UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549




FORM 10-K





[X]
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.




[  ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the transition period from ______________ to _______________.




Commission File Number 0-16106




CLEARFIELD, INC.


(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)





Minnesota

41-1347235(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)





5480 Nathan Lane North,

Suite 120

Plymouth, Minnesota 55442

(763) 476-6866(Address of principal executive office)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code





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





(Title of class)

(Name of exchange on which registered)Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC(Including Series B Junior Participating Preferred Share Purchase Rights)




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




NONE




Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.


[  ] YES          [X] NO




Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.


[  ] YES          [X] NO




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.


[X] YES          [  ] NO









Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).





[  ] YES          [  ] NO




Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) 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.





[  ] YES          [X] NO




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




Large accelerated filer  [  ]     Accelerated filer [  ]     Non-accelerated filer [  ]     Smaller Reporting Company [X]




Indicate whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).





[  ] YES          [X] NO




The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold was approximately $30,023,936.




The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 18, 2010 was 12,020,331.







Documents Incorporated by Reference:




Portions of our proxy statement for the annual shareholders meeting to be held on February 25, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III.












CLEARFIELD, INC.





ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K


TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I

1ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
1ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
4ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
10ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
11ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
11ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED)
11PART II

11ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
11ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
12ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
13ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
18ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
19ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
37ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
37ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
37PART III

37ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
37ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
38ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
38ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
38ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
38PART IV

38ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
38SIGNATURES

42











PART I





ITEM1.
BUSINESS




Background




Clearfield, Inc. (“Clearfield” or the “Company”), formerly APA Enterprises, Inc., is a Minnesota corporation which was founded in 1979.  Our corporate headquarters is located at 5480 Nathan Lane North, Suite 120, Plymouth, MN 55442 and our corporate website is www.clearfieldconnection.com. The information available on our website is not part of this Report. You can access, free of charge, our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any other amendments to those reports, through a link at our website, or at the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.




Description of Business




Clearfield, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells telecommunications equipment. The Company provides a suite of modular, highly-configurable passive connectivity solutions to telecommunications service providers, as well as commercial and industrial original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The Company has successfully established itself as a value-added supplier to its target market of independent telephone companies and cable television operators as well as OEMs who value a high level of engineering services as part of their procurement process. Clearfield has expanded its product offerings and broadened its customer base during the last five years.





Clearfield offers a broad range of telecommunications equipment and products including the design and manufacture of standard and custom connectivity products such as fiber distribution systems, optical components, Outside Plant (“OSP”) cabinets, and fiber and copper cable assemblies that serve the communication service provider including Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), large enterprise, and OEM markets. Clearfield maintains a range of engineering and technical knowledge in-house that works closely with customers to develop, customize and enhance products from design through production. Most products are produced at Clearfield’s plant in Plymouth, Minnesota with support from a network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Clearfield specializes in producing these products on both a quick-turn and scheduled delivery basis. Key to our business is strong acceptance of Clearfield’s proprietary FieldSmartTM Fiber Management Platform product line within broadband service providers deploying FTTP networks.





Products





Clearview Cassette  The ClearviewTM Cassette, introduced in November 2007, is the main building block of the FieldSmart product platform, positioning Clearfield as the only company to provide the needs of every leg of the telecommunications network with a single building block architecture. This patent-pending technology is a system of five parts that nest together in the cassette’s main housing to support a wide range of applications. Parts can be added or removed as needed to support the environment in which it is deployed. Within the cassette, all fibers from the sub-assembly are slack stored, bend radius protected and secured against accidental physical damage from handling. A transparent design allows the user to see components inside, while the snap-together components provide access without tools for maintenance, cleaning or troubleshooting. All products which integrate a Clearview product in its design are marked as “Clearview Multiplied”.





FieldSmart Fiber Crossover Distribution System (FxDS) The FieldSmart Fiber Crossover Distribution System (FxDS) provides complete fiber management modularity and scalability across the fiber network from inside plant to outside plant environments. Using the Clearview building block approach, each fiber




1
 
 management element provides modularity of physical fiber protection in the environment in which it is placed. The FxDS is system of modular and scalable building blocks that provide for cost containment configurations with the use of Clearview Multiplied products. Easily configured for initial placement and scaling easily from 12-ports to a full rack of 1728-ports, the FieldSmart FxDS requires only four unique blocks to configure initial deployment. The user then places what is needed on the frame as subscriber take rates dictate.


FieldSmart Fiber Scalability Center (FSC)  The FieldSmart FSC  is a modular and scalable outside plant cabinet  that allow users to align their capital equipment expense with subscriber revenue. This allows rollout of FTTP services by communication service providers without a large initial expense. Each outside plant cabinet stores feeder and distribution splices, splitters, connectors and slack cable neatly and compactly, utilizing field-tested designs to maximize bend radius protection, connector access, ease of cable routing and physical protection, thereby minimizing the risk of fiber damage. The FSC product, with the Clearview cassette at its heart, has been designed to scale with the application environment as demand requires and to reduce service turn-up time for the end-user.




FieldSmart Fiber Delivery Point (FDP) The Fieldsmart FDP product line is a series of enclosure systems for the access network that incorporates the delivery of fiber connectivity to the neighborhood or business district in the most cost-effective footprint possible. The FieldSmart FDP family of pedestal inserts teams industry standard pedestal products from a range of suppliers with a Clearfield designed fiber connectivity module centered around the Clearview Cassette. The FieldSmart FDP family of wall-mount enclosures provides 12 to 144 ports of connectivity for multi-dwelling unit fiber deployments, fiber demarcation, security systems (CCTV), telecommunications room needs and horizontal/intermediate cross-connects.




Clearview xPAK The Clearview xPAK, introduced in 2010, is engineered to land small port count fiber assemblies and optical components as conveniently and inexpensively as possible. Priced to allow field personnel to carry cartons of Clearview xPAK Cassettes within them, the xPAK is shipped flat and unassembled. At the deployment site, the technician will follow simple-to-follow pictorial user instructions to assemble the device to match field requirements. Integrated into the footprint of the device is an industry-compatible splicing tray, which is then surrounding with fiber protection elements that support either a 2, 4 or 6-port fiber assembly as well as a range of optical component devices. Clearview xPAK is the ideal fiber management device when up to 6 fibers are landed or an optical component device is deployed in a remote location. Clearview xPAK has been designed for deployment in inside and outside plant enclosures.




FieldSmart Small Count Delivery (SCD) The The FieldSmart SCD product line is a series of panels and wall-mount enclosures optimized for environments where a smaller number of fibers are required. Teamed with the Clearview xPAK, the FieldSmart SCD is targeted for application environments such as cell backhaul, business class service delivery, node segmentation, fiber exhaust in a field pedestal, sub-station turn-up or fiber-to-the-desk deployment.




Optical Components  Clearfield packages optical components for signal coupling, splitting, termination, multiplexing, demultiplexing and attenuation to seamlessly integrate with the FieldSmart FxDS, FieldSmart FSC and FieldSmart FDP. This value-added packaging allows the customer to source from a single supplier and reduces space requirements. The products are built and tested to meet the strictest industry standards ensuring customers trouble-free performance in extreme outside plant environments.





Cable Assemblies  Clearfield manufactures high quality fiber and copper assemblies with an industry-standard or customer-specified configuration.  Industry-standard assemblies built include but are not limited to: single mode fiber, multimode fiber, multi-fiber, CATV node assembly, DS1 Telco, DS 3 (734/735) coax, Category 5e and 6, SCSI, Token Ring, and V.35.  In addition, Clearfield’s engineering services team works alongside the engineering design departments of our OEM customers to design and


2
 
 manufacture custom solutions for both in-the-box as well as network connectivity assemblies specific to that customer’s product line.


Marketing and Distribution





Clearfield markets its products in the United States through a direct field sales force supported by an internal customer sales and support team.  This internal team works proactively with the outside sales force to maintain a high level of customer contact through regular communication of product availability, order processing, and status and delivery information. Clearfield works closely with its target customers to configure the Company’s product platform to the client’s unique requirements.  Our high level of customer service helps bring new products to markets with the design input from our customers and network of consulting engineering firms. To ensure we cover all markets, we leverage our internal customer support team with a combination of manufacturer representative organizations.





