As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2007
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM SB-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
2990
|
|
20-2110031
|
(State or jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
6330 West Loop South, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77401
(713) 579-0600
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
Timothy E. Vail
President and Chief Executive Officer
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
6330 West Loop South, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77401
Telephone: (713) 579-0600
Facsimile: (713) 579-0610
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to:
Robert G. Reedy
Porter & Hedges, L.L.P.
1000 Main Street, 36
th
Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 226-6000
Facsimile: (713) 228-1331
Approximate date of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective
date of the registration statement.
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for
the same offering.
o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box.
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Proposed Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Each Class of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
Amount of
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Amount to be
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Offering
|
|
|
Registration
|
|
|
to be Registered
|
|
|
Registered (1)
|
|
|
Per Share (1)
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Fee
|
|
|
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
|
|
|
8,000,000 shares
|
|
|
$5.75
|
|
|
$46,000,000
|
|
|
$4,922.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 based on the average of the high and low price of
Registrants common stock on January 29, 2007, as reported on the Pink Sheets.
|
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration
statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section
8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not
soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to completion dated January 31, 2007
Preliminary Prospectus
8,000,000 Shares
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Common Stock
This prospectus relates to the sale or other disposition of up to 8,000,000 shares of our
issued and outstanding common stock, or interests therein, by the selling stockholders identified
in this prospectus. The selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any
stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private
transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time
of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time
of sale, or at negotiated prices.
We are not offering any shares of our common stock for sale under this prospectus, and we will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the shares covered hereby, or
interests therein, by the selling stockholders.
Our common stock is traded on the Pink Sheets under the symbol SYMX. The last reported sale
price for our common stock on the Pink Sheets on January 29, 2007 was
$6.50.
Investing in our common stock involves significant risks that are described in the Risk Factors
section beginning on page 3 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of our common stock in
any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in
this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary should be read together with the information contained in other parts of
this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference to fully understand the offering as
well as the other considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether to
invest in our common stock. As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires,
we, the Company, us, our or Synthesis refers to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise. We have
provided definitions for some of the industry terms used in this registration statement in the
Glossary of Terms in Appendix A.
Our Company
We are an emerging development stage company involved in the global development and
commercialization of gasification technology. As described further herein, our principal asset is
an exclusive license with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a U.S. based non-profit research
and development organization, for their U-GAS® coal gasification technology.
Our principal executive offices are located at 6330 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, Texas
77401, and our phone number is (713) 579-0600. Our website address is www.synthesisenergy.com.
Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not
constitute part of this prospectus.
The Offering
Common stock offered:
|
|
|
By us
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
By the selling stockholders
|
|
8,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
Common stock outstanding after the offering
|
|
28,183,715 shares
(1)
|
|
|
|
Pink Sheets symbol
|
|
SYMX
|
|
|
|
Use of proceeds
|
|
We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale or
other disposition of the
shares covered hereby, or
interests therein, by the
selling stockholders. See
Use of Proceeds.
|
|
|
|
Risk Factors
|
|
See Risk Factors beginning
on page 3 and other
information included in this
prospectus for a discussion of
factors you should carefully
consider before deciding to
invest in shares of our common
stock.
|
(1)
|
|
The number of shares shown to be outstanding is based on the number of shares of our common
stock outstanding as of January 28, 2007, and does not include shares reserved for issuance
upon the exercise of options granted or available under our stock incentive plan. As of
January 28, 2007, we had outstanding options to purchase 5,352,500 shares of our common stock
with a weighted average exercise price of $3.23 per share.
|
1
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This registration statement on Form SB-2 includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). All statements
other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and uncertainties are our early stage of
development, our estimate of the sufficiency of existing capital sources, our ability to raise
additional capital to fund cash requirements for future operations, the limited history and
viability of our technology, our results of operations in foreign countries and our ability to
diversify. Although we believe that in making such forward-looking statements our expectations are
based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause
actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. We cannot assure you
that the assumptions upon which these statements are based will prove to have been correct.
