UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
 
FORM 10-Q
______________
 
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018
 
or
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from________ to ________
 
Commission File Number 0-53722
 
———————
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
———————
 
Delaware04-2621506
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  
99 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 423-1072
 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
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 ☑ NO ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ☑ NO ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer  ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller Reporting Company ☑
(do not check if a smaller reporting company) Emerging growth company  ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☑
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, as of November 6, 2017,May 9, 2018, was 15,067,79015,884,040 shares.
   

 
 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
INDEX
 
Page
Part I. - Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements
23
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2016201723
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)34
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)45
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)56
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1013
Item 3.    Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk1517
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures1517
Part II. Other Information
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings1618
Item 1A.  Risk Factors1618
Item 6.    Exhibits1618
Signatures1719
Exhibit Index1820
 

 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
ASSETS
 
September 30,
2017
(Unaudited)
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
March 31,
2018
(Unaudited)
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 $90,853 
 $179,846 
 $423,186 
 $229,218 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $661,892 at September 30, 2017 and $507,296 at December 31, 2016
  2,104,555 
  2,498,259 
Accounts receivable, net
  2,836,118 
  2,229,512 
Inventories, net
  5,306,662 
  4,926,612 
  5,379,931 
  5,202,303 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  935,984 
  652,402 
  1,065,473 
  578,406 
Total current assets
  8,438,054 
  8,257,119 
  9,704,708 
  8,239,439 
    
    
Other assets
  398,824 
  588,907 
  361,997 
  391,668 
Equipment, net
  187,374 
  175,743 
  152,160 
  161,574 
Total assets
 $9,024,252 
 $9,021,769 
 $10,218,865 
 $8,792,681 
    
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    
    
Current liabilities
    
    
Bank debt
 $594,778 
 $1,306,620 
 $50,553 
 $90,260 
Accounts payable
  3,761,662 
  2,502,323 
  3,758,726 
  3,526,851 
Accrued expenses
  1,214,240 
  1,051,616 
Accrued sales tax
  950,000 
  831,000 
Accrued other expenses
  1,742,861 
  1,172,984 
Total liabilities
  5,570,680 
  4,860,559 
  6,502,140 
  5,621,095 
    
    
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
    
    
    
    
Stockholders' equity
    
    
Common stock: Authorized: 25,000,000 shares at $0.01 par value
    
    
Issued and outstanding: 15,037,790 shares at September 30, 2017 and 14,685,290 shares at December 31, 2016
  150,378 
  146,853 
Issued and outstanding: 15,877,790 shares at March 31, 2018 and 15,286,540 shares at December 31, 2017
  158,778 
  152,865 
Additional paid-in capital
  40,163,143 
  39,893,919 
  40,445,630 
  40,265,282 
Accumulated deficit
  (36,859,949)
  (35,879,562)
  (36,887,683)
  (37,246,561)
Total stockholders' equity
  3,453,572 
  4,161,210 
  3,716,725 
  3,171,586 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $9,024,252 
 $9,021,769 
 $10,218,865 
 $8,792,681 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
23
 
 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
Net sales
 $8,582,076 
 $5,990,432 
 $20,556,157 
 $12,688,142 
 $8,336,867 
 $5,145,889 
Cost of goods sold
  5,515,753 
  4,064,834 
  13,561,520 
  8,727,755 
  5,055,477 
  3,411,618 
Gross profit
  3,066,323 
  1,925,598 
  6,994,637 
  3,960,387 
  3,281,390 
  1,734,271 
    
    
Operating expenses:
    
    
Selling
  1,812,921 
  1,473,787 
  5,341,239 
  3,520,030 
  2,054,557 
  1,846,533 
General and administrative
  383,475 
  354,237 
  1,153,753 
  1,236,239 
  448,078 
  431,392 
Research and development
  457,309 
  352,849 
  1,367,718 
  1,154,789 
  410,258 
  507,970 
  2,653,705 
  2,180,873 
  7,862,710 
  5,911,058 
  2,912,893 
  2,785,895 
Operating profit (loss)
  368,497 
  (1,051,624)
    
    
Operating income (loss)
  412,618 
  (255,275)
  (868,073)
  (1,950,671)
    
Other income (expense):
    
Other income (expense) :
    
Interest income
  22 
  21 
  59 
  238 
  104 
  22 
Interest expense
  (30,636)
  (27,778)
  (87,178)
  (32,115)
  (6,168)
  (25,797)
Other, net
  65 
  41,482 
  (11,072)
  42,232 
  43 
  (11,103)
Total other income (expense)
  (30,549)
  13,725 
  (98,191)
  10,355 
  (6,021)
  (36,878)
    
    
Income (loss) before income taxes
  382,069 
  (241,550)
  (966,264)
  (1,940,316)
  362,476 
  (1,088,502)
    
    
Income taxes
  4,984 
  2,034 
  14,123 
  3,312 
Income taxes (benefit)
  3,598 
  –– 
    
    
Net income (loss)
 $377,085 
 $(243,584)
 $(980,387)
 $(1,943,628)
 $358,878 
 $(1,088,502)
    
    
    
Net income (loss) per share:
    
    
Basic
 $0.03 
 $(0.02)
 $(0.07)
 $(0.14)
 $0.02 
 $(0.07)
Diluted
 $0.02 
 $(0.02)
 $(0.07)
 $(0.14)
 $0.02 
 $(0.07)
    
    
    
    
Basic weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  14,953,285 
  13,877,407 
  14,851,229 
  13,722,680 
  15,727,163 
  14,781,887 
Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  16,419,374 
  13,877,407 
  14,851,229 
  13,722,680 
  16,510,632 
  14,781,887 
 
 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 $(980,387)
 $(1,943,628)
 
    
    
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    
    
Depreciation and amortization
  391,181 
  389,487 
Stock based compensation
  170,074 
  164,795 
Provision for accounts receivable allowances
  540 
  8,988 
Provision for inventory reserves
  186,440 
  10,450 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    
    
Accounts receivable
  393,164 
  (1,801,446)
Inventories
  (566,490)
  (1,454,910)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  (327,462)
  (193,245)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  1,421,963 
  1,084,228 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  689,023 
  (3,735,281)
 