Competition





Competitors to the FieldSmart FxDS, FSC, FDP and SCD product lines include, but are not limited to,  Corning Cabling Systems, Inc., OFS (Furukawa Electric North America, Inc.), AFL Telecommunications, a (Fujikura Ltd. of Japan), Alcatel, Inc., and Tyco Electronics, Inc. which announced its bid to acquire ADC Telecommunications, Inc. in July of 2010. Nearly all of these firms are substantially larger than Clearfield and as a result may be able to procure pricing for necessary components and labor at much lower prices. Competition for the custom fiber and copper termination services for cable assemblies is intense. Competitors range from small, family-run businesses to very large contract manufacturing facilities. Clearfield believes that it has a competitive advantage with customers who can leverage the cost savings the Clearview cassette can provide and those who require quick-turn, high-performance customized products, and that it is at competitive disadvantage with customers who principally seek large volume commodity products.





Sources of Materials and Outsourced Labor





Numerous purchased materials, components, and labor are used in the manufacturing of the Company’s products. Most of these are readily available from multiple suppliers. However, some critical components and outsourced labor are purchased from a single or a limited number of suppliers.  The loss of access to some components and outsourced labor could have an adverse effect on our ability to deliver products on a timely basis and on our financial performance.





Major Customers





Two customers, Power & Telephone Supply Company and MTS Systems Corporation, comprised approximately 28% and 40% of total sales for the periods ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively. Power & Telephone Supply Company is a distributor and it accounted for 20% and 32% of revenue for the corresponding respective periods. MTS Systems Corporation is an end user customer and it accounted for 8% and 8% of revenues for the corresponding respective periods. MTS Systems Corporation purchases our product through its standard form of purchase order with pricing established by a schedule that is in effect from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.  Power & Telephone Supply Company purchases our product through its standard form of purchase order.





Patents and Trademarks





As of September 30, 2010, we had one patent granted and one pending in the United States and two pending patent applications inside and outside the United States.  We have also developed and are using


3
 
 trademarks and logos to market and promote our products, including Clearfield ® , Clearview ® and FieldSmart ® .


Backlog





Backlog reflects purchase order commitments for our products received from customers that have yet to be fulfilled. Backlog orders are generally shipped within three months. The Company had a backlog of $2,677,000 as of September 30, 2010 and $1,228,334 as of September 30, 2009.





Seasonality




We are affected by the seasonal trends in the industries we serve. We typically experience sequentially lower revenues in our first and second fiscal quarters, primarily due to customer budget cycles, deployment schedules, some customer geographical concentrations as well as standard vacation and holiday calendars. Revenues usually reach a seasonal peak in our third and fourth fiscal quarters.





Product Development




Product development for Clearfield’s product line program has been conducted internally. We believe that the communication industry environment is constantly evolving and our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes. Our focus is to analyze the environment and technology and work to develop products that simplify our customers’ business by developing innovative high quality products utilizing modular design wherever possible.




Employees





As of September 30, 2010, the Company had 136 full-time employees. We also have several part-time employees and independent contractors. None of our employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreement.  We believe our employee relations to be good.





Segment Reporting




The Company operates in a single reportable segment.








ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS




The impact and the timing of the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on our business are uncertain.




The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), widely known as the “Stimulus Bill,” was enacted in February 2009.  The ARRA allocates $7.2 billion in grants, loans and loan guarantees for broadband/wireless initiatives for rural unserved and underserved geographies across the country, with these initiatives administered by several federal agencies. This funding is available to a wide variety of organizations, including our customers and prospective customers, to purchase and implement network infrastructure and services to improve broadband coverage. As part of the criteria established by the federal agencies administering these programs, the projects to be funded through the new federal stimulus plan must be approved by the state or states in which the projects will be located.




Currently, a limited portion of the funding allocated by the ARRA for these broadband/wireless initiatives has been distributed to awarded applicants.  Our customers and prospective customers may postpone projects involving telecommunications equipment such as ours until the availability and amount of




4
 
 stimulus funds for a particular project is known or awarded.  Accordingly, they may experience significant delays in the funding of projects through the ARRA, which, in turn, will delay their purchase of equipment for their projects.  We cannot be assured to what extent the ARRA will impact demand for our products, our results of operations or the timing of purchases by customers.


A large percentage of our sales have been made to a small number of customers, and the loss of a major customer would adversely affect us.




In fiscal years 2010 and 2009, one distributor customer accounted for 20% and 32% of our revenue, respectively.  In addition, another end-user customer accounted for 8% and 8% of our revenue in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively. If there is a loss of one or more of these major customers or a significant decline in sales to either of these major customers, it would have a material adverse effect on our results from operations.




Intense competition in our industry may result in price reductions, lower gross profits and loss of market share.




Competition in the telecommunications equipment and services industry is intense. Our competitors may have or could develop or acquire marketing, financial, development and personnel resources that exceed ours.  Our ability to compete successfully will depend on whether we can continue to advance the technology of our products and develop new products, the acceptance of our products among our customers and prospective customers and our ability to anticipate customer needs in product development, as well as the price, quality and reliability of our products, our delivery and service capabilities, and our control of operating expenses.




We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors.  Increased competition from manufacturers of telecommunications equipment such as ours may result in price reductions, lower gross profit margins, and increased discounts to customers and loss of market share and could require increased spending by us on research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.




Our results of operations could be adversely affected by economic conditions and the effects of these conditions on our customers’ businesses.




Adverse changes in economic conditions, including the recent recession in the United States, have resulted and may continue to result in lower spending among our customers and contribute to decreased sales to our distributors and customers.  Further, our business may be adversely affected by factors such as downturns in economic activity in specific geographic areas or in the telecommunications industry; social, political or labor conditions; or adverse changes in the availability and cost of capital, interest rates, tax rates, or regulations. These factors are beyond our control, but may result in further decreases in spending among customers and softening demand for our products.  Declines in demand for our products will adversely affect our revenue. Further, challenging economic conditions also may impair the ability of our customers to pay for products and services they have purchased. As a result, our cash flow may be negatively impacted and our allowance for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable may increase.





Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, which may make budgeting for expenses difficult and may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.




Because many purchases by customers of our products relate to a specific customer project, the short-term demand for our products can fluctuate significantly and our ability to forecast sales accurately from quarter to quarter is limited. This fluctuation can be further affected by the long sales cycles necessary to obtain contracts to supply equipment for these projects, the availability of capital to fund our customers’




5
 
 projects, and the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on customer buying patterns. These long sales cycles may result in significant effort expended with no resulting sales or sales that are not made in the anticipated quarter.  Demand for our projects will also depend upon the extent to which our customers and prospective customers initiate these projects and the extent to which we are selected to provide our equipment in these projects, neither of which can be assured. These factors generally result in fluctuations, sometimes significant, in our operating results.


Other factors that may affect our quarterly operating results including:




·
the volume and timing of orders from and shipments to our customers;




·
work stoppages and other developments affecting the operations of our customers;




·
the timing of and our ability to obtain new customer contracts and the timing of revenue recognition;




·
the timing of new product and service announcements;




·
the availability of products and services;




·
market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of our products and services;




·
variations in the mix of products and services we sell;




·
the utilization of our production capacity and employees; and




·
the availability and cost of key components of our products.




Further, we budget our expenses based in part on expectations of future revenues. If revenue levels in a particular quarter are lower than expected, our operating results will be affected adversely.




Because of these factors, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and are likely to vary in the future. If our operating results are below financial analysts’ or investors’ expectations, the market price of our common stock may fall abruptly and significantly.




To compete effectively, we must continually improve existing products and introduce new products that achieve market acceptance.




The telecommunications equipment industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, changing market conditions and frequent new product and service introductions and enhancements. The introduction of products using new technologies or the adoption of new industry standards can make our existing products, or products under development, obsolete or unmarketable. In order to remain competitive and increase sales, we will need to anticipate and adapt to these rapidly changing technologies, enhance our existing products and introduce new products to address the changing demands of our customers.




Many of our competitors have greater engineering and product development resources than we have. Although we expect to continue to invest substantial resources in product development activities, our efforts to achieve and maintain profitability will require us to be selective and focused with our research and development expenditures. Further, our existing and development-stage products may become obsolete if our competitors introduce newer or more appealing technologies. If these technologies are patented or proprietary to our competitors, we may not be able to access these technologies.




6


If we fail to anticipate or respond in a cost-effective and timely manner to technological developments, changes in industry standards or customer requirements, or if we experience any significant delays in product development or introduction, our business, operating results and financial condition could be affected adversely.




We may face circumstances in the future that will result in impairment charges, including, but not limited to, significant goodwill impairment charges.




If the fair value of any of our long-lived assets decreases as a result of an economic slowdown, a downturn in the markets where we sell products and services or a downturn in our financial performance and/or future outlook, we may be required to record an impairment charge on such assets, including goodwill.




