,June 30, 2015.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our investments, designated as available-for-sale and classified by the contractual maturity date of the securities as of March 31,June 30, 2015:

       
  Amortized Cost  Estimated Market Value 
     
Due within one year $4,634,000  $4,878,000 
Due after one year through five years  10,582,000   10,585,000 
  $15,216,000  $15,463,000 

     
  Amortized Cost  Estimated Market Value 
     
Due within one year $2,884,000  $2,885,000 
Due after one year through five years  10,576,000   10,576,000 
  $13,460,000  $13,461,000 

The Company did not recognize any gross realized gains, and gross realized losses were immaterial, during the three-monthsix-month periods ending March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. If the Company had realized gains or losses, they would be included within investment and other income in the accompanying consolidated results of operations.

NOTE 3 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), employees are able to acquire shares of common stock at 85% of the price at the end of each current quarterly plan term. The most recent term ended March 31,June 30, 2015. The ESPP is considered compensatory under current Internal Revenue Service rules. At March 31,June 30, 2015, after giving effect to the shares issued as of that date, 17,455112,689 shares remain available for purchase under the ESPP. On April 3, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the ESPP to increase the authorized shares by 100,000 to 600,000, subject to approval at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 21, 2015.

2011 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

On March 28, 2011 the Board adopted and on May 19, 2011 the Company’s shareholders approved the Company’s 2011 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (“2011 Incentive Plan”). The 2011 Incentive Plan authorizes incentive awards to officers, key employees and non-employee directors in the form of options (incentive and non-qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units (“deferred stock”), performance cash units, and other awards in stock, cash, or a combination of stock and cash. UpOn May 21, 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2011 Incentive Plan to increase the authorized shares by 1,000,000 to 2,000,000. As a result, up to 2,000,000 shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2011 Incentive Plan.

Plan, as amended.

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During 2015, stock options covering 105,279248,258 shares werehave been awarded to key executive employees and directors, whichdirectors. These options expire seven years from the date of award and vest 25% each year beginning one year after the date of award. The Company has also granted deferred stock awards of 100,017 shares to key employees during the first quarter of 2015 under the Company’s long-term incentive plan for performance over the 2015 to 2017 period. The actual number of shares of deferred stock, if any, that are ultimately earned by the respective employees will be determined based on achievement against performance goals for each of the three years ending December 31, 2017 and the shares earned will be issued in the first quarter of 2018 to those key employees still with the Company at that time.

At March 31,June 30, 2015, 65,651104,455 shares have been issued under the 2011 Incentive Plan, 801,293840,213 shares are subject to currently outstanding options, deferred stock awards, and unvested restricted stock units, and 133,0561,055,332 shares are eligible for grant under future awards. On April 3,May 21, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors amendedshareholders approved an amendment to the 2011 Stock Incentive plan to increase the authorized shares by 1,000,000 to 2,000,000, subject to approval at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 21, 2015.

2,000,000.

Stock Option Plan for Directors

Shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to non-employee directors under options granted by the Company prior to 2011 under its Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Director Plan”). Under the Director Plan nonqualified stock options to acquire shares of common stock were automatically granted to each non-employee director concurrent with annual meetings of shareholders in 2010 and earlier years, with the exercise price of options granted being the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the respective shareholder meetings. Options granted under the Director Plan expire 10 years from date of grant.

No options were granted under the Director Plan in 2014 or 2015. The Company amended the Director Plan was amended as ofin May 19, 2011 to prohibit future option grants in 2011 and future years.
grants.

1992 Stock Plan

Under the Company’s 1992 Stock Plan (“the Stock Plan”), shares of common stock may be issued pursuant to stock options, restricted stock or deferred stock grants to officers and key employees. Exercise prices of stock options under the Stock Plan cannot be less than fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Rules and conditions governing awards of stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations in the Stock Plan. When seeking approval of the 2011 Incentive Plan at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, theThe Company committed to amendingamended the Stock Plan to prohibit the issuance of future equity awards if such approval was given. Effective August 11,in 2011 the amendment to prohibit future stock options or other equity awards was approved by the Board.

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At March 31,June 30, 2015, after reserving for stock options and deferred stock awards granted in prior years and adjusting for forfeitures and issuances during the year, there were 22,008 shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan. The Company has not awarded stock options or deferred stock under this plan in 2015.the Stock Plan since 2011.

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Changes in Stock Options Outstanding

The following table summarizes changes in the number of outstanding stock options under the 2011 Incentive Plan, the Director Plan and Stock Plan over the period December 31, 2014 to March 31,June 30, 2015:

          
  Options  
Weighted average
exercise price
per share
  
Weighted average
remaining

contractual term
 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014  540,404  $11.90   5.13 
Awarded  105,279   11.65     
Exercised          
Forfeited  (10,433)  11.97     
Outstanding – March 31, 2015  635,250   11.86   5.22 
             
Exercisable at March 31, 2015  237,409  $11.64   3.49 
Expected to vest March 31, 2015  635,250   11.86   5.22 

           
     Weighted average  Weighted average 
     exercise price  remaining 
  Options  per share  contractual term 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014 540,404  $11.90  5.13 
Awarded 248,258   11.31    
Exercised (12,000)  11.05    
Forfeited (47,984)  12.10    
Outstanding – June 30, 2015 728,678   11.71  5.40 
           
Exercisable at June 30, 2015 297,439  $11.73  4.09 
Expected to vest June 30, 2015 728,678   11.71  5.40 

The aggregate intrinsic value of all options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the last day of the period exceeded the market price of the stock on the date of grant) outstanding at March 31,June 30, 2015 was $158,000.$51,000. The intrinsic value of all options exercised during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2015 was $0.$10,000. Net cash proceeds from the exercise of all stock options were $0 and $99,000 for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014.

Changes in Deferred Stock Outstanding

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of deferred stock shares under the Stock Plan and 2011 Incentive Plan over the period December 31, 2014 to March 31,June 30, 2015:

      
    Weighted Average 
    Grant Date 
  Shares Fair Value 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014  161,314 $10.87 
Granted  100,017  11.59 
Vested  (16,440) 12.55 
Forfeited  (5,991) 10.26 
Outstanding – March 31, 2015  238,900  11.07 

         
       Weighted Average 
       Grant Date 
  Shares  Fair Value 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014   161,314  $10.87 
Granted   100,017   11.59 
Vested   (16,940)  12.52 
Forfeited   (5,991)  10.26 
Outstanding – June 30, 2015   238,400   11.07 

Changes in Restricted Stock Units Outstanding

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of restricted stock units under the 2011 Incentive Plan over the period December 31, 2014 to March 31,June 30, 2015:

       
    Weighted Average 
    Grant Date 
  Shares Fair Value 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014  39,151  $10.67 
Granted      
Vested      
Forfeited      
Outstanding – March 31, 2015  39,151   10.67 

      
     Weighted Average 
     Grant Date 
   Shares  Fair Value 
Outstanding – December 31, 2014   39,151  $10.67 
Granted   21,432   11.06 
Issued   (26,304)  10.01 
Forfeited       
Outstanding – June 30, 2015   34,279   11.42 

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Compensation Expense

Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three-monthsix-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2015 was $238,000$499,000 before income taxes and $155,000$325,000 after income taxes. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three-monthsix-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2014 was $48,000$240,000 before income taxes and $31,000$156,000 after income taxes. Unrecognized compensation expense for the Company’s plans was $1,204,000$1,305,000 at March 31,June 30, 2015 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.72.2 years. Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and issuance of stock included in financing cash flows for the threesix month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $ (6,000)$85,000 and $ (9,000),$75,000, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is recorded as a part of selling, general and administrative expenses.

NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

Inventories summarized below are priced at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market:

      
  March 31 December 31 
  2015 2014 
Finished goods $19,661,000 $19,208,000 
Raw and processed materials  12,818,000  11,902,000 
  $32,479,000 $31,110,000 

     
  June 30  December 31 
  2015  2014 
Finished goods $16,249,000  $19,208,000 
Raw and processed materials  13,072,000   11,902,000 
  $29,321,000  $31,110,000 

NOTE 5 – ACQUISITION

On June 1, 2015, the Company acquired all of the shares of Twisted Technologies, Inc. (“Twisted Technologies”). The purchase price totals $1,454,000, with cash acquired totaling $83,000. The purchase price includes initial consideration of $1,000,000, deferred consideration of $300,000 to be paid out on March 31, 2016, $ (9,000) in working capital adjustments, and $163,000 in estimated contingent consideration. The Company has agreed to pay consideration contingent upon the Twisted Technologies business meeting revenue targets over a three year period, with the consideration to be paid after each annual period has lapsed. The Company has recognized $163,000 as the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration at the date of acquisition. The maximum payout is not limited. At June 30, 2015, the Company had estimated liabilities of $463,000 related to outstanding consideration payments.

The estimated assets and liabilities of Twisted Technologies were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within the JDL Technologies segment at June 30, 2015. The preliminary purchase price allocation was based on estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and included total assets of $1,582,000, including estimated goodwill of $1,456,000, and total liabilities of $128,000. The entire goodwill balance is deductible for tax purposes. All balances recorded are estimated amounts; the purchase price allocation will be finalized as the Company completes its valuation of identifiable assets and liabilities. The pro forma impact of Twisted Technologies was not significant to the Company’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

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NOTE 6 –GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2015 by segment are as follows:

     
  JDL 
     
January 1, 2015 $ 
     
Goodwill acquired  1,456,000 
     
June 30, 2015 $1,456,000 
     
Gross goodwill  1,456,000 
Accumulated impairment loss    
Balance at June 30, 2015 $1,456,000 

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are being amortized over their estimated useful lives and were as follows:

             
   March 31, 2015 
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated Amortization  Foreign Currency Translation  Net 
Trademarks  91,000   (39,000)  (8,000)  44,000 
Customer relationships  491,000   (163,000)  (46,000)  282,000 
Technology  229,000   (152,000)  (21,000)  56,000 
   811,000   (354,000)  (75,000)  382,000 
             
   December 31, 2014 
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated Amortization  Foreign Currency Translation  Net 
Trademarks  91,000   (38,000)  (4,000)  49,000 
Customer relationships  491,000   (159,000)  (26,000)  306,000 
Technology  229,000   (149,000)  (11,000)  69,000 
   811,000   (346,000)  (41,000)  424,000 
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  June 30, 2015
  Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Foreign Currency Translation  Net 
                 
Trademarks  91,000   (45,000)  (3,000)  43,000 
Customer relationships  491,000   (185,000)  (19,000)  287,000 
Technology  229,000   (172,000)  (9,000)  48,000 
   811,000   (402,000)  (31,000)  378,000 
         
  December 31, 2014
  Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Foreign Currency Translation  Net 
                 
Trademarks  91,000   (38,000)  (4,000)  49,000 
Customer relationships  491,000   (159,000)  (26,000)  306,000 
Technology  229,000   (149,000)  (11,000)  69,000 
   811,000   (346,000)  (41,000)  424,000 

 

Amortization expense on these identifiable intangible assets was $24,000$50,000 and $27,000$54,000 for the three monthssix-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amortization expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.At March 31,June 30, 2015, the estimated future amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets for the remainder of2015and all of the following four fiscal years is as follows:

     
Year Ending December 31:    
2015 $51,000 
2016  83,000 
2017  58,000 
2018  53,000 
2019  46,000 

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Year Ending December 31:   
2015 $75,000 
2016  83,000 
2017  58,000 
2018  53,000 
2019  46,000 

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NOTE 67 – WARRANTY

We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on our warranty policy or applicable contractual warranty, historical experience of known product failure rates, and use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. Management reviews the estimated warranty liability on a quarterly basis to determine its adequacy. The actual warranty expense could differ from the estimates made by the Company based on product performance.

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s warranty liability for the three-monthsix-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, the majority of which relates to a five-year obligation to provide for potential future liabilities for network equipment sales.

       
  2015  2014 
Beginning balance $434,000  $564,000 
Amounts charged to expense  142,000   12,000 
Actual warranty costs paid  (22,000)  (50,000)
Ending balance $554,000  $526,000 

       
  2015  2014 
Beginning balance $434,000  $564,000 
Amounts charged to expense  174,000   (10,000)
Actual warranty costs paid  (50,000)  (60,000)
Ending balance $558,000  $494,000 

NOTE 78 – CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to legal actions and claims and incurs costs to defend against these actions and claims. Company management is not aware of any outstanding or pending legal actions or claims that could materially affect the Company’s financial position or results ofoperations.

NOTE 89 – DEBT

Long-term Debt

The mortgage on the Company’s headquarters building is payable in monthly installments and carries an interest rate of 6.83%.  The mortgage matures on March 1, 2016.  The outstanding balance on the mortgage was $370,000 at June 30, 2015. The mortgage is secured by the building.

Line of Credit

The Company has a $10,000,000 line of credit from Wells Fargo Bank.  The Company had $3,100,000 in outstanding borrowings against the line of credit at June 30, 2015 and no borrowings at June 30, 2014. Due to the revolving nature of loans under our credit facility, additional borrowings and periodic repayments and re-borrowings may be made until the maturity date. The total amount available for borrowings under our credit facility at June 30, 2015 was $6,900,000. Interest on borrowings on the credit line is at LIBOR plus 1.75% (1.9% at June 30, 2015). The credit agreement expires October 31, 2016 and is secured by assets of the Company.  Our credit agreement contains financial covenants including current ratio, net income, tangible net worth minimums, and a minimum cash balance. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at June 30, 2015. See Note 16 for a description of an amendment to the credit facility subsequent to quarter end.

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

In the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management calculates income taxes based upon the estimated effective rate applicable to operating results for the full fiscal year. This includes estimating the current tax liability as well as assessing differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are analyzed regularly and management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.

