-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, BKWKvjrOrieNpFnBAJx9wVkUoMOU7/DHiA9UA/z0ZJz0OD06RYhyMPu5rIQ/zNms VMNQJsoyf48EWvXW9nx3Zg== 0000950153-09-000280.txt : 20090415 0000950153-09-000280.hdr.sgml : 20090415 20090414193931 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950153-09-000280 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20081231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090415 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090414 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ROCKFORD CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000828064 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: HOUSEHOLD AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT [3651] IRS NUMBER: 860394353 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-30138 FILM NUMBER: 09749636 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 600 SOUTH ROCKFORD DRIVE CITY: TEMPE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85281 BUSINESS PHONE: 4809673565 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 600 SOUTH ROCKFORD DRIVE CITY: TEMPE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85281 10-K 1 p14553e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
 
Commission File Number 000-30138
 
 
 
 
ROCKFORD CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
     
Arizona   86-0394353
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
  Identification No.)
 
600 South Rockford Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 967-3565
(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
 
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock ($.01 Par Value)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
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 þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company þ
                                   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2) Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $3,704,747 computed by reference to the price at which registrant’s common stock last sold as of June 30, 2008.
 
There were 8,581,208 shares of registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 13, 2009.
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 28, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 


 

 
ROCKFORD CORPORATION
FORM 10-K
DECEMBER 31, 2008
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
Securities and Exchange Commission
   
Item Number and Description
  Page
 
      Business     3  
      Risk Factors     10  
      Properties     16  
      Legal Proceedings     16  
      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     16  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     17  
      Selected Financial Data     19  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Continuing Operations     20  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     29  
      Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     50  
      Controls and Procedures     50  
      Other Information     50  
 
PART III
      Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     50  
      Executive Compensation     51  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     51  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     51  
      Principal Accounting Fees and Services     51  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     51  
    54  
 EX-10.83
 EX-21
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32
 
The market value of Rockford’s voting stock held by non-affiliates shown on the cover page is based on:
 
  •  Rockford’s estimate that the number of shares held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2008, was approximately 3,495,044; and
 
  •  $1.06 per share, the price at which Rockford’s shares were last sold as of June 30, 2008, as reported by The NASDAQ Stock Market. June 30, 2008, is the last business day of Rockford’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
 
Rockford’s calculation of the number of shares held by affiliates is a good faith estimate for this Annual Report. Shares held by affiliates include all shares beneficially owned by Rockford’s executive officers and directors. They also include shares held by any shareholder known to Rockford who beneficially owned more than 10% of Rockford’s shares as of June 30, 2008.


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Forward-Looking Statements And Risk Factors
 
We make forward-looking statements in this report including, without limitation, statements concerning the future of our industry, product development, business strategy, continued acceptance and growth of our products, dependence on significant customers and suppliers, and the adequacy of our available cash resources. Our statements may contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue” or other similar words.
 
Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as at the date on which they are made. Actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these forward-looking statements to reflect changes in our expectations or changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which our expectations are based.
 
When considering our forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements identified in this report. The risk factors noted throughout this report, particularly in the discussion in Item 1A, and other risk factors that we have not anticipated or discussed, could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements.


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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
Rockford Business
 
Rockford designs, sources and distributes high performance mobile audio products. Rockford’s mobile audio products are sold to consumers who want to listen to powerful, high quality sound in their cars, trucks and boats. Rockford’s products include digital and analog amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers, accessories, signal processors, and speaker enclosures.
 
Rockford markets its products:
 
  •  Primarily in the mobile audio aftermarket, where Rockford’s products replace or supplement a vehicle’s original audio system. In this market Rockford sells its products under the Rockford Fosgate and Lightning Audio brands; and
 
  •  Secondarily as OEM mobile audio products, installed as original equipment in select vehicles. Rockford’s OEM products are offered primarily in various Nissan and Mitsubishi automobiles. Rockford’s OEM products are sold under the Rockford Fosgate and Rockford Acoustic Design brands.
 
Rockford’s Brands
 
Rockford markets its products under the following brands:
 
  •  Rockford Fosgate Aftermarket.  Rockford offers distinctive product lines that produce powerful, high quality sound under the Rockford Fosgate brand. Rockford Fosgate aftermarket mobile audio products are marketed under three primary product lines:
 
  •  Prime Series — introduced in early 2009, the Prime Series is the entry level Rockford Fosgate line of amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers;
 
  •  Punch Series — the line for Rockford’s mid-level amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers; and
 
  •  Power Series — the line for Rockford’s highest performing amplifiers, subwoofers, and speakers.
 
Rockford believes the addition of the Prime series gives its dealers the opportunity to offer a full range of “good, better, best” selections from the Rockford Fosgate brand. Rockford also sells a full line of Rockford Fosgate branded mobile audio accessories in the mobile audio aftermarket.
 
  •  Rockford Fosgate OEM.  Rockford also sells Rockford Fosgate products, or licenses its brand and technology, to Nissan and Mitsubishi for installation as part of OEM audio systems. A third auto manufacturer has agreed to introduce Rockford Fosgate OEM products in select vehicles later in 2009;
 
  •  Rockford Acoustic Design.  Rockford Acoustic Design is a premium brand, primarily for OEM products. Systems using this brand are currently offered in select Mitsubishi automobiles; and
 
  •  Lightning Audio.  Rockford sells amplifiers, subwoofers, speakers, and accessories under the Lightning Audio brand. Lightning Audio products are generally more moderately priced than Rockford Fosgate products.
 
In addition to these primary brands Rockford markets complementary products under a secondary brand, InstallEdge.com. Rockford uses the InstallEdge.com business-to-business brand to offer installation-shop supplies to installation shops and audio product installers.


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Rockford Strategy
 
Rockford’s goal is to sell some of the most recognized and respected high performance mobile audio products in the world. Key elements of Rockford’s strategy are to:
 
  •  Continue to introduce new and technologically innovative mobile audio products that embody distinctive Rockford sound qualities;
 
  •  Expand Rockford’s mobile audio OEM business; and
 
  •  Broaden Rockford’s distribution by entering new distribution channels and increasing penetration of Rockford’s existing distribution channels, both in the U.S. and internationally.
 
Rockford believes it can grow its business and become a more significant participant in the worldwide mobile audio market.
 
Rockford Products
 
Percent of Sales by Product Class
 
Rockford’s sales since 2006 were divided among Rockford’s principal product classes as shown in the following table:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Product Class:
                       
Amplifiers
    45.8 %     42.2 %     37.9 %
Subwoofers and Speakers
    34.9       36.2       38.1  
Accessories
    12.8       14.1       13.3  
Others(1)
    6.5       7.5       10.7  
                         
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
                         
 
 
(1) Includes source units, enclosures, signal processors, digital media and other products. No single product class in this group accounted for more than 10% of Rockford’s sales in any of these years.
 
Financial information about geographic segments may be found in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.
 
Aftermarket Mobile Audio Products
 
Rockford offers high performance aftermarket mobile audio products consisting of the following primary types of products:
 
  •  Amplifiers.  Amplifiers increase the voltage and current coming from the source unit, providing more power than possible from a source unit alone. Amplifiers are essential for a high performance mobile audio system, particularly for consumers who desire strong bass (low frequency) performance;
 
  •  Subwoofers and Speakers.  Subwoofers and speakers accept a signal from a source unit or amplifier and translate it into sound. Subwoofers are speakers that are eight inches or greater in diameter and are designed to play bass frequencies. Speakers less than eight inches in diameter are not subwoofers and are designed to play higher frequencies. Aftermarket subwoofers and speakers provide dramatically improved sound quality compared to most OEM mobile audio systems and are often the single most important improvement consumers can make to their mobile audio systems;
 
  •  Accessories.  Accessories are the additional items required to install and use mobile audio products. Accessories include amplifier wiring kits, fuses, circuit breakers, interconnect cables, speaker cables, stiffening capacitors, battery clamps, connectors, adaptors, and carpet/fabric/surface applications.


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  Accessories make Rockford’s products compatible with OEM components and improve the performance of a mobile audio system;
 
  •  Signal Processors.  Signal processors provide the ability to “tune” the sound of the audio system for better performance and also simplify the installation of aftermarket amplifiers and speakers in OEM systems; and
 
  •  Enclosures.  Enclosures are used to enhance the bass performance of subwoofers and to position speakers in locations that produce better sound.
 
Under the Rockford Fosgate brand Rockford currently offers the following products:
 
       Amplifiers:
• Amplifiers under Rockford’s Prime Series, Punch Series and Power Series lines, with rated power from 150 to 2,500 watts, and minimum advertised prices from $129 to $1,700. Rockford’s amplifiers include 1, 2 and 4 channel alternatives, giving consumers the ability to select an optimum configuration for their system;
 
       Subwoofers and Speakers:
• Subwoofers and speakers under Rockford’s Prime Series, Punch Series and Power Series lines, with minimum advertised prices from $60 to $800;
 
       Accessories:
• Accessories under Rockford’s Connecting Punch brand, including amplifier installation kits, interconnect and speaker cables, carpet/fabric/surface applications and stiffening capacitors;
 
       Signal Processors
• 3Sixty Interactive Signal Processors in two models at minimum advertised prices of $300 and $600; and
 
       Enclosures:
• Subwoofer enclosures, including “loaded enclosures” that include a subwoofer and, in some cases, an amplifier, at minimum advertised prices from $139 to $565.
 
Under the Lightning Audio brand Rockford currently offers the following products:
 
       Amplifiers:
• Amplifier models with rated power from 200 to 1,000 watts and minimum advertised prices from $100 to $300;
 
       Subwoofers and Speakers:
• Subwoofers and speakers with minimum advertised prices from $30 to $600; and
 
       Accessories:
• Accessories, including interconnect and speaker cables, stiffening capacitors, battery clamps and installation kits.
 
Under Rockford’s InstallEdge.com brand Rockford sells various back shop supplies, including vehicle harnesses, power distribution adapters, batteries, RCA connectors, wire, wiring accessories and fuses.
 
OEM Products
 
Nissan North America offers Rockford Fosgate branded OEM systems in several Nissan vehicles and Mitsubishi Motors offers Rockford Fosgate and Rockford Acoustic Design branded OEM systems in several vehicles. Rockford may provide amplifiers, enclosures or speakers for certain of these vehicles as well as branding the source unit (radio/CD player) or the entire audio system under the Rockford Fosgate and Rockford Acoustic Design brand. A third auto manufacturer has agreed to offer Rockford Fosgate branded OEM systems in several of its vehicles beginning in late 2009.
 
New Products
 
Rockford introduces new products and enhances its existing products on a regular basis. In early 2009 Rockford introduced new lines of Rockford Fosgate speakers, updating both the Punch and Power series of product lines, and three new high end Power series amplifiers. Additionally early in 2009 Rockford also introduced the new line of Prime Series amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers. The Prime Series is a new entry level line of Rockford


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Fosgate branded products that is expected to allow Rockford’s dealers to offer a full selection of “good, better, best” products under the Rockford Fosgate brand. Also in 2009 Rockford has introduced a line of iPod “in vehicle” integration products, the IBeam next generation bass enhancement device, and a new powered subwoofer enclosure.
 
Engineering And Product Development
 
Engineering and product development is a primary focus of Rockford’s business because of the demand by Rockford’s core consumers for high quality and powerful sounding products. Rockford’s engineering and development staff consists of engineers in research, development and sustaining groups, as well as other support staff, dedicated to the improvement of Rockford’s current products and development of new products.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
Rockford endeavors to have its brands project an image that appeals to consumers who appreciate high quality and value. Rockford’s primary sales and marketing activities are listed below:
 
  •  Making regular calls to dealers and providing them with demonstration products, point-of-purchase displays and other marketing materials;
 
  •  Training dealer sales and installation personnel;
 
  •  Regular interaction with industry press editors who are often the opinion makers for salespeople at the retail level as well as end users;
 
  •  Support for competitors in regional and national car audio shows and competitions;
 
  •  Participation in professional and consumer trade shows;
 
  •  Maintaining product and brand information for consumers and retailers on Rockford’s web sites; and
 
  •  Initiating targeted advertising in periodicals read by potential consumers.
 
Rockford’s corporate web site, located at www.rockfordcorp.com, and its brand sites including www.rockfordfosgate.com, www.lightningaudio.com, www.rockfordacousticdesign.com, and www.installedge.com offer consumers and retailers reliable and comprehensive information about product offerings and consumer services.
 
Distribution
 
North American Distribution.  Rockford currently sells its aftermarket mobile audio products in the U.S. and Canada directly to retailers who operate approximately 2,000 retail stores. These include stores operated by independent specialty dealers, audio/video retailers, consumer electronic chains, mass merchandisers, internet retailers and catalog merchants. Rockford may appoint a retailer to sell some or all of its brands.
 
Rockford sells directly to most of its authorized retailers using independent sales representative firms who identify, recruit, sell to, and provide support to retailers in their regions. Rockford has entered into agreements with each of these sales representative firms under which Rockford appoints them its sales representative for a specific territory and specific products under varying terms. Rockford pays its independent sales representatives commissions based on sales of Rockford’s products in their territory. Commission amounts range from 1% to 10% of sales depending upon (1) product category, (2) customer category and (3) achievement of sales targets.
 
Rockford has removed independent sales representatives in three territories where Rockford was not satisfied with either the performance of its current representatives or the quality of the alternatives available to it. In those territories Rockford is now selling direct to dealers using inside sales employees who are responsible for calling on dealers and taking care of their sales and service requirements. This model involves somewhat higher internal costs but eliminates the commission amounts from sales in those territories.
 
Some Rockford Fosgate sales representatives stock a small quantity of Rockford Fosgate products for resale to smaller dealers. These smaller dealers are generally located in rural areas, or otherwise have very small volume


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potential, so that it is not economical for Rockford to appoint them as direct retailers. They nevertheless provide a useful extension of Rockford’s distribution channel into more remote regions. Rockford’s stocking representative program allows it to serve these smaller dealers efficiently. In addition, where stocking representatives are not available, Rockford has also appointed independent distributors to sell Rockford Fosgate products to smaller dealers in a particular territory.
 
Rockford has converted the majority of the specialty retailer sales of Lightning Audio products in North America to an independent distribution model, appointing distributors who purchase Lightning Audio products and re-sell them to independent dealers in their territory. Rockford also continues to sell Lightning Audio products directly to larger national and regional dealers.
 
Rockford supports its North American independent sales representative firms, retailers and distributors using an internal staff of regional managers and sales support staff. Rockford has increased the responsibility of its internal staff for direct sales calls to dealers as part of its efforts to improve service and increase its visibility among its dealers. Rockford has also implemented an improved web-based ordering and information system for its dealers that is also designed to improve the ease of doing business with Rockford.
 
International Distribution.  Rockford currently sells its mobile audio products in over 50 countries outside the U.S. and Canada. In all countries outside of the U.S. and Canada Rockford uses independent distributors who purchase products from Rockford and resell them to retailers in their designated territories. The distributors assume inventory risk and take responsibility for warranty service in their territory. Rockford supports its international distributors using an in-house staff of international sales managers.
 
Competition
 
Rockford competes in the mobile audio market on the basis of sound quality, brand recognition, innovation and technology, reliability, breadth of product line, distribution capabilities and price. Some of Rockford’s competitors have greater financial, technical and other resources than Rockford. Some seek to offer higher perceived performance and others seek to offer lower prices on competing products. To remain competitive, Rockford believes it must regularly introduce new products, add performance features to existing products and limit increases in prices or even reduce prices.
 
Rockford competes in a crowded market with only limited barriers to entry. Its competitors include companies that span the gamut from integrated “full line” consumer electronics manufacturers to niche specialty companies focused solely on narrow segments of the mobile audio market. Rockford’s principal competitors are listed below:
 
  •  Mobile Audio Amplifiers:  Alpine, JL Audio, Kenwood, Kicker, MTX, Pioneer and Sony;
 
  •  Mobile Audio Subwoofers and Speakers:  Alpine, Boston Acoustics, Infinity, JL Audio, Kenwood, Kicker, MTX, Pioneer and Sony;
 
  •  Mobile Audio Accessories:  Monster Cable, AAMP of America and Scoshe;
 
Rockford’s OEM products compete directly with each auto manufacturer’s in-house manufacturing capability as well as such outside suppliers as Delphi, Visteon, Panasonic, Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine, Bose and Harman International.
 