We are required to test intangible assets with indefinite life periods for potential impairment annually and on an interim basis if there are indicators of a potential impairment. We also are required to evaluate amortizable intangible assets and fixed assets for impairment if there are indicators of a possible impairment. One potential indicator of impairment is the value of our market capitalization compared to our net book value. Significant declines in our market capitalization could require us to record material goodwill and other impairment charges. Impairment charges could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial position, as well as on the market price of our common stock.




We rely on single-source suppliers, which could cause delays, increases in costs or prevent us from completing customer orders, all of which could materially harm our business.




We assemble our products using materials and components supplied by various subcontractors and suppliers. We purchase critical components for our products, including injected molded parts and connectors from third parties, some of whom are single- or limited-source suppliers. If any of our suppliers are unable to ship critical components, we may be unable to manufacture and ship products to our distributors or customers. If the price of these components increases for any reason, or if these suppliers are unable or unwilling to deliver, we may have to find another source, which could result in interruptions, increased costs, delays, loss of sales and quality control problems.





Further, the costs to obtain certain raw materials and supplies are subject to price fluctuations, which may be substantial, because of global market demands. Many companies utilize the same raw materials and supplies in the production of their products as we use in our products. Companies with more resources than us may have a competitive advantage in obtaining raw materials and supplies due to greater purchasing power. Some raw materials or supplies may be subject to regulatory actions, which may affect available supplies. Furthermore, due to general economic conditions in the United States and globally, our suppliers may experience financial difficulties, which could result in increased delays, additional costs, or loss of a supplier.





The termination or interruption of any of these relationships, or the failure of these manufacturers or suppliers to supply components or raw materials to us on a timely basis or in sufficient quantities, likely would cause us to be unable to meet orders for our products and harm our reputation and our business. Identifying and qualifying alternative suppliers would take time, involve significant additional costs and may delay the production of our products. Further, if we obtain a new supplier or assemble our product using an alternative source of supply, we may need to conduct additional testing of our products to ensure the product meets our quality and performance standards. Any delays in delivery of our product to distributors or customers could be extended, and our costs associated with the change in product manufacturing could increase.





The failure of our third-party manufacturers to manufacture the products for us, and the failure of our suppliers of components and raw materials to supply us consistent with our requirements as to quality,


7
 
 quantity and timeliness could materially harm our business by causing delays, loss of sales, increases in costs and lower gross profit margins.


We lack experience manufacturing our products at high volumes and we may be required to rapidly increase our manufacturing capacity to deliver our products to our customers in a timely manner.




We manufacture and assemble our products at our facility in Plymouth, Minnesota. Our success will depend upon our ability to cost-effectively manufacture a reliable product and deliver that product in a timely manner. Because we lack experience manufacturing our products in large quantities, we may encounter difficulties in maintaining production efficiencies, quality control and assurance, component supply and qualified personnel.





Our success depends upon adequate protection of our patent and intellectual property rights.




Our future success depends in part upon our proprietary technology. We attempt to protect our proprietary technology through patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.  However, these legal means afford us only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or remedies to gain or keep any advantages we may have over our competitors.  Accordingly, we cannot predict whether these protections will be adequate, or whether our competitors will develop similar technology independently, without violating our proprietary rights.





Our competitors, who may have or could develop or acquire significant resources, may make substantial investments in competing technologies, or may apply for and obtain patents that will prevent, limit, or interfere with our ability to manufacture or market our products. Further, although we do not believe that any of our products infringe the rights of others, third parties may in the future claim, our products infringe on their rights, and these third parties may assert infringement claims against us in the future.





We may litigate to enforce patents issued to us and to defend against claimed infringement of the rights of others or to determine the ownership, scope, or validity of our proprietary rights and the rights of others. Any claim of infringement against us could involve significant liabilities to third parties, could require us to seek licenses from third parties, and could prevent us from manufacturing, selling or using our products. The occurrence of this litigation, or the effect of an adverse determination in any of this type of litigation, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.





Our failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.





Further consolidation among our customers may result in the loss of some customers and may reduce revenue during the pendency of business combinations and related integration activities.




We believe consolidation among our customers in the future will continue in order for them to increase market share and achieve greater economies of scale. Consolidation has impacted our business as our customers focus on completing business combinations and integrating their operations. In connection with this merger and acquisition activity, our customers may postpone or cancel orders for our product based on revised plans for technology or network expansion pending consolidation activity. Customers integrating large-scale acquisitions may also reduce their purchases of equipment during the integration period, or postpone or cancel orders.




The impact of significant mergers among our customers on our business is likely to be unclear until sometime after such transactions are completed. After a consolidation occurs, a customer may choose to reduce the number of vendors from which it purchases equipment and may choose one of our competitors




8
 
 as its preferred vendor. There can be no assurance that we will continue to supply equipment to the surviving communications service provider after a business combination is completed.


We are dependent on key personnel.




Our failure to attract and retain skilled personnel could hinder the management of our business, our research and development, our sales and marketing efforts, and our manufacturing capabilities. Our future success depends to a significant degree upon the continued services of key senior management personnel, including Cheryl P. Beranek, our Chief Executive Officer and John P. Hill, our Chief Operating Officer. We have employment agreements with Ms. Beranek and Mr. Hill that provides that if we terminate the employment of either executive without cause or if the executive terminates her or his employment for good reason, we would be required to make specified payments to them as described in their employment agreement. We have key person life insurance on Ms. Beranek or Mr. Hill. Further, our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified managerial, technical and sales personnel. Our inability to retain or attract qualified personnel could have a significant negative effect and thereby materially harm our business and financial condition.





Product defects or the failure of our products to meet specifications could cause us to lose customers and revenue or to incur unexpected expenses.




If our products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our customer relationships may suffer. Also, our products may contain defects or fail to meet product specifications. Any failure or poor performance of our products could result in:




·
lack of or delayed market acceptance of our products;




·
delayed product shipments;




·
unexpected expenses and diversion of resources to replace defective products or identify and correct the source of errors;




·
damage to our reputation and our customer relationships;




·
delayed recognition of sales or reduced sales; and




·
product liability claims or other claims for damages that may be caused by any product defects or performance failures.




Our products are often critical to the performance of telecommunications systems. Many of our supply agreements contain limited warranty provisions. If these contractual limitations are unenforceable in a particular jurisdiction or if we are exposed to product liability claims that are not covered by insurance, a claim could harm our business.




Our stock price has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile. The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.




The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Our stock price may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and new reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.




9


In addition, the stock market is subject to price and volume fluctuations that affect the market prices for companies in general, and small-capitalization, high-technology companies like us in particular.  These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Further, any failure by us to meet or exceed the expectations of financial analysts or investors is likely to cause a decline in our common stock price. Further, recent economic conditions have resulted in significant fluctuations and significant declines in stock prices for many companies, including Clearfield. We cannot predict when the stock markets and the market for our common stock may stabilize.




Future sales of shares of our common stock in the public market may negatively affect our stock price.




Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, could have a significant negative effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, upon exercise of outstanding options, the number of shares outstanding of our common stock could increase substantially. This increase, in turn, could dilute future earnings per share, if any, and could depress the market value of our common stock. Dilution and potential dilution, the availability of a large amount of shares for sale, and the possibility of additional issuances and sales of our common stock may negatively affect both the trading price of our common stock and the liquidity of our common stock. These sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we would deem appropriate.





Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents, our shareholder rights agreement, Minnesota law and other agreements could prevent or delay a change in control of our company.




Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, our shareholder rights agreement (also known as a “poison pill”), Minnesota law and other agreements may make it more difficult for a third- party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire, control of our company, including:




·
the provisions of our bylaws regarding the business properly brought before shareholders;




·
the right of our board of directors to establish more than one class or series of shares and to fix the relative rights and preferences of any such different classes or series;




·
our shareholder rights agreement, which would cause substantial dilution to any person or group attempting to acquire our company on terms not approved in advance by our Board of Directors;




·
the provisions of Minnesota law relating to business combinations and control share acquisitions; and




·
the provisions of our stock option plans allowing for the acceleration of vesting or payments of awards granted under the plans in the event of specified events that result in a “change in control” and provisions of agreements with certain of our executive officers requiring payments if their employment is terminated and there is a “change in control.”




These measures could discourage or prevent a takeover of us or changes in our management, even if an acquisition or such changes would be beneficial to our shareholders. This may have a negative effect on the price of our common stock.




ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS





None.




10





ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.