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At March 31,June 30, 2015 there was $76,000$77,000 of net uncertain tax benefit positions that would reduce the effective income tax rate if recognized. The Company records interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The tax years 2011-2013 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the years 2010-2013 remain open to examination by various state tax departments. The tax years from 2011-2013 remain open in Costa Rica.

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 26.1%30.0% for the first threesix months of 2015. The effective tax rate differs from the federal tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, foreign tax rate differences, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes and expenses not deductible for tax purposes. The foreign operating losses may ultimately be deductible in the countries in which they occurred; however the Company has not recorded a deferred tax asset for these losses due to uncertainty regarding the eventual realization of the benefit. The effect of the foreign operations was an overall rate increasedecrease of approximately 4.2%2.2% for the threesix months endedJune 30, 2015March 31, 2015. There were no additional uncertain tax positions identified in the first threesix months of 2015. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2014 was 46.9%35.5%, and differed from the federal tax rate due to state income taxes, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, and provisions for interest charges.

charges for uncertain income tax positions, and settlement of uncertain tax positions.

NOTE 911 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company classifies its businesses into three segments as follows:

 
 
Suttle manufactures and marketssells copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, xDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data and video communications;
 
Transition Networks manufactures and sells media converters, network interface devices (NIDs), network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches and other connectivity products that offer the ability to affordably integrate the benefits of fiber optics into any data network; and
 
JDL Technologies provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, HIPAA-compliant IT services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment.

Management has chosen to organize the enterprise and disclose reportable segments based on our products and services. ThereIntersegment revenues are no material inter-segment revenues.

Information concerning the Company’s continuing operations in the various segments for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
                
     Transition  JDL       
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Total 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015               
Sales $10,590,000  $8,090,000  $865,000  $  $19,545,000 
Cost of sales  9,149,000   4,685,000   824,000      14,658,000 
Gross profit  1,441,000   3,405,000   41,000      4,887,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  4,306,000   5,462,000   810,000      10,578,000 
Operating loss $(2,865,000) $(2,057,000) $(769,000) $  $(5,691,000)
                     
Depreciation and amortization $507,000  $247,000  $26,000  $  $780,000 
                     
Capital expenditures $649,000  $86,000  $44,000  $74,000  $853,000 
                     
Assets $40,210,000  $26,870,000  $4,367,000  $24,353,000  $95,800,000 
eliminated upon consolidation.

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Information concerning the Company’s continuing operations in the various segments for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

                         
      Transition  JDL      Intersegment     
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015                        
Sales $11,788,000  $11,915,000  $4,718,000  $  $(223,000) $28,198,000 
Cost of sales  9,533,000   6,508,000   3,618,000         19,659,000 
Gross profit  2,255,000   5,407,000   1,100,000      (223,000)  8,539,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  3,504,000   5,920,000   1,056,000      (223,000)  10,257,000 
Operating (loss) income $(1,249,000) $(513,000) $44,000  $  $  $(1,718,000)
                         
Depreciation and amortization $546,000  $267,000  $38,000  $  $  $851,000 
                         
Capital expenditures $518,000  $127,000  $127,000  $30,000  $  $802,000 
                         
Assets $41,872,000  $26,674,000  $4,212,000  $24,813,000  $  $97,571,000 

                         
      Transition  JDL      Intersegment     
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014                        
Sales $19,006,000  $11,567,000  $2,636,000  $  $  $33,209,000 
Cost of sales  12,731,000   6,182,000   2,202,000         21,115,000 
Gross profit  6,275,000   5,385,000   434,000         12,094,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  3,358,000   5,609,000   721,000         9,688,000 
Restructuring expense                      
Operating income (loss) $2,917,000  $(224,000) $(287,000) $  $  $2,406,000 
                         
Depreciation and amortization $315,000  $231,000  $37,000  $  $  $583,000 
                         
Capital expenditures $1,295,000  $251,000  $8,000  $118,000  $  $1,672,000 
                         
Assets $38,304,000  $27,507,000  $3,520,000  $34,468,000  $  $103,799,000 

                         
      Transition  JDL      Intersegment     
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015                        
Sales $22,378,000  $20,005,000  $5,583,000  $  $(223,000) $47,743,000 
Cost of sales  18,682,000   11,193,000   4,442,000         34,317,000 
Gross profit  3,696,000   8,812,000   1,141,000      (223,000)  13,426,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  7,810,000   11,382,000   1,866,000      (223,000)  20,835,000 
Operating loss $(4,114,000) $(2,570,000) $(725,000) $  $  $(7,409,000)
                         
Depreciation and amortization $1,053,000  $514,000  $66,000  $  $  $1,633,000 
                         
Capital expenditures $1,167,000  $213,000  $170,000  $105,000  $  $1,655,000 

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     Transition  JDL       
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Total 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014               
Sales $12,882,000  $9,749,000  $2,567,000  $  $25,198,000 
Cost of sales  9,392,000   5,043,000   1,775,000      16,210,000 
Gross profit  3,490,000   4,706,000   792,000      8,988,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  3,137,000   5,180,000   685,000      9,002,000 
Restructuring expense      238,000           238,000 
Operating income (loss) $353,000  $(712,000) $107,000  $  $(252,000)
                     
Depreciation and amortization $293,000  $231,000  $37,000  $  $561,000 
                     
Capital expenditures $627,000  $107,000  $10,000  $80,000  $824,000 
                     
Assets $32,608,000  $27,093,000  $6,347,000  $35,025,000  $101,073,000 

Table of Contents

                         
      Transition  JDL      Intersegment     
  Suttle  Networks  Technologies  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014                        
Sales $31,888,000  $21,317,000  $5,202,000  $  $  $58,407,000 
Cost of sales  22,123,000   11,224,000   3,978,000         37,325,000 
Gross profit  9,765,000   10,093,000   1,224,000         21,082,000 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  6,496,000   10,789,000   1,405,000         18,690,000 
Restructuring expense      238,000               238,000 
Operating income (loss) $3,269,000  $(934,000) $(181,000) $  $  $2,154,000 
                         
Depreciation and amortization $608,000  $461,000  $74,000  $  $  $1,143,000 
                         
Capital expenditures $1,922,000  $359,000  $18,000  $196,000  $  $2,495,000 

NOTE 1012 – PENSIONS

The Company’s U.K. based subsidiary Austin Taylor maintains defined benefit pension plans. The Company does not provide any other post-retirement benefits to its employees. Components of net periodic benefit cost of the pension plans for the three-monthsthree and six-months ended March 31,June 30, 2015 and 2014 were:

       
  Three Months Ended March 31 
  2015  2014 
Service cost $2,000  $1,000 
Interest cost  34,000   39,000 
Expected return on assets  (45,000)  (49,000)
Net periodic pension benefit $(9,000) $(9,000)
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  Three Months Ended June 30  Six Months Ended June 30 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Service cost $2,000  $2,000  $4,000  $3,000 
Interest cost  38,000   40,000   72,000   79,000 
Expected return on assets  (50,000)  (52,000)  (95,000)  (101,000)
Net periodic pension benefit $(10,000) $(10,000) $(19,000) $(19,000)