    
    
Cash flows from investing activities:
    
    
 
    
    
Cost of other assets
  (75,000)
  (295,000)
Additions to plant and equipment
  (93,849)
  (32,303)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  (168,849)
  (327,303)
 
    
    
Cash flows from financing activities:
    
    
     Net funds received from (to) bank credit lines
  (711,842)
  2,141,799 
     Proceeds from stock option exercises
  102,675 
  249,389 
                    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  (609,167)
  2,391,188 
 
    
    
Net change in cash
  (88,993)
  (1,671,396)
 
    
    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  179,846 
  1,846,704 
 
    
    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 $90,853 
 $175,308 
 
    
    
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    
    
 
    
    
Cash paid during the period for:
    
    
Interest
 $87,178 
 $32,115 
Income taxes
 $14,123 
 $3,312 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4
 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017   
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 $358,878 
 $(1,088,502)
 
    
    
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    
    
Depreciation and amortization
  97,990 
  144,380 
Stock based compensation
  33,798 
  76,204 
Provision for (recovery of) accounts receivable allowances
  (185)
  (2,599)
Provision for inventory reserves
  –– 
  (3,306)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    
    
Accounts receivable
  (606,421)
  395,355 
Inventories
  (177,628)
  249,544 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  (487,067)
  463,285 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  920,752 
  (510,857)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  140,117 
  (276,496)
 
    
    
Cash flows from investing activities:
    
    
 
    
    
Cost of other assets
  (40,000)
  (88,320)
Purchases of plant and equipment
  (18,905)
  (192)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  (58,905)
  (88,512)
 
    
    
Cash flows from financing activities:
    
    
     Net funds received from (paid to) bank credit lines
  (39,707)
  238,985 
     Proceeds from stock option exercises
  152,463 
  45,025 
                    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  112,756 
  284,010 
 
    
    
Net change in cash
  193,968 
  (80,998)
 
    
    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  229,218 
  179,846 
 
    
    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 $423,186 
 $98,848 
 
    
    
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    
    
 
    
    
Cash paid during the period for:
    
    
Interest
 $6,168 
 $25,797 
Income taxes
 $3,598 
 $–– 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) are unaudited. However, the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 20162017 was derived from audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all necessary adjustments to present fairly the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Zoom Telephonics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Zoom”). The adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.
 
The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. The Company has evaluated subsequent events from September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 through the date of this filing and determined that there are no such events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
The financial statements of the Company presented herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 20162017 included in the Company's 20162017 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Sales Tax
The Company recorded a sales tax accrual in 2017 after the Company became aware that a state sales tax liability was both probable and estimable as of December 31, 2017. The state sales tax liability stems from the Company’s ‘Fulfilled by Amazon’ sales agreement which allows Amazon to warehouse the Company’s inventory throughout a number of states. As a result, the Company recorded an expense of $831 thousand in Q4 2017, and approximated $119 thousand additional expense in Q1 2018.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
Revenue Recognition
In March 2016,May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2017 and elected an accounting policy to record forfeitures as they occur. The impact of this change in accounting policy had an insignificant effect on accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 also provides that companies no longer record excess tax benefits or certain tax deficiencies in additional paid-in capital. Instead, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations. There was no financial statement impact of adopting this provision of ASU 2016-09 as the Company is currently in a net operating loss position and the excess tax benefits that existed from options previously exercised had a full valuation allowance. The effects of adopting the remaining provisions in ASU 2016-09 affecting the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities when an entity partially settles the award in cash in excess of the employer’s minimum statutory withholding requirements and classification in the statement of cash flows did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “RevenueRevenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”)., to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. Under ASU 2014-09, supersedes thean entity will recognize revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” and some cost guidance included in ASC Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue is recognized when the transfer ofit transfers promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Companya company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method provision of this standard effectiveJanuary 1, 2018,which requires the disclosure of sufficient information to enable readers of the Company’s financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosure of information regarding significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 provides two methods of retrospective application. The first method would require the Company to apply ASU 2014-09the new revenue standard to each prior reporting period presented. The second method would require(i) all new revenue contracts entered into afterJanuary 1, 2018and (ii) all existing revenue contracts as ofJanuary 1, 2018through a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. In accordance with this approach,there was no material impact which required a cumulative effect adjustment.
Revenue recognition is evaluated through the following five steps: (i) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied.
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer —a contract with a customer exists when the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer, typically a purchase order initiated by the customer, that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods to retrospectively apply ASU 2014-09 withbe transferred and identifies the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application.payment terms related to these goods.