Clearfield leases a 30,000 square foot facility at 5480 Nathan Lane North in Plymouth, Minnesota consisting of our corporate offices, manufacturing and warehouse space. The lease commenced on July 1, 2006 with rent commencing on November 1, 2006. The initial lease payment was $16,926 per month with annual increases of approximately 3.3%. Currently, our monthly rent is $19,379.  The lease expires on November 30, 2013. The lease is backed by an unconditional, irrevocable letter of credit equal to approximately five months rent. In addition, on September 1, 2010, the Company entered into a license to rent an additional 7,338 square feet of adjacent warehouse space for $9,175 for the five month period ending February 28, 2011, with an option to extend month to month through to August 31, 2011.




We own a 24,000 square foot production facility in Aberdeen, South Dakota, which is partially leased and occupied. (See Note C in the Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.)




ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.




The Company is exposed to a number of asserted and unasserted legal claims encountered in the ordinary course of its business. Although the outcome of any such legal actions cannot be predicted, management believes that there are no pending legal proceedings against or involving the Company for which the outcome is likely to have a material adverse effect upon its financial position or results of operations.




ITEM 4.
[REMOVED AND RESERVED]




PART II




ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.




Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market system of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “CLFD.” The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices for our common stock for each quarter of the past two fiscal years.




Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010
High
LowQuarter ended December 31, 2009
$4.90
$2.03Quarter ended March 31, 2010
$3.48
$1.93Quarter ended June 30, 2010
$2.95
$2.32Quarter ended September 30, 2010
$2.98
$2.25Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
High
LowQuarter ended December 31, 2008
$1.30
$0.75Quarter ended March 31, 2009
$1.31
$1.00Quarter ended June 30, 2009
$2.00
$1.09Quarter ended September 30, 2009
$5.52
$1.52




The foregoing prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without dealer markup, markdown, or commissions and may not represent actual transactions.




Approximate Number of Holders of Common Stock




There were approximately 318 holders of record of our common stock as of September 30, 2010.




11




Dividends




We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We do not intend in the foreseeable future to pay cash dividends on our common stock.




Equity Compensation Plan Information




The following table describes shares of our common stock that are available on September 30, 2010 for purchase under outstanding stock-based awards, or reserved for issuance under stock-based awards or other rights that may be granted in the future, under our equity compensation plans:




Plan Category

Number of

securities to be

issued upon

exercise of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights (a)


Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights (b)

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans

(excluding those

reflected in column

(a))Equity compensation plans approved by security holders2007 Stock Compensation Option Plan

1,056,000

$
1.42

316,000Stock Option Plan for Non Employee Directors

82,500

$
1.12

-Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

-


-

-Total

1,138,500

$
1.40

316,000





Issuer Repurchases





We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.







ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA




Not Required




12




ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS




Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information




Statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the Company’s other SEC filings, in press releases and in oral statements, that are not statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from the results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “seeks” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements include those risks described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”




Overview of Business:The Company focuses on highly configurable products for telecommunications customers, primarily related to cabling management requirements of the fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) marketplace and the design, manufacture, distribution, and marketing of a variety of fiber optics and copper components to the data communication and telecommunication industries.  The Companies primary manufactured products include standard and custom fiber optic cable assemblies, copper cable assemblies, OSP cabinets, value–added fiber optics frames, panels and modules.




Critical Accounting Policies:In preparing our financial statements, we make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can have a significant impact on our revenues, income or loss from operations and net income or loss, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our balance sheet. We believe that there are several accounting policies that are critical to an understanding of our historical and future performance, as these policies affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and significant estimates and judgments applied by management. While there are a number of accounting policies, methods and estimates affecting our financial statements, areas that are particularly significant include:





·
Stock option accounting;


·
Accounting for income taxes; and


·
Valuation and evaluating impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill.





Stock-Based CompensationWe measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options award on the date of grant. The determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by management assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected life of the award, which is based in part upon actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.





The expected terms of the options and employee stock purchase plan rights are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at grant date. Volatility is based on historical and expected future volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to in the future. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates. If factors change, we may employ different assumptions in the calculation of compensation expense and the


13
 
 compensation expense recorded for future periods may differ significantly from the expense recorded in the current period.


Income TaxesWe account for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, under which the amount of deferred income taxes is determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities given the provisions of enacted tax laws. Deferred income tax provisions and benefits are based on changes to the assets or liabilities from year to year. In providing for deferred taxes, we consider tax regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate, estimates of future taxable income, and available tax planning strategies. If tax regulations, operating results, or the ability to implement tax-planning strategies vary, adjustments to the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities may be required. Valuation allowances are recorded related to deferred tax assets based on the “more likely than not” criteria of ASC 740.





In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.





As of September 30, 2010 the Company had U.S. federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carry-forwards of approximately $32,289,000 and $23,033,000, respectively, which expire in fiscal years 2020 to 2028. In fiscal 2009 The Company completed an Internal Revenue Code Section 382 analysis of the loss carry-forwards and determined that all of the Company’s loss carry-forwards were utilizable and not restricted under Section 382 as of September 30, 2009.





At September 30, 2008, all of the Company’s net deferred tax assets were offset with a valuation allowance. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company reversed a portion of its valuation allowance in consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, including our historical operating results, current financial condition, and potential future taxable income. The reduction in the valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 resulted in a non-cash income tax benefit of approximately $2.5 million.





As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax liability in each of the jurisdictions in which we do business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess the likelihood that these deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not or unknown, we must establish a valuation allowance.





Our future potential taxable income was evaluated based primarily on anticipated operating results for fiscal years 2011 through 2013. We determined that projecting operating results beyond 2013 involves substantial uncertainty and we discounted forecasts beyond 2013 as a basis to support our deferred tax assets.  Based upon the assessment of all available evidence, the Company will release additional valuation allowance for the year ended September 30, 2010 in an amount in which the tax benefit generated offsets the tax provision to be realized from current year estimated taxable income.  The Company continues to record a valuation allowance of approximately $10.0 million against its remaining deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess the assumptions used to determine the amount of our valuation allowance and may adjust the valuation allowance in future periods based on changes in assumptions of estimated future income and other factors. If the valuation allowance is reduced, we


14
 
 would record an income tax benefit in the period the valuation allowance is reduced. If the valuation allowance is increased, we would record additional income tax expense. Income tax expense could be materially different from actual results because of changes in management’s expectations regarding future taxable income, the relationship between book and taxable income, and tax planning strategies employed by the Company.


During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a deferred income tax expense of $83,250 for the book and income tax basis difference in goodwill on acquisitions.  This deferred income tax expense was netted against the deferred tax benefit resulting from the reduction in the valuation allowance.





The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions.  Based on its evaluation, the Company has concluded that it has no significant unrecognized tax benefits.  With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations for fiscal years ending prior 1994.  In 2007 the Company changed its fiscal year to September 30.





Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwillThe Company’s long-lived assets at September 30, 2010 consisted of property and equipment. The Company records the excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When this review indicates the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, the Company recognizes an asset impairment charge against operations for the amount by which the carrying amount of the impaired asset exceeds its fair value.





Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method involves significant judgment and requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. The Company's judgments are based on historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in a different outcome. The Company generally develops these forecasts based on recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, and estimated expansion of the FTTP market.





If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company measures the possible goodwill impairment loss based on an allocation of the estimate of fair value of the reporting unit to all of the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any previously unrecognized intangible assets. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. This test for the period ended September 30, 2010 resulted in no change to goodwill from the prior period.





No impairment of long-lived assets has occurred during the years ended September 30, 2010 or September 30, 2009, respectively.











15


Results of Operations




Year ended September 30, 2010 compared to year ended September 30, 2009




Revenues for the fiscal year ended 2010 decreased 2% to $24,367,000 from revenue of $24,944,000 in 2009. This change is attributable to the weak economic climate in the first half of fiscal 2010 and continuing delays in awards to customers under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), that was partially offset by increasing sales in the second half of fiscal 2010 that benefited from the Company’s customers beginning receiving awards under the ARRA and strong summer deployments.





Revenues in fiscal year 2010 to commercial data networks and broadband service providers were 86% of sales, or $21,049,000, while revenues associated with contract manufacturing for original equipment manufacturers outside of the telecommunications market were 14% of sales, or $3,318,000, for fiscal 2010.  For fiscal 2009, revenues to commercial data networks and broadband service providers were also 86% of sales, or $21,390,000, while revenues associated with contract manufacturing for original equipment manufacturers outside of the telecommunications market were 14% of sales, or $3,555,000.





Gross margin increased from 35.6% in 2009 to 37.5% in 2010 resulting in a gross profit of $9,138,000 in 2010 as compared to $8,871,000 in 2009, an increase of $267,000 or 3%. The 1.9% increase in gross margin is attributable to the results of on-going programs to reduce the cost of products through a combination of new product introduction, process improvement, global sourcing of components and supply chain partnerships with non U.S. manufacturing organizations.