 

NOTE 1113 – NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per common share takes into effect the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding. The Company’s only potential common shares outstanding are stock options and shares associated with the long-term incentive compensation plans, which resulted in no dilutive effect for the three monthsand six-month periods ended March 31, 2015June 30, 2015. The dilutive effect of stock options for the three and 2014.six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 was 23,118 shares and 23,297 shares, respectively. The Company calculates the dilutive effect of outstanding options using the treasury stock method. Due to the net losses in the first three monthsand six-month periods of 2014 and 2015, there was no dilutive impact from stock options or unvested shares. Options totaling 522,922 and 103,896488,371 would have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three-monthsthree and six-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2015, and 2014, respectively, because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the period and deferred stock awards totaling 205,010 and 172,750 shares would not have been included for the three-monthsthree and six-months ended March 31,June 30, 2015 because of unmet performance conditions. Options totaling 202,897 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of common stock during the period and deferred stock awards totaling 171,544 shares were not included for the three and six month period ended June 30, 2014 because of unmet performance conditions.

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NOTE 1214 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The accounting guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar instruments and quoted prices in markets that are not active, and inputs that are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts, such as treasury securities with pricing interpolated from recent trades of similar securities, or priced with models using highly observable inputs, such as commodity options priced using observable forward prices and volatilities.

Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing that have little or no observability as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation, such as the complex and subjective models and forecasts used to determine the fair value of financial instruments.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 31,June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, are summarized below:

             
  March 31, 2015 
             
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Fair Value 
             
Cash equivalents:            
Money Market funds $442,000  $  $  $442,000 
Certificates of deposit              
Subtotal  442,000         442,000 
                 
Short-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     1,683,000      1,683,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     3,195,000      3,195,000 
Subtotal     4,878,000      4,878,000 
                 
Long-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     5,016,000      5,016,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     5,569,000      5,569,000 
Subtotal     10,585,000      10,585,000 
                 
Total $442,000  $15,463,000  $  $15,905,000 

         
  June 30, 2015  
         
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Fair Value 
                 
Cash equivalents:                
Money Market funds $2,473,000  $  $  $2,473,000 
Certificates of deposit              
Subtotal  2,473,000         2,473,000 
                 
Short-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     962,000      962,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     1,923,000      1,923,000 
Subtotal     2,885,000      2,885,000 
                 
Long-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     5,022,000      5,022,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     5,554,000      5,554,000 
Subtotal     10,576,000      10,576,000 
                 
Current Liabilities:                
Accrued Consideration        (163,000)  (163,000)
Subtotal        (163,000)  (163,000)
                 
Total $2,473,000  $13,461,000  $(163,000) $15,771,000 

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  December 31, 2014  
         
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Fair Value 
                 
Cash equivalents:                
Money Market funds $1,073,000  $  $  $1,073,000 
Subtotal  1,073,000         1,073,000 
                 
Short-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     1,920,000      1,920,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     2,683,000      2,683,000 
Subtotal     4,603,000      4,603,000 
                 
Long-term investments:                
Certificates of deposit     5,463,000      5,463,000 
Corporate Notes/Bonds     6,077,000      6,077,000 
Subtotal     11,540,000      11,540,000 
                 
Total $1,073,000  $16,143,000  $  $17,216,000 

The estimated fair value of contingent consideration as of June 30, 2015 was $163,000, as noted above. The estimated fair value is considered a level 3 measurement because the probability weighted discounted cash flow methodology used to estimate fair value includes the use of significant unobservable inputs, primarily the contractual contingent consideration revenue targets and assumed probabilities. 

We record transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, if necessary, at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between levels during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2015.

NOTE 1315 – RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

During the three-monthssix-months ended March 31,June 30, 2014, the Company recorded $238,000 in restructuring expense. This consisted of severance and related benefits costs due to the restructuring within the Transition Networks business segment, including ongoing costs related to the closure of the China facility. The facility was completely closed in the second quarter of 2014. The Company had no restructuring expenses for the three-monththree or six-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2015.

Austin Taylor has ceased operations and the Company is in the process of liquidating its Austin Taylor assets.  When this process is completed, the Company would recognize a significant portion of the accumulated foreign currency translations as a current period loss and would recognize the pension liability adjustment as a current period gain.  Depending on the timing of several events, these losses and gains may occur in different periods.

NOTE 1416 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The

In connection with preparing the unaudited consolidated financial statements for thesix months endedJune 30, 2015, the Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of this filing. We do not believe there are any material subsequent events that would require further disclosure.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company entered into an amendment to its existing $10,000,000 line of credit. Under the amendment, the Company agreed to pledge to Wells Fargo a cash collateral account in an amount sufficient to cover the indebtedness, the financial covenants related to current ratio and net income were removed, and the interest rate was lowered to LIBOR plus 1.5%. No other provisions of the original agreement were materially amended by the amended credit agreement.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Communications Systems, Inc. provides physical connectivity infrastructure and services for global deployments of broadband networks through the following business units:

·
Suttle manufactures and markets copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, xDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data and video communications under the Suttle brand in the United States and internationally;
·
Transition Networks manufactures and sells media converters, network interface devices (NIDs), network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches, and other connectivity products that offer customers the ability to affordably integrate fiber optics into any data network; and
·
JDL Technologies provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, HIPAA-compliant IT services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment.
First

Second Quarter 2015 Summary

·
Consolidated sales of $19.5$28.2 million compared to $25.2$33.2 million in Q1 2014.
oQ2 2014, driven by lower sales at Suttle, partially offset by higher sales declined 18%
oat Transition Networks sales declined 17%and JDL Technologies.
o·JDL Technologies sales declined 66%
Gross profit of $4.7Operating loss was $1.7 million or 24% of revenues, compared to gross profitoperating income of $9.0$2.4 million or 36% of revenues, in Q1Q2 2014.
Operating income decreased to a loss of $5.7 million from an operating loss of $252,000 in Q1 2014.
oSuttle operating loss was $2.9 million
oTransition Networks operating loss was $2.1 million
oJDL Technologies operating loss was $769,000
·
Net loss was $4.2$1.0 million, or ($0.48)0.12) per diluted share, compared to a net lossincome of $141,000,$1.4 million, or ($0.02)$0.17 per diluted share, in Q1Q2 2014.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments decreased to $24.6 million at March 31, 2015 from $29.9 million at December 31, 2014.

Forward-looking statements

In this report and, from time to time, in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in press releases, and in other communications to shareholders or the investing public, the Company may make “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning possible or anticipated future financial performance, business activities, plans, pending claims, investigations or litigation, which are typically preceded by the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. For these forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal securities laws. Shareholders and the investing public should understand that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance, activities, anticipated results, outcomes or plans to differ significantly from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

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General Risks and Uncertainties;

Uncertainties:

·
The success of the holding company restructuring plan that we implemented in September 2013;
·
The ability of the CSI parent to oversee the Company’s three operating units function in an efficient and cost-effective manner;

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·The ability of our three business operating units to operate profitably; and
·The impact of changing economic circumstances on government expenditures in our markets.