 
There have been four new ASUs issued amending certain aspectsIdentification of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-08, "Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net)," was issued in March 2016 to clarify certain aspects of the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09. In addition, ASU 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," issued in April 2016, amends other sections of ASU 2014-09 including clarifying guidance related to identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation. ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients" provides amendments and practical expedients to the guidance in ASU 2014-09 in the areas of assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes received from customers, noncash consideration, contract modification and clarification of using the full retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. Finally, ASU 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers," was issued in December 2016, and provides elections regarding the disclosures required for remaining performance obligations in certain cases and also makes other technical corrections and improvementsthe contract —performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the standard. With its evaluationcustomer that are distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods on their own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement for the sale of product must exist. The Company ships product in accordance with the purchase order and standard terms as reflected within the Company’s order acknowledgments and sales invoices.
Determination of the impact of ASU 2014-09, transaction pricethe Companutransaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will also consider the impact on its financial statements relatedbe entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the updated guidance provided by these four new ASUs.customer. This would be the agreed upon quantity and price per product type in accordance with the customer purchase order, which is aligned with the Company’s internally approved pricing guidelines.
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract— if the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. This applies to the Company as there is only one performance obligation, which is to ship the goods.
Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation— the Company satisfies performance obligations at a point in time when control of the goods transfers to the customer. Determining the point in time when control transfers requires judgment. Indicators considered in determining whether the customer has obtained control of a good include:
The Company will adopthas a present right to payment
● The customer has legal title to the new guidance in fiscal 2018, and anticipates using the modified retrospective method.goods
The Company has transferred physical possession of the goods
● The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods
● The customer has accepted the goods
The Company has concluded that transfer of control substantively transfers to the customer upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms of the purchase agreement.
Other considerations of Topic 606 include the following:
Warranties- the Company does not offer customers to purchase a warranty separately. Therefore there is not a separate performance obligation. The Company does account for warranties as a cost accrual and the warranties do not include any additional distinct services other than the assurance that the goods comply with agreed-upon specifications. Warranties are variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). The estimates due to warranties are historically not material.
Returned Goods- analyses of actual returned product are compared to that of the product return estimates and historically have resulted in no material difference between the finaltwo. The Company has concluded that the current process of evaluatingestimating the new standard against its existing accounting policies, including the timingreturn reserve represents a fair measure with which to adjust revenue. Returned goods are variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue recognitionas performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). Under implementation of Topic 606, the Company will monitor pending authorized returns of goods and, its contracts withif deemed appropriate, record the right of return asset accordingly.
Price protection- price protection provides that if the Company reduces the price on any products sold to the customer, the Company will guarantee an account credit for the price difference for all quantities of that product that the customer still holds. Price protection is variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). The estimates due to price protection are historically not material.
Volume Rebates and Promotion Programs- volume rebates are variable dependent upon the volume of goods sold-through the Company’s customers to determine the effect the guidance will have on its financial statementsend-users variable and what changesunder Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods). The estimates due to systemsrebates and controls may be warranted.promotions are historically not material.
Reclassification of accounts receivable allowances to accrued other expenses:
Accounts receivable, net:
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
Gross accounts receivable
 $2,851,026 
 $2,811,638 
     Allowance for doubtful accounts
  (14,908)
  (15,094)
     Allowance for marketing distribution funds *
  –– 
  (127,821)
     Allowance for returns *
  –– 
  (439,211)
     Allowance for price protection, promotions *
  –– 
  –– 
           Total allowances
  (14,908)
  (582,126)
                 Total accounts receivable, net
 $2,836,118 
 $2,229,512 


 
Accrued other expenses:
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
Audit, legal, payroll
 $176,104 
 $193,394 
Royalty costs
  875,000 
  750,000 
Sales allowances *
  492,565 
  –– 
Other
  199,192 
  229,590 
             Total accrued other expenses
 $1,742,861 
 $1,172,984 
_________________________
*Upon adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, certain accounts receivable allowances totaling $492,565 as of March 31, 2018 were reclassified to accrued other expenses as payable to the Company's customers and settled in cash or by credit on account.

Company revenues are primarily from the selling of products that are shipped and billed. Consistent with the revenue recognition accounting standard, revenues are recognized when control is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. Sales are earned at a point in time through ship-and-bill performance obligations.
The impact of adopting this standard on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements required no cumulative transition adjustment.
Regarding disaggregated revenue disclosures, as previously noted, the Company’s business is controlled as a single operating segment that consists of the manufacture and sale of Internet access and other communications-related products. Most of the Company’s transactions are very similar in nature, contract, terms, timing, and transfer of control of goods.
Disaggregated revenue by distribution channel for three months ended:
Through :
 
March 31,
2018
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
Retailers
 $7,933,218 
 $4,771,351 
Distributors
  185,066 
  161,317 
Other
  218,583 
  213,221 
Total
 $8,336,867 
 $5,145,889 
Disaggregated revenue by product for three months ended:
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
Cable Modems & gateways
 $7,826,164 
 $4,831,761 
Other
  510,703 
  314,128 
Total
 $8,336,867 
 $5,145,889 
Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with customers are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the products. Based on the nature of the Company’s products and customer contracts, the Company has not recorded any deferred revenue. Any agreements with customers that could impact revenue such as rebates or promotions are recognized in the period of agreement.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05,Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. ASU 2018-05 amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 to provide guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.  ASU 2018-05 addresses situations where the accounting under ASC Topic 740 is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act upon issuance of the entity’s financial statements for the reporting period in which the Tax Act was enacted.  The adoption of ASU 2018-05 in March 2018 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the balance sheets, a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term (the lease asset). For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 may have on its consolidated financial statements.
 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments Credit Losses —Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. An entity should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-13 through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (modified-retrospective approach). The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-13 may have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting.” ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following criteria are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification. (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Disclosure requirements remain unchanged. ASU 2017-09 is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as described in ASU 2017-09. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 (2) Liquidity
 
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance on September 30, 2017 was approximately $91 thousand, down from $180 thousand on DecemberOn March 31, 2016. Major uses of cash were a $980 thousand loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of approximately $712 thousand in bank debt, an increase of approximately $380 thousand in inventory, and an increase of approximately $284 thousand in prepaid expenses. These were offset by an increase of approximately $1.4 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a decrease of approximately $394 thousand in accounts receivable, and a decrease of approximately $190 thousand in other assets.

On September 30, 20172018 the Company had approximately $595$51 thousand in bank debt for a $3.0 million asset-based credit line, and had working capital of approximately $2.9 million, including approximately $91$423 thousand in cash and cash equivalents. On December 31, 2016 the Company hadequivalents, and working capital of approximately $3.4 million including$3.2 million.The Company’s credit line has a maturity date of November 2018, and automatically renews from year to year unless cancelled under the terms of agreement.
Major uses of cash during the first quarter of 2018 were increases of approximately $180$487 thousand in prepaid expenses, approximately $178 thousand in inventory, and approximately $606 thousand in accounts receivable. Major contributors to cash were $921 thousand in accounts payable and cash equivalents. The Company’s current ratio at September 30, 2017 was 1.5 compared to 1.7 at December 31, 2016.accrued expenses, net income of approximately $359 thousand, and approximately $152 thousand from stock option exercises.
 