The OEM products offered by automobile manufacturers also impact Rockford’s aftermarket mobile audio products. In recent years, many automobile manufacturers have:
 
  •  integrated additional functions such as navigation into vehicle electronic systems;
 
  •  changed the designs of their cars in ways that make (or are perceived to make) installation of aftermarket audio products more difficult or expensive; and
 
  •  somewhat improved the quality of their mobile audio offerings.
 
These efforts have resulted in an increased market share for OEM mobile audio systems. Rockford believes that this increased market share for OEM products has reduced the overall market for aftermarket mobile audio products and is one of the causes of reduced sales in the aftermarket, both industry wide and for Rockford.


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Sourcing and Manufacturing
 
Rockford has concluded that manufacturing is no longer a core part of its operations and that third party manufacturers are a more efficient source of manufacturing capacity. Rockford is now focusing its resources more directly on design, technology, and marketing. Rockford phased out internal manufacturing of subwoofers during 2007 and amplifiers during 2008.
 
Rockford believes that outsourcing production of its products to third party manufacturers has reduced overall product costs. In 2008, Rockford purchased approximately $11.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively, of finished product from its two largest suppliers, Edge Global Holdings Limited and Sound Factor. These Asian-based companies manufactured some of Rockford’s speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, and accessories.
 
When it outsources manufacturing to a third party manufacturer, Rockford provides specifications and cosmetic renderings for outsourced products and works with the manufacturer to develop products that meet Rockford’s requirements. Rockford generally owns all of the tooling and the manufacturer is obligated not to sell identical products to anyone other than Rockford.
 
Most of Rockford’s products use standard parts and components that can be purchased from multiple sources. In many instances, however, Rockford sources components or finished products from one or a small number of suppliers to leverage dollars and volumes. Rockford relied on two component suppliers, Kontron Manufacturing Services and Avnet, Inc., for purchases of approximately $3.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively, during 2008.
 
Rockford believes alternative sources are available for substantially all of Rockford’s inventory requirements, although changes in suppliers take time and involve significant transitional costs. Rockford believes that its sources and supplies of finished goods and components are adequate for its needs.
 
Intellectual Property
 
Rockford relies upon a combination of trade secret and trademark laws, non-disclosure agreements and patents to protect its proprietary rights. Rockford has registered its trademarks and trade names both in the U.S. and, where appropriate, internationally and is committed to maintaining and protecting them. Rockford believes its trademarks and trade names are material to its business and are well known among consumers in its principal markets. Rockford’s principal trademarks and trade names are:
 
     
• Rockford Fosgate®
  • Lightning Audio®
•   Rockford’s “Diamond R” logo®
    •   Strike®
•   The Punch®
    •   Storm®
•   Rockford Acoustic Design®
    •   Bolt®
•   3Sixtytm
   
 
Significant Customers and Seasonality
 
Best Buy is a significant customer and accounted for 22.1%, 19.0% and 16.9% of Rockford’s sales for 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rockford products are currently sold in each of its more than 900 Best Buy and Future Shop stores in North America. Best Buy is one of the largest volume specialty retailers of consumer electronics and entertainment software in the U.S. Rockford anticipates that Best Buy will continue to account for a significant portion of its sales for the foreseeable future.
 
Nissan is also a significant customer, representing 14.6%, 7.5% and 3.9% of Rockford’s sales during 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rockford anticipates that Nissan will continue to be a significant customer for the foreseeable future. Sales to Nissan declined in 2008 and 2007 because Rockford’s products are primarily offered in Nissan’s truck-based vehicles and sales of those vehicles declined as a result of the recession and increased gasoline prices. Also, 2006 sales were higher than normal levels because Nissan included Rockford Fosgate systems in a higher than normal proportion of Sentra cars during the last year of the prior model generation’s life.
 
Mitsubishi is also a significant customer, representing 2.4%, 6.5% and 7.1% of Rockford’s sales during 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rockford licenses it’s Rockford Fosgate and Rockford Acoustic Design brands to


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Mitsubishi for its car audio systems and approves the design and sound quality of the Mitsubishi-sourced systems with which the brands are associated. As a result, all sales generated by Mitsubishi are royalty revenues. Rockford anticipates that Mitsubishi will continue to be a significant customer for the foreseeable future.
 
Best Buy, Nissan and Mitsubishi are not obligated to long-term purchases of Rockford’s products or licenses and each has considerable discretion to reduce, change or terminate purchases of Rockford’s products or brands. The loss of Best Buy, Nissan or Mitsubishi as a customer or significant reductions in their purchases or license payments would materially reduce Rockford’s sales and profitability.
 
Rockford’s significant customers generally help to smooth out Rockford’s sales seasonality. For Rockford’s specialty and audio-video dealers, the peak-selling season is in the spring and summer and the slowest season is typically in the fourth quarter. Rockford believes that it experiences this seasonality because its core 16-24 year old consumers tend to buy mobile audio products during the spring and summer when they are on semester breaks and when generally more favorable weather makes it easier to install mobile audio products. Best Buy sales, while strong in May and June, are not as dependent upon Rockford’s core consumers and are also strong in the fourth quarter due to seasonal retail sales.
 
Product Support
 
To maintain and enhance its relationships with retailers, Rockford provides numerous support services, including product and installation training, sales training and technical and customer service support. Rockford’s “Rockford Technical Training Institute” training programs are designed to provide improved skills to dealer personnel and enhance their ability to design, sell and install superior audio systems using Rockford’s products. In addition, Rockford’s web site allows dealers to order products, look up order status, and find information about past purchases. The web site also provides comprehensive information for dealers and distributors, including product schematics, ad layouts and logos.
 
Rockford products carry standard warranties to purchasers who buy Rockford products from authorized dealers. The warranties cover defects in material and workmanship. Under its standard warranties Rockford will either repair or replace a product that fails during the warranty period. Rockford also offers repair services for products that are no longer covered under the original warranty. For U.S. and Canadian customers, Rockford has in-house customer service, repair and technical support personnel who provide general company information, installation support, troubleshooting and system design assistance. Rockford also provides a direct repair program that repairs and ships repaired product rapidly, reducing retailer and consumer inconvenience if products fail to perform properly.
 
For Rockford’s international customers, Rockford requires its distributors to provide warranty and customer service to consumers in the countries where the distributors are authorized to sell Rockford products.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2008, Rockford had approximately 107 full-time employees in various functions. This was a reduction of 55 full-time employees compared to December 31, 2007. Most of the reduction resulted from the outsourcing of production, with some of the reduction resulting from efforts to “right size” the organization during the economic recession that affected sales during 2008. In addition, Rockford uses temporary personnel as needed. Rockford has never had a work stoppage and none of its employees are unionized. Rockford believes its employee relations are good.
 
Environmental Compliance
 
Whenever possible, Rockford avoids using hazardous materials in its production processes. Two chemicals used in the basic electronic manufacturing processes, lacquer and flux, are listed as hazardous substances by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rockford uses them in limited quantities in its production facility, taking care to see that they are stored, used and disposed of in the proper manner. Rockford’s direct use of these materials was significantly lower in 2008 because of the planned outsourcing of manufacturing to third parties and is expected


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to cease in 2009 because of the completion of Rockford’s outsourcing of production and termination of internal manufacturing.
 
Rockford believes that its compliance with federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, will not have a material effect upon its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. Rockford does not anticipate material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities for the remainder of the current fiscal year or the succeeding fiscal year.
 
All of Rockford’s 2009 product offerings are compliant with the European Union’s directive on the restriction of hazardous substances (“RoHS”).
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT ROCKFORD’S OPERATING RESULTS, BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND STOCK PRICE
 
Before you buy or sell Rockford stock, you should be aware that there are risks, including those described below and others Rockford has not anticipated or discussed. You should consider carefully these and other risk factors, together with all of the other information included in Rockford’s filings with the SEC and Rockford’s periodic press releases, before you decide to buy or sell shares of Rockford’s common stock.
 
As you consider these risk factors, Rockford also calls your attention to Rockford’s statements about Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors before Part I of this Annual Report.
 
Rockford’s products may not satisfy shifting consumer demand or compete successfully with competitors’ products.
 
Rockford’s business is based primarily on the demand for aftermarket and OEM mobile audio products and on Rockford’s ability to deliver products that provide powerful, high quality sound. If Rockford fails to introduce new products, misinterprets consumer preferences or fails to respond to changes in the marketplace, consumer demand for its products could decrease and its brands’ images could suffer. In addition, Rockford’s competitors may introduce superior designs or business strategies, undermining Rockford’s distinctive image and its products’ desirability. If any of these events occur, they could cause Rockford’s sales to decline.
 
Rockford relies upon debt financing for a substantial part of its working capital; defaults on its debt or the unavailability of additional financing could make it impossible to carry out Rockford’s business as currently structured.
 
As at December 31, 2008, Rockford had $7.5 million in outstanding debt under its senior credit facility and $7.5 million of convertible notes outstanding. Rockford repurchased $2.5 million of its convertible notes in January 2009. Rockford agreed in April 2009 to amend the remaining $5.0 million of convertible notes, which were scheduled to be repaid on June 10, 2009, so that Rockford is required to pay $2.5 million of the remaining outstanding notes during 2009 and the balance of $2.5 million during 2010. Based on current cash-flow forecasts Rockford anticipates that it will have available borrowings under its credit facility to complete the repayment of the remaining notes and to satisfy its working capital needs.
 
Rockford is dependent on its senior credit facility and other financing given the working capital requirements of its business. The availability of these facilities could be impacted by adverse economic events, such as the credit crisis suffered at the end of 2008 and early 2009, or by poor operational and financial performance at Rockford. If Rockford’s financial performance fails to improve, or if other developments make financing unavailable on an economic basis, available borrowings on Rockford’s credit facility might not be adequate. If available borrowings under Rockford’s credit facility are not adequate, Rockford may need to secure additional borrowings or equity to fund the required repayments on the notes and its working capital requirements. Such borrowings or equity might not be available on acceptable terms. In that case, Rockford might not be able to continue its operations as they are currently structured and might have to consider changes that could include reductions in employee compensation and benefits, evaluation of our status as a public company in order to reduce costs, reductions in working capital needs, changes in our distribution strategies, and potential exit strategies. There is no assurance we could implement these changes given the current economic environment. A restructuring would likely have a significant negative impact on operations, financial performance, and stock price.


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Aftermarket Mobile Audio Sales May Continue to Decline, Reducing the Potential Market Rockford is Seeking to Address
 
Aftermarket mobile audio sales have been soft over an extended period for many reasons, including the perceived difficulty of replacing newer OEM audio systems, the somewhat improved performance of OEM mobile audio systems and the availability of alternative audio products such as the iPod. Consumer spending for aftermarket mobile audio products is volatile and is affected by economic conditions such as:
 
  •  General business conditions;
 
  •  Employment levels, especially among Rockford’s core consumers (who tend to be less experienced workers and are particularly subject to layoff if employment levels decline);
 
  •  Consumer confidence in future economic conditions;
 
  •  Energy prices; and
 
  •  Interest and tax rates.
 
The mobile audio aftermarket in the U.S. has suffered from a decline in overall sales since 2000, which has made it difficult for Rockford and for competitors to maintain sales. The efforts to maintain sales have eroded margins and led to greater competition to place inventory in dealers. The market for mobile audio products continues to be unpredictable and Rockford is not able to predict when or whether the decline in mobile aftermarket sales will end.
 
A decline in discretionary spending likely would reduce Rockford’s sales.
 
Mobile audio sales are highly discretionary and a recession in the general economy or a general decline in consumer spending is likely to significantly reduce Rockford’s sales. The economic meltdown at the end of the 3rd quarter of 2008 and during the 4th quarter substantially reduced Rockford’s sales.
 
Rockford may lose market share and its brand image may erode as Rockford manages the distribution channels for its mobile audio products.
 
Rockford distributes Rockford’s products both through specialty distribution channels (including specialty dealers who sell only mobile audio products and audio/video retailers) and through national retailers, such as Best Buy. Rockford is seeking to increase distribution of Rockford’s products through each of these distribution channels. Rockford also sells its products or licenses its brand and technologies as standard or optional OEM systems in Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicle models and is working to expand its OEM sales. The distribution and marketing needs of these channels are sometimes in conflict so that, for example, Rockford’s efforts to increase “big box” sales of its products may reduce the perceived value of its products to specialty retailers.
 
Rockford’s distribution channels and strategies create significant risks that:
 
  •  Rockford may alienate its specialty dealer base.  Some specialty dealers or audio/video retailers may react to Rockford’s “big box” and OEM strategies by reducing their purchases or even replacing Rockford’s products with competing products; and
 
  •  Rockford’s brand image may erode.  Selling in large national retail stores and OEM markets may erode Rockford’s brand image, which could decrease Rockford’s product prices and profit margins.
 
Rockford’s inability to manage Rockford’s distribution channels in a way that mitigates these risks may reduce its sales and profitability.
 
Any decrease in demand for Rockford amplifiers, subwoofers or speakers could significantly decrease sales.
 
A significant portion of Rockford’s revenue is for sales of Rockford’s amplifier, subwoofer and speaker products. These product lines collectively accounted for approximately 76.0% of Rockford’s sales in 2008, 78.4%


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of Rockford’s sales in 2007 and 80.7% of Rockford’s sales in 2006. If sales of these product types decline, results of operations could be adversely affected.
 
The loss of Best Buy, Nissan, or Mitsubishi as a customer or significant reductions in their purchases of Rockford’s products would reduce sales.
 
Best Buy, Nissan and Mitsubishi are significant customers, with Best Buy accounting for 22.1%, 19.0%, and 16.9% of Rockford’s sales in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, Nissan accounting for 14.6%, 7.5%, and 3.9% of Rockford sales in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and Mitsubishi accounting for 2.4%, 6.5%, and 7.1% of Rockford sales in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rockford anticipates that Best Buy, Nissan and Mitsubishi will continue to account for a significant portion of Rockford’s sales for the foreseeable future, but none is obligated to any long-term purchases. Each has considerable discretion to reduce, change or terminate purchases of Rockford’s products. If any of them significantly reduce or terminate their purchases of Rockford products Rockford’s sales and operations are likely to decline.
 
Rockford may lose sales and market share if it is unable to compete successfully against current and future competition, including products offered by aftermarket suppliers and by auto manufacturers.
 
Competition could result in reduced margins on Rockford’s products and loss of market share. Rockford’s primary markets are very competitive, with only limited barriers to entry and large numbers of competitors. Rockford’s principal mobile audio competitors include Alpine, Boston Acoustics, Infinity, JL Audio, Kenwood, Kicker, Monster Cable, MTX, Pioneer, Sony and Stinger.
 
Rockford also competes with automobile manufacturers who continue to integrate OEM audio systems with other electronic features in their vehicles and somewhat improve their sound quality. These changes increase the perceived difficulty of installing Rockford’s aftermarket products, reduce consumers’ perception of the need to improve their factory audio systems and have reduced demand for aftermarket mobile audio products. Rockford believes that the changes auto manufacturers have made in recent years have significantly reduced overall demand for aftermarket mobile audio systems.
 
If Rockford does not continue to develop, introduce and achieve market acceptance of new and enhanced products, sales may decrease.
 
To remain competitive, Rockford believes that it must regularly introduce new products, improve the performance of existing products and limit increases in prices or even reduce prices. Rockford’s inability to do so in a timely manner could reduce sales and profitability.
 
Rockford may experience difficulties that delay or prevent the development, introduction or market acceptance of new or enhanced products. Rockford’s move to outsourced manufacturing of its products may also delay the development of new products because of the added complexity of product development for outsourced products. Furthermore, Rockford may not detect and correct defects in products before it ships them to customers. This may result in loss of sales or delays in market acceptance.
 
Even after introduction, new or enhanced products may not satisfy consumer preferences and product failures may cause consumers to reject the new products. As a result, these products may not achieve market acceptance. In addition, competitors’ new products and product enhancements may cause consumers to defer or forego purchases of Rockford’s products.
 
Rockford’s OEM sales and royalty revenue depends on demand for the vehicles in which Rockford’s OEM systems are offered. A decline in demand for those automobiles is likely to reduce OEM sales and royalty revenue.
 
Rockford OEM systems are currently offered in select Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles and will be introduced in select vehicles of a third auto manufacturer later in 2009. In Nissan’s line, Rockford systems are offered in many of Nissan’s truck-based products, which have suffered declining sales because of increased gasoline prices and reduced consumer demand for large vehicles. The decline in demand for these vehicles, and for vehicles in general,


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has lead to a decline in Rockford’s OEM sales and royalty revenue. Further declines in demand could lead to additional declines in Rockford’s OEM sales and royalty revenue.
 