Selling, general and administrative expense increased 5%, or $354,000, from $7,629,000 for 2009 to $8,014,000 for 2010. This increase reflects a continuing investment in sales, marketing, product management, and product engineering coupled with expense associated with performance-based compensation that we believe contribute to both sales and profitability.





Income from operations for 2010 was $1,123,000 compared to $1,211,000 for 2009, a reduction of 7% or $88,000.  This change is attributable to reduced revenue and increased operating expenses.





Interest income in fiscal 2010 improved to $143,000 in fiscal year from $125,000 in fiscal year 2009.  This increase is attributable to the transition from money market investments from early 2009 to FDIC backed bank certificates of deposit in late 2009 and early 2010.





Interest expense decreased from $6,000 in 2009 to $1,000 in 2010. The interest is attributable to financing associated with the enterprise information system installed during 2007 and 2008. These notes were paid in full on June 23, 2010.





Other income decreased from $82,000 in 2009 to $36,000 in 2010. This consists of lease income on the Company’s Aberdeen, South Dakota facility. In March 2009, the tenant defaulted on the lease by failure to pay rent. We terminated the lease with our tenant as of April 2009. As a consequence of the lease termination we recorded as income the amount of $43,000 in 2009 previously recorded as an accrual, which would have resulted in a reduced sale price to the tenant, per the lease agreement. We are currently leasing the facility on a month-to-month basis with the same tenant.







16


Income tax expense for fiscal 2010 was $121,000 reflecting amortization of goodwill which is deferred, federal alternative minimum tax, and various state taxes in the amount of $3,800. Income tax benefit for 2009 was $2,372,000 which reflects the recognition of a deferred tax asset (DTA). The DTA is $2,464,000 and is offset by tax amortization of goodwill of $65,000, which is deferred, tax expense for federal alternative minimum tax of approximately $20,000 and various state taxes in the amount of $7,000. Net income for fiscal year 2010 was $1,181,000 or $0.10 per share for basic and $0.09 for diluted compared to $3,785,000 or $0.32 per share for basic and $0.31 per diluted share for the year 2009.





Liquidity and Capital Resources




As of September 30, 2010, our principal source of liquidity was our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Those sources total $7,051,000, compared to $6,840,000, at September 30, 2009. Our excess cash is invested in certificates of deposit backed by the FDIC. We have no long-term debt obligations at September 30, 2010.





Operating Activities




Net cash generated from operations for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $629,000. This was primarily due to our net income of $1,181,000, depreciation of $498,000, and stock-based compensation of $168,000. This was offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $521,000, an increase in inventory of $358,000 and a reduction in accounts payable of $432,000.





Net cash generated from operations for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $2,091,000. This was primarily due to our net income of $3,785,000, depreciation of $434,000, stock based compensation of $115,000 and a decrease in inventories of $935,000. This was offset by non-cash charges for net deferred taxes of $2,390,000, an increase in accounts receivable of $190,000 and reduction in accounts payable of $637,000.





Investing Activities




For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, we purchased $453,000 of manufacturing and IT equipment and software. During the same period we purchased $2,479,000 of FDIC-backed certificates of deposit and sold approximately $2,427,000 of securities most of which were available-for-sale securities. In addition we received proceeds of $435,336 from the payoff of the note from Anil Jain. The result is a net decrease in cash from investing activities of $92,000. The Company intends to continue to invest in the necessary and appropriate manufacturing equipment to help maintain a competitive position in manufacturing capability.




For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, we purchased $181,000 of manufacturing and IT equipment and software. During the same period we purchased $6,503,000 of FDIC-backed certificates of deposit and sold approximately $4,962,000 of securities most of which were available-for-sale securities. The result is a net increase in cash from investing activities of $1,722,000.




Financing Activities





For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, we used $33,000 to make scheduled debt principal payments principally associated with the financing of our IT systems. We received $50,000 from the issuance of stock from the exercise of employee stock options. The net cash received from financing activities totaled $16,000.




For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, we used $62,000 to make scheduled debt principal payments principally associated with the financing of our IT systems. We received $91,000 from the


17
 
 issuance of stock from the exercise of employee stock options. The net cash received from financing activities totaled $29,000.


The Company has current cash and cash equivalents and investments all with a maturity of less than three years that total $10,287,000 we believe this provides a strong financial position and along with cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet its working capital and investment requirements for the next 12 months.  The Company intends on utilizing its available cash and assets primarily for its continued organic growth, as well as potential future strategic transactions. However, future growth, organically or through acquisition, may require the Company to raise capital through additional equity or debt financing. There can be no assurance that any such financing would be available on commercially acceptable terms.





Recent Accounting Pronouncements:





In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC No. 820-10-35, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Subsequent Measurement, which discusses the provisions related to the determination of fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. Based on the guidance in ASC No. 820-10-35, if an entity determines that the level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased and that a transaction is not orderly, further analysis of transactions or quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the transaction or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. The guidance in ASC No. 820-10-35 is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Our adoption of this guidance had no impact on our financial statements.





In June 2009, the FASB issued new standards on variable interest entities (VIE), as codified in 810-10, which requires an entity to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies a primary beneficiary of a VIE as the entity that has both of the following characteristics: i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company is required to complete ongoing reassessments of the primary beneficiary of a VIE and will be required by the Company effective October 1, 2010. The adoption did not have a material effect on our financial statements.








ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK




Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investments in FDIC guaranteed bank certificates of deposit. The portfolio includes only FDIC guaranteed bank certificates of deposit with an active secondary or resale markets to ensure liquidity. We have no investments denominated in foreign country currencies and, therefore, our investments are not subject to foreign exchange risk.











18


ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA





Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)




Quarterly data for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 was as follows:




Quarter EndedStatement of Operations Data

December 31,

2008


March 31,

2009


June 30,

2009


September 30,

2009Net revenue

$
5,933,287


$
5,232,604


$
7,160,039


$
6,618,907Gross profit


2,014,208



1,818,152



2,684,466



2,354,194Net income


217,487



131,049



587,020



2,849,533Net income per share, Basic

$
0.02


$
0.01


$
0.05


$
0.24Diluted


0.02



0.01



0.05



0.23Quarter EndedStatement of Operations Data

December 31,

2009


March 31,

2010


June 30,

2010


September 30,

2010Net revenue

$
4,942,667


$
4,724,766


$
6,778,193


$
7,921,129Gross profit


1,701,708



1,733,376



2,603,195



3,099,254Net income (loss)


(159,681
)


(108,370
)


629,013



819,992Net income per share, Basic

$
(0.01
)

$
(0.01
)

$
0.05


$
0.07Diluted


(0.01
)


(0.01
)


0.05



0.07















19


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





Board of Directors and Shareholders


Clearfield, Inc.





We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Clearfield, Inc. (a Minnesota corporation) as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended.  These 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.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclo­sures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant esti­mates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presenta­tion.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.





In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Clearfield, Inc. as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.








/s/Grant Thornton LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota


November 18, 2010








20


CLEARFIELD, INC.


BALANCE SHEETS





September 30,

2010


September 30,

2009AssetsCurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalents

$
5,285,719


$
4,731,735Short-term investments


1,764,868



2,108,566Accounts receivable, net


3,244,379



2,723,414Inventories


1,512,306



1,153,862Other current assets


129,079



180,635Total  current assets


11,936,351



10,898,212Property, plant and equipment, net


1,273,107



1,319,492Other AssetsLong-term investments


3,236,163



2,840,000Goodwill


2,570,511



2,570,511Deferred taxes –long term


2,145,362



2,231,990Other


176,368



176,368Patents


23,099



-Notes receivable


-



392,186Total other assets


8,151,503



8,211,055Total Assets

$
21,360,961


$
20,428,759Liabilities and Shareholders’ EquityCurrent LiabilitiesCurrent maturities of long term debt

$
-


$
33,081Accounts payable


1,188,261



1,212,541Accrued compensation


765,181



1,159,245Accrued expenses


82,867



88,139Total  current liabilities


2,036,309



2,493,006Deferred rent


78,585



87,942Total Liabilities


2,114,894



2,580,948Shareholders’ EquityUndesignated shares, 4,999,500 authorized shares: no shares issued and outstanding


-



-Preferred stock, $.01 par value;  500 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding


-



-Common stock, 50,000,000 shares authorized, $ .01 par value; 12,015,331 and 11,974,631 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively


120,153



119,746Additional paid-in capital


52,589,034



52,372,139Accumulated deficit


(33,463,120
)


(34,644,074
)Total shareholders’ equity


19,246,067



17,847,811Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$
21,360,961


$
20,428,759





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.