Suttle Risks and Uncertainties:

·Suttle’s dependence upon its sales to a small number of major communication service providers and their continued investment and deployment into building out their networks;
·Volatility in purchases of Suttle’s products by major communication service providers as well as recent, increased pressure on its margins;
·Suttle’s ability to continue to introduce and sell new fiber-network based-products such as G.hn products and FTTx (fiber-to-the-home or node) products to replace declining sales and lower or fluctuating gross margins in its legacy products;products, and
·The continued recovery of the housing market in the United States.

Transition Networks Risks and Uncertainties:

·The ability of Transition Networks to develop and introduce new products into new and existing markets at a level adequate to counter the decline from its traditional products and markets; and
·Transition Networks’ ability to profitably penetrate targeted international markets.

JDL Technologies Risks and Uncertainties:

·JDL’s ability to continue to obtain business from its traditional South Florida school districts;
·JDL’s ability to profitably expand outside its South Florida education market to small and medium sized commercial businesses;businesses, including through its June 1, 2015 acquisition of Twisted Technologies; and
·JDL’s ability to establish and maintain a productive and efficient workforce in light of revenues that have fluctuated significantly from period to period, in part due to the uncertainty and timing of federal government funding of school initiatives, including the E-Rate program.

In addition, the Company will discuss other factors from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, including risk factors presented under Item 1A of the Company’s most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Company Results

Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to

Three Months Ended June 30, 2014

Consolidated sales decreased 15% in 2015 to $28,198,000 compared to $33,209,000 in 2014. Consolidated operating loss in 2015 was $1,718,000 compared to operating income of $2,406,000 in the second quarter of 2014. Net loss in 2015 was $1,028,000 or $ (0.12) per share compared to net income of $1,437,000 or $0.17 per share in the second quarter of 2014.

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Company Results
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Consolidated sales decreased 22% in 2015 to $19,545,000 compared to $25,198,000 in 2014.  Consolidated operating loss in 2015 increased to $5,691,000 compared to an operating loss of $252,000 in the first quarter of 2014.  Net loss in 2015 increased to $4,163,000 or $ (0.48) per share compared to a net loss of $141,000 or $ (0.02) per share in the first quarter of 2014.

Suttle Results

Suttle sales decreased 18%38% in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 to $10,590,000$11,788,000 compared to $12,882,000$19,006,000 in the same period of 2014 as Suttle experienced increased pricing pressure and volume declines in its legacy product lines. Sales by customer groups in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 and 2014 were:

       
  Suttle Sales by Customer Group 
  2015  2014 
Communication service providers $8,700,000  $10,758,000 
Distributors  783,000   1,440,000 
International  995,000   678,000 
Other  112,000   6,000 
  $10,590,000  $12,882,000 

        
  Suttle Sales by Customer Group 
   2015   2014 
Communication service providers $9,487,000  $15,964,000 
Distributors  931,000   1,573,000 
International  1,284,000   1,314,000 
Other  86,000   155,000 
  $11,788,000  $19,006,000 

Suttle’s sales by product groups in firstsecond quarter of 2015 and 2014 were:

       
  Suttle Sales by Product Group 
  2015  2014 
Modular connecting products $2,488,000  $3,214,000 
Structured cabling products  5,376,000   7,276,000 
DSL products  941,000   1,173,000 
FTTx products  1,577,000   1,194,000 
Other products  208,000   25,000 
  $10,590,000  $12,882,000 

        
  Suttle Sales by Product Group 
   2015   2014 
Modular connecting products $2,595,000  $3,176,000 
Structured cabling products  5,651,000   8,499,000 
DSL products  1,022,000   1,811,000 
FTTx products  2,293,000   5,363,000 
Other products  227,000   157,000 
  $11,788,000  $19,006,000 

Sales to the major communication service providers decreased 19%declined 41% in 2015 due to a continued disrupted order cycle at a major customer that significantly curtailed its firstsecond quarter purchasing, and overall decline in legacy product lines.purchases. This customer had started significant purchasing of FTTx products in the second quarter of 2014; the disrupted order cycle resulted in the 57% decrease in FTTx sales in the second quarter. Sales to major communication service providers accounted for 82%80% of Suttle’s sales in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to 84% of sales in 2014. Sales to distributors decreased 46%41% in 2015 due to a continuing decline in legacy product lines.purchases. This customer segment accounted for 7%8% and 11%8% of sales in the firstsecond quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. International sales increased 47%decreased 2% in 2015 and accounted for 9%11% of Suttle’s firstsecond quarter 2015 sales, due to the ordering cycle of DSL products for a major customer.

Sales of structured cabling products decreased 26%34% due to reduced demand infrom major customers. Sales of DSL products decreased 20%44% and modular connecting products sales decreased 23%18% due to shifts in technology. Sales of FTTx products increased 32% due to success in securing new business in multiple new FTTx networks deployments.

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Suttle’s gross margin decreased 59%64% in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 to $1,441,000$2,255,000 compared to $3,490,000$6,275,000 in the same period of 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 13.6%19.1% from 27.1%33.0% in the same period of 2014 due to increased pricing pressure at a major customer and high production variances due to decreased demand, as well as continued investment into production capabilities to support new FTTx product platforms. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 33%4% to $4,306,000,$3,504,000, or 40.7%29.7% of sales, in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to $3,137,000,$3,358,000, or 24.4%17.7% of sales, in the same period in 2014 due in part to investment into fiber and active capabilities to support new product platforms. Suttle incurred $1,396,000$668,000 and $748,000$794,000 in research and development expenses in the respective 2015 and 2014 firstsecond quarters, as it continues to invest in enhancing existing products and developing new products. Suttle’s operating income was a loss of $2,865,000$1,249,000 in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to income of $353,000$2,917,000 in 2014.

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Transition Networks Results

Transition Networks sales decreased 17%increased 3% to $8,090,000$11,915,000 in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to $9,749,000$11,567,000 in 2014 due to decreasedincreased activity in the North American and EMEAAmerica, partially offset by a decline in our Rest of World markets. Transition Networks organizes its sales force by channel to market and segments its customers geographically. FirstSecond quarter sales by region are presented in the following table:

       
   Transition Networks Sales by Region 
  2015  2014 
North America $5,406,000  $6,897,000 
Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”)  1,043,000   1,205,000 
Rest of World  1,641,000   1,647,000 
  $8,090,000  $9,749,000 

        
  Transition Networks Sales by Region 
   2015   2014 
North America $8,751,000  $8,215,000 
Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”)  1,104,000   1,115,000 
Rest of World  2,060,000   2,237,000 
  $11,915,000  $11,567,000 

The following table summarizes Transition Networks’ 2015 and 2014 firstsecond quarter sales by its major product groups:

       
  Transition Networks Sales by Product Group 
  2015  2014 
Media converters $5,730,000  $6,262,000 
Ethernet switches  930,000   933,000 
Ethernet adapters  119,000   839,000 
Other products  1,311,000   1,715,000 
  $8,090,000  $9,749,000 

        
  Transition Networks Sales by Product Group 
   2015   2014 
Media converters $7,265,000  $7,181,000 
Ethernet switches  1,400,000   1,484,000 
Ethernet adapters  1,320,000   958,000 
Other products  1,930,000   1,944,000 
  $11,915,000  $11,567,000 

Sales in North America decreased 22%increased 7% in 2015 or $1,491,000$536,000 due mainly to a slowdownan increase in federal government andour core enterprise business segments.segment. International sales decreased $168,000,$188,000, or 6%, mainly due to lower circuit emulation and service contract sales outdeclines in our Rest of the United Kingdom site.  Sales of media converters decreased 8% or $532,000 due to a decline in domestic sales resulting from competitive pricing pressures and project timing.World markets. Sales of Ethernet adapters decreased 86%increased 38% or 720,000362,000 due to the slowing of governmentan increase in our core enterprise business and project timing.

in North America.