Seasonality of mobile audio sales causes Rockford’s quarterly sales to fluctuate and may affect the trading price of its stock.
 
Rockford’s sales are generally greater during the first and second quarters of each calendar year and lower during the third and fourth quarters, with its lowest sales typically occurring during the fourth quarter. As a result, after the announcement of Rockford’s results of operations for the third and fourth quarters, Rockford’s stock price may be lower than at other times of the year.
 
Rockford’s financial results may fluctuate significantly, making financial forecasting difficult and making Rockford’s stock price volatile.
 
Rockford’s results of operations are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. In some quarters, operating results may fall below expectations. Rockford’s operating results are difficult to forecast for many reasons, some of which are outside of Rockford’s control, including:
 
  •  The level of product, price and dealer competition;
 
  •  Size and timing of product orders and shipments, particularly by higher volume customers such as Best Buy, Nissan and Mitsubishi;
 
  •  Weather conditions, which affect consumers’ willingness to install products;
 
  •  Capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; and
 
  •  Timing of Rockford’s marketing programs and those of its competitors.
 
As a result, investors should not rely on historical results as an indication of Rockford’s future performance.
 
In addition, some of Rockford’s expenses are fixed and cannot be reduced in the short term. Accordingly, if sales do not meet expectations, the results of operations are likely to be negatively and disproportionately affected. Rockford’s results for the 4th quarter of 2008 illustrate this affect: unexpected reductions in sales because of the credit crisis suffered at the end of 2008 caused a disproportionate increase in Rockford’s net loss. In this event, Rockford’s stock price may fall dramatically.
 
If Rockford fails to manage its inventory effectively, Rockford could incur additional costs or lose sales.
 
Rockford customers have many brands to choose from when they decide to order products. If Rockford cannot deliver products quickly and reliably, customers will order from a competitor. Rockford must stock enough inventory to fill orders promptly, which increases Rockford’s financing requirements and the risk of inventory obsolescence. Competition has forced Rockford to regularly introduce new and enhanced products and to seek higher quality at lower prices by sourcing more product overseas. These steps require Rockford to carry larger inventories in relation to sales than if its supply chain was shorter. There is a significant risk that Rockford’s inventory could become obsolete or that changes in demand could cause Rockford to hold excess inventory. Excess inventory has a significant impact on Rockford’s working capital requirements, increasing the amount Rockford must draw on its credit facilities and Rockford’s financing risks.
 
Rockford’s product supplies and international operations may be harmed by factors including political instability, currency exchange rates and changes in regulations that govern international transactions.
 
The risks inherent in international trade may interfere with Rockford’s supply of products, reduce Rockford’s international sales and harm Rockford’s business and the businesses of its distributors and suppliers. These risks include:
 
  •  Changes in tariff regulations;
 
  •  Political instability, war, terrorism and other political risks;


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  •  Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
 
  •  Establishing and maintaining relationships with local distributors and dealers;
 
  •  Lengthy shipping times and accounts receivable payment cycles;
 
  •  Import and export licensing requirements;
 
  •  Compliance with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including unexpected changes in taxation and regulatory requirements;
 
  •  Greater difficulty in safeguarding intellectual property than in the U.S.; and
 
  •  Difficulty in staffing and managing geographically dispersed operations.
 
The current economic environment appears to have increased the risk of protectionist actions and populist trade measures throughout the global trading system. The risks described above, and other risks associated with international trade, may increase the relative price of Rockford’s products compared to those manufactured in other countries, may substantially reduce the supply of products available to Rockford and increase their price, or may increase the absolute price of Rockford’s products in some or all of the countries where Rockford sells its products. Any of these results could reduce Rockford’s sales and increase Rockford’s costs.
 
Loss of an international distributor may disrupt Rockford’s sales.
 
International customers accounted for 20.0% of Rockford’s sales in 2008. For sales outside the U.S. and Canada Rockford relies on distributors, each of whom is responsible for one or more countries. Each distributor purchases and resells Rockford’s products in its territories. When Rockford has disputes with a distributor, or changes its relationship with a distributor, it may disrupt the market for Rockford’s products in that country and reduce sales. If Rockford changes a relationship with a distributor, Rockford may repurchase that distributor’s inventory, which would also reduce Rockford’s sales.
 
Currency fluctuations may reduce the profitability of Rockford’s foreign sales.
 
In some cases, Rockford sells to Canadian dealers and distributors in Canadian dollars. In other international markets, although Rockford prices its products in dollars, currency fluctuations may make Rockford’s products more expensive in local currency terms. Rockford does not trade in derivatives or other financial instruments to reduce currency risks. In some instances this will subject Rockford’s earnings to fluctuations because Rockford is not protected against substantial currency fluctuations and its distributors may reduce product purchases because of currency fluctuations.
 
Currency fluctuations may increase the cost of Rockford’s products.
 
Rockford now sources all of its products from outside the United States. Most of these products are sourced in the Far East, principally in China and Southeast Asia. Although most of Rockford’s purchases are denominated in dollars, an extended decline in the value of the dollar may affect the terms and prices on which Rockford is able to purchase from its foreign suppliers and may, therefore, increase Rockford’s costs.
 
If Rockford’s supplies of products are interrupted, it may be unable to deliver its products to its customers.
 
Rockford has transitioned all of its products to outsourced manufacturing, generally in Asia. The supply process does not provide a backlog of finished goods to satisfy short lead-time orders, to compensate for potential halts in supply or to replace products that are not available due to supplier issues or that do not conform to quality standards.
 
Rockford also does not have long-term price commitments from its suppliers and cost increases may reduce Rockford’s margins or require Rockford to raise its prices to protect margins. Rockford cannot be certain that it could locate, within reasonable time frames, alternative sources of products at similar prices and quality levels. This failure could result in increased costs, delays in its supply chain, an inability to fill purchase orders on a timely basis


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and a decrease in product availability at the retail level. This could cause Rockford to lose sales and damage Rockford’s customer relationships.
 
Rockford depends on a few suppliers for a large portion of its products. Interruptions in their ability or willingness to deliver products would reduce sales and damage customer relationships.
 
Rockford relied on Edge Global Holdings, Kontron Manufacturing, and Sound Factor for approximately 31.5%, 10.4%, and 17.5% respectively, of its inventory purchases during 2008. Rockford believes that each of its suppliers is financially capable, but in general many contract manufacturers are under financial strain because of the global recession and Rockford cannot be certain that all of its suppliers will remain financially stable. If any significant supplier refuses or is unable to supply products to Rockford, it would require substantial time to identify an alternative supplier and could create a product shortage. Such a shortage would reduce sales and damage customer relationships.
 
Rockford may be unable to retain and attract key employees, which could impair Rockford’s business.
 
Rockford operates in highly competitive employment markets and cannot guarantee its continued success in retaining and attracting the employees it needs to develop, produce and market its products and manage its operations. Rockford’s business strategy and operations depend, to a large extent, on Rockford’s senior management team. Rockford does not have written employment contracts with any of its key employees. If key members of Rockford’s management team are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, Rockford’s ability to develop, introduce and sell Rockford’s products could be negatively impacted.
 
If Rockford is unable to enforce or defend its ownership and use of intellectual property, Rockford’s business may decline.
 
Rockford’s success may depend, in part, on Rockford’s intellectual property. Rockford seeks to protect its intellectual property rights, but its actions may not adequately protect the rights covered by patents, patent applications, trademarks and other proprietary rights. Prosecution of Rockford’s claims could be time consuming and costly. In addition, the intellectual property laws of some foreign countries do not protect Rockford’s proprietary rights as do the laws of the U.S. Despite Rockford’s efforts to protect its proprietary information, third parties may obtain, disclose or use proprietary information without authorization, which could adversely affect Rockford’s business.
 
From time to time, third parties have alleged that Rockford infringes their proprietary rights. These claims or similar future claims could subject Rockford to significant liability for damages, result in the invalidation of its proprietary rights, limit its ability to use infringing intellectual property or force Rockford to license third-party technology rather than dispute the merits of an infringement claim. Even if Rockford prevails, any associated litigation could be time consuming and expensive and could result in the diversion of Rockford’s time and resources.
 
Rockford could suffer from internal control deficiencies.
 
Rockford is a small company and is dependent upon a small number of officers and staff. In light of the reduction in its business, it has reduced the size of its staff so that there are fewer individuals available to fill in when one member of that staff resigns or is disabled. If it suffers turnover of key employees or is otherwise unable to maintain its internal controls, Rockford may not be able to comply with its reporting obligations and its inability could reduce the market price of its stock.
 
Rockford’s executive officers and directors retain substantial control of Rockford, which may limit the liquidity and market price of its common stock.
 
Rockford’s officers and directors and their affiliates collectively held approximately 49.2% of Rockford’s outstanding shares at March 17, 2009. These shareholders, if they act together, are able as a practical matter to control the outcome of matters submitted for shareholder action, including the election of a majority of Rockford’s board of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions. Consequently, these shareholders


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effectively control Rockford’s management and affairs, which may limit the liquidity of its shares, discourage acquisition bids for Rockford and limit the price some investors are willing to pay for Rockford’s shares.
 
Virtually all of Rockford’s shares are available for resale without significant restrictions. Their sale or potential sale may reduce Rockford’s stock price.
 
Virtually all of Rockford’s outstanding shares are available for resale under applicable securities laws. The market price of Rockford’s common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares in the market or the perception that those sales could occur.
 
Rockford’s anti-takeover provisions could affect the value of Rockford’s stock.
 
Rockford’s articles of incorporation and bylaws and Arizona law contain provisions that could discourage potential acquirers. For example, Rockford’s board of directors may issue additional shares of common stock to an investor who supports the incumbent directors in order to make a takeover more difficult. This could deprive Rockford’s shareholders of opportunities to sell its stock at above-market prices typical in many acquisitions.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
The following table contains information about Rockford’s facilities as at December 31, 2008, all of which are leased. Rockford believes these properties are adequate for its business and operations.
 
                 
        Approximate
     
Function
 
Location
  Square Footage     Lease Expiration
 
Corporate headquarters and research and development
  Tempe, Arizona     30,000     September 30, 2014
Training
  Tempe, Arizona     5,000     September 30, 2010
Warehousing
  Gilbert, Arizona     79,000     March 31, 2012
Warehousing
  Grand Rapids, Michigan     83,000     June 30, 2009
                 
Total
        197,000      
                 
 
Rockford expects to vacate the facility in Grand Rapids when its lease expires at the end of June 2009. Rockford has concluded that, in light of the reduced volume of its sales and the completion of its outsourcing efforts, it does not need two warehouse facilities.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
Rockford is and may continue to be a party to various lawsuits and arbitrations from time to time. As at December 31, 2008, Rockford was not a party to any legal proceedings that it believes are likely to have a material effect on its business.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.


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PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Rockford common stock has traded on The NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “ROFO” since April 20, 2000, the date of its initial public offering. Prior to that time, there was no public market for its common stock. The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices for Rockford’s common stock for the periods indicated:
 
                 
    High     Low  
 
For the quarter ended:
               
December 31, 2008
  $ 1.19     $ 0.39  
September 30, 2008
  $ 1.23     $ 0.75  
June 30, 2008
  $ 1.77     $ 0.92  
March 31, 2008
  $ 1.93     $ 0.85  
December 31, 2007
  $ 2.19     $ 1.57  
September 30, 2007
  $ 2.38     $ 1.59  
June 30, 2007
  $ 2.88     $ 1.84  
March 31, 2007
  $ 2.85     $ 2.17  
 
As at March 17, 2009, there were approximately 110 holders of record of Rockford’s common stock.
 
Rockford has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock. Rockford currently intends to retain its earnings, if any, to finance its operations and, therefore, does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. Rockford’s current credit agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends and permits stock purchases up to $2.0 million. Rockford used $1.3 million of this purchase authority through December 31, 2008, for purchases under Rockford’s stock repurchase programs.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table shows equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2008:
 
                         
                Number of Securities
 
    Number of Securities to be
    Weighted Average
    Remaining Available for
 
    Issued Upon Exercise of
    Exercise Price of
    Future Issuance Under Equity
 
    Outstanding Options,
    Outstanding Options,
    Compensation Plans (Excluding
 
    Warrants and Rights
    Warrants and Rights
    Securities Reflected in Column (a))
 
Plan Category
  (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    1,938,114     $ 3.65       305,550  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    59,073       3.73        
                         
      1,997,187     $ 3.65       305,550  
                         


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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
                                 
                      Maximum Number
 
                      of Shares
 
                Total Number of
    That May Yet
 
                Shares Purchased as Part of
    be Purchased
 
    Total Number of
    Average Price Paid
    Publicly Announced
    Under the Plans
 
Period
  Shares Purchased     per Share     Plans or Programs*     or Programs  
 
October 2008
        $             105,488  
November 2008
                      105,488  
December 2008
                      105,488  
                                 
Total for twelve months ended December 31, 2008
    364,812     $ 1.13       364,812          
                                 
 
Rockford has two publicly announced share repurchase programs. The first was announced on September 6, 2007, and is for up to 5% (or 470,000) of Rockford’s common shares. The second was announced on February 21, 2008 and is for up to an additional 5% (or 450,000) of Rockford’s common shares. Rockford repurchased 364,812 shares under these programs in 2008, including 20,300 shares under the first program and 344,512 shares under the second program. As a result of these repurchases, 105,488 shares remain authorized for repurchase under the second program as of December 31, 2008. These programs do not have a specified expiration date, but may be suspended or terminated at any time.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Continuing Operations” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The table contains selected consolidated financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2008 derived from Rockford’s audited consolidated financial statements.
 
                                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 160,857     $ 135,682     $ 102,776     $ 88,745     $ 68,874  
Cost of goods sold
    129,092       96,231       73,919       59,868       47,670  
                                         
Gross profit
    31,765       39,451       28,857       28,877       21,204  
Operating expenses:
                                       
Sales and marketing
    27,461       22,845       16,772       13,273       11,805  
General and administrative
    25,782       13,913       16,753       11,215       11,201  
Research and development
    6,415       2,823       3,218       2,817       2,646  
                                         
Total operating expenses
    59,658       39,581       36,743       27,305       25,652  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    (27,893 )     (130 )     (7,886 )     1,572       (4,448 )
Interest and other expense, net
    2,826       2,593       1,243       886       3  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (30,719 )     (2,723 )     (9,129 )     686       (4,451 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    4,597             (437 )           24  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (35,316 )     (2,723 )     (8,692 )     686       (4,475 )
                                         
Discontinued operations:
                                       
Loss from disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes
    (70 )     (1,019 )                  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
    (3,469 )     (345 )     (155 )            
                                         
Total loss from discontinued operations
    (3,539 )     (1,364 )     (155 )            
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (38,855 )   $ (4,087 )   $ (8,847 )   $ 686     $ (4,475 )
                                         
Income (loss) per common share:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
                                       
Basic
  $ (3.90 )   $ (0.29 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                                         
Diluted
  $ (3.90 )   $ (0.29 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                                         
Loss from discontinued operations
                                       
Basic
  $ (0.39 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                                         
Diluted
  $ (0.39 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                                         
Net income (loss):
                                       
Basic
  $ (4.29 )   $ (0.44 )   $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                                         
Diluted
  $ (4.29 )   $ (0.44 )   $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                                         
Weighted average shares:
                                       
Basic
    9,066       9,258       9,388       9,325       8,697  
                                         
Diluted
    9,066       9,258       9,388       9,342       8,697  
                                         
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Working capital
  $ 25,776     $ 23,217     $ 16,479     $ 17,110     $ 5,877  
Total assets
    80,353       52,298       44,555       34,012       28,525  
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    18,204       6,109       11,402       4,235       12,688  
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    11,937       9,187       9,937       9,715       2,659  
Total liabilities
    57,768       33,667       34,310       24,066       23,232  
Shareholders’ equity
    22,585       18,631       10,245       9,946       5,293  


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Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Continuing Operations
 
This Analysis should be read in conjunction with the other sections of this Annual Report, including “Item 1: Business,” “Item 6: Selected Financial Data,” and “Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This Analysis does not reflect the potential impact of any divestitures, mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations that had not been completed as of the date of this report.
 
Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
Rockford is now focused almost entirely on its core mobile audio business. During 2009 Rockford expects to work on improving penetration of the mobile audio markets and continuously improving its core operations.
 