21


CLEARFIELD, INC.


STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS





Year Ended

September 30,


Year Ended

September 30,2010


2009Net revenues

$
24,366,755


$
24,944,837Cost of sales


15,229,222



16,073,817Gross profit


9,137,533



8,871,020Operating expensesSelling, general and administrative


8,014,121



7,628,495Loss on disposal of assets


-



31,1448,014,121



7,659,639Income from operations


1,123,412



1,211,381Interest income


143,469



124,922Interest expense


(820
)


(5,676
)Other income


36,351



81,810179,000



201,056Income before income taxes


1,302,412



1,412,437Income tax expense (benefit)


121,458



(2,372,472
)Net income

$
1,180,954


$
3,784,909Net income per share Basic

$
0.10


$
0.32Net income per share Diluted

$
0.09


$
0.31Shares used in calculation of net income per share:Basic


11,992,449



11,941,116Diluted


12,449,955



12,046,059








The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





22





CLEARFILD, INC.


STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY





Common stock


Additional

paid-in


Accumulated


Accumulated

other

comprehensive


Total shareholders’Shares


Amount


capital


deficit


Income (loss)


equityBalance at September  30, 2008


11,938,131


$
119,381


$
52,166,219


$
(38,428,983
)

$
(264,000
)

$
13,592,617Stock-based compensation expense


-



-



115,218



-



-



115,218Exercise of stock options


36,500



365



90,702



-



-



91,067Other comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



264,000



264,000Net income


-



-



-



3,784,909



-



3,784,909Comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



-



4,048,909Balance at September  30, 2009


11,974,631


$
119,746


$
52,372,139


$
(34,644,074
)

$
-


$
17,847,811Stock-based compensation expense






-



167,725



-



-



167,725Exercise of stock options


40,700



407



49,170



-



-



49,577Net income


-



-



-



1,180,954



-



1,180,954Comprehensive income


-



-



-



-



-



1,180,954Balance at September  30, 2010


12,015,331


$
120,153


$
52,589,034


$
(33,463,120
)

$
-


$
19,246,067








The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.








23




CLEARFIELD, INC.


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS





Year ended

September 30,


Year ended

September 30,2010


2009Cash flows from operating activities:Net income

$
1,180,954


$
3,784,909Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization


498,014



434,499Deferred income taxes


86,628



(2,389,982
)Loss on sale of assets


-



31,144Stock-based compensation expense


167,725



115,218Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Accounts receivable, net


(520,965
)


(189,967
)Inventories


(358,444
)


934,907Prepaid expenses and other assets


8,406



(24,631
)Accounts payable and accrued expenses


(432,973
)


(605,454
)Net cash provided by operating activities


629,345



2,090,643Cash flows from investing activities:Purchases of property and equipment


(452,675
)


(180,933
)Purchase of investments


(2,479,465
)


(6,502,625
)Proceeds from sale of equipment


1,046



-Patent additions


(23,099
)


-Sale of investments


2,427,000



4,962,000Proceeds from notes receivable


435,336



-Net cash used in investing activities


(91,857
)


(1,721,558
)Cash flows from financing activities:Payment of long-term debt


(33,081
)


(62,126
)Proceeds from issuance of common stock


49,577



91,067Net cash provided by financing activities


16,496



28,941Increase in cash and cash equivalents


553,984



398,026Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year


4,731,735



4,333,709Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$
5,285,719


$
4,731,735Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:Interest

$
820


$
5,676Income Taxes


26,802



17,510





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





24


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES





Description of Business:Clearfield, Inc., (the Company) is a manufacturer of a broad range of standard and custom passive connectivity products to customers throughout the United States.  These products include fiber distribution systems, optical components, Outside Plant (“OSP”) cabinets, and fiber and copper cable assemblies that serve the communication service provider, including Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), large enterprise, and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) markets.





Revenue Recognition:Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the fee is fixed, acceptance by the customer is reasonably certain and collection is probable.  This generally occurs upon shipment of product to the customer, but in some cases occurs when the product is picked up by a customer’s carriers. The Company records freight revenues billed to customers as revenue and the related shipping and handling cost in cost of sales. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.





Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents at September 30, 2010 and 2009 respectively consist entirely of short-term money market accounts.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.





The Company maintains cash balances at several financial institutions, and at times, such balances exceed insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash. No cash was in foreign financial institutions as of September 30, 2010.





Investments:The Company currently invests its excess cash in bank certificates of deposit (CD’s) that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with a term of not more than three years. CD’s with original maturities of more than three months are reported as held-to-maturity investments. These investments in CD’s are classified as held to maturity and are valued at cost which approximates fair value. The maturity dates of our CD’s at September 30, 2010 are as follows:





Less than one year

$
1,764,8681-3 years


3,236,163Total

$
5,001,031





25
 NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
 
 Accounts Receivable:Credit is extended based on the evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due.  The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as whole.  The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible; payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.  The following table illustrates balances and activity for fiscal years 2010 and 2009:
 
 
 Allowance

for Doubtful

Accounts

Balance at

Beginning

of Period


Charged to

Cost and

Expenses


Deductions


Balance at

End of PeriodSeptember 30, 2010

$
91,110


$
6,840


$
-


$
97,950September 30, 2009


69,382



24,089



2,361



91,110
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments:The financial statements include the following financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable and accounts payable. Notes receivable is carried at fair value because it is adequately secured by stock in the Company. All other financial instruments approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these assets.
  Inventories:Inventories consist of finished goods, raw materials and work in process and are stated at the lower of average cost (which approximates the first-in, first-out method) or market.  Inventory is valued using material costs, labor charges, and allocated factory overhead charges and consists of the following:
 
 September 30,


September 30,2010


2009Raw materials

$
1,289,869


$
873,439Work-in-process


26,233



23,031Finished goods


196,204



257,392$
1,512,306


$
1,153,862
  Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of assets to operations over their estimated useful lives. The straight-line method of depreciation is used for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods are used for tax purposes. Estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
 
 YearsBuilding
20Equipment
3 – 7Leasehold improvements
7-10 or life of lease
  26
 NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease or estimated life of the asset.
 
 Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at:
 
 September 30,


September 30,2010


2009Land

$
56,195


$
56,195Building


1,679,424



1,679,424Manufacturing Equipment


867,312



719,167Office Equipment


1,651,496



1,357,811Leasehold Improvements


200,257



195,3834,454,684



4,007,980Less accumulated depreciation and amortization


3,181,577



2,688,488$
1,273,107


$
1,319,492Depreciation and amortization expense

$
498,014


$
434,499
  Goodwill: The Company analyzes its goodwill testing for impairment annually or at an interim period when events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
 
 The Company assesses the valuation or potential impairment of its goodwill by utilizing a present value technique to measure fair value by estimating future cash flows. Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. The Company's judgments are based on historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in a different outcome. The Company generally develops these forecasts based on recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, and estimated expansion of the Fiber-To-The-Premise market. Where available and as appropriate comparative market multiples are used to corroborate the results of the present value method. We consider our net book value and market capitalization when we test for goodwill impairment because we have consolidated our reporting units in prior years into the parent company, resulting in one reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company measures the possible goodwill impairment loss based on an allocation of the estimate of fair value of the reporting unit to all of the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any previously unrecognized intangible assets. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. This test for the period ended September 30, 2010 resulted in no change to goodwill from the prior period.
  27
 NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived assets or asset groups when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recovered. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group exceeds its fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset or asset group and a charge to operating results. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually for impairment and in interim periods if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value of the intangible assets may be impaired. No impairment of long-lived assets has occurred during any of the periods presented.
 
 Income Taxes: The Company records income taxes in accordance with the liability method of accounting.  Deferred taxes are recognized for the estimated taxes ultimately payable or recoverable based on enacted tax law.  The Company establishes a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realizable.  Changes in tax rates are reflected in the tax provision as they occur.
 
 In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
 
 Stock-Based Compensation: We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the weighted average fair value of options. Equity-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.
 
 The expected terms of the options are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at grant date. Volatility is based on historical and expected future volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to in the future. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates. The Company uses a forfeiture rate of 10%.
 
 The weighted average fair value of options granted during for the year ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are $1.75 and $0.44. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the determination of the fair value of grants in future periods, the related compensation expense that we record may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current periods.
 
 28
 NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
  Net Income Per Share: Basic and diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
 
 Common stock options to purchase 1,138,500 and 999,700 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $1.40 and $1.08 were outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 At September 30, 2010 and at September 30, 2009 there were stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares of the period.
 