Gross margin on firstsecond quarter Transition Networks’ sales decreased 28% to $3,405,000remained fairly stable at $5,407,000 in 2015 from $4,706,000as compared to $5,385,000 in 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased slightly to 42.1%45.4% in 2015 from 48.3%46.6% in 2014 due to unfavorable product mix and pricing pressure. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 5%6% to $5,462,000,$5,920,000, or 67.5%49.7% of sales, in 2015 compared to $5,180,000,$5,609,000, or 53.1%48.5% of sales, in 2014 due to increased global selling expenses to support our product development initiatives. Operating loss was $2,057,000$513,000 in 2015 compared to a loss of $712,000$224,000 in 2014.

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JDL Technologies Results

JDL Technologies sales decreased 66%increased 79% to $865,000$4,718,000 in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to $2,567,000$2,636,000 in 2014.

JDL’s revenues by customer group were as follows:

       
  JDL Revenue by Customer Group 
  2015  2014 
Broward County FL schools $328,000  $1,930,000 
Miami Dade County FL schools  0   99,000 
All other  537,000   538,000 
  $865,000  $2,567,000 

        
  JDL Revenue by Customer Group 
   2015   2014 
Broward County FL schools $3,647,000  $2,025,000 
All other  1,071,000   611,000 
  $4,718,000  $2,636,000 

Revenues earned from Broward County Public Schools decreased $1,602,000increased $1,622,000 or 83%80% in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 as compared to the 2014 first quarter duesecond quarter. This was the result of the District beginning to E-Rate funding not yet being available in the 2015 period.move forward with its Data Center Upgrade initiative as well as several wireless upgrades funded through grants outside of E-Rate. The Schools and Library Department of the federal government is expected to provide confirmation of E-Rate awards by the third quarter of 2015. As E-Rate represents significant potential savings for the district,District, the District has put all E-Rate eligible purchases are on hold until funding commitments are released. InAs previously reported, in the first quarter of 2015, the Broward County School District awarded JDL Technologies two new contracts for information technology services and infrastructure, withinfrastructure; JDL Technologies began to realize revenues expected to be realized beginning in the second quarter of 2015. The contracts are valued at approximately $83 million over the five-year contract period.

Absence of further revenues from Miami-Dade County Public Schools reflects completion of that district’s wireless classroom initiative, which had been funded under the E-Rate program.  

Revenue from JDL Technologies’ sales to small and medium-sized commercial businesses (SMBs) remained flat at $537,000.

increased $460,000, or 76% due to the acquisition of several new clients and the June 1, 2015 acquisition of Twisted Technologies.

Gross margin decreased 95%increased 154% to $41,000$1,100,000 in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to $791,000$434,000 in the same period in 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreasedincreased to 4.8%23.3% in 2015 from 30.8%16.4% in 2014 due to changes in revenue mix from 2014 to 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 18%46% in 2015 to $810,000,$1,056,000, or 93.6%22.4% of sales, compared to $685,000,$721,000, or 26.7%27.4% of sales, in 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to acquisition costs associated with the acquisition of Twisted Technologies as a percentage of sales were much higherwell increased compensation expense related to an improvement in the 2015 period as JDL’s non-variable general and administrative expenses constituted a much higher percentage of the lower 2015 sales. Reflecting the first quarter 2015 revenue decline,operating results. JDL Technologies reported an operating lossincome of $769,000$44,000 in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 compared to an operating incomeloss of $107,000$287,000 in the same period of 2014.

Other

The Company’s loss before income taxes increased to $5,637,000$1,775,000 in 2015 compared to a lossincome before income taxes of $265,000$2,275,000 in 2014. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 26.1%42.1% in 2015 and 46.9%36.8% in 2014. This effective tax rate for 2015 differs from the federal tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, foreign tax rate differences, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes and provisions for interest charges for uncertain income tax positions.



Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to

Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

Consolidated sales decreased 18% in 2015 to $47,743,000 compared to $58,407,000 in 2014. Consolidated operating loss in 2015 was $7,409,000 compared to operating income of $2,154,000 in the first half of 2014. Net loss in 2015 was $5,192,000 or $ (0.60) per share compared to net income of $1,297,000 or $0.15 per share in the first half of 2014.

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Suttle Results

Suttle sales decreased 30% in the first six months of 2015 to $22,378,000 compared to $31,888,000 in the same period of 2014 as Suttle experienced increased pricing pressure and volume declines in its legacy product lines. Sales by customer groups in the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were:  

        
  Suttle Sales by Customer Group 
   2015   2014 
Communication service providers $18,187,000  $26,722,000 
Distributors  1,714,000   3,013,000 
International  2,279,000   1,992,000 
Other  198,000   161,000 
  $22,378,000  $31,888,000 

Suttle’s sales by product groups in first six months of 2015 and 2014 were:

        
  Suttle Sales by Product Group 
   2015   2014 
Modular connecting products $5,082,000  $6,390,000 
Structured cabling products  11,027,000   15,775,000 
DSL products  1,963,000   2,984,000 
FTTx products  3,870,000   6,557,000 
Other products  436,000   182,000 
  $22,378,000  $31,888,000 

Sales to the major communication service providers decreased 32% in 2015 due to a disrupted order cycle at a major customer that significantly curtailed its purchasing in the first half of the year, and overall decline in legacy product lines. This customer had started significant purchasing of FTTx products in the second quarter of 2014; this sales disruption accounted for the 41% decrease in FTTx sales in the first half of 2015. Sales to major communication service providers accounted for 81% of Suttle’s sales in the first six months of 2015 compared to 84% of sales in 2014. Sales to distributors decreased 43% in 2015 due to a continuing decline in legacy product lines. This customer segment accounted for 8% and 9% of sales in the first six months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. International sales increased 14% and accounted for 10% of Suttle’s first six month 2015 sales, due to the ordering cycle of DSL products for a major customer.

Sales of structured cabling products decreased 30% due to reduced demand from major customers. Sales of DSL products decreased 34% and modular connecting products sales decreased 20% due to shifts in technology.