When used in this registration statement on Form SB-2, the words expect, anticipate,
intend, plan, believe, seek, estimate and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying
words. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results
could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements for a
number of important reasons, including those discussed under Plan of Operation, and elsewhere in
this registration statement on Form SB-2.
You should read these statements carefully because they discuss our expectations about our
future performance, contain projections of our future operating results or our future financial
condition, or state other forward-looking information. Before you invest in our common stock, you
should be aware that the occurrence of certain of the events described in this registration
statement on Form SB-2 could substantially harm our business, results of operations and financial
condition and that upon the occurrence of any of these events, the trading price of our common
stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We cannot guarantee any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements in this registration statement on Form SB-2 after the date hereof.
2
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider
carefully the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information included in, or
incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, including our financial statements and related
notes, before deciding to invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks or
uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition and operating results would likely
suffer. In that event, the market price of the offered securities could decline and you could lose
all or part of the money you paid to buy our common stock.
Risks Related to our Business
We are a newly organized company and our business plans and strategies may not be accepted in the
marketplace.
We
began operations in November of 2003 as Synthesis Energy Systems,
Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands, and have a limited
operating history. Our proposed business plans and strategies described in this registration
statement incorporate our senior managements current best analysis of potential markets,
opportunities and difficulties that face us. No assurance can be given that the underlying
assumptions accurately reflect current trends in the energy services industry or our consumers
reaction to our products and services or that such will be successful. In addition, our plans may
and likely will change substantially from time to time as our senior management reassesses its
opportunities and reallocates its resources, and any such plans may be changed or abandoned at any time. Our
strategies remain untested and there is no assurance that our business plans and strategies can be
successfully implemented and executed.
We will utilize a technology with a limited commercial history. If the U-GAS
®
technology fails to
gain or loses market acceptance, our business will suffer.
Although GTI is one of the worlds leading energy research and development organizations with
well-equipped research facilities, it does not have marketing resources to fully
commercialize its U-GAS
®
technology. To date, U-GAS
®
technology has not been used in a large
number of commercial facilities. There is a risk that the U-GAS
®
technology will
not meet reliability or efficiency targets. If U-GAS
®
technology is not generally accepted as a
low cost energy alternative and we are unable to effectively manage the implementation of the
U-GAS
®
technology, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed.
We may require additional funding, and our failure to raise additional capital necessary to support
and expand our operations could reduce our ability to compete and could harm our business.
We will need substantial additional capital in order to implement our business plan and
strategies. Developing and operating gasification facilities and providing energy services
is time consuming and requires a significant investment in marketing, sales,
administration, management and contract negotiations, construction oversight and implementation.
In addition, development, construction, and management of our gasification plants will require a
large investment in direct and indirect sales forces and in the sales process, as well as
infrastructure. We may need to raise additional funds sooner in order to fund more rapid
expansion, cover unexpected construction costs or delays, replace flawed equipment, develop new or
enhanced energy services or products, respond to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary
energy related products, services, businesses or technologies. Additionally, we intend to
rely on commercial banks to finance or refinance some portion of our project costs. We intend to
make corporate loans to our project level subsidiaries and expect to refinance these loans after a
plant enters into commercial operation. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on
favorable terms, or at all. If we cannot raise required funds on acceptable terms, we may not be
able to, among other things:
|
|
|
develop, implement or enhance our energy related products and services;
|
|
|
|
|
negotiate and enter into new gasification plant development contracts;
|
3
|
|
|
expand our operations;
|
|
|
|
|
hire, train and retain employees; or
|
|
|
|
|
respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated capital requirements.
|
Our failure to do any of the above could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
The termination of our license agreement with GTI or our joint venture with Hai Hua could
materially adversely effect our business and results of operations.
Our license agreement with GTI for the U-GAS
®
technology (described under BusinessGTI
License Agreement) and our joint venture with Hai Hua (described under BusinessCurrent
Projects) are essential to the Company and its future development. The license agreement
terminates on August 31, 2016, but may be terminated by GTI upon certain events
of default if not cured by the
Company within specified time periods. In addition, after the two
extension periods provided under the license agreement, there is no assurance that we will succeed in obtaining an extension of the
term of the license in the future at a royalty rate that we believe to be reasonable or at all.