 Weighted average common share outstanding for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 Year ended September 30,

2010


2009Numerator for basic net income

$
1,180,954


$
3,784,909Denominator for basic net income per share –weighted average shares


11,942,449



11,941,116Effect of dilutive securities:Stock options


457,506



104,943Denominator for diluted net income per share – adjusted weighted average shares


12,449,955



12,046,059
 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles are excluded from net income. For the Company, such items consist primarily of unrealized gains and losses on marketable equity investments. The changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are composed of the valuation allowance associated with the Auction Rate Securities (ARS) the company held and was subsequently able to sell back to the broker, see the investments policy under Note A to the financial statements.
 
 Use of Estimates:The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses and disclosure about contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
 
 In September 2006, the FASB issued new standards on fair value measurements as codified in ASC 820-10. This standard establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurement. This standard emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, as opposed to a transaction-specific measurement. We adopted this standard at the beginning of fiscal 2009 for financial assets and liabilities and the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements. We will adopt this standard at the beginning of fiscal 2010 for non-financial assets and liabilities and do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements.
  29
 NOTE A  –  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
  In June 2009, the FASB issued new standards on variable interest entities (VIE), as codified in 810-10, which requires an entity to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies a primary beneficiary of a VIE as the entity that has both of the following characteristics: i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company is required to complete ongoing reassessments of the primary beneficiary of a VIE and will be required by the Company effective October 1, 2010. The Company does not expect it to have a material effect on its financial statements.
 
 NOTE B  –  LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 The following is a summary of the outstanding debt. In fiscal 2010 the company made the final payments on its capital lease. As of September 30, 2010 the Company has no long term liabilities. As of September 30, 2009 the Company had long term liabilities totaling $33,081.
 
 NOTE C  –  COMMITMENTS AND FACILITIES
 
 Plymouth Facility:  The Company leases office and manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, MN for its ongoing operations. This operating lease expires November 30, 2013 The Company also leases various pieces of office equipment. For the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, rent and common area expense was $337,000 and $327,000 respectively. The following is a schedule of approximate minimum rent payments under the operating lease for its Plymouth facility:
 
 Year ending September 30

Operating leases2011


262,3402012


243,6472013


249,4802014


42,756Total minimum lease payments

$
792,223
  Aberdeen Facility:  On August 20, 2009 the Company entered into a renegotiated lease agreement with it’ tenant for its Aberdeen, South Dakota facility. The lease is month to month. The tenant is in arrears but making partial rent payments. The Company continues to actively seek additional tenants and is evaluating other uses for the facility.
 30
 NOTE D  – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 The Board of Directors may, by resolution, establish from the undesignated shares different classes or series of shares and may fix the relative rights and preferences of shares in any class or series. The Company is authorized to issue 500 shares of preferred stock and 50,000,000 shares of common stock at $.01 par value. The Company has not issued any shares of preferred stock.
 
 Stock-Based Compensation:The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which selects persons to receive awards and determines the number of shares subject to each award and the terms, conditions, performance measures and other provisions of the award.
 
 The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value of stock-based awards with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
 Year ended September  30

2010


2009Expected volatility


67
%


43
%Expected life (in years)

5 years


5 yearsExpected dividends


0
%


0
%Risk-free interest rate


2.08
%


2.79
%
 
 The Company had two stock option plans which are used as an incentive for directors, officers, and other employees. The director’s plan was terminated in February of 2010 and 67,500 authorized but unissued shares were removed from the plan. Options are generally granted at fair market values determined on the date of grant and vesting normally occurs over a three to five-year period.  The maximum contractual term is normally six years. However, options granted to directors have a one year vesting period and a six year contractual term. Shares issued upon exercise of a stock option are new shares as opposed to treasury shares. The employee plan has 331,000 shares available for issue as of September 30, 2010. On August 19, 2010 13,000 restricted stock grants were issued to employees at a price of $2.58 per share, they vest over a three year period. As of September 30, 2010, $427,834 of total unrecognized compensation expense to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.19 years. The Company recorded related compensation expense for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 of $167,725 and $115,208, respectively.
 
 Option transactions under these plans during the year ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows:
 
 Number

of shares


Weighted

average

exercise

price


Weighted

average

fair valueOutstanding at September 30, 2008


386,700


$
1.37Granted


678,500



1.04


$
0.44Cancelled or Forfeited


(29,000
)


2.12Exercised


(36,500
)


2.49Outstanding at September 30, 2009


999,700



1.08Granted


233,000



2.85


$
1.75Cancelled or Forfeited


(53,500
)


1.34Exercised


(40,700
)


1.22Outstanding at September 30, 2010


1,138,500


$
1.40
  31
 NOTE D – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - Continued
 
 The number of options exercisable under the Options Plans were:
 
 Year ended

Exercisable


Weighted

average

exercise

priceSeptember 30, 2010


393,349


$
1.09September 30, 2009


148,540


$
1.23
 
 The following table summarizes information concerning options currently outstanding at:
 
 Year Ended

Number

outstanding

Weighted

average remaining

contractual life

Weighted

average

exercise price


Aggregate

intrinsic

valueSeptember 30, 2010


1,138,500

6.11 years

$
1.40


$
1,589,444September 30, 2009


999,700

6.63 years

$
1.08


$
1,080,390
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan:The Clearfield Corporation 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“Stock Plan”) allows participating employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The Stock Plan is available to all employees subject to certain eligibility requirements. Terms of the Stock Plan provide that participating employees may purchase the Company’s common stock on a voluntary after tax basis.  Employees may purchase the Company’s common stock at a price that is no less than the lower of 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at the beginning or end of each stock purchase period or phase. The Stock Plan is carried out in six-month phases, with phases beginning on July 1 and January 1 of each calendar year. As of September 30, 2010, the Company has withheld approximately $17,500 from employees participating in the phase that began on July 1, 2010. At September 30, 2010, all 300,000 shares of common stock were available for future purchases under the Stock Plan, as the plan will not complete a six-month phase until December 21, 2010.
  NOTE  E  –  SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
 Pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Plan each share of common stock has attached to it a right, and each share of common stock issued in the future will have a right attached until the rights expire or are redeemed.  Upon the occurrence of certain change in control events, each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series B Junior Preferred Participating Share, at an exercise price of $80 per share, subject to adjustment.  The rights expired on November 10, 2010 and may be redeemed by the Company at a price of $.001 per right prior to the time they become exercisable.
  32
 NOTE  F  –  INCOME TAXES
 
 Deferred taxes recognize the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of the assets and liabilities recorded for financial statement purposes and such amount measured in accordance with tax laws.  Realization of net operating loss carry forward and other deferred tax temporary differences are contingent upon future taxable earnings.  The Company’s deferred tax asset was reviewed for expected utilization using a “more likely than not” approach as required by ASC 740 by assessing the available positive and negative factors surrounding its recoverability.  Accordingly, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance at September 30, 2008.  For the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company  reduced the portion of the valuation allowance related to our net operating loss carryforwards (NOL’s) and other deferred tax assets that we believe are more likely than not to be realized based upon estimates of future taxable income.   The Company reversed a portion of its valuation allowance in consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, including our historical operating results, current financial condition, and potential future taxable income. The reduction in the valuation allowance for the year ended September 30, 2009 resulted in a non-cash income tax benefit of approximately $2.5 million.
 
