Segment information

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment information [Abstract]

Segment information

(7) Segment information

The Company has three reportable segments: electronic controls, capacitors and battery chargers. The electronic controls segment produces microprocessor based control systems for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles. The capacitor segment produces special-metalized film capacitors for sale to electronic equipment manufacturers.  The battery chargers segment designs and manufactures battery chargers for electric vehicles. Each segment has its own management team and sales force and the capacitor and battery charger segments have their own manufacturing facilities.

The significant accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 and in 2016 10-K Note 1. Inter-segment revenues are accounted for at current market prices. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment principally based on operating income. The Company does not allocate corporate expense, acquisition costs, income taxes, interest income and expense or foreign currency translation gains and losses to segments. Information concerning operations of these businesses is as follows:

				(in thousands of dollars)
				Three months ended December 31, 2016
	Controls			Capacitors			Chargers			Corporate			Total
Sales to external customers		7,135			247			5,161			-			12,543
Operating loss		(2,050	)		(61	)		(15	)		(293	)		(2,419	)
Identifiable assets, excluding goodwill		27,361			796			20,399			8,656			57,212
Goodwill		1,435			-			6,196			-			7,631

			Three months ended January 2, 2016
	Controls		Capacitors			Chargers		Corporate			Total
Sales to external customers		8,707		408			-		-			9,115
Operating income (loss)		484		(43	)		-		(261	)		180
Identifiable assets, excluding goodwill		32,099		889			-		154			33,142
Goodwill		1,435		-			-		-			1,435

The analysis of revenues shown below is by the location of the business selling the products rather than by destination of the products.

	(in thousands of dollars)
	Three Months ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Sales:-
U.S. sales	$	3,944	$	4,104
Foreign sales:
United Kingdom		1,364		3,454
Italy		5,161		-
France		1,533		1,284
China		541		273
Total foreign sales		8,599		5,011
Total Sales	$	12,543	$	9,115

In the electronic controls segment, revenues are derived from the following products and services:

	(in thousands of dollars)
	Three Months ended
	December 31, 2016		January 2, 2016
Electronic controls for zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles	$	4,478	$	6,450
Accessory and aftermarket products and services		2,657		2,257
Total controls segment revenues	$	7,135		8,707

The Company has businesses located in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Korea, Japan and China.

	(in thousands of dollars)
	Three Months ended
	December 31, 2016		September 30, 2016
Long-term assets:
U.S.A.	$	2,275	$	2,224
Foreign:
United Kingdom		6,086		5,891
Italy		15,943		16,580
France		333		302
Korea, Japan and China		371		388
Total Foreign		22,733		23,161
Total Long-Term Assets	$	25,008	$	25,385