Although the Company has experienced losses in the past, the Company has experienced dramatic growth over the last year and one-half. Sales in 2016 were up 65% over sales in 2015 and sales in the first nine months of 2017 were up 62% over sales in the first nine months of 2016. The Company believes that year-over-yearcontinues to experience significant sales growth, is likely to continueand had operating profits for the foreseeable future due to a number of factors including the strength of the Motorola brand, new product introductions, increased shelf space, growing online retailer sales,Q3 2017 and international expansion. Because of projected sales increases, the associated improved net income, and its Financing Agreement (as defined below) withQ1 2018, though reported an operating loss for Q4 2017. The Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc., the Company expects to maintain acceptable levels of liquidity to meet its obligations as they become due for at least twelve months from the date of our quarterlyissuance of the Company’s Quarterly filing of this Form 10-Q with the Securities Exchange Commission.
 
 (3) Inventories
 
Inventories consist of :
 
September 30,
2017
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
March 31,
2018
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
Materials
 $1,287,621 
 $888,830 
 $1,406,998 
 $1,524,728 
Work in process
  209,694 
  27,708 
  121,370 
  1,149 
Finished goods
  3,809,347 
  4,010,074 
  3,851,563 
  3,676,426 
Total
 $5,306,662 
 $4,926,612 
 $5,379,931 
 $5,202,303 
 
Finished goods includes consigned inventory held by our customers of $835,800$905,700 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and $442,300$958,500 at December 31, 2016.2017. The Company reviews inventory for obsolete and slow moving products each quarter and makes provisions based on its estimate of the probability that the material will not be consumed or that it will be sold below cost. The provision for inventory reserves was $60,096negligible for theboth three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and $7,838 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The provision for inventory reserves was $186,440 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $10,450 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.respectively.
 
(4) Commitments and Contingencies
 
(a)  Contingencies
 
From time to time the Company is party to various lawsuits and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company evaluates such lawsuits and proceedings on a case-by-case basis, and its policy is to vigorously contest any such claims that it believes are without merit. The Company's management believes that the ultimate resolution of such matters will not materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial position, or results of operations.
 
On May 17, 2016, Magnacross LLC ("Magnacross") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (U.S.D.C., E.D.Tex.) against the
 The Company alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,917,304 (“the ’304 patent”) entitled “Wireless Multiplex Data Transmission System.” Magnacross alleged that the Company’s wireless routers, including its Model 5363, 5360, and 5354 (N300, N600, and AC1900) Routers, infringe the '304 patent. In its complaint, Magnacross sought injunctive relief and unspecified compensatory damages. The case was resolved on February 2, 2017 with the entry by the judge of an Order of Dismissal with Prejudice.does not currently have any pending or outstanding legal proceedings.
 
(b)  Commitments
 
In May 2015 Zoom entered into a License Agreement with Motorola Mobility LLC (the “License Agreement”).  The License Agreement provides Zoom with an exclusive license to use certain trademarks owned by Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. for the manufacture, sale and marketing of consumer cable modem products in the United States and Canada through certain authorized sales channels.
 

In August 2016 Zoom entered into an amendment to the License Agreement with Motorola Mobility LLC (the “2016 Amendment”).  The 2016 Amendment expands Zoom’s exclusive license to use the Motorola trademark to a wide range of authorized channels worldwide, and expands the license from cable modems and gateways to also include consumer routers, WiFi range extenders, home powerline network adapters, and access points.
 
In August 2017 Zoom entered into an amendment to the License Agreement with Motorola Mobility LLC (the “2017 Amendment”).  The 2017 Amendment expands Zoom’s exclusive license to use the Motorola trademark to a wide range of authorized channels worldwide, and expands the license from cable modems, gateways, consumer routers, WiFi range extenders, home powerline network adapters, and access points to also include MoCa adapters, and cellular sensors. The License Agreement, as amended, has a five-year term beginning January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2020 and increased the minimum royalty payments as outlined below.
 
In connection with the License Agreement, the Company has committed to reserve a certain percentage of wholesale prices for use in advertising, merchandising and promotion of the related products. Additionally, the Company is required to make quarterly royalty payments equal to a certain percentage of the preceding quarter’s net sales with minimum annual royalty payments as follows:
 
Year ending December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 $3,000,000 
2018
 $3,500,000 
2019
 $4,500,000 
2020
 $5,100,000 
Year ending December 31,
2018:
$3,500,000
2019:
$4,500,000
2020:
$5,100,000
 
Royalty expense under the License Agreement was $583,333$875,000 for the thirdfirst quarter of 20162018 and $750,000 for the thirdfirst quarter of 2017, and royalty expense is included in selling expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The balance of the committed royalty expense for 20172018 amounts to $750,000 for the remaining quarter of 2017.$2,625,000.
 
In order to facilitate the Company’s current and planned increase in production demand, driven in part by the launch of Motorola branded products, theThe Company has committedagreed with North American Production Sharing, Inc. (“NAPS”) to extend itsthe Company’s existing Tijuana facility’s lease used in connection with the Production Sharing Agreement (“PSA”) entered into between the Company and NAPS. The extension term is December 1, 2015goes through November 30, 2018 and allowsalso facilitates the Company to contract additionalCompany’s contracting with Mexican personnel to work in theour Tijuana facility.
 
The Company moved its headquarters on June 29, 2016 from its long time location at 207 South Street, Boston, MA.MA to a nearby location at 99 High Street, Boston, MA. The Company signed a lease for 11,480 square feet that terminates on June 29, 2019. Payments under the lease are zero for the first 2 months, an aggregate of $413,280 for the next 12 months, an aggregate of $424,760 for the next 12 months, and an aggregate of $363,533 for the remaining term of the lease ending June 29, 2019. Rent expense was $102,338$109,804 for the thirdfirst quarter of 2018 and $100,656 for the first quarter of 2017.