Our joint venture with Hai Hua terminates on July 6, 2056, but may be terminated due to certain
events of bankruptcy and if the purchase and sale contract for syngas is terminated. The purchase
contract terminates on October 22, 2026, but may be terminated by Hai Hua upon certain events of
default. Termination of the joint venture would require us to seek another collaborative
relationship in that territory. There is no assurance that a suitable alternative third party would
be identified, and even if identified, there is no assurance that the terms of any new relationship
would be commercially acceptable to us.
Our lack of an operating history, any significant assets or any meaningful revenue or profits makes
it difficult to evaluate our business prospects and there can be no assurance of our future
profitability.
We are a development stage company and our lack of operating history precludes us from
forecasting operating expenses based on historical results. We do not have any significant assets,
other than our license agreement with GTI for the U-GAS
®
technology (described under BusinessGTI
License Agreement), and have not generated any revenues from our business. If we are unable to
develop the U-GAS
®
technology and successfully enter into and implement contracts with industrial
complexes, and provide energy services to these customers and reduce their energy costs and manage
our business and operations, we may never achieve profitability. You should evaluate our business
and prospects given the risks, difficulties, expenses and challenges we may encounter because we
are a development stage company in a rapidly evolving market. Even if we do achieve profitability,
it may not be sustainable, and we cannot predict the level of such profitability.
Our products and services are in an early stage of development and we may never be able to reach
agreement regarding the completion of a project.
All of our other potential development opportunities are in the early stages of development
and/or contract negotiations. Our joint venture with Hai Hua discussed herein under Business
Current Projects is currently our only negotiated contract. We must undertake the time-consuming
and costly process of fulfilling the requirements of requests for proposals and negotiating
contracts before offering our services to industrial complexes. We are unsure of when, if ever,
many of these contracts will be negotiated, executed and implemented. There are many reasons that
we may fail in our efforts to negotiate, execute and implement contracts with our target customers
to provide cost efficient energy services, including the possibility that: (i) our products and
services will be ineffective; (ii) our products and services will be cost prohibitive or will not
achieve broad market acceptance; (iii) competitors will offer superior products and services; or
(iv) competitors will offer their products and services at a lower cost.
4
We will manage the design, procurement and construction of our plants. If our management of these
issues fails, our business and operating results could suffer.
For our joint venture with Hai Hua (described under BusinessCurrent Projects), and possibly
for other projects we may work on in the future, we are managing plant design, procurement of
equipment, and supervising construction. Most of this work has been subcontracted to third parties
with the Company coordinating and supervising these tasks. The Company believes that this is the
most time and cost effective way to build gasification plants in
China and elsewhere, but the Company does bear
the risk of cost and schedule overruns and quality control. If we do not properly manage the
design, procurement and construction of our plants, our business and operating results could be
seriously harmed.
Our results of operations could be negatively affected by potential fluctuations in exchange rates
with China.
Any decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to foreign currencies could increase
the cost of the services provided to us upon contract expirations. There can be no assurance that
we will be able to offset any such increases and any failure to do so could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may in the future engage
in hedging activities to protect operations and future obligations in foreign currencies, which
could adversely affect our business and operating results.
We are also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks as a result of our business in
China. Although the Chinese Yuan has historically been largely pegged to the U.S. dollar, which has
minimized our foreign currency exchange rate risk in China, recently, the Chinese Yuan has been
allowed to float against to the U.S. dollar, and therefore, we will be exposed to additional
foreign currency exchange rate risk. This risk will also increase as we continue to increase our
activities in other foreign countries.
Our operations in China may be adversely affected by evolving economic, political and social
conditions.
Our operations are subject to risk inherent in doing business internationally. Such risks
include the adverse effects on operations from war, international terrorism, civil disturbances,
political instability, governmental activities and deprivation of contract and property rights. In
particular, since 1978, the Chinese government has been reforming its economic and political
systems, and we expect this to continue. Although we believe that these reforms have had a positive
effect on the economic development of China and have improved our ability to do business in China,
we cannot assure you that these reforms will continue or that the Chinese government will not take
actions that impair our operations or assets in China. In addition, periods of international unrest
may impede our ability to do business in other countries and could have a material adverse effect
on our business and results of operations.