Production of all of Rockford’s products is now outsourced. Rockford completed the outsourcing of amplifier assembly during the fourth quarter of 2008, allowing the removal of another layer of overhead in its manufacturing operations in 2009. With the completion of its outsourcing projects, and assuming only favorable or moderately adverse changes in exchange rates and international trading conditions, Rockford anticipates that its 2009 results will reflect a further reduction in its cost structure.
 
All of Rockford’s sales are now focused on the mass retail, independent specialist, international distribution and OEM channels. In 2008 sales were down in all channels including international. The mobile audio aftermarket in the U.S. was down significantly, creating an environment in which competitors in the aftermarket channels continued aggressive pricing and promotional activity, which contributed to Rockford’s sales decrease.
 
Rockford is working to increase aftermarket sales and believes its current products perform better than the products Rockford had previously offered. Their improved performance contributes positively to Rockford’s sales efforts as dealers have found their installation to be easier and their operation to be more powerful and more reliable. Assuming a moderate decline in the overall mobile audio aftermarket, Rockford believes that it should be able to stabilize or even increase its aftermarket sales. If consumer spending as a whole decreases more significantly, Rockford expects the mobile audio aftermarket would also decline significantly and Rockford would likely suffer a decrease in its aftermarket sales. In 2008 Rockford’s aftermarket sales were also reduced because Rockford did not introduce comprehensive new product lines in 2008 and, therefore, did not repeat either the “pipeline fill” sales or the end of life sales that increased sales in 2007.
 
Sales at the end of 2008 were substantially reduced by the credit crisis the world suffered during the third and fourth quarters of 2008. The crisis led many of Rockford’s specialist dealers to postpone their purchases because of the uncertain conditions in the economy. Rockford does not know whether it will be able to recover some of these sales in 2009 and has seen mixed indicators from dealers about consumer behavior in the early part of 2009. Rockford’s planning takes into account the increased uncertainty and risks associated with the recessionary environment created by the credit crisis and Rockford has moved aggressively to reduce costs and lower its “break even” sales level.
 
In 2007 Rockford experienced a decline in OEM sales, due primarily to Nissan’s lower North American auto sales. In 2008 OEM sales were particularly impacted by Nissan’s reduced volume of truck and SUV sales. Rockford’s OEM products are concentrated in Nissan trucks and SUVs, so that a decrease affecting sales of those vehicles has a disproportionate impact on Rockford OEM sales. If decreases in consumer spending significantly reduce Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicle sales, or if other changes in demand reduce sales of the particular vehicles in which Rockford’s systems are offered, OEM sales may decline further.
 
Because the financial events at the end of 2008 increased consumer fears and reduced or eliminated available financing, the short term outlook is for continued reductions in vehicle sales and Rockford’s OEM revenue. On the other hand, leasing has been an impediment to aftermarket audio sales because consumers are less willing to modify leased vehicles. In the longer term the present shift away from vehicle leasing may contribute to a revival in aftermarket audio sales because consumers will own and be more willing to modify their vehicles.


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The following table shows, for the years indicated, selected consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100 %
Cost of goods sold
    71.9       67.5       69.2  
                         
Gross profit
    28.1       32.5       30.8  
Operating expenses:
                       
Sales and marketing
    16.3       15.0       17.1  
General and administrative
    16.3       12.5       16.3  
Research and development
    3.2       3.2       3.9  
                         
Total operating expenses
    35.8       30.7       37.3  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    (7.7 )     1.8       (6.5 )
Interest and other expense, net
    1.2       1.0       0.0  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (8.9 )     0.8       (6.5 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (0.4 )           0.0  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (8.5 )     0.8       (6.5 )
Loss from discontinued operations
    (0.1 )            
                         
Net income (loss)
    (8.6 )%     0.8 %     (6.5 )%
                         
 
Cost of goods sold primarily consists of product costs associated with the purchase of Rockford’s products as well as warranty, warehousing, freight-in and customer service expenses.
 
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of salaries, sales commissions, cost of advertising, trade shows, and freight-out expenses.
 
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, facilities and other costs of Rockford’s accounting, finance, management information systems, administrative and executive departments, as well as legal, accounting and other professional fees.
 
Research and development expenses primarily consist of salaries associated with research and development personnel, prototyping and other costs related to new product development.
 
Geographic Distribution of Sales
 
Rockford’s sales to external customers by geographic region were as follows:
 
                                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
Region(1)
  2006     2007     2008     2008  
    (In thousands, excluding % column)  
 
United States
  $ 86,017     $ 71,771       55,136       80.0 %
Other Americas
    8,007       7,193       6,076       8.8 %
Europe
    5,316       6,069       4,648       6.8 %
Asia
    3,436       3,712       3,014       4.4 %
                                 
Total sales
  $ 102,776     $ 88,745     $ 68,874       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Sales are attributed to geographic regions based on the location of customers. No single foreign country accounted for greater than 10% of Rockford’s sales.


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In the following discussion, certain increases or decreases may differ due to rounding.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Net Sales.  Net sales decreased by $19.9 million, or 22.4%, to $68.9 million for 2008, from $88.7 million for 2007. The decrease in sales was primarily attributable to lower sales to OEM, mass retail and independent specialist customers. These reductions were partially offset by lower sales discounts in 2008 compared to the higher discounts incurred for end-of-life product sales in 2007. Royalty revenues fluctuate with consumer demand and automobile manufacturers’ production schedules, which can be volatile. Due to global slowdown of automobile sales, OEM royalty revenues decreased to $5.6 million for 2008 from $6.3 million for 2007.
 
U.S. sales decreased by $16.6 million, or 23.2%, to $55.1 million for 2008, from $71.8 million for 2007. International sales decreased by $3.2 million, or 19.0%, to $13.7 million for 2008, from $17.0 million for 2007. The decrease in international sales was primarily due to the lack in 2008 of end-of-life sales and initial pipeline shipments of Rockford’s new product lines that had increased sales in 2007.
 
Gross Profit.  Gross profit decreased by $7.7 million, or 26.6% to $21.2 million for 2008 from $28.9 million for 2007. As a percent of sales, gross profit decreased to 30.8% for 2008, from 32.5% for 2007. The decrease in gross profit as a percent of sales is primarily due to lower royalty revenue, higher reserves for inventory obsolescence, and higher returns as a percent of net sales. These declines were partially offset by lower sales discounts.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $1.5 million, or 11.1%, to $11.8 million for 2008 from $13.3 million for 2007. As a percent of sales, sales and marketing expenses increased to 17.1% for 2008 from 15.0% for 2007. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to lower sales commissions and reduced outbound freight resulting from lower sales, as well as reduced promotional activities.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses remained consistent at $11.2 million for 2008 and $11.2 million for 2007. As a percent of sales, general and administrative expenses increased to 16.3% for 2008 from 12.5% for 2007. The 2008 period included severance charges of approximately $1.1 million associated with the elimination of two executive officer positions and the planned closing of manufacturing and distribution facilities. Bad debt expense during the 2008 period was also $1.2 million higher than bad debt expense in the 2007 period. General and administrative expenses in 2007 included a special charge of approximately $1.1 million related to departing employees. Most of the 2007 special charge arose from costs associated with the Retirement and Salary Continuation Agreement for Rockford’s former CEO.
 
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses decreased by $0.2 million, or 6.1%, to $2.6 million for 2008, as compared to $2.8 million for 2007. As a percent of sales, these expenses increased to 3.9% for 2008 from 3.2% for 2007. The decrease in research and development expense is primarily related to costs incurred in 2007 associated with the launch of Rockford’s new products in 2007.
 
Operating Income (Loss).  Operating income (loss) declined by $6.0 million, to an operating loss of $4.5 million for 2008 compared to operating income of $1.6 million for 2007. As a percent of sales, operating loss was 6.5% for 2008, compared to operating income of 1.8% for 2007. This decline in operating income (loss) is primarily due to lower net sales and gross profit that were only partially offset by lower operating expenses.
 
Interest and Other Expense, Net.  Interest and other expense, net, primarily consists of interest expense and other gains and losses. Interest and other expense, net, decreased by $0.9 million or 99.7%, to $3,000 for 2008 from $0.9 million for 2007. The improvement is primarily attributable to the gain of approximately $0.8 million arising from the repurchase of $2.0 million face value of convertible notes and to lower interest expense in 2008 primarily due to lower effective borrowing rates. The 2008 interest expense was not impacted by the gain on the repurchase of an additional $2.5 million of convertible notes in January 2009 that Rockford had announced would result in a gain of approximately $0.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. After further review Rockford determined that the gain is properly reportable in the first quarter of 2009 and, therefore, did not affect 2008. The decrease is partially offset by a fourth quarter 2007 currency gain of approximately $418,000 resulting from the recognition of Rockford’s


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previously unrealized cumulative transaction gains. Recognition was triggered by the dissolution of Rockford’s European subsidiary.
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  Income tax expense from continuing operations was $24,000 for 2008 and zero expense for 2007. The effective income tax rates were 0.5% for 2008 and 0.0% for 2007. Rockford is not recording any tax benefit on losses in 2008 for financial reporting purposes because it currently continues to maintain a valuation allowance reserve against all of its net deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards. Similarly, in 2007 Rockford did not have income tax expense on its net income because it reduced the valuation allowance required. Rockford’s loss carryforwards are likely to offset virtually all current period income tax expense until such time, if ever, that management believes that some portion of the reserved deferred tax asset becomes more likely than not recoverable. The small income tax expense in 2008 related to state taxes in jurisdictions where the taxing mechanism now generates taxes even in loss periods.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
Net Sales.  Net sales decreased by $14.0 million, or 13.7%, to $88.7 million for 2007, from $102.8 million for 2006. The decrease in sales was primarily attributable to lower sales to OEM, mass retail and independent specialist customers and to the elimination of sales of Rockford’s Q-Logic enclosure product line which was sold on March 31, 2006. These reductions were partially offset by higher OEM royalty revenue and lower product returns. Royalty revenues fluctuate with consumer demand and automobile manufacturers’ production schedules, which can be volatile. OEM royalty revenues for 2007 and 2006 were $6.3 million and $2.6 million respectively.
 
U.S. sales decreased by $14.2 million, or 16.6%, to $71.8 million for 2007, from $86.0 million for 2006. International sales increased by $0.2 million, or 1.3%, to $17.0 million for 2007, from $16.8 million for 2006. The increase in international sales was primarily due to completion of the transition to a new distribution system in Europe and the launch of new 2007 Rockford Fosgate products, partly offset by the unfavorable impact on sales in Canada resulting from the weakness of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar.
 
Gross Profit.  Gross profit remained flat at $28.9 million for both 2007 and 2006. As a percent of sales, gross profit increased to 32.5% for 2007, from 28.1% for 2006. The increase in gross profit as a percent of sales is primarily due to higher royalty revenue, lower returns and a $0.7 million charge related to future obligations for Rockford’s vacated European warehouse facilities that was recorded in 2006. These improvements were partially offset by higher discounts offered on discontinued product lines.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $3.5 million, or 20.1%, to $13.3 million for 2007 from $16.8 million for 2006. As a percent of sales, sales and marketing expenses decreased to 15.0% for 2007 from 16.3% for 2006. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales commissions and reduced outbound freight resulting from lower sales, as well as reduced promotional activities.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased by $5.5 million or 33.1%, to $11.2 million for 2007 from $16.8 million for 2006. As a percent of sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 12.5% for 2007 from 16.3% for 2006. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to lower personnel related expenses, facilities costs and professional fees and was partially offset by a special charge of approximately $1.1 million related to departing employees recorded in the first quarter of 2007. Most of this special charge arose from costs associated with the Retirement and Salary Continuation Agreement with Rockford’s former CEO. General and administrative expenses for 2006 also included a legal settlement charge of approximately $1.5 million to resolve a patent litigation matter and restructuring charges of approximately $1.3 million related to severance costs.
 
Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses decreased by $0.4 million, or 12.5%, to $2.8 million for 2007, as compared to $3.2 million for 2006. As a percent of sales, these expenses remained flat at 3.2% for both 2007 and 2006. The decrease in research and development expense is primarily related to costs incurred in 2006 associated with the launch of Rockford’s new products in 2007.
 
Operating Income (Loss).  Operating income (loss) improved by $9.5 million, to $1.6 million operating income for 2007 from a $7.9 million operating loss for 2006. As a percent of sales, operating income was 1.8% for


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2007, compared to an operating loss of 7.7% for 2006. This improvement in operating income (loss) is primarily due to lower operating expenses and higher gross margin as a percentage of net sales.
 
Interest and Other Expense, Net.  Interest and other expense, net, primarily consists of interest expense and other gains and losses. Interest and other expense, net, decreased by $0.4 million or 28.7%, to $0.9 million for 2007 from $1.2 million for 2006. The decrease is primarily attributable to a fourth quarter 2007 currency gain of approximately $418,000 resulting from the recognition of Rockford’s previously unrealized cumulative transaction gains. Recognition was triggered by the dissolution of Rockford’s European subsidiary.
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  Income tax expense from continuing operations was zero expense for 2007 and an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $0.4 million for 2006. The effective income tax rates were 0.0% for 2007, and 4.9% for 2006. Rockford is not recording any tax expense (benefit) on income (losses) in 2007 for financial reporting purposes. Rockford currently continues to maintain a valuation allowance reserve against all of its net deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards. These loss carryforwards are likely to offset virtually all current period income tax expense until such time, if ever, that management believes that some portion of the reserved deferred tax asset become more likely than not recoverable.
 
Quarterly Results of Operations
 
Rockford’s sales on a quarterly basis reflect the seasonality of the mobile audio aftermarket business. Sales are generally greater during the first and second quarters of each calendar year and lower during the third and fourth quarters, with Rockford’s lowest sales typically occurring during the fourth quarter. Rockford’s consumer electronic chain and mass merchandise channels have seasonality that is somewhat different than the core business seasonality, with higher sales in the third and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, Rockford expects its business to remain seasonal for the foreseeable future.
 
The following tables show selected consolidated quarterly statements of operations data derived from Rockford’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for each of the eight quarters ended December 31, 2008. These unaudited financial results were prepared on a basis consistent with the audited financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated results of operations for those periods. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period.
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data
 
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended  
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
    Sept. 30,
    Dec. 31,
    Mar. 31,
    June 30,
    Sept. 30,
    Dec. 31,
 
    2007     2007     2007     2007     2008     2008     2008     2008  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Net sales
  $ 26,372     $ 26,740     $ 18,695     $ 16,938     $ 18,445     $ 21,786     $ 18,187     $ 10,456  
Gross profit
    7,880       8,398       6,278       6,321       6,357       7,623       5,077       2,147  
Income (loss) from operations
    (527 )     1352       437       310       116       242       (678 )     (4,128 )
Net income (loss)
  $ (867 )   $ 970     $ 91     $ 492     $ (91 )   $ 839     $ (884 )   $ (4,339 )
                                                                 
Net income (loss) per common share(1)
                                                               
Basic
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.10     $ 0.01     $ 0.05     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.10     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.51 )
                                                                 
Diluted
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.08     $ 0.01     $ 0.05     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.09     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.51 )
                                                                 
 
 
(1) The sum of quarterly net income (loss) per common share does not equal annual net income (loss) per common share due to changes in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.


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Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Rockford has financed its business primarily using existing capital, cash flows from operations, and bank borrowings. Rockford’s cash flow used in operations was $0.9 million for 2008 compared to $8.9 million of cash flow from operations for 2007. Net losses and a reduction in accounts payable were the primary uses of cash during 2008. Decreases in accounts receivable and inventory were the primary sources of cash during 2008.
 
Rockford entered into an asset-based credit facility with Wachovia Capital Financial Corporation (Western) as Agent and Wachovia Bank, National Association as Arranger on March 29, 2004 and as amended most recently on July 30, 2008. This credit facility, as amended, is a $20 million asset-based credit facility, has a term expiring on March 24, 2011, and is collateralized by substantially all of Rockford’s assets. Rockford’s current credit agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. Under the agreement, pricing options based on LIBOR and prime rates are available to Rockford. The interest rate was 3.25% at December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, Rockford was in compliance with it’s applicable covenants. The availability under the credit facility at December 31, 2008 was approximately $4.5 million in excess of the outstanding balance of $7.5 million.
 
At December 31, 2008, Rockford had outstanding $7.5 million of 4.5% convertible senior subordinated secured notes due June 10, 2009 and warrants to purchase 771,573 shares of common stock at $3.73 per share. These items were outstanding under agreements effective on June 10, 2004 and as amended on November 12, 2004. The net proceeds of approximately $7.5 million were allocated between the warrants and the notes based on their relative fair values. The noteholders may convert the notes into Rockford’s common stock at any time before their redemption, which at latest would be on the scheduled maturity date of June 10, 2009. The conversion price is $4.61 per share. If fully converted, the notes would convert into 1,626,898 shares of Rockford’s common stock. Rockford may, at its option, redeem all or any part of the notes from and after June 10, 2007, for a redemption price equal to the outstanding principal plus accrued interest. The noteholders have a second priority lien on certain Rockford assets.
 