 
(5) Customer Concentrations
 
The Company sells its products primarily through high-volume retailers and distributors, Internet service providers, value-added resellers, Personal Computer (“PC”) system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). The Company supports its major accounts in their efforts to offer a well-chosen selection of attractive products and to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
 
Relatively few customers account for a substantial portion of the Company’s revenues.  In the thirdfirst quarter of 2017, three2018 two customers accounted for 10% or greater separatelyindividually and 92% combined of27% in the Company’s total net sales. In the first nine months of 2017, three customers accounted for 10% or greater separately and 90% combinedaggregate of the Company’s total net sales. At September 30, 2017, threeMarch 31, 2018, two customers with an accounts receivable balance of 10% or greater individually accounted for a combined 83%60% of the Company’s accounts receivable. In the thirdfirst quarter of 2016, three2017, two customers accounted for 10% or greater separatelyindividually and 86% combined of47% in the Company’s total net sales. In the first nine months of 2016, three customers accounted for 10% or greater separately and 81% combinedaggregate of the Company’s total net sales. At September 30, 2016 threeMarch 31, 2017 two customers with an accounts receivable balance of 10% or greater individually accounted for a combined 88%79% of the Company’s accounts receivable.

 
The Company’s customers generally do not enter into long-term agreements obligating them to purchase products. The Company may not continue to receive significant revenues from any of these or from other large customers. A reduction or delay in orders from any of the Company’s significant customers, or a delay or default in payment by any significant customer could materially harm the Company’s business and prospects. Because of the Company’s significant customer concentration, its net sales and operating income could fluctuate significantly due to changes in political or economic conditions, or the loss, reduction of business, or less favorable terms for any of the Company's significant customers.
 
(6) Bank Credit Lines
 
On December 18, 2012, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement with Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. (the “Financing Agreement”). The Financing Agreement originally provided for up to $1.75 million of revolving credit, subject to a borrowing base formula and other terms and conditions. The Financing Agreement continued until November 30, 2014 with automatic renewals from year to year thereafter, unless sooner terminated by either party. The lender has the right to terminate the Financing Agreement at any time on 60 days’ prior written notice. Borrowings are secured by all of the Company assets including intellectual property. The Financing Agreement contains several covenants, including a requirement that the Company maintain tangible net worth of not less than $2.5 million and working capital of not less than $2.5 million.
 
On March 25, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to the Financing Agreement (the “Amendment”) with an effective date of January 1, 2013. The Amendment clarified the definition of current assets in the Financing Agreement, reduced the size of the revolving credit line to $1.25 million, and revised the financial covenants so that Zoom is required to maintain tangible net worth of not less than $2.0 million and working capital of not less than $1.75 million.
 
On October 29, 2015, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Financing Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Retroactive to October 1, 2015, the Second Amendment eliminated $2,500 in monthly charges for the Financing Agreement. Effective December 1, 2015, the Second Amendment reduces the effective rate of interest to 2.25% plus an amount equal to the higher of prime rate or 3.25%.
 
On July 19, 2016, the Company entered into a third amendment to the Financing Agreement. The Amendment increased the size of the revolving credit line to $2.5 million effective as of date of the amendment.
 
On September 1, 2016, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to the Financing Agreement. The Amendment increased the size of the revolving credit line to $3.0 million effective with the date of this amendment.
 
The Company is required to calculate its loan covenant compliance on a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2017,At March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with both its working capital and tangible net worth covenants. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company’s tangible net worth was approximately $3.1$3.4 million, whileabove the $2 million requirement; and the Company’s working capital was approximately $2.9 million.$3.2 million, above the $1.75 million requirement. Loan availability is based on eligible receivables less offsets, if any. Approximately $1.21 million was available on this line on March 31, 2018, consisting of $2.16 million as 75% of eligible receivables less an offset of $0.95 million for state tax liabilities.  The sales tax offset will be reduced as the sales tax liability is paid down.

 
(7) Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares, except for periods with a loss from operations.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential shares of common stock had been issued.  Potential shares of common stock that may be issued by the Company include shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options. Under the treasury stock method, the unexercised options are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period or at issuance, if later. The assumed proceeds are then used to purchase shares of common stock at the average market price during the period.
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $0.02, and includes the dilutive effects of 1,466,089783,469 common share equivalents. Diluted earnings (loss)loss per common share for the three-month period ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 excludes the effects of 2,015,8251,695,047 common share equivalents, since such inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Diluted earning (loss) per common share for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 excludes the effects of 1,466,089 and 2,015,825 common share equivalents, respectively, since such inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The common share equivalents consist of common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options.
 

 
ITEM 2. 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
Some of the statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our or our industry's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding: Zoom's plans, expectations and intentions, including statements relating to Zoom's prospects and plans relating to sales of and markets for its products; and Zoom's financial condition or results of operations.
 
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will, " "should," "could," "would," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "predicts," "potential" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this report to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any of our forward-looking statements are based. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in our future financial results include those discussed in the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 201730, 2018 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should also be cautioned that results of any reported period are often not indicative of results for any future period.
 
Overview 
 
We derive our net sales primarily from sales of Internet access and other communications-related products including cable modems cable modem / and modem/routers, Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”) modems and modem/routers, routers, and dial-up modems to retailers, distributors, Internet Service Providers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). We sell our products through a direct sales force and through independent sales agents. All of our employees are located at our headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.  We are experienced in electronics hardware, firmware, and software design and test, regulatory certifications, product documentation, and packaging; and we use that experience in developing each product in-house or in partnership with suppliers who are typically based in Asia. Electronic assembly and testing of our products in accordance with our specifications is typically done in Asia.Asia, and we do further testing, warehousing, and shipping in our Tijuana facility.
 
Last yearIn July 2016 Zoom headquarters moved from our long timelong-time location at 207 South Street to 99 High Street in Boston. The lease for this new location terminates June 29, 2019. We also lease a test/warehouse/ship facility in Tijuana, Mexico. In November 2014 we signed a one-year lease with five one-year renewal options thereafter for an 11,390 square foot facility in Tijuana Mexico. In September 2015, Zoom extended the term of the lease from December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2018. In September 2015, Zoom also signed a new lease for additional space in the adjacent building, which doubled the existing capacity. The term of the lease is from March 1, 2016 through November 30, 2018.
 
We continually seek to improve our product designs and manufacturing approach in order to improve product performance and reduce our costs. We pursue a strategy of outsourcing rather than internally developing our modem chipsets, which are application-specific integrated circuits that form the technology base for our modems. By outsourcing the chipset technology, we are able to concentrate our research and development resources on modem system design, leverage the extensive research and development capabilities of our chipset suppliers, and reduce our development time and associated costs and risks. As a result of this approach, we are able to quickly develop new products while maintaining a relatively low level of research and development expense as a percentage of net sales. We also outsource aspects of our manufacturing to contract manufacturers as a means of reducing our costs of production, and to provide us with greater flexibility in our production capacity.
 