Suttle’s gross margin decreased 62% in the first six months of 2015 to $3,696,000 compared to $9,765,000 in the same period of 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 16.5% from 30.6% in the same period of 2014 due to increased pricing pressure at a major customer and high production variances due to decreased demand, as well as continued investment into production capabilities to support new FTTx product platforms. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 20% to $7,810,000, or 34.9% of sales, in the first six months of 2015 compared to $6,496,000, or 20.4% of sales, in the same period in 2014 due in part to investment into fiber and active capabilities to support new product platforms. Suttle incurred $2,064,000 and $1,541,000 in research and development expenses in the respective 2015 and 2014 first six months, as it continues to invest in enhancing existing products and developing new products. Suttle’s operating income was a loss of $4,114,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to income of $3,269,000 in 2014.

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Transition Networks Results

Transition Networks sales decreased 6% to $20,005,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to $21,317,000 in 2014 due mainly to a weak first quarter in our North America markets, in addition to smaller declines in our international markets. Transition Networks organizes its sales force by channel to market and segments its customers geographically. First half sales by region are presented in the following table: 

        
  Transition Networks Sales by Region 
   2015   2014 
North America $14,157,000  $15,112,000 
Europe, Middle East, Africa (“EMEA”)  2,147,000   2,321,000 
Rest of World  3,701,000   3,884,000 
  $20,005,000  $21,317,000 

The following table summarizes Transition Networks’ 2015 and 2014 first six month sales by its major product groups: 

        
  Transition Networks Sales by Product Group 
   2015   2014 
Media converters $12,995,000  $13,443,000 
Ethernet switches  2,329,000   2,417,000 
Ethernet adapters  1,440,000   1,797,000 
Other products  3,241,000   3,660,000 
  $20,005,000  $21,317,000 

Sales in North America decreased 6% or $955,000 due mainly to a continued slowdown in federal government and enterprise business segments that began in the first quarter of 2015. International sales decreased $357,000, or 6%, due to continued soft business conditions in Europe and pricing pressures in Rest of World markets. Sales of media converters decreased 3% or $448,000 due to a decline in first quarter domestic sales resulting from competitive pricing pressures and project timing. Sales of Ethernet adapters decreased 20% or $357,000 due to the slowing of government business and project timing.

Gross margin on the Transition Networks’ first six month sales decreased 13% to $8,812,000 in 2015 from $10,093,000 in 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 44.0% in 2015 from 47.3% in 2014 due to unfavorable product mix. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 5% to $11,382,000, or 56.9% of sales, in 2015 compared to $10,789,000, or 50.6% of sales, in 2014 due to increased global selling expenses to support our product development initiatives. Operating loss was $2,570,000 in 2015 compared to a loss of $934,000 in 2014.

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JDL Technologies Results

JDL Technologies sales increased 7% to $5,583,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to $5,202,000 in 2014.

JDL’s revenues by customer group were as follows: 

        
  JDL Revenue by Customer Group 
   2015   2014 
Broward County FL schools $3,975,000  $3,955,000 
Miami Dade County FL schools  0   99,000 
All other  1,608,000   1,148,000 
  $5,583,000  $5,202,000 

Revenues earned from Broward County Public Schools increased $20,000 or 1% in the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 due to the District beginning to move forward with its Data Center Upgrade initiative as well as several wireless upgrades funded through grants outside of E-Rate.

Absence of further revenues from Miami-Dade County Public Schools reflects completion of thatdistrict’s wireless classroom initiative, which had been funded under the E-Rate program.

Revenue from JDL Technologies’ sales to small and medium-sized commercial businesses (SMBs) increased $460,000, or 40% in the first six months of 2015 due to the acquisition of new managed services clients.

Gross margin decreased 7% to $1,141,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to $1,224,000 in the same period in 2014. Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 20.4% in 2015 from 23.5% in 2014 due to changes in revenue mix from 2014 to 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 33% in 2015 to $1,866,000, or 33.4% of sales, compared to $1,405,000, or 27.0% of sales, in 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were much higher in the 2015 period increased due to acquisition costs associated with the June 1, 2015 acquisition of Twisted Technologies as well as post-acquisition operating costs of that entity. JDL Technologies reported an operating loss of $725,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to an operating loss of $181,000 in the same period of 2014.

Other

The Company’s loss before income taxes increased to $7,412,000 in 2015 compared to income of $2,010,000 in 2014. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 30.0% in 2015 and 35.5% in 2014. This effective tax rate for 2015 differs from the federal tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, foreign tax rate differences, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes and provisions for interest charges for uncertain income tax positions. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31,June 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $24,613,000$21,434,000 in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Of this amount, $442,000$2,473,000 was invested in short-term money market funds that are not considered to be bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or other government agency. These money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment at $1.00 per share; however, it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The remainder in cash and cash equivalents is operating cash and certificates of deposit that are fully insured through the FDIC. The Company also had $15,463,000$13,461,000 in investments consisting of certificates of deposit and corporate notes and bonds that are traded on the open market and are classified as available-for-sale at March 31,June 30, 2015.

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The Company had working capital of $52,014,000,$48,955,000, consisting of current assets of approximately $65,767,000$66,394,000 and current liabilities of $13,753,000$17,439,000 at March 31,June 30, 2015 compared to working capital of $56,911,000, consisting of current assets of $69,906,000 and current liabilities of $12,995,000 at December 31, 2014.

Cash flow used by operating activities was approximately $2,311,000$6,124,000 in 2015 compared to $5,823,000$7,553,000 provided in the same period of 2014. Significant working capital changes from December 31, 2014 to March 31,June 30, 2015 included a decreasean increase in receivables of $2,957,000$3,476,000 due to lowera slight increase in revenues in the firstsecond quarter of 2015 as compared to the last quarter of 2014 and an increase in JDL-related inventorydays sales outstanding at Suttle for a couple of significant customers, and related accounts payablean increase in prepaid income taxes due to a large order at JDL.

the tax benefits realized this year.

Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $96,000$184,000 in 2015 compared to $5,978,000$9,332,000 used in the same period of 2014, primarily because of large net investments in the 2014 period. The Company continued to make capital investments in 2015, specifically within Suttle’s manufacturing operations.

The Company acquired Twisted Technologies, Inc. during the second quarter of 2015 and paid $1,000,000 in initial consideration, with an estimated $463,000 to be paid out in deferred and contingent consideration.

Net cash usedprovided by financing activities was $1,536,000$154,000 in 2015 compared to $2,027,000$3,353,000 used in the same period of 2014. Cash dividends paid on common stock increased to $1,395,000$2,820,000 in 2015 ($0.160.32 per common share) from $1,369,000$2,801,000 in 2014. Proceeds from common stock issuances, principally shares sold to the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and issued under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, totaled approximately $43,000$221,000 in 2015 and $36,000$180,000 in 2014. The Company did not repurchase any shares in 2015 or 2014 under the Board authorizedBoard-authorized program. At March 31,June 30, 2015, Board of Director authority to purchase approximately 411,910 additional shares remained in effect. The Company acquired $51,000$175,000 and $0$2,000 in 2015 and 2014, respectively, of Company stock from employees in order to satisfy withholding tax obligations related to share-based compensation, pursuant to terms of Board and shareholder-approved compensation plans.