In January of 2009, Rockford repurchased $2.5 million of the convertible notes and 237,500 associated warrants for a total price of approximately $2.0 million. In connection with this repurchase Rockford will record a gain to other income of approximately $0.5 million in January of 2009, net of fees and write-off of the related portion of unamortized debt issuance costs. The repurchase reduced the outstanding principal of the notes from $7.5 million, as stated in the preceding paragraph, to $5.0 million.
 
In April of 2009, Rockford agreed with the holder of the remaining $5.0 million of convertible notes to amend the terms of the convertible notes. The maturity date of June 10, 2009, is amended and the notes will now be repaid in four equal payments of $1.25 million on June 10, 2009, December 10, 2009, June 10, 2010 and December 10, 2010. As of June 10, 2009 the interest rate will increase to 10% on the unpaid balance, the outstanding warrants will expire, and the conversion option will expire. Rockford may repay early any or all of the outstanding principal without penalty.
 
Rockford anticipates, based on its cash flow forecast, that cash flow from operations at the expected level of operations for 2009 and available borrowings under its credit facility will be adequate to meet Rockford’s requirements for current capital expenditures, working capital and interest payments for the next twelve months. Rockford does not expect asset sales will be a significant source of cash in 2009 or 2010.
 
As amended, Rockford will be required to pay $2.5 million of the remaining outstanding convertible notes during 2009. Based on current cash-flow forecasts Rockford anticipates that it will have available borrowings under its credit facility to complete this repayment. This availability could be impacted by adverse economic events such as the credit crisis suffered at the end of 2008 and early 2009 or by a deterioration in Rockford’s operations or financial performance.
 
If Rockford is unable to meet its liquidity needs, it could be forced to seek one or more financing alternatives and to consider changes in its operations. Financing alternatives could include reducing or delaying capital expenditures, borrowing additional funds, selling equity securities, restructuring indebtedness, selling additional assets, reducing expenditures for new product development, and cutting other costs. Operational changes could include reductions in employee compensation and benefits, evaluation of Rockford’s status as a public company in order to reduce costs, reductions in working capital needs, changes in distribution strategies and potential exit strategies. Some of these alternatives and changes might not prove to be available on acceptable terms; others may substantially interfere with Rockford’s business and prospects. Rockford cannot give assurance that satisfactory alternatives of changes could be put into effect on reasonable terms. If it needs to take some or all of these actions,


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but is not able to do so, Rockford may not be able to satisfy its liquidity needs. Under such circumstances, Rockford might not be able to continue its business as currently anticipated.
 
Rockford had working capital of $5.9 million at December 31, 2008, compared to $17.1 million at December 31, 2007. The significant components of working capital at December 31, 2008 include:
 
  •  Rockford had no cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Due to the daily sweep of cash by Wachovia Capital, described below, Rockford has reclassified cash and cash equivalents to net against its current debt balance.
 
  •  Rockford’s net accounts receivable were $12.9 million at December 31, 2008 compared to $15.9 million at December 31, 2007.
 
  •  Rockford’s inventory position decreased from $14.4 million at the end of 2007 to $13.0 million at December 31, 2008. This inventory decrease was primarily due to the outsourcing of manufacturing and the reduction of end of life inventory during 2008.
 
  •  Accounts payable decreased $1.7 million, from $5.8 million at December 31, 2007 to $4.0 million at December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily due to lower purchase requirements resulting from lower sales.
 
  •  Current portion of note payable increased by $5.0 million because the maturity of the convertible notes other than the $2.5 million portion extended to 2010 is within twelve months as of December 31, 2008.
 
The Wachovia Capital credit facility requires that Rockford maintain blocked lock box accounts whereby Wachovia Capital takes possession of all cash receipts on a daily basis and these amounts are applied to reduce Rockford’s outstanding debt. In accordance with EITF 95-22: Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements That Include both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement, Rockford has recorded as short term the $3.5 million and $7.5 million outstanding balance as at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, respectively, on the Wachovia Capital credit facility. The credit facility matures on March 29, 2011, and Rockford expects to maintain the credit facility for its entire term.
 
Investing activities used cash of $0.8 million for 2008 and used cash of $0.4 million for 2007. Capital expenditures, the primary use of cash from investing activities, were $1.1 million for 2008 versus $1.0 million for 2007. The primary source of cash from investing activities in 2007 and 2008 was proceeds from the sale of Rockford’s Q-Logic enclosure business and collections on the long term note receivable related to this sale. Rockford’s capital spending is primarily in tooling for specific product lines and computer hardware and software to support operations. Rockford does not anticipate significant changes in its capital spending requirements in 2009.
 
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Rockford does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities referred to as structured finance or variable interest entities (VIEs), which would be established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Rockford did not have any unconsolidated VIE’s.
 
Rockford did not have any material outstanding noncancelable purchase obligations at December 31, 2008. Several of its sourcing agreements require Rockford to place monthly purchase orders, but do not require a minimum purchase quantity or dollar amount. Rockford does not anticipate significant liability in connection with these contractual requirements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The methods, estimates and judgments Rockford uses in applying its accounting policies may have a significant impact on the results reported in its consolidated financial statements. Rockford evaluates its estimates and judgments on an on-going basis. Rockford bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions that Rockford believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Rockford’s experience and assumptions form the basis for its judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.


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Actual results may vary from what Rockford anticipates and different assumptions or estimates about the future could change its reported results.
 
Rockford believes the following accounting policies are the most critical to Rockford, in that they are important to the portrayal of Rockford’s consolidated financial statements and they require Rockford’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:
 
Revenue Recognition.  Rockford recognizes revenue pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Accordingly, Rockford recognizes revenue and records sales, net of related discounts, when all of the following criteria are met:
 
  •  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
  •  Ownership has transferred to the customer;
 
  •  The price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and
 
  •  Collectibility is reasonably assured.
 
Rockford sells almost all of its products F.O.B. place of shipment, so that upon shipment of products the above criteria are met and revenue is recognized. Rockford also records reductions to revenue for estimated customer returns and additional sales incentive offerings, such as growth and volume incentive rebates and prompt pay discounts, based on historical rates.
 
In addition, Rockford earns royalties by licensing its brand names and know-how to its customers for use in their products. Royalty revenue is recognized as the customer produces products using Rockford’s brand names and know-how based upon the terms of the agreement and the production information provided by the licensee. The royalties are included in net sales on the consolidated statement of operations.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  Rockford maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, based on historical rates, for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The assessment of customers’ ability to pay generally includes direct contact with the customer, investigation into customers’ financial status, as well as consideration of customers’ payment history. Rockford assesses the reserve required through an account review process. Rockford further evaluates the results based upon comparisons of ending allowance balances to historical experience based on actual write-off history.
 
Inventory.  Rockford carries inventory at the lower of cost or market, computed using the weighted average method. For purposes of the lower of cost or market calculations, Rockford writes down obsolete or unmarketable inventory by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Rockford reviews information such as quantity on hand, forecasted use, and inventory age to assist in this assessment.
 
Warranty.  Rockford maintains a warranty reserve, based on historical rates, for costs associated with the repair or replacement of product that fails to meet its standard warranty against defects in material and workmanship. The estimate is based upon a trend analysis of historical costs and the number of units expected to be subject to warranty claims using historical estimates of number of units likely to be returned.
 
Income taxes.  Rockford must make estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. Rockford must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover Rockford’s deferred tax assets and establish a valuation allowance for the portion of its deferred tax assets that it does not believe are more likely than not recoverable. Based on Rockford’s review of its net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2008, it determined that a full valuation allowance was required.


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Rockford adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. Adoption had no net impact because the approximately $1.1 million adjustment reduced both Rockford’s deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. The future recognition of the $1.1 million would not impact the effective income tax rate as long as Rockford maintains its full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. However, the recognition of such assets, along with a release in the valuation allowance could favorably affect the effective income tax rate.
 
In 2008, Rockford’s unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $505,000 due to the completion of an IRS review of Rockford’s 2006 federal income tax return that began in May 2008 and was completed in October 2008. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the recording of this unrecognized tax benefit reduced certain carryover attributes, but had no effect on the effective tax rate because of the existence of a full valuation allowance. As noted above, since Rockford has maintained a full valuation allowance in 2008, this reduction in unrecognized tax benefits has no impact on the effective tax rate for this year.
 
Inflation.  Inflation has not had a significant impact on Rockford’s operations since it operates in a market that requires continuing price decreases and Rockford has historically been able to insist on continuing price decreases from its suppliers. Rising metal prices and increasing transportation costs had some impact on Rockford’s results in the first half of 2008, but the fall in commodity prices and reduction in economic activity in the second half of 2008 moderated this impact significantly. The recessionary environment in early 2009 appears to have reduced the risk that inflation will have a significant impact on Rockford’s operations in the short term.


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
 
         
Consolidated Financial Statements of Rockford Corporation and Subsidiaries
       
    30  
    31  
    32  
    33  
    34  
    35  


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Rockford Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rockford Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Rockford Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
April 14, 2009
Phoenix, Arizona


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $929 and $1,441 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively
    15,885       12,856  
Inventories
    14,352       13,043  
Prepaid expenses and other
    1,224       551  
                 
Total current assets
    31,461       26,450  
Property and equipment, net
    1,905       1,743  
Other assets
    646       332  
                 
Total assets
  $ 34,012     $ 28,525  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 5,794     $ 3,980  
Accrued salaries and incentives
    1,415       1,367  
Accrued warranty and returns
    1,267       700  
Other accrued expenses
    1,640       1,838  
Current portion of capital leases and other long-term liabilities
    760       161  
Notes payable, less unaccreted discount of $20 at December 31, 2008
          4,980  
Asset-based credit facility
    3,475       7,547  
                 
Total current liabilities
    14,351       20,573  
Notes payable, less unaccreted discount of $130 and $10 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively
    9,582       2,593  
Long-term portion of capital lease and other long-term liabilities
    133       66  
                 
Total liabilities
    24,066       23,232  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) 
               
Shareholders’ equity
               
Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized shares — 40,000,000. Issued shares — 9,395,720 shares at December 31, 2007 and 2008
    94       94  
Additional paid-in capital
    38,319       38,554  
Accumulated deficit
    (27,569 )     (32,044 )
Less: Treasury stock, at cost (449,700 and 814,512 shares at December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively)
    (898 )     (1,311 )
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    9,946       5,293  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 34,012     $ 28,525  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Net sales
  $ 102,776     $ 88,745     $ 68,874  
Cost of goods sold
    73,919       59,868       47,670  
                         
Gross profit
    28,857       28,877       21,204  
Operating expenses:
                       
Sales and marketing
    16,772       13,273       11,805  
General and administrative
    16,753       11,215       11,201  
Research and development
    3,218       2,817       2,646  
                         
Total operating expenses
    36,743       27,305       25,652  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    (7,886 )     1,572       (4,448 )
Interest expense
    1,366       1,423       850  
Other income
    (123 )     (537 )     (847 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (9,129 )     686       (4,451 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (437 )           24  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (8,692 )     686       (4,475 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
    (155 )            
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (8,847 )   $ 686     $ (4,475 )
                         
Income (loss) per common share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
                       
Basic
  $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Loss from discontinued operations
                       
Basic
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                         
Net income (loss)
                       
Basic
  $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Weighted average shares:
                       
Basic
    9,388       9,325       8,697  
                         
Diluted
    9,388       9,342       8,697  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
                                                                 
                            Accumulated
                   
                Additional
          Other
                   
    Common Stock     Paid-In
    Accumulated
    Comprehensive
    Treasury Stock        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Income     Number     Amount     Total  
 
Balance at December 31, 2005
    9,384     $ 94     $ 37,548     $ (19,408 )   $ 397           $     $ 18,631  
Currency translation
                            14                   14  
Net loss
                      (8,847 )                       (8,847 )
                                                                 
Comprehensive loss
                                              (8,833 )
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $0
    7             16                               16  
Share-based compensation
                431                               431  
                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2006
    9,391       94       37,995       (28,255 )     411                   10,245  
Currency translation
                            (411 )                 (411 )
Net income
                      686                         686  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income
                                              275  
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $0
    5             11                               11  
Share-based compensation
                313                               313  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                  450       (898 )     (898 )
                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    9,396       94       38,319       (27,569 )           450       (898 )     9,946  
Net loss
                      (4,475 )                       (4,475 )
Share-based compensation
                235                               235  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                  365       (413 )     (413 )
                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    9,396     $ 94     $ 38,554     $ (32,044 )   $       815     $ (1,311 )   $ 5,293  
                                                                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash flow from continuing operating activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (8,847 )   $ 686     $ (4,475 )
Net loss from discontinued operations
    (155 )            
                         
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    (8,692 )     686       (4,475 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    2,555       1,849       1,654  
Share based compensation expense
    431       313       235  
Loss on legal settlement and special charges
    1,518       1,098        
Gain on divestiture of business
    (142 )            
Realized translation gain
          (411 )      
Write-off of asset to fair value
                188  
Net gain on buyback of notes and warrants
                (812 )
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment
    153       (35 )     (98 )
Provision for doubtful accounts
    856       111       1,431  
Provision for inventory
    974       507       1,049  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    3,300       3,245       1,597  
Inventories
    (2,768 )     4,752       260  
Prepaid expenses and other
    2,271       739       385  
Accounts payable
    (2,534 )     (1,301 )     (1,814 )
Accrued salaries and incentives
    168       (573 )     (111 )
Accrued warranty and returns
    (935 )     (932 )     (567 )
Other accrued expenses
    (1,279 )     (1,107 )     170  
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (4,124 )     8,941       (908 )
Cash flow from continuing investing activities:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (1,505 )     (1,014 )     (1,088 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    78       161       116  
Net proceeds from disposal of assets
    972       400       100  
Increase (decrease) in other assets
    263       31       62  
                         
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (192 )     (422 )     (810 )
Cash flow from continuing financing activities:
                       
Note payable issuance (payments)
          317       (1,205 )
Proceeds from bank debt and short term notes
    114,765       86,047       76,620  
Payments on bank debt and short term notes
    (110,440 )     (92,972 )     (72,546 )
Payments on capital lease obligations
    (39 )     (44 )     (47 )
Payments on litigation settlement
          (980 )     (691 )
Purchase of treasury stock
          (898 )     (413 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    16       11        
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    4,302       (8,519 )     1,718  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash from continuing operations
    14              
                         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations
                 
Net decrease in cash flow from discontinued operations
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
                 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $     $     $  
                         
Cash flow from discontinued operations:
                       
Cash flow provided by operating activities
  $ 34     $     $  
Cash flow used in investing activities
                 
Cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities
    (34 )            
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                 
                         
Net decrease in cash flow from discontinued operations
  $     $     $  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
1.   Accounting Policies
 
Organization and Description of Business
 
Rockford Corporation and subsidiaries (“Rockford”) designs, assembles and distributes high performance mobile audio products, primarily under the Rockford Fosgate, Lightning Audio, and Rockford Acoustic Design brands.
 
Rockford was organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Arizona on July 22, 1980. Corporate headquarters are located in Tempe, Arizona. Manufacturing is performed by third party manufacturers in Asia. Until recently Rockford had limited manufacturing at facilities located in Tempe, Arizona. Rockford uses warehouses located in Arizona and Michigan.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the activities of Rockford and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that Rockford will continue as a going concern. A going concern basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of Rockford’s assets and the satisfaction of its liabilities in the normal course of business.
 
In conjunction with the economic slowdown in 2008, Rockford incurred a net loss of approximately $4.5 million and borrowed approximately $4.1 million on its asset-based line of credit to fund its operating losses and commence repayment of certain notes payable. To achieve its goal of returning to profitability, management’s plans include scaling back its operating structure to be in line with its anticipated sales volumes (which commenced with its fourth quarter 2008 reductions), restructured $5.0 million of its note payable due June 30, 2009 to extend the payments from June 30, 2009 to four ratable payments through December 10, 2010, and has developed additional cost reduction plans in the event sales levels are lower than those expected.
 