 
Our gross margin for a given product generally depends on a number of factors including the type of customer to whom we are selling. The gross margin for sales through retailers tends to be higher than for some of our other customers; but the sales, support, returns, and overhead costs associated with retailers tend to be higher. Our sales to certain countries are currently handled by a single master distributor for each country, who handles the support and marketing costs within the country. Gross margin for sales to these master distributors tends to be low, since lower pricing to these distributors helps them to cover the support and marketing costs for their country.
 
As of September 30, 2017 weMarch 31, 2018, Zoom had 32 employees, 27 workingthirty-three full-time and 5 working less than five days per week. Twelvepart-time employees. Eleven employees were engaged in research and development and quality control. FiveFour employees were involved in operations, which managesmanages production, inventory, purchasing, warehousing, freight, invoicing, shipping, collections, and returns. NineEleven employees were engaged in sales, marketing, and customer support. The remaining sixseven employees performed executive, accounting, administrative, and management information systems functions. Zoom currently has twenty-nine full-time employees and four employees working less than 5 days per week, typically 4 days per week. Our dedicated personnel in Tijuana, Mexico are employees of our Mexican service provider and are not included in our headcount. On March 31, 2018, Zoom had two consultants in sales and one consultant in information systems, none of whom are included in our headcount.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Following is a discussion of what we view as our more significant accounting policies and estimates. As described below, management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with the preparation of our financial statements. We have identified areas where material differences could result in the amount and timing of our net sales, costs, and expenses for any period if we had made different judgments or used different estimates.
 
Revenue Recognition.The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method provision of this standard effective January 1, 2018,which requires the Company to apply the new revenue standard to (i) all new revenue contracts entered into afterJanuary 1, 2018and (ii) all existing revenue contracts as ofJanuary 1, 2018through a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. In accordance with this approach,there was no material impact which required a cumulative effect adjustment.
Revenue recognition is evaluated through the following five steps: (i) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied.
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer —a contract with a customer exists when the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer, typically a purchase order initiated by the customer, that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods.
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract —performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the customer that are distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods on their own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement for the sale of product must exist. The Company ships product in accordance with the purchase order and standard terms as reflected within the Company’s order acknowledgments and sales invoices.
Determination of the transaction price—the transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. This would be the agreed upon quantity and price per product type in accordance with the customer purchase order, which is aligned with the Company’s internally approved pricing guidelines.
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract— if the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. This applies to the Company as there is only one performance obligation, which is to ship the goods.
Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation— the Company satisfies performance obligations at a point in time when control of the goods transfers to the customer. Determining the point in time when control transfers requires judgment. Indicators considered in determining whether the customer has obtained control of a good include:
● The Company has a present right to payment
● The customer has legal title to the goods
● The Company has transferred physical possession of the goods
● The customer has the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods
● The customer has accepted the goods
The Company has concluded that transfer of control substantively transfers to the customer upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms of the purchase agreement.
We primarily sell hardware products to our customers. The hardware products include dial-up modems, DSL modems, cable modems, and local area networking equipment.
 

We derive our net sales primarily from the sales of hardware products to four types of customers:
 
● 
Computer peripherals retailers;
 
● 
Computer product distributors;
 
● 
Internet service providers; and
 
● 
OEMs.
 
We recognize hardware net sales for our customers at the point when the customers take legal ownership of the delivered products. Legal ownership passes from Zoom to the customer based on the contractual Free on Board (“FOB”) point specified in signed contracts and purchase orders, which are both used extensively. Many of our customer contracts or purchase orders specify FOB destination, which means that title and risk remain with the seller until it has delivered the goods to the location specified in the contract. We verify the delivery date on all significant FOB destination shipments made during the last 10 business days of each quarter.
 
Our net sales of hardware include reductions resulting from certain events which are characteristic of the sales of hardware to retailers of computer peripherals. These events are product returns, certain sales and marketing incentives, price protection refunds, and consumer mail-in and in-store rebates. Each of these is accounted for as a reduction of net sales based on detailed management estimates, which are reconciled to actual customer or end-consumer credits on a monthly or quarterly basis.
 
Product Returns. Products are returned by retail stores and distributors for inventory balancing, contractual stock rotation privileges, and warranty repair or replacements. We estimate the sales and cost value of expected future product returns of previously sold products. Our estimates for product returns are based on recent historical trends plus estimates for returns prompted by, among other things, announced stock rotations and announced customer store closings. Management reviews historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when estimating sales return allowances. The estimate for futureProduct returns is recordedare variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reserve against accounts receivable, a reduction in our net sales, and the corresponding change to inventory reserves and cost of sales.revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods).

Price Protection Refunds. We have a policy of offering price protection to certain of our retailer and distributor customers for some or all their inventory. Under the price protection policies, when we reduce our prices for a product, the customer receives a credit for the difference between the original purchase price and our reduced price for their unsold inventory of that product. Our estimates for price protection refunds are based on a detailed understanding and tracking by customer and by sales program. Estimated price protection refunds are recorded in the same period as the announcement of a pricing change. Information from customer inventory-on-hand reports or from direct communications with the customers is used to estimate the refund, which is recordedrefund. Price protection refunds are variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated and recognized as a reduction of net sales and a reserve against accounts receivable.revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods).
 
Sales and Marketing Incentives. Many of our retailer customers require sales and marketing support funding, usually setwhich is an expense item in selling expense, unless the funding is a function of sales activity and therefore variable. Under Topic 606, sales and marketing incentives must be estimated and recognized as a percentagereduction of our sales in their stores. The incentivesrevenue as performance obligations are reported as reductions in our net sales.satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods).
 