 Our future potential taxable income was evaluated based primarily on anticipated operating results for fiscal years 2011 through 2013. We determined that projecting operating results beyond 2013 involves substantial uncertainty and we discounted forecasts beyond 2013 as a basis to support our deferred tax assets. Based upon the assessment of all available evidence, the Company will release additional valuation allowance for the year ended September 30, 2010 in an amount in which the tax benefit generated offsets  the  tax provision to be realized from current year estimated taxable income.  The Company continues to record a valuation allowance of approximately $10.0 million, of which $213,000 is short term and $9,750,000 is long-term, against its remaining deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess annually, or an interim basis if circumstances warrant, the assumptions used to determine the amount of our valuation allowance and may adjust the valuation allowance in future periods based on changes in assumptions of estimated future income and other factors. If the valuation allowance is reduced, we would record an income tax benefit in the period the valuation allowance is reduced. If the valuation allowance is increased, we would record additional income tax expense.
  33
 NOTE  F  –  INCOME TAXES   – continued
  Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows at:
 
 September 30,


September 30,2010


2009Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities):Inventories

$
133,182


$
118,247Accrued expenses and reserves


120,017



109,392Prepaid expenses


(40,697
)


(42,168
)212,502



185,471Valuation allowance


(212,502
)


(185,471
)Net current deferred tax asset

$
-


$
-Long-term deferred income tax assets (liabilities):Intangibles

$
23,455


$
24,901Property and equipment depreciation


295,498



258,325Net operating loss carry forwards and credits


11,833,662



11,257,970Stock based compensation


32,503



15,872Accrued expenses and reserves


28,673



31,624Goodwill


(318,656
)


(232,010
)11,895,135



11,356,682Valuation allowance


(9,749,773
)


(9,124,692
)Net long-term deferred tax asset

$
2,145,362


$
2,231,990
  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had U.S. federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carry forwards of approximately $32,289,000 and $23,033,000 respectively which expire in fiscal years 2020 to 2028. The Company completed an Internal Revenue Code Section 382 analysis of the loss carry-forwards in 2009 and determined then that all of the company’s loss carry-forwards are utilizable and not restricted under Section 382.
  34
 NOTE  F  –  INCOME TAXES   – continued
  The following is a reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate as a percent of pre-tax income for the following periods ended:
 
 September 30,


September 30,2010


2009Federal statutory rate


34
%


34
%State income taxes


2
%


2
%Permanent differences


5
%


3
%Change in state tax rate effect on deferreds


-
%


55
%Change in valuation allowance


(32
%)


(262
%)Tax rate


9
%


(168
%)
 
 Components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows for the periods ended:
 
 September 30,


September 30,2010


2009Current:Federal

$
17,097


$
19,598State


15,509



6,82432,606



26,422Deferred:Federal


998,162



(355,833
)State


(1,563,647
)


1,791,578(565,485
)


1,435,745Valuation allowance


654,337



(3,834,639
)Income tax expense (benefit)

$
121,458


$
(2,372,472
)
 
 The Company is required to recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than notthreshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applies the interpretation to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open. The Company had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company did not recognize any interest or penalties during the years ended September 30, 2010 or 2009.
 
 The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years ending prior 1994. The Company changed its fiscal year in 2007 to September 30.
  35
 NOTE  G  –  CONCENTRATIONS
 
 Suppliers:   The Company purchases critical components for our products, including injected molded parts and connectors from third parties, some of whom are single- or limited-source suppliers. If any of our suppliers are unable to ship critical components, we may be unable to manufacture and ship products to our distributors or customers. If the price of these components increases for any reason, or if these suppliers are unable or unwilling to deliver, we may have to find another source, which could result in interruptions, increased costs, delays, loss of sales and quality control problems.
 
 Customers: Two customers, Power & Telephone Supply Company and MTS Systems Corporation, comprised approximately 28% and 41% of total sales for the periods ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively. Power & Telephone Supply Company is a distributor and it accounted for 20% and 33% of revenue for the corresponding respective periods. MTS Systems Corporation is an end use customer and it accounted for 8% and 8% of revenues for the corresponding respective periods. MTS Systems Corporation purchases our product through its standard form of purchase order with pricing established by a schedule that is in effect from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.  Power & Telephone Supply Company purchases our product through its standard form of purchase order.
 
 NOTE  H  –  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
 The Company maintains a contributory 401(k) profit sharing benefit plan covering all employees.  The Company matches 50% of the first 6% of the employee’s salary that was contributed by the employee to the plan.  The Company’s contributions under this plan were $175,973 and $170,950 for the years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009.
 
 NOTE  I – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
 
 On June 28, 2007, we sold all of our interest in our Indian subsidiary to an entity controlled by Anil K. Jain, our former chief executive officer, on terms deemed by the independent directors to be fair and reasonable to the Company.  The purchase price of $500,000 was payable over five years and was fully secured by pledges of Clearfield, Inc. stock and Dr. Jain’s payments under his separation agreement, as well as by a guarantee from Dr. Jain. The note was paid in full June 23, 2010 in the amount of $400,000.
 
  36
 ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTINGAND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
  None.
 
 ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
  Disclosure Controls and Procedures
  The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
  Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
  Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of September 30, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
  This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
  Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
  No changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
  ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
  None.
  PART III
  ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
  Information required by Item 10 concerning the directors and executive officers of the Company and corporate governance is incorporated herein by reference to Company’s proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.
  37
 ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
 
 The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to Company’s proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.
 
 ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTAND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
 
 The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to Company’s proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.
 
 ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
  The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to Company’s proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.
  ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
  The information required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to Company’s proxy statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.
  PART IV
  ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
  The financial statements of Clearfield, Inc. are filed herewith under Item 8:
 
 Exhibits. See Exhibit Index.
  38
 EXHIBIT INDEX
  
  Number
Description
Incorporated

by Reference to3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation, of APA Optics, Inc. (n/k/a Clearfield, Inc.) dated November 3, 1983 and Articles of Amendment dated December 9, 1983, July 30, 1987, March 22, 1989, September 14, 1994 and August 17, 2000
Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 20003.1 (a)
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 25, 2004
Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 20043.2
Bylaws, as amended and restated effective February 17, 1999 of Clearfield, Inc. (f/k/a APA Optics, Inc.)
Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 19994.1
Share Rights Agreement dated October 23, 2000 by and between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota NA as Rights Agent
Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 8, 200010.1
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Exhibit 10.3a to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994*10.2
1997 Stock Compensation Plan
Annex 1 to the Definitive Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on August 15, 2001 as filed on July 19, 2001*10.3
Insurance agreement by and between the Registrant and Anil K. Jain
Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1990*10.4
Form of Agreement regarding Indemnification of Directors and Officers with Messrs. Jain, Olsen, Ringstad, Roth, Von Wald and Zuckerman
Exhibit 10.7 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 200210.5
Lease Agreement dated May 31, 2006 between Bass Lake Realty, LLC and Clearfield, Inc.
Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.*10.6
2007 Stock Compensation Plan, as amended
Exhibit 10.15 to Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8 (SEC File Nos. 333-136828 and 333-151504)  39
 
 Number
Description
Incorporated

by Reference to
 10.7
Amended and Restated Agreement Regarding Employment/Compensation Upon Change In Control dated September 15, 2005 by and between APA Enterprises, Inc. and Anil K. Jain
Exhibit 10.16 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.8
Supplemental Separation Agreement dated June 28, 2007 by and between APA Enterprises, Inc. and Anil K. Jain
Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.9
Promissory Note dated June 28, 2007 by Photonics International, Inc. as maker and APA Enterprises as holder in the principal sum of $500,000
Exhibit 10.19 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.10
Unconditional and Continuing Guaranty dated June 28, 2007 by Anil K. Jain in favor of APA Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibit 10.20 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.11
Stock Pledge Agreement dated June 28, 2007 by Anil K. Jain in favor of APA Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibit 10.21 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.12
Separation Payments Pledge Agreement dated June 28, 2007 by and between Anil K. Jain and APA Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibit 10.22 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.13
Agreement to Provide Additional Collateral dated June 28, 2007 by and between Anil K. Jain and APA Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibit 10.23 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.14
Non-Compete Agreement dated June 28, 2007 by and among others, Anil K. Jain, and APA Enterprises, Inc.
Exhibit 10.24 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated June 29, 200710.15
Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2008 by and between Clearfield, Inc. and Cheryl P. Beranek.
Exhibit 10.26 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated December 16, 200810.16
Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2008 by and between Clearfield, Inc. and John P. Hill.
Exhibit 10.27 to Registrant’s Current Report on for 8-K dated December 16, 200810.17
Clearfield, Inc. 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File Nos. 333-166495)23.1
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
**31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
**31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
**  40
 
 Number
Description
Incorporated

by Reference to
 32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
**
  *  Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 ** Indicates exhibit filed herewith.
  41
 SIGNATURES
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
   Clearfield, Inc.Date: November 18, 2010
By /s/ Cheryl P. BeranekCheryl P. BeranekPresident and Chief Executive Officer
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
   42
 Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cheryl P. Beranek and Bruce G. Blackey, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, to sign on his behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, all amendments to this Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming each act that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
 Signatures

Title

Date/s/ Cheryl P. Beranek

Cheryl P. Beranek

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer )

November 18, 2010/s/ Bruce G. Blackey

Bruce G. Blackey

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

November 18, 2010/s/ Ronald G. Roth

Ronald G. Roth

Director

November 18, 2010/s/ John G. Reddan

John G. Reddan

Director

November 18, 2010/s/ Stephen L. Zuckerman M.D.

Stephen L. Zuckerman

Director

November 18, 2010/s/ Donald R. Hayward

Donald R. Hayward

Director

November 18, 2010/s/ Charles N. Hayssen

Charles N. Hayssen

Director

November 18, 2010
 
   43