Rockford believes its plans will enable it to satisfy its liquidity needs as anticipated for the year ended December 31, 2009. However, if demand for Rockford’s products declines further than management’s projections, or if Rockford is otherwise unable to meet its liquidity needs, Rockford may need to further reduce its operating costs or seek one or more financing alternatives. However, Rockford may not be successful in reducing its costs to the level required should there be unanticipated further reductions in demand or difficulties in obtaining additional funding beyond its current credit facility. While Rockford believes it can maintain compliance with its debt covenants and maintain borrowing capacity and availability under its line of credit (which is Rockford’s only current source of liquidity), a failure to maintain compliance with its debt covenants or unanticipated deterioration of its business could compromise Rockford’s ability to be assured that amounts would remain available under its line of credit. If Rockford does not generate adequate operating results in 2009, it may require additional equity or debt financing or further reductions in its operating costs, beyond those included in its current operating plan for 2009, in order to meet its working capital requirements through December 31, 2009. If additional financing is not available and management does not make operational adjustments in a timely manner, Rockford’s financial condition could be adversely impacted and its ability to operate as a going concern may be adversely affected.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with remaining maturities of three months or less when acquired. Rockford’s investments have consisted of commercial paper, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
Rockford adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
 
Level 1:  Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2:  Observable inputs, other than Level 1 inputs in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
 
Level 3:  Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions
 
Rockford determines the estimated fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in estimating fair values. Accordingly, the estimates may not be indicative of the amounts it could realize in a current market exchange.
 
The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued salaries and incentives, accrued warranty and returns and other accrued liabilities approximate fair values based on the liquidity of these financial instruments or based on their short-term nature. The fair value of its $7.5 million notes payable approximates $6.0 million, determined based on a level 2 input, the early extinguishment of a portion of its note payable as disclosed in Note 5. The carrying value of Rockford’s borrowings under its asset-based credit facility approximates fair value.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Rockford recognizes revenue and records sales, net of related discounts, when all of the following criteria are met:
 
  •  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
  •  Ownership has transferred to the customer;
 
  •  The price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and
 
  •  Collectability is reasonably assured.
 
Rockford sells almost all of its products F.O.B. place of shipment, so that upon shipment of products the above criteria are met and revenue is recognized. Rockford also records reductions to revenue for estimated customer returns and additional sales incentive offerings, such as growth and volume incentive rebates and prompt pay discounts, based on historical rates.
 
In addition, Rockford earns royalties by licensing its brand names and know-how to its customers for use in their product. Royalty revenue is recognized as the customer produces products using Rockford’s brand names and know-how based upon the term of the agreement and the production information provided by the licensee. The royalties are included in net sales on the consolidated statement of operations.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Rockford records outbound product shipping costs as freight expense in sales and marketing expense. Freight expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 was approximately $3.3 million, $2.8 million and $2.3 million respectively.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Accounts Receivable and Allowances
 
Rockford sells its products principally to mobile audio dealers and distributors in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Rockford also sells certain portions of its product line to major mass retailers in the United States and Canada. At December 31, 2007 and 2008, net accounts receivable includes approximately $2.7 million and $3.4 million respectively, due from international businesses.
 
Rockford maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, based on historical rates, for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Rockford has included in the allowance for accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2008, approximately $0.8 million, and $1.3 million respectively, for doubtful accounts.
 
Rockford also maintains allowances for prompt pay and freight discounts, based on historical rates for discounts offered to customers. Rockford has included in its allowance for accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2008, approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million respectively, with respect to customers expected to use such discounts after year-end.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories consist principally of finished goods and raw materials of electronic and mechanical components used in the manufacturing of amplifiers, speaker systems and other finished goods. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market computed using the weighted average method. Rockford writes-down estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions regarding future demand, average selling price, and market conditions. Such write downs establish a new cost basis for the items.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes over a two to ten year life. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter period of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
In accordance with the SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, Rockford records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets and is recorded in the period in which the determination is made.
 
Advertising
 
Rockford expenses advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 was approximately $0.6 million, $0.2 million and $1.0 million respectively. Such amounts are included in sales and marketing expenses in Rockford’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
Income Taxes
 
Rockford accounts for income taxes under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in order to account for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled net of valuation allowances. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws (including rates) is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
Rockford assesses the likelihood that it will able to recover its deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, Rockford must increase the provision, or decrease the benefit, by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that it estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, Rockford had a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.
 
Rockford adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. The adoption had no net impact because the approximately $1.1 million adjustment reduced both Rockford’s deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. The future recognition of the $1.1 million would not impact the effective income tax rate as long as Rockford maintains its full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. However, the recognition of such assets, along with a release in the valuation allowance could favorably affect the effective income tax rate.
 
Product Warranty Cost and Service Returns
 
Rockford’s return policy is to replace, repair or issue credit for product under warranty. Returns received during the current period are expensed as received and a reserve is maintained for future returns from current shipments. Management calculates the reserve using historical return rates by brand. These rates are reviewed and adjusted periodically as actual results become available.
 
Rockford maintains a warranty reserve, based on historical rates, for costs associated with the repair or replacement of product that fails to meet its standard warranty against defects in material and workmanship. The estimate is based upon a trend analysis of historical costs and the number of units expected to be subject to warranty claims using historical estimated of number of units likely to be returned.
 
A reconciliation of the warranty and returns reserve activity is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008:
 
                         
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance at the beginning of year
  $ 3,185     $ 2,199     $ 1,267  
Provision for warranties and returns
    6,674       3,694       3,796  
Net settlements made during the year
    (7,660 )     (4,626 )     (4,363 )
                         
Balance at the end of the year
  $ 2,199     $ 1,267     $ 700  
                         
 
During 2008 Rockford refined its estimates for calculating its allowance for warranty and sales returns. This change in estimate resulted in a decrease of the reserve by approximately $0.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the year ending December 31,2008.
 
Income (Loss) per Common Share
 
Rockford reports income (loss) per common share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Diluted income per share includes the dilutive effects of options, warrants and convertible securities.
 
Significant Customers
 
Rockford had sales to one customer representing 22.1%, 19.0% and 16.9% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively and sales to another customer representing 14.6%, 7.5% and 3.9% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. These customers accounted


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
respectively for approximately 20.8% and 6.1% of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2007 and 21.1% and 2.8% at December 31, 2008.
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Rockford has translated the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in accordance with SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. All asset and liability accounts have been translated using the current exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Shareholders’ equity accounts were translated at historical exchange rates. Amounts reported in the consolidated statements of operations have been translated using the average exchange rate for the year. The gains and losses resulting from the change in exchange rates from year-to-year have been reported separately as a component of shareholders’ equity. The effect on the consolidated statements of operations of transaction gains and losses is insignificant. Rockford recorded in 2007 a currency gain of approximately $411,000 due to the recognition of Rockford’s previously unrealized cumulative translation gains triggered by the dissolution of its European subsidiary which was completed in December of 2007.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
Rockford grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at date of grant. Fair market value of the underlying shares is determined by the market price at the date of the grant.
 
Rockford adopted SFAS No 123R, Share Based Payments using the “modified prospective” method permitted by SFAS No. 123R. In this method compensation costs are recognized based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123R for all share-based payments granted or modified.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The actual results experienced by Rockford may differ from management’s estimates.
 
2.   Discontinued Operations
 
Rockford Home Group.  Prior to October 2005 Rockford operated its Rockford Home Group, a home audio business using the NHT (Now Hear This), Fosgate Audionics and Hafler brands. On October 18, 2005, Rockford sold the assets and liabilities of NHT for a cash purchase price of $2.4 million. As a result of the sale Rockford recorded a net loss on the sale of approximately $1.0 million, net of fees, which is included in loss from disposal of discontinued operations. At the closing, Rockford received approximately $2.2 million and the remaining proceeds of approximately $0.2 million were placed into an escrow account that was available to pay claims, if any, of the Buyer relating to the representations made by Rockford in the Asset Purchase Agreement. There were no claims and the escrow amount was released to Rockford in October 2006.
 
Rockford discontinued the operations of its Fosgate Audionics and Hafler businesses at the time of the NHT sale. As a result of the October 2005 sale, Rockford has treated its Rockford Home Group operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following represents the results of operation for the Rockford Home Group for the periods presented and are reported on Rockford’s consolidated statements of operations as results from discontinued operations:
 
         
    December 31, 2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Revenues
  $ 46  
Cost of sales
    201  
         
Net loss
  $ (155 )
         
 
3.   Inventories
 
Inventories consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Raw materials
  $ 3,564     $ 501  
Work in progress
    246       49  
Finished goods
    10,542       12,493  
                 
    $ 14,352     $ 13,043  
                 
 
4.   Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Machinery and equipment
  $ 10,501     $ 3,469  
Tooling equipment
    2,952       2,964  
Leasehold improvements
    2,861       2,094  
Furniture and fixtures
    297       214  
Computer software and hardware
    2,229       2,297  
Assets in process
    80       369  
Assets under capital leases
    182       182  
                 
      19,102       11,589  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (17,197 )     (9,846 )
                 
    $ 1,905     $ 1,743  
                 
 
Depreciation expense was approximately $2.2 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Depreciation of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. Accumulated depreciation on assets under capital leases totaled $46,000 and $91,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
5.   Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
 
Notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Asset-based credit facility
  $ 3,475     $ 7,547  
Convertible senior subordinated secured notes
    9,500       7,500  
Other
    318       212  
                 
      13,293       15,259  
Less debt discount
    (130 )     (30 )
Less current portion
    (3,581 )     (12,636 )
                 
    $ 9,582     $ 2,593  
                 
 
Interest payments were approximately $1.4 million, $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Rockford entered into an asset-based credit facility with Wachovia Capital Financial Corporation (Western) as Agent and Wachovia Bank, National Association as Arranger on March 29, 2004 and as amended most recently on July 30, 2008. This credit facility, as amended, is a $20 million asset-based credit facility, has a term expiring on March 24, 2011, and is collateralized by substantially all of Rockford’s assets. Rockford’s current credit agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. Under the agreement, pricing options based on LIBOR and prime rates are available to Rockford. The interest rate was 3.25% at December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, Rockford was in compliance with it’s applicable covenants. The availability under the credit facility at December 31, 2008 was approximately $4.5 million in excess of the outstanding balance of $7.5 million.
 
The Wachovia credit facility requires that Rockford maintain blocked lock box accounts, whereby Wachovia takes possession of all cash receipts on a daily basis and these amounts are applied to reduce Rockford’s outstanding debt. In accordance with EITF 95-22: Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements That Include both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement, Rockford has recorded the $3.5 million and $7.5 million outstanding balances as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, on the Wachovia credit facility as short-term. Rockford expects to maintain the facility for its entire term.
 
At December 31, 2008, Rockford had outstanding $7.5 million of 4.5% convertible senior subordinated secured notes due 2009 and warrants to purchase 771,573 shares of common stock at $3.73 per share. These items were outstanding under agreements effective on June 10, 2004 and as amended on November 12, 2004. The net proceeds of approximately $7.5 million face value are allocated between the warrants and the notes based on their respective fair values. The value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The discount on the notes is being accreted ratably, over the term of the notes, to the $7.5 million amount due at maturity. Debt issuance costs were capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the notes. The noteholders may convert the notes into Rockford’s common stock at any time before their redemption, which at latest would be on the scheduled maturity date of June 10, 2009. The conversion price is $4.61 per share. If fully converted, the notes would convert into 1,626,898 shares of Rockford’s common stock. Rockford may, at its option, redeem all or any part of the notes from and after June 10, 2007, for a redemption price equal to the outstanding principal plus accrued interest. The noteholders also have a second priority lien on certain Rockford assets.
 
In January of 2009, Rockford used its asset-based credit facility to repurchase $2.5 million of the convertible notes and 237,500 associated warrants for a total price of approximately $2.0 million. In connection with this repurchase Rockford will record a gain to other income of approximately $0.5 million in January of 2009, net of fees


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
and write-off of the related portion of unamortized debt issuance costs. The repurchase reduced the outstanding principal of the notes from $7.5 million, as stated in the preceding paragraph, to $5.0 million.
 
In April of 2009, Rockford agreed with the holder of the remaining $5.0 million of convertible notes to amend the terms of the convertible notes. The maturity date of June 10, 2009, is amended and the notes will now be repaid in four equal payments of $1.25 million on June 10, 2009, December 10, 2009, June 10, 2010 and December 10, 2010. As of June 10, 2009 the interest rate will increase to 10% on the unpaid balance, the outstanding warrants will expire, and the conversion option will expire. Rockford may repay early any or all of the outstanding principal without penalty.
 
Rockford was in compliance with all applicable covenants under the indenture for the convertible notes as of December 31, 2008.
 
The aggregate principal payments due on long-term debt (including the Wachovia credit facility that is classified as short term for the reasons described above) are as follows:
 
         
    Years Ending December 31,  
    (In thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 5,109  
2010
    2,603  
2011
    7,547  
2012
     
2013
     
         
    $ 15,259  
         
 
6.   Leases
 
Rockford leases certain manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities, and computer hardware and software under noncancelable operating leases that expire in various years through December 2014.
 
Future minimum payments under noncancelable capital and operating leases with initial terms of one year or more consisted of the following at December 31, 2008:
 
                 
    Capital     Operating Leases  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 59     $ 1,111  
2010
          865  
2011
          801  
2012
          459  
2013
          354  
Thereafter
          271  
                 
Total minimum lease payments
    59     $ 3,861  
                 
Less amount representing interest and taxes
    7          
                 
Total present value of capital obligation
    52          
Less current portion
    (52 )        
                 
Long-term obligation under capital leases
  $          
                 
 
Total rental expense for all operating leases was approximately $2.3 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
7.   Income Taxes
 
Rockford’s deferred tax assets consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Deferred tax assets
               
Inventory basis
  $ 1,021     $ 885  
Basis in receivables
    340       534  
Book over tax depreciation
    680       559  
Accrued warranty
    469       259  
Net operating loss carryforward
    17,261       19,615  
Capital loss carryforward
    945       945  
Federal and state credit carryforwards
    1,974       2,106  
Accrued liabilities and other
    719       694  
                 
Gross deferred tax assets
    23,409       25,597  
Valuation allowance
    (23,409 )     (25,597 )
                 
Net deferred tax assets
  $     $  
                 
 
In 2006, 2007, and 2008 Rockford has maintained a valuation allowance recorded on the entire amount of its deferred tax assets. During 2008, the valuation allowance increased by $2.2 million to an ending balance of $25.6 million at December 31, 2008 primarily due to a net operating loss for U.S. tax purposes. The valuation allowance includes approximately $148,000 for net operating loss carryforwards that relate to stock option compensation expense and warrants expense for income tax reporting purposes. Any utilization of this portion of Rockford’s net operating loss carryforwards would be recorded as an increase in additional paid in capital.
 
Valuation allowances are subject to reversal in future years at such time as the actual benefits are utilized or operating profits become sustainable at a level that meets the recoverability criteria under SFAS 109 Accounting for Income Tax. The recoverability criteria in SFAS 109 requires a judgment whether it is more likely than not, based on an evaluation of positive and negative evidence, that a valuation allowance is not needed. If positive evidence of sufficient quality overcomes the negative evidence, Rockford would reverse all or a portion of the valuation allowance resulting in a decrease to income tax expense, or an income tax benefit, in the consolidated statement of operations. Rockford evaluates whether the deferred tax assets are realizable, and the need for valuation allowances, quarterly.
 
At December 31, 2008 Rockford had a net operating loss carryforward for United States federal income tax purposes of approximately $54.5 million with the following details:
 
  •  Approximately $52.6 million of this carryforward is from domestic operations and can be carried forward until it begins to expire in 2025. This carryforward results in a deferred tax asset of approximately $17.9 million.
 
  •  Approximately $1.9 million of the net operating loss carryforward is from international operations, is subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 and will begin to expire in 2011 if not utilized. This carryforward results in a deferred tax asset of approximately $0.7 million.
 
  •  Rockford also has a deferred tax asset in the amount of $1.0 million for state tax loss carryforwards. The state loss carryforwards began to expire in 2008.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
  •  Rockford has a capital loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes of $2.8 million. This carryforward results in a deferred tax asset in the amount of $0.9 million. This carryforward expires in 2012.
 
  •  Rockford also has approximately $2.1 million of federal and state tax credits for alternative minimum tax and research and experimentation. The research and experimentation credits begin to expire in 2022 and 2017 for federal and state tax purposes, respectively. However, the alternative minimum tax credits can be carried forward indefinitely. These total credits result in a deferred tax asset of approximately $2.1 million.
 