Consumer Mail-InRebates and In-Store RebatesPromotions. Our estimates for consumer mail-in and in-store rebates are based on a detailed understanding and tracking by customer and sales program, supported by actual rebate claims processed by the rebate redemption centers plus an accrual for anprogram. Rebates and promotions are variable and under Topic 606, must be estimated lag in processing at the redemption centers. The estimate for mail-in and in-store rebates is recordedrecognized as a reserve against accounts receivable and a reduction of net sales in the same period that the rebate obligation was triggered.revenue as performance obligations are satisfied (e.g. upon shipment of goods).
 
Accounts Receivable Valuation. We establish accounts receivable valuation allowances equal to the above-discussed net sales adjustments for estimates of product returns, price protection refunds, consumer rebates, and general bad debt reserves. These allowances are reduced as actual credits are issued to the customer's accounts.
 
Inventory Valuation and Cost of Goods Sold. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method, or its net realizable value. We review inventories for obsolete slow moving products each quarter and make provisions based on our estimate of the probability that the material will not be consumed or that it will be sold below cost. Additionally, material product certification costs on new products are capitalized and amortized over the expected period of value of the respective products.
 
Valuation and Impairment of Deferred Tax Assets. As part of the process of preparing our financial statements we estimate our income tax expense and deferred income tax position. This process involves the estimation of our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our balance sheet. We then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. Changes in the valuation allowance are reflected in the statement of operations.
 
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and any valuation allowances. We have recorded a 100% valuation allowance against our deferred income tax assets. It is management's estimate that, after considering all available objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. If we establish a record of continuing profitability, at some point we will be required to reduce the valuation allowance and recognize an equal income tax benefit which will increase net income in that period(s).
 
As of December 31, 2016 we2017 the Company had federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $54.0 million$54,595,000 which are available to offset future taxable income. They are due to expire in varying amounts from 2018 to 2036.2037. As of December 31, 2016, we2017, the Company had Massachusetts state net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $7.3 million$8,879,000 which are available to offset future taxable income. They are due to expire in varying amounts from 2031 through 2036.2037. A valuation allowance has been established for the full amount of deferred income tax assets as management has concluded that it is more-likely than-not that the benefits from such assets will not be realized.
 

 
Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 
Summary. Net sales were $8.58$8.3 million for the thirdfirst quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (“Q3 2017”Q1 2018”), up 43.3%62.0% from $5.99$5.1 million for the thirdfirst quarter ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 (“Q3 2016”Q1 2017”). WeZoom reported net income of $377$359 thousand or $0.02 per share for Q3 2017,Q1 2018 compared to a net loss of $244 thousand$1.1 million or $0.07 per share for Q3 2016.Q1 2017. The significant improvement in profitability was due to higher sales, improved gross profit margin, and lower operating expenses as a percentage of sales.
 
Net Sales. The Company reported net sales of $8.3 million for Q1 2018, up 62.0% from $5.1 million for Q1 2017. Our total net sales for Q3Q1 2018 increased $3.2 million from Q1 2017, increased $2.59 million or 43.3% from Q3 2016, primarily due to salescontinued increases onin Motorola branded cable modems and cable modem routers.product sales. Geographically, our North American sales again represent the dominant share of our overall sales at 98.2% of our net sales in Q1 2018 compared to 98.9% in Q1 2017.
 
Concentration.In Q3 2017 threeQ1 2018, two customers accounted for 10% or greater separatelyindividually and 92% combined27% in the aggregate of the Company’s total net sales. At September 30,In Q1 2017, three customers with an accounts receivable balance of 10% or greater accounted for a combined 83% of the Company’s accounts receivable. In Q3 2016, threetwo customers accounted for 10% or greater separatelyindividually and 86% combined47% in the aggregate of the Company’s total net sales. At September 30, 2016 three customers with an accounts receivable balanceBecause of 10%our significant customer concentration, our net sales and operating income has fluctuated and could in the future fluctuate significantly due to changes in political or greater accountedeconomic conditions or the loss, reduction of business, or less favorable terms for a combined 88%any of the Company’s accounts receivable.our significant customers.
 
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $3.07$3.3 million or 35.7%39.4% of net sales in Q3 2017,Q1 2018, up from $1.93$1.7 million or 32.1%33.7% of net sales in Q3 2016. ImprovementQ1 2017.  The increase in gross profit in Q1 2018 was primarily due to increased sales. sales, particularly for Motorola brand cable modems and gateways, which carry higher gross profit margins.
 
Selling Expense. Selling expense was $1.81 million or 21.1% of net sales in Q3 2017, up from $1.47$2.1 million or 24.6% of net sales in Q3 2016.Q1 2018 compared to $1.8 million or 35.9% of net sales in Q1 2017. The increase of $339$208 thousand in selling expense was primarily due to increased Motorola brandtrademark royalty payments, and increased advertising costs and freightadvertising expenses.
 
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense was $383$448 thousand or 4.5%5.4% of net sales in Q3 2017,Q1 2018, up 8.3% from $354$431 thousand or 5.9%8.4% of net sales in Q3 2016. The increase of $29 thousand was primarily due to increases in stock option expenses, which were partially offset by reduced legal expenses.Q1 2017.
 
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense was $457$410 thousand or 5.3%4.9% of net sales in Q3 2017, upQ1 2018 down from $353$508 thousand or 5.9%9.9% of net sales in Q3 2016.Q1 2017. The increasedecrease of $104$98 thousand was due primarily due to higher productdecreases in certification expenses, and contracted app development costs.
 