Long-term offtake agreements could be difficult to enforce because of Chinas underdeveloped legal
system.
Our project level subsidiary revenues may be derived from long-term offtake agreements for
syngas, power and other commodities. If a commodity purchaser ceases payment, there is less
certainty under Chinas legal system to seek remedies as compared to Western countries. We will
seek to mitigate this risk by (i) obtaining all requisite government approvals, (ii) developing
projects with good underlying economics, (iii) developing modular plants that can be moved away in
an extreme circumstance, (iv) using local banks to finance a majority of our project costs, and (v)
including enforceable arbitration provisions in all project agreements. The success of our
business depends in part on our ability to successfully negotiate, implement and manage the offtake
agreements. As a result, our business and financial condition would be materially adversely
affected if we are unable to mitigate the offtake agreement risks.
5
A portion of our revenues will be derived from the merchant sales of commodities and our inability
to obtain satisfactory prices could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition to long-term offtake agreements, in certain circumstances, we plan to sell
hydrogen, nitrogen, elemental sulfur, ash and other commodities into the merchant market.
These sales may not be subject to long-term offtake agreements and the price will be dictated by
the then prevailing market price. Revenues from such sales may fluctuate and may not be consistent
or predictable. Our business and financial condition would be materially adversely affected if we
are unable to obtain satisfactory prices for these commodities or if prospective buyers do not
purchase these commodities.
Our results of operations may fluctuate.
Our operating results have varied on a quarterly basis during our short operating history and
may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside our
control. Factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include: (i) our ability to
retain new customers; (ii) the announcement or introduction of services and products by us or our
competitors; (iii) the success and acceptance of U-GAS
®
technology; (iv) pricing competition; (v)
shortages of equipment, raw materials, or fuel; (vi) approvals by various government agencies;
(vii) the inability to obtain land use rights for our projects; and (viii) general economic
conditions as well as economic conditions specific to the energy industry.
We are dependent on key personnel who would be difficult to replace.
Our performance is substantially dependent on the continued services and on the performance of
our senior management and other key personnel. Our performance also depends on our ability to
retain and motivate our officers and key employees. The loss of the services of any of our
executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition. Although we have employment agreements, which
include non-competition provisions, with Timothy Vail, our President and Chief Executive Officer,
David Eichinger, our Chief Financial Officer and certain other of our key employees, as a practical
matter, those agreements will not assure the retention of our employees and we may not be able to
enforce all of the provisions in either employment agreement, including the non-competition
provisions. Our future success also depends on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train,
retain and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial, marketing and customer service
personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will
be able to successfully attract, integrate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. In
addition, because a large portion of operations are currently in China, we will be required to
retain personnel who reside in, or are willing to travel to, and who speak the language and
understand the customs of, China. Our inability to retain these types of individual could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to grow and diversify, which in turn will require
that we manage and control our growth effectively.
Our business strategy contemplates growth and diversification. As we add to our services, our
number of customers, and our marketing and sales efforts, our operating expenses and capital
requirements will increase. Our ability to manage growth effectively will require that we continue
to expend funds to improve our operational, financial and management controls, as well as reporting
systems and procedures. In addition, we must effectively expand, train and manage our employees.
We will be unable to manage our business effectively if we are unable to alleviate the strain on
resources caused by growth in a timely and successful manner. There can be no assurance that we
will be able to manage our growth and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on
our business.
6
We face intense competition. If we cannot gain a market share among our competition, we may not
earn revenues and our business may be harmed.
The business of providing energy is highly competitive. In the gasification market, large
multi-national industrial companies such as General Electric, Shell, ConocoPhillips, Siemens, and
small Chinese firms (with fluidized beds and fixed bed technologies) offer coal gasification
equipment and services. Although we do not directly compete with the multi-national firms, their activities in
the marketplace may negatively impact our operations and our ability to attract quality projects.
In addition, new competitors, some of whom may have extensive experience in related fields or
greater financial resources, may enter the market. Increased competition