A valuation allowance was recorded for the entire unreserved balance of net operating loss carryforwards and credits in 2008. Rockford has not recorded a benefit related to prior year losses generated outside of the United States.
 
Federal and state income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Current:
                       
Federal expense (benefit)
  $ (437 )   $       $  
State expense (benefit)
                24  
Foreign expense
                 
                         
Total current expense (benefit)
    (437 )             24  
Deferred:
                       
Federal expense (benefit)
                 
State expense (benefit)
                 
Foreign expense(benefit)
                 
                         
Total deferred expense (benefit)
                 
                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ (437 )   $       $ 24  
                         
 
A reconciliation of Rockford’s effective income tax rate to the federal statutory rate follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Federal statutory rate — continuing operations
  $ (3,104 )   $ 233     $ (1,513 )
Federal statutory rate — discontinued operations
    (53 )            
State tax operating loss carryforward
    (408 )     (136 )     (73 )
Nondeductible items
    110       68       33  
Amount not taxable due to dissolution of subsidiary
          (2,531 )      
Tax benefit on disposal of domestic subsidiary stock
    (1,008 )            
Federal and state tax credits
    (367 )     (138 )     (132 )
Loss of state net operating losses
    267              
Increase in valuation allowance
    4,378       2,567       2,188  
Uncertain tax positions
    (437 )           (505 )
Affiliate unbenefited losses
    249              
Other, net
    (64 )     (63 )     26  
                         
Income tax benefit
  $ (437 )   $     $ 24  
                         
 
Rockford’s income (loss) attributable to foreign operations amounted to approximately $(732,000), $(96,000) and $0 for years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Income (loss) attributable to domestic


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
operations amounted to approximately $(8,116,000), $782,000 and $(4,475,000) for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Rockford adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. Adoption had no net impact because the approximately $1.1 million adjustment reduced both Rockford’s deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance. Any future recognition of this amount would not impact the effective income tax rate as long as Rockford maintains its full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. However, the recognition of such assets, along with a release in the valuation allowance could favorably affect the effective income tax rate.
 
In 2008, Rockford’s unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $505,000 due to the completion of an IRS review of Rockford’s 2006 federal income tax return that began in May 2008 and was completed in October 2008. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the recording of this unrecognized tax benefit reduced certain carryover attributes, but had no effect on the effective tax rate because of the existence of a full valuation allowance. As noted above, since Rockford has maintained a full valuation allowance in 2008, this reduction in unrecognized tax benefits has no impact on the effective tax rate for this year.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
                 
    2007     2008  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,071     $ 1,071  
Additions based on tax positions relating to current year
           
Additions for tax positions of prior years
           
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
          505  
Settlements
           
                 
Balance at ending of year
  $ 1,071     $ 566  
                 
 
Rockford recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2008, Rockford has not recorded any related expense in its consolidated statement of operations for 2007 and 2008. The Company’s 2005-2008 years remain subject to examination for federal income tax purposes, whereas the 2004-2008 years remain subject to examination for certain state taxing jurisdictions where the Company operates. The statute of limitations for certain years may be extended if Rockford were to utilize certain of its carryover attributes from years outside of this range. Rockford does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months.
 
8.   Common Stock Grants and Options
 
Rockford has established stock option plans for selected employees, directors and consultants. Under the stock option plans, options to purchase common stock of Rockford are granted to selected employees, directors and consultants at the fair market value of the underlying common stock. The options generally have a term of ten years and become exercisable over three years commencing on the date of the grant. Under certain circumstances, Rockford has the right to repurchase common stock acquired under some of the options at their fair market value.
 
At December 31, 2008 Rockford had five active share-based employee compensation plans. Stock option awards granted from these plans are granted at the fair market value on the date of grant, and vest over a period determined at the time the options are granted, ranging from zero to three years, and have a maximum term of ten years. Some options provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plans). When options under any of the plans are exercised, new shares of Rockford’s common stock are issued. At December 31, 2008 there were 305,550 shares available for grant under these plans.
 
The adoption of SFAS No. 123R increased compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 by approximately $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $0.2 million respectively. This increased basic and diluted loss per share by $0.05 and $0.03 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2008, respectively, and


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
lowered basic and diluted income per share by $0.04 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The total value of stock option awards is expensed ratably over the service period of the employees receiving the awards. As of December 31, 2008, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non vested stock option awards was approximately $0.2 million and the related weighted-average period over which these costs are expected to be recognized is approximately 1.9 years. The total fair value of options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 was $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
 
SFAS No. 123R requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows. There were no excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
 
The fair value of each stock option award was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Expected life of the award
    5 years       5 years       5 years  
Dividend yield
    0 %     0 %     0 %
Risk-free interest rate
    4.6 %     5.1 %     3.2 %
Expected volatility
    0.47       0.48       0.52  
 
Option activity under the stock option plans during the year ended December 31, 2008 was as follows:
 
                                 
    Outstanding Options     Weighted
       
          Weighted
    Average
    Aggregate
 
          Average
    Remaining
    Intrinsic
 
    Shares     Exercise Price     Contractual Term     Value  
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2008
    1,687,464     $ 4.15                  
Granted
    350,000       1.00                  
Exercised
                           
Expired or forfeited
    (99,350 )     2.74                  
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    1,938,114       3.65       6.2 years     $  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008
    1,580,614     $ 4.15       5.5 years     $  
                                 
 
The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 was $7,000, $2,000 and $0 respectively. Options to purchase 530,000 shares, 70,000 shares, and 350,000 shares respectively were granted during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, was $1.26, $1.17 and $0.49 respectively.
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options under the plans outstanding at December 31, 2008:
 
                                         
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
    Number
    Weighted
          Number
       
    Outstanding at
    Average
    Weighted
    Outstanding at
    Weighted
 
    December 31,
    Remaining
    Average
    December 31,
    Average
 
Range of Exercise Prices
  2008     Contractual Life     Exercise Price     2008     Exercise Price  
 
$1.00 - $ 2.15
    602,850       8.0     $ 1.49       344,100     $ 1.86  
$2.31 - $ 3.47
    725,700       7.5     $ 2.66       639,450     $ 2.68  
$3.55 - $ 5.70
    144,500       5.3     $ 4.92       132,000     $ 5.05  
$6.00 - $11.00
    465,064       1.9     $ 7.60       465,064     $ 7.60  
                                         
      1,938,114                       1,580,614          
                                         


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
9.   Income (Loss) Per Share
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands, except
 
    per share data)  
 
Numerator:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (8,692 )   $ 686     $ (4,475 )
Plus:
                       
Income impact of assumed conversion of convertible debt
                 
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to shareholders
    (8,692 )     686       (4,475 )
Loss from discontinued operations
    (155 )            
                         
Net income (loss) available to shareholders
  $ (8,847 )   $ 686     $ (4,475 )
                         
Denominator:
                       
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share
    9,388       9,325       8,697  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Employee stock options
          17        
Warrants
                 
                         
Dilutive potential common shares
          17        
                         
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share
    9,388       9,342       8,697  
                         
Income (loss) per common share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
                       
Basic
  $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.92 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Loss from discontinued operations
                       
Basic
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
                         
Net income (loss)
                       
Basic
  $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
Diluted
  $ (0.94 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.51 )
                         
 
The effect of 162,901 and 17,558 employee stock options which would have increased net shares outstanding using the treasury stock method were not included in the diluted loss per share calculation for December 31, 2006 and 2008 respectively, as they were not dilutive due to the net loss for the periods.
 
As of December 31, 2008, Rockford also had $7.5 million of 4.5% convertible senior subordinated secured notes due 2009 and warrants to purchase 771,573 (excluding 59,073 warrants issued to the placement agent in the original transaction) shares of common stock at $3.73 per share. The noteholders may convert the notes into the Company’s common stock at any time before the scheduled maturity date of June 10, 2009. The conversion price was $4.61 per share. If fully converted, the notes are scheduled to convert into 1,626,899 shares of Rockford’s common stock. The convertible senior subordinated secured notes and warrants were not included in the diluted loss per share calculation for December 31, 2006 and 2008, as they were not dilutive due to the net loss for the periods


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
and not included in the diluted income per share calculation for December 31, 2007 as they were anti-dilutive. Rockford excluded the warrants in the diluted income per share calculations because the exercise price of the warrants exceeded the average market price of the stock.
 
Outstanding stock options with exercise prices (plus unearned compensation for unvested awards) greater than the average market price of Rockford’s common stock during the period are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock. A summary of the excluded amounts follows (in thousands, except exercise prices):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31st  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Outstanding options
    888       1,430       1,592  
Weighted average exercise price
  $ 6.04     $ 4.51     $ 4.23  
 
10.   Contingencies
 
Rockford is a party to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Based upon advice from outside legal counsel, management is of the opinion the resolution of these matters will have no material effect on Rockford’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
During January 2007, Rockford settled a patent litigation case for payments totaling $1,613,000. The settlement released Rockford with respect to all claims of the patent litigation case. The settlement resulted in a charge of approximately $1.5 million in 2006.
 
11.   Benefit Plan
 
Rockford has a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (Plan) covering substantially all employees without regard to hours of service. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may make voluntary contributions, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Rockford may match employee contributions up to four percent of the employee’s annual compensation. Additional contributions to the Plan can be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Contributions to the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, were approximately $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million respectively.
 
12.   Stock Purchase Program
 
Rockford’s Board of Directors has authorized two common share repurchase programs that enable Rockford to purchase, in the open market and through negotiated transactions, up to 920,000 of its outstanding common shares. Rockford had repurchased 814,512 shares under these programs as of December 31, 2008. Rockford’s current credit agreement permits stock purchases up to $2.0 million. Rockford used $1.3 million of this purchase authority through December 31, 2008, for purchases under Rockford’s stock repurchase program.


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ROCKFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
13.   Segment Information
 
Rockford operates its business almost exclusively under the mobile audio segment. Below is geographic information for Rockford’s revenues:
 
                                 
    Year Ended December 31  
Region(1)
  2006     2007     2008     % 2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
United States
  $ 86,017     $ 71,771     $ 55,136       80.0 %
Other Americas (includes Canada)
    8,007       7,193       6,076       8.8 %
Europe
    5,316       6,069       4,648       6.8 %
Asia
    3,436       3,712       3,014       4.4 %
                                 
Total sales to external customers
  $ 102,776     $ 88,745     $ 68,874       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Revenues are attributed to geographic regions based on the location of customers.
 
14.   Disposal of Assets
 
Rockford recorded the following disposals of assets in 2006, 2007 and 2008:
 
Q-Logic.  Rockford sold the assets of its Q-Logic enclosures line of products on March 31, 2006 for $1.75 million. At closing on March 31, 2006, Rockford received $0.8 million of cash and a non-interest bearing note for $1.0 million payable in 30 equal monthly payments beginning May 1, 2006. The note was discounted using Rockford’s effective borrowing rate and recorded as a note receivable. Rockford adjusted the carrying value of its Q-Logic assets by recording an impairment charge to cost of goods sold of approximately $0.8 million as of December 31, 2005. During the second quarter which ended June 30, 2008, Rockford recorded an additional impairment charge of $0.2 million for the uncollected balance of the note receivable, which Rockford deemed as uncollectible.
 
15.   Special Charges
 
During the first quarter of 2007 Rockford recorded a special charge of approximately $1.1 million related to departing employees. The charge is primarily due to costs associated with the Retirement and Salary Continuation Agreement Rockford entered into with its former CEO.
 
During 2008 Rockford recorded special charges of approximately $1.1 million. The 2008 charges include costs associated with the elimination of two executive officer positions, severance cost for personnel who will be discharged associated with the planned closing of Rockford’s Tempe manufacturing facility, costs associated with additional restructuring of administrative responsibilities, and the planned closing of its Michigan distribution facility in the second quarter of 2009.
 
Each of the special charges increased general and administrative expenses. Rockford expects to complete all payments arising from these special charges by the quarter ending March 31, 2010. The following table summarizes the outstanding liabilities arising from these special charges at December 31, 2007, the changes in the twelve month period ending December 31, 2008, and the outstanding liabilities at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
                                         
        Twelve Months Ended
   
    Liability at
  December 31, 2008   Liability at
    December 31,
  Reserve
      Adjustments
  December 31,
    2007   Recorded   Payments   To Reserve   2008
 
Post Employment Costs:
  $ 584     $ 1,061     $ (893 )   $ (12 )   $ 740  
                                         


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Item 9.   Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of Rockford’s management, including its President, who is its principal executive officer, and its CFO, who is its principal financial officer, Rockford conducted an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, Rockford’s President and Rockford’s CFO concluded that Rockford’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of its year ending December 31, 2008.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). A system of internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the President and the CFO, Rockford’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, Rockford’s management has evaluated and concluded that Rockford’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Rockford’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by Rockford’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit Rockford to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
 
Changes in Internal Controls
 
Rockford is continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and of its internal controls. This results in modifications to its processes throughout the Company. However, there has been no change in its internal control over financial reporting that occurred during Rockford’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Rockford’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information required by this item with respect to items 401 and 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Executive Officers and Board of Directors” and “Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement for Rockford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009.
 
Rockford has adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Policy that applies to its directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or


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controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Business Ethics and Policy is available on Rockford’s Internet website at www.rockfordcorp.com. Rockford will post on its website information about any amendment to, or wavier from, any provision of the Code of Business Ethics and Policy that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the definitive Proxy Statement for Rockford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Shareholdings of Officers and Directors,” “Security Ownership of 5% or Greater Beneficial Owners,” “Grants of Plan Based Awards During 2008,” and “Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2008” in the definitive Proxy Statement for Rockford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence” in the definitive Proxy Statement for Rockford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in the definitive Proxy Statement for Rockford’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a) 1. Financial Statements — See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 52 of this report.
 
(a) 2. Financial Statement Schedules — Financial Statement Schedules are excluded since they are either not applicable or the information is included in the Financial Statements.
 
(a) 3. Exhibits — The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits immediately following the Financial Statements are filed as part, or hereby incorporated by reference into, this report.


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Exhibits
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Document
 
  3 .1   Articles of Incorporation+
  3 .2   Restated Bylaws as amended through July 27, 2000++
  3 .3   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on January 12, 1988+
  3 .4   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on May 12, 1999+
  3 .5   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on May 17, 1999+
  3 .7   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on July 1, 1999+
  4 .1   Conformed Copy of Indenture dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .2   Form of 4.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Secured Note Due 2009###
  4 .3   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock###
  4 .4   Conformed Copy of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 by and among Rockford Corporation, Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Buyers as defined therein###
  4 .5   Conformed Copy of Warrant Agent Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .6   Conformed Copy of Security Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc. and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .7   Conformed Copy of Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 by and among Congress Financial Corporation (Western), BNY Western Trust Company, Rockford Corporation and Audio Innovations, Inc.###
  4 .8   Conformed Copy of Global Amendment to Notes, Warrants, Indenture, Security Agreement, Warrant Agent Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and Waiver of Event of Default dated as of November 12, 2004 by and among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc., BNY Western Trust Company and the persons listed on the Schedule of Holders attached thereto as Exhibit A####
  4 .9   Conformed Copy of Amendment to Warrants, Warrant Agent Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 12, 2004, by and among Rockford Corporation, BNY Western Trust Company and Piper Jaffray & Co####
  10 .62   Loan and Security Agreement among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc., Congress Financial Corporation (Western), and various Financial Institutions, dated March 29, 2004##
  10 .62.1   First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Conditional Default Waiver among Congress Financial Corporation (Western), as a lender and as administrative and collateral agent for the lenders party to the Loan Agreement, Rockford Corporation, and Audio Innovations, Inc., dated as of June 10, 2004***
  10 .62.2   Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among Congress Financial Corporation (Western) as a lender and as administrative and collateral agent for the lenders party to the Loan Agreement, Rockford Corporation and Audio Innovations, Inc., dated as of December 30, 2004***
  10 .63   Industrial Lease Agreement between Jerome A. and/or Cathy E. Reynolds and Rockford Corporation, dated as of May 1, 2003***
  10 .66   Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and the Buyers as defined therein#####
  10 .67   Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 31, 2005, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).**
  10 .70   Fourth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Consent, dated March 21, 2006, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).****
  10 .74   Fifth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Consent, dated August 31, 2006, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).****
  10 .75   Agreement between Rockford and David Fiori dated February 22, 2007*****


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Document
 
  10 .76   Retirement and Salary Continuation Agreement between Rockford and W. Gary Suttle*****
  10 .77   Fifth Lease Amendment Between Centerpoint Properties Trust and Rockford Corporation, dated November 9, 2006*****
  10 .78   Sixth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Waiver, dated March 7, 2007, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).*****
  10 .79   Seventh amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Waiver, dated November 28, 2007, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).******
  10 .80   Revised form of Change of Control Agreement, entered into with executive officers******
  10 .81   Eighth amendment to loan and security agreement, dated July 30, 2008, among Rockford and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).++++
  10 .82   Extension no. 1 to lease between Rockford Corporation and 600 Rockford LLC, dated October 11, 2008.+++++
  10 .83   Global amendment to Note, Indenture and Securities Purchase Agreement.
  21     List of Subsidiaries of Rockford Corporation
  23 .1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  31 .1   Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for William R. Jackson
  31 .2   Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Richard G. Vasek
  32     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Previously filed with registration statement effective April 19, 2000 and/or amendments.
 