Other Income (Expense). Other expense was $31approximately $6 thousand in Q3 2017 due toQ1 2018, consisting primarily of interest expense related to our bankthe line of credit line.agreement. Other incomeexpense was $14approximately $37 thousand in Q3 2016, driven by a one-time favorable settlement on a class action lawsuit for approximately $41 thousand, reduced by loanQ1 2017, consisting primarily of interest costsexpense of approximately $27 thousand.
Net Income (Loss). Net income was $377$26 thousand, for Q3 2017, compared toand approximately $11 thousand in settlement of a net loss of $244 thousand for Q3 2016.
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
Summary. Net sales of $20.56 million for the first nine months of 2017 were up 62.0% from net sales of $12.69 million for the first nine months of 2016. Our net loss was $0.98 million for the first nine months of 2017, down from a net loss of $1.94 million for the first nine months of 2016. Loss per diluted share was $0.07 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0.14 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Net Sales. Our total net sales for the first nine months of 2017 increased $7.87 million or 62.0% from the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to continued expansion of Motorola branded products and increased sales.
Concentration. In the first nine months of 2017, three customers accounted for 10% or greater separately and 90% combined of the Company’s total net sales. In the first nine months of 2016, three customers accounted for 10% or greater separately and 81% combined of the Company’s total net sales.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $6.99 million for the first nine months of 2017, up $3.03 million or 76.6% from gross profit of $3.96 million for the first nine months of 2016. Improvement in gross profit was primarily due to increased sales. The improvement in gross margin was due to the increase in total sales, which reduced our fixed overhead as a percentage of sales.

Selling Expense. Selling expense was $5.34 million or 26.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2017, up from $3.52 million or 27.7% of net sales in the first nine months of 2016. The increase of $1.82 million was primarily due to increased advertising costs, Motorola royalty payments, and freight expenses.
General and Administrative Expense.General and administrative expense was $1.15 million or 5.6% of net sales for the first nine months of 2017, down 6.7% from $1.24 million or 9.7% of net sales for the first nine months of 2016. The decrease of $82 thousand was due primarily to lower personnel, legal and audit costs, partially offset by increased consulting expenses.complaint.
 
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense was $1.37 million or 6.7% of net sales in the first nine months of 2017, up 18.4% from $1.15 million or 9.1% of net sales in the first nine months of 2016. The increase of $213 thousand was due primarily to increased certification and outside consultant costs.
Other Income (Expense). Other expense was $98 thousand in the first nine months quarter of 2017, of which $87 thousand is interest expense on our bank credit line. Other income was $10 thousand in the first nine months of 2016, driven by a one-time favorable settlement on a class action lawsuit for approximately $41 thousand, reduced by loan interest costs of approximately $32 thousand.
Net Income (Loss). The net loss was $0.98 million for the first nine months of 2017, compared to the net loss of $1.94 million for the first nine months of 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our cash and cash equivalents balance on September 30, 2017 was approximately $91 thousand, a decrease from a balance of $180 thousand on DecemberOn March 31, 2016. Major uses of cash were a $980 thousand loss for2018 the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of approximately $712 thousand in bank debt, an increase of approximately $380 thousand in inventory, and an increase of approximately $284 thousand in prepaid expenses. These were offset by an increase of approximately $1.4 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a decrease of approximately $394 thousand in accounts receivable, and a decrease of approximately $190 thousand in other assets.
On September 30, 2017 weCompany had approximately $595$50 thousand in bank debt for a $3.0 million asset-based credit line, and had working capital of approximately $2.9 million, including approximately $91$423 thousand in cash and cash equivalents. On December 31, 2016 we hadequivalents, and working capital of approximately $3.4 million, including$3.2 million.The Company’s credit line has a maturity date of November 2018, and automatically renews unless cancelled under the terms of agreement.
Major uses of cash during the first quarter of 2018 were increases of approximately $180$487 thousand in prepaid expenses, approximately $177 thousand in inventory, and approximately $606 thousand in accounts receivable. Major contributors to cash were $921 thousand in accounts payable and cash equivalents. Our current ratio at September 30, 2017 was 1.5 compared to 1.7 at December 31, 2016.accrued expenses, net income of approximately $359 thousand, and approximately $152 thousand from stock option exercises.
 
On May 18, 2015, we announced licensing of the Motorola trademark for cable modems and gateways for the U.S. and Canada for five years starting January 2016.The Company In ordercontinues to support anticipatedexperience significant sales growth, we raised approximately $1.5 million in net proceeds from the private placement offering of 619,231 unregistered shares of our common stock that closed on October 24, 2016.
Although the Companyand has experienced losses in the past, the Company has experienced dramatic growth over the last year and one-half. Sales in 2016 were up 65% over sales in 2015 and sales in the first nine months ofhad operating profits for Q3 2017 were up 62% over sales in the first nine months of 2016.through Q1 2018. The Company believes that year-over-year growth is likely to continue for the foreseeable future due to a number of factors including the strength of the Motorola brand, new product introductions, increased shelf space, growing online retailer sales, and international expansion. Because of projected sales increases, the associated improved net income, and its Financing Agreement (as defined below) with Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc., the Company expects to maintain acceptable levels of liquidity to meet its obligations as they become due for at least twelve months from the date of issuance of our quarterlyannual filing of this Form 10-Q with the Securities Exchange Commission.
 

 
Commitments
 
During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there were no material changes to our capital commitments and contractual obligations from those disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there were no material changes to our off-balance sheet arrangements from those disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
 
ITEM 3. 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Not Required.
 
ITEM 4. 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer who is also our Acting Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
 
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on the Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
 
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
For a description of our material pending legal proceedings, please refer to Note 4, “Contingencies – Legal Matters” of the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 1A. 
RISK FACTORS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our objectives, expectations and intentions. The cautionary statements made in this report are applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2017,30, 2018, as well as those discussed in this report and in our other filings with the SEC.
 
There have not been any material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
 
ITEM 6. 
EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description
10.1 (1) Amendment to License Agreement, dated August 21, 2017, between Zoom Telephonics, Inc. and Motorola Mobility LLC.
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 (2)(1)
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
______________
 
(1)
Confidential treatment requested as to portions of the exhibit. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2)
In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K, the certifications furnished in Exhibit 32.1 hereto is deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
 
 

 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ZOOM TELEPHONICS, INC.
(Registrant)
 
   
Date: November 9, 2017May 15, 2018By:
/s/ Frank B. Manning
  
Frank B. Manning, President, Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description
10.1 (1)
 Amendment to License Agreement, dated August 21, 2017, between Zoom Telephonics, Inc. and Motorola Mobility LLC.
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 (2)(1)
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
________________________
 
(1)
Confidential treatment requested as to portions of the exhibit. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2)
In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K, the certifications furnished in Exhibit 32.1 hereto is deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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