The Company has a $10,000,000 line of credit from Wells Fargo Bank. Interest on borrowings on the credit line is at LIBOR plus 1.1% (1.4%1.75% (1.9% at March 31,June 30, 2015). There were noThe Company had $3,100,000 in outstanding borrowings onagainst the line of credit at March 31,June 30, 2015 orand no borrowings at June 30, 2014. The credit agreement expires October 31, 2016 and is secured by assets of the Company.

On August 7, 2015, Communications Systems, Inc. and its three operating subsidiaries entered into a Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver of Default with Wells Fargo. Under the amendment,the Company agreed to pledge to Wells Fargo a cash collateral account in an amount sufficient to cover the indebtedness, the financial covenants related to current ratio and net income were removed, and the interest rate was lowered to LIBOR plus 1.5%. No other provisions of the original agreement were materially amended by the amended credit agreement.

In the opinion of management, based on the Company’s current financial and operating position and projected future expenditures, sufficient funds are available to meet the Company’s anticipated operating and capital expenditure needs.

needs. 

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Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are discussed in our 2014 Form 10-K in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2015.

The Company’s accounting policies have been consistently applied in all material respects and disclose matters such matters as allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns, inventory valuation, warranty expense, income taxes, revenue recognition, asset impairment recognition and foreign currency translation. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the result of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Results may differ from these estimates due to actual outcomes being different from those on which we based our assumptions. Management reviews these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)FASB issued a new accounting standard updateguidance on the recognition of revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The newcustomers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. According tounder GAAP. Under the new guidance,standard, entities will recognize revenue is recognized when promisedto depict the transfer of goods orand services are transferred to customers in an amountamounts that reflectsreflect the considerationpayment to which the Companyentity expects to receivebe entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard isguidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from an entity’s contracts with customers. The FASB delayed the effective for the Company’s first quarterdate of 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. Implementation may be either through retrospective application to each period from the first quarter of 2015 or with a cumulative effect adjustment upon adoption in 2017. Additional disclosures will also be required under the new standard. In April 2015, the FASB issued a proposal that, if approved, would extend the required implementation date one yearthis guidance to the first quarter of 2018, but also would permit companies to adopt the standard atwith early adoption permitted as of the original effective date of the first quarter of 2017. The Company is assessing what impactsWe are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this new standard will haveguidance on its Consolidatedour Financial Statements.

Statements and disclosures.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk..

The Company has no freestanding or embedded derivatives. The Company’s policy is to not use freestanding derivatives and to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.

The vast majority of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars; as such, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have historically not been material to the Company. At March 31,June 30, 2015 our bank line of credit carried a variable interest rate based on LIBOR plus 1.1%1.75%.

Based on the Company’s operations, in the opinion of management, no material future losses or exposure exist relative to market risk.

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Item 4.  4.Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s

disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Except as set forth below, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, we implemented a new ERP system within our Suttle business unit. The ERP system is designed to strengthen our long-term performance by standardizing all CSI business units on a common platform. The system changes were not being made in response to any material weakness in our internal controls. This implementation has resulted in some changes to business processes and internal control over financial reporting. We have taken steps to monitor and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting and will continue to evaluate the operating effectiveness of related controls during future periods.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Not Applicable.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Not Applicable.

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

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 
         
Period
(a) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
 
 Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
 
Total Number of Shares (or
Units) Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs
 
(b) Maximum Number (or Approximate
Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
or Programs
 
January 2015 $
             
 
  411,910  
February 2015
  
 
  411,910  
March 2015 4,367    11.60  
  411,910  
Total 4,367  $      11.60  
  411,910  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

Communications Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) maintains the Communications Systems, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“CSI ESOP” or “ESOP”). The Company regularly contributes approximately three percent of annual eligible employee compensation to the CSI ESOP and the CSI ESOP purchases Company common stock (“Shares”) directly from the Company.

In March 2015, the Company contributed $385,424 to the CSI ESOP, which was equal to the value of 36,707 Shares at a price of $10.50, the closing price on December 31, 2014, and the CSI ESOP purchased 36,707 Shares directly from the Company. In July 2015, the Company contributed an additional $9,797 to the CSI ESOP and the ESOP purchased an additional 933 Shares from the Company at a price of $10.50.

The Company’s 2013 ESOP contribution was $362,273, for which the Company issued 32,520 Shares in 2014. The Company’s 2012 ESOP contribution was $463,819 for which the Company issued 44,598 Shares in 2013. The Company discloses its annual ESOP contribution and the related issuance of Shares in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, mostly recently in Note 8, Stock Compensation, in Notes to Financial Statements in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Issuance of the Shares to the ESOP is exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering because the ESOP is an accredited investor and will hold the shares and allocate them to ESOP beneficiaries in accordance with securities laws and the terms of the ESOP.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

                  
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 
Period  (a) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
  Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
  

 

Total Number of Shares (or
Units) Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans or
Programs

  (b) Maximum Number (or Approximate
Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
or Programs
 
April 2015     $      411,910  
May 2015   11,082   11.05      411,910  
June 2015   194   11.33      411,910  
Total   11,276  $11.06      411,910  

(a)The shares in this column represent shares that were surrendered to us by plan participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations related to share-based compensation.31
 (b)Shares represent remaining amount of a 500,000 share repurchase authorization approved by the Company’s Board in October 2008 and publicly announced in November 2008.

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(a)  The shares in this column represent shares that were surrendered to us by plan participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations related to share-based compensation.

(b)  Shares represent remaining amount of a 500,000 share repurchase authorization approved by the Company’s Board in October 2008 and publicly announced in November 2008.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

On MayAugust 7, 2015, Communications Systems, Inc., JDL Technologies, Inc., Transition Networks, Inc. and Suttle, Inc. entered in the FourthFifth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver of Default with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

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A description of the Fifth Amendment is contained in Note 16 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

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Item 6.   Exhibits.
The following exhibits are included herein:
The following exhibits are included herein:
 10.1Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of May 7, 2015 from Communications Systems, Inc., JDL Technologies, Inc., Transition Networks, Inc., and Suttle, Inc. to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
10.2Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver of Default dated as of MayAugust 7, 2015 between Communications Systems, Inc., JDL Technologies, Inc., Transition Networks, Inc., and Suttle, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
 31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
 31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act).
 32.Certifications pursuant Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350).
 99.1Press Release dated MayAugust 5, 2015 announcing 2015 FirstSecond Quarter Results.

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized.

    
  Communications Systems, Inc. 
    
 By/s/ Roger H.D. Lacey 
 Roger H.D. Lacey 
Date:  MayAugust 7, 2015 Chief Executive Officer 
  
/s/ Edwin C. Freeman 
  Edwin C. Freeman 
Date:  MayAugust 7, 2015 Chief Financial Officer 

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