++ Previously filed on August 11, 2000 with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.
 
## Previously filed on May 17, 2004 with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
 
### Previously filed on June 15, 2004 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
#### Previously filed on November 15, 2004 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
##### Previously filed on June 15, 2004 as Exhibit 10.1 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
** Previously filed on November 14, 2005, with Rockford’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
 
*** Previously filed on April 15, 2005 with Rockford’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
**** Previously filed on November 14, 2006, with Rockford’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
 
***** Previously filed on March 28, 2007, with Rockford’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
****** Previously filed on March 14, 2008 with Rockford’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
 
++++ Previously filed on July 31, 2008, with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
 
+++++ Previously filed on October 30, 2008, with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d), as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tempe, State of Arizona, on April 14, 2009.
 
ROCKFORD CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  WILLIAM R. JACKSON
William R. Jackson
President and Director
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
             
Name
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  WILLIAM R. JACKSON

William R. Jackson
  President (Principal Executive Officer) and Director   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  RICHARD G. VASEK

Richard G. Vasek
  Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  MARK E. BARRIERE

Mark E. Barriere
  Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  JERRY E. GOLDRESS

Jerry E. Goldress
  Director   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  TIMOTHY C. BARTOL

Timothy C. Bartol
  Director   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  NICHOLAS G. BARTOL

Nicholas G. Bartol
  Director   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  RALPH B. GODFREY

Ralph B. Godfrey
  Director   April 14, 2009
         
/s/  JOHN P. LLOYD

John P. Lloyd
  Director   April 14, 2009


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Document
 
  3 .1   Articles of Incorporation+
  3 .2   Restated Bylaws as amended through July 27, 2000++
  3 .3   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on January 12, 1988+
  3 .4   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on May 12, 1999+
  3 .5   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on May 17, 1999+
  3 .7   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on July 1, 1999+
  4 .1   Conformed Copy of Indenture dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .2   Form of 4.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Secured Note Due 2009###
  4 .3   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock###
  4 .4   Conformed Copy of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 by and among Rockford Corporation, Piper Jaffray & Co. and the Buyers as defined therein###
  4 .5   Conformed Copy of Warrant Agent Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .6   Conformed Copy of Security Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc. and BNY Western Trust Company###
  4 .7   Conformed Copy of Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 by and among Congress Financial Corporation (Western), BNY Western Trust Company, Rockford Corporation and Audio Innovations, Inc.###
  4 .8   Conformed Copy of Global Amendment to Notes, Warrants, Indenture, Security Agreement, Warrant Agent Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and Waiver of Event of Default dated as of November 12, 2004 by and among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc., BNY Western Trust Company and the persons listed on the Schedule of Holders attached thereto as Exhibit A####
  4 .9   Conformed Copy of Amendment to Warrants, Warrant Agent Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 12, 2004, by and among Rockford Corporation, BNY Western Trust Company and Piper Jaffray & Co####
  10 .62   Loan and Security Agreement among Rockford Corporation, Audio Innovations, Inc., Congress Financial Corporation (Western), and various Financial Institutions, dated March 29, 2004##
  10 .62.1   First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Conditional Default Waiveramong Congress Financial Corporation (Western), as a lender and as administrative and collateral agent for the lenders party to the Loan Agreement, Rockford Corporation, and Audio Innovations, Inc., dated as of June 10, 2004***
  10 .62.2   Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement among Congress Financial Corporation (Western) as a lender and as administrative and collateral agent for the lenders party to the Loan Agreement, Rockford Corporation and Audio Innovations, Inc., dated as of December 30, 2004***
  10 .63   Industrial Lease Agreement between Jerome A. and/or Cathy E. Reynolds and Rockford Corporation, dated as of May 1, 2003***
  10 .66   Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004 between Rockford Corporation and the Buyers as defined therein#####
  10 .67   Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 31, 2005, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).**
  10 .70   Fourth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Consent, dated March 21, 2006, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).****
  10 .74   Fifth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Consent, dated August 31, 2006, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).****
  10 .75   Agreement between Rockford and David Fiori dated February 22, 2007.*****
  10 .76   Retirement and Salary Continuation Agreement between Rockford and W. Gary Suttle.*****


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Document
 
  10 .77   Fifth Lease Amendment Between Centerpoint Properties Trust and Rockford Corporation, dated November 9, 2006.*****
  10 .78   Sixth amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Waiver, dated March 7, 2007, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).*****
  10 .79   Seventh amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Waiver, dated November 28, 2007, among Rockford, Rockford’s wholly owned subsidiary Audio Innovations, Inc. (“AII”), and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).******
  10 .80   Revised form of Change of Control Agreement, entered into with executive officers******
  10 .81   Eighth amendment to loan and security agreement, dated July 30, 2008, among Rockford and Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Western).++++
  10 .82   Extension no. 1 to lease between Rockford Corporation and 600 Rockford LLC, dated October 11, 2008.+++++
  10 .83   Global amendment to Note, Indenture and Securities Purchase Agreement.
  21     List of Subsidiaries of Rockford Corporation
  23 .1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  31 .1   Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for William R. Jackson
  31 .2   Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Richard G. Vasek
  32     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
+ Previously filed with registration statement effective April 19, 2000 and/or amendments.
 
++ Previously filed on August 11, 2000 with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.
 
## Previously filed on May 17, 2004 with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
 
### Previously filed on June 15, 2004 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
#### Previously filed on November 15, 2004 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
##### Previously filed on June 15, 2004 as Exhibit 10.1 with Rockford’s Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
** Previously filed on November 14, 2005, with Rockford’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
 
*** Previously filed on April 15, 2005 with Rockford’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
**** Previously filed on November 14, 2006, with Rockford’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
 
***** Previously filed on March 28, 2007, with Rockford’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
****** Previously filed on March 14, 2008 with Rockford’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
 
++++ Previously filed on July 31, 2008, with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
 
+++++ Previously filed on October 30, 2008, with Rockford’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

EX-10.83 2 p14553exv10w83.htm EX-10.83 exv10w83
Exhibit 10.83
GLOBAL AMENDMENT TO
NOTE, INDENTURE AND SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Global Amendment to Note, Indenture and Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Amendment”) is among:
    Rockford Corporation, an Arizona corporation (“Company”);
 
    The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor to BNY Western Trust Company, a California banking corporation (“BNYM”); and
 
    J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., a Delaware corporation (“JP Morgan”).
RECITALS:
  A.   Company, JP Morgan and certain other Noteholders (as defined in the Indenture referenced below) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2004 (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Company issued and sold to Noteholders (i) $12,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Company’s 4.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Secured Notes due 2009 (the “Notes”) and (ii) Warrants to Purchase Common Stock for an aggregate of 590,737 shares of Company’s Common Stock (the “Warrants”).
 
  B.   In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, one or more of the parties, together with certain other parties thereto, entered into certain ancillary agreements, each of which is dated as of June 10, 2004, including the following (together with the Purchase Agreement, the Notes, and the Warrants, the “Operative Documents”):
    Indenture between Company and BNYM, as Trustee, relating to the Notes;
 
    Security Agreement among Company, Audio Innovations, Inc. and BNYM, as Agent for Noteholders; and
 
    Registration Rights Agreement among Company, Piper Jaffray and Noteholders.
  C.   Certain of the Operative Documents were amended, including to increase the number of Warrants issued to Noteholders, pursuant to a Global Amendment to Notes, Warrants, Indenture, Security Agreement, Warrant Agent Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and Waiver of Event of Default dated as of November 12, 2004.
 
  D.   All of the Notes and Warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture have been retired or cancelled other than Note Certificate No. 13 in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 issued to and held by

 


 

      JP Morgan (the “JP Morgan Note”) and Warrant Certificate No. 13 for 475,000 shares of Common Stock of Company issued to and held by JP Morgan (the “JP Morgan Warrant”).
  E.   The JP Morgan Note matures and is due and payable in full on June 10, 2009. Company has requested that JP Morgan grant an extension of time for the payment of the JP Morgan Note as described in this Amendment. JP Morgan is willing to grant such extension subject to Company’s agreement to amend certain terms and conditions of the Operative Documents as specified in this Amendment.
AGREEMENTS:
  1.   Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will have the meanings given them in the Operative Documents.
 
  2.   Amendments to JP Morgan Note. The JP Morgan Note is amended as follows:
  (a)   The maturity date of the JP Morgan Note is extended to December 10, 2010; provided, however, Company must make principal payments on the JP Morgan Note in the amount of $1,250,000 each in accordance with the following schedule:
June 10, 2009
December 10, 2009
June 10, 2010
December 10, 2010
      On December 10, 2010, all unpaid principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full.
  (b)   Effective from and after June 10, 2009, the interest rate on the JP Morgan Note will increase to 10.0% per annum payable semiannually on each June 10 and December 10.
 
  (c)   The title of the JP Morgan Note is amended to the extent necessary to reflect the amendments in this Paragraph 2. Except as expressly amended by this Paragraph 2, all other terms of the JP Morgan Note will continue in full force and effect.
      At the request of the Trustee or JP Morgan, Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee for authentication a new Note reflecting the foregoing amendments, and the Trustee will thereupon authenticate and deliver the new Note to JP Morgan upon surrender of the outstanding Note in accordance with Section 11.4 of the Indenture.

- 2 -


 

  3.   Amendments to Indenture.
  (a)   Section 16.1 of the Indenture is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
     If, at any time prior to December 10, 2010 there shall occur a Repurchase Event (as defined in Section 16.3), then each holder shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of One Thousand United States Dollars ($1,000) or integral multiples thereof), on the date (the “repurchase date”) that is forty (40) calendar days after the date of the Company Notice (as defined in Section 16.2(a) below) of such Repurchase Event (or, if such 40th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day). If the Repurchase Event occurs (i) after June 10, 2008 but prior to or on June 10, 2009, such repurchase shall be made in cash at a price equal to 105% of the principal amount of Notes such holder elects to require the Company to repurchase, and (ii) after June 10, 2009 but prior to or on December 10, 2010, such repurchase shall be made in cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes such holder elects to require the Company to repurchase, together, in each case, with accrued interest, if any, to the applicable repurchase date (the “Repurchase Price”). Notwithstanding anything in this Article XVI to the contrary, if a redemption date pursuant to Article III shall occur prior to any repurchase date established pursuant to a Company Notice under Section 16.2, provided that the Company shall have deposited or set aside an amount of money sufficient to redeem such Notes as set forth in Section 3.2 on or before such repurchase date, all such Notes shall be redeemed pursuant to Article III and the repurchase rights hereunder shall have no effect.
  (b)   Section 16.3(d) of the Indenture is amended to delete the phrase “or a Termination of Trading” and Section 16.3(f) is deleted and will have no further effect after the date of this Amendment. As a result of this change Section 16.3(d) reads in full as follows:
     The term “Repurchase Event” means a Change in Control.
  (c)   The Indenture, including the form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Indenture, is amended to the extent necessary to reflect the amendments in Paragraph 2 above.

- 3 -


 

  4.   Amendment to Purchase Agreement. The second sentence of Section 4(f) of the Purchase Agreement is deleted from the Purchase Agreement and declared null and void.
 
  5.   Affect of Amendments on Certain Other Provisions and Agreements. Notwithstanding the extension of the maturity date of the JP Morgan Note and the other amendments described above:
  (a)   JP Morgan’s right to convert all or any portion of the principal amount of the JP Morgan Note into shares of Common Stock expires on June 10, 2009 as originally provided in the JP Morgan Note;
 
  (b)   JP Morgan’s right to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to the JP Morgan Warrant expires on June 10, 2009 as originally provided in the JP Morgan Warrant;
 
  (c)   The Registration Rights Agreement (other than Sections 6 and 7 of the Registration Rights Agreement, which will, subject to applicable law, survive and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms) will terminate and be of no further force and effect on June 10, 2009.
 
  (d)   This Security Agreement continues in full force and effect and nothing in this Amendment is intended to affect or impair BNYM’s rights, as Agent for the Noteholders, in the Collateral. Company will cause a UCC continuation statement to be filed in the office of the Arizona Secretary of State on or before June 11, 2009, the expiration date of the existing UCC financing statement filed in favor of BNYM, as Agent (File No. 2004-13203433).
  6.   Extension Fee. As additional consideration for JP Morgan entering into this Amendment, including its agreement to extend the maturity date of the JP Morgan Note, Company will pay to JP Morgan an extension fee in the amount of $50,000 payable concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Amendment.
 
  7.   Independent Advice. JP Morgan acknowledges and agrees that it has had the opportunity to consult with its own counsel, accountants and other advisers regarding the legal, tax and other implications of this Amendment.
 
  8.   Integration. This Amendment incorporates all negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Amendment and is the final expression and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Amendment.
 
  9.   Severability. If any provision of this Amendment is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from the remainder of this Amendment and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining

- 4 -


 

      provisions of this Amendment will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
  10.   Conflict. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this Amendment and the provisions of any of the Operative Documents, the provisions of this Amendment will control. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms, conditions and provisions of the Operative Documents remain in full force and effect.
 
  11.   BNYM makes no representation to either Company or JP Morgan as to the validity or sufficiency of this Amendment.
[signature page follows]

- 5 -


 

  12.   Effective Date. This Amendment is executed effective as of April 13, 2009.
                 
    ROCKFORD CORPORATION    
 
               
 
  By:            
             
 
      Name:        
 
               
 
      Title:        
 
               
 
               
    THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.    
 
               
 
  By:            
             
 
      Name:        
 
               
 
      Title:        
 
               
 
               
    J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.    
 
               
 
  By:            
             
 
      Name:        
 
               
 
      Title:        
 
               

- 6 -

EX-21 3 p14553exv21.htm EX-21 exv21
Exhibit 21
SUBSIDIARIES
   None    

 

EX-23.1 4 p14553exv23w1.htm EX-23.1 exv23w1
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
          We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Forms S-8 Nos. 333-48076, 333-101010, 333-134164 and 333-152743) pertaining to Stock Option Plan of Rockford Corporation and in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-117315) of Rockford Corporation of our report dated April 14, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Rockford Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008.
         
     
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP    
Phoenix, Arizona
April 14, 2009

 

EX-31.1 5 p14553exv31w1.htm EX-31.1 exv31w1
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, William R. Jackson, certify that:
          1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockford Corporation;
          2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
          3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report, except to the extent affected by the material weaknesses disclosed in Item 9A of this report;
          4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
          (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under the Company’s supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
          (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under the Company’s supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
          (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report the Company’s conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
          (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
          5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on the Company’s most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
          (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
          (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
             
    /s/ William R. Jackson    
         
    William R. Jackson    
    President    
Date: April 14, 2009   Principal Executive Officer    

 

EX-31.2 6 p14553exv31w2.htm EX-31.2 exv31w2
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Richard G. Vasek, certify that:
          1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Rockford Corporation;
          2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
          3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report, except to the extent affected by the material weaknesses disclosed in Item 9A of this report;
          4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under the Company’s supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under the Company’s supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report the Company’s conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
          5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on the Company’s most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
             
    /s/ Richard G. Vasek    
         
    Richard G. Vasek    
    Chief Financial Officer    
Date: April 14, 2009   Principal Financial Officer    

 

EX-32 7 p14553exv32.htm EX-32 exv32
Exhibit 32
Certification of Periodic Financial
Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
     Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted in Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, William R. Jackson, Rockford’s President, and Richard G. Vasek, Rockford’s Chief Financial Officer, each certifies with respect to Rockford Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, that:
     the report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
     information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, Rockford’s financial condition and results of operations.
             
    /s/ William R. Jackson    
         
    William R. Jackson    
Date: April 14, 2009   President    
 
           
    /s/ Richard G. Vasek    
         
    Richard G. Vasek    
Date: April 14, 2009   Chief Financial Officer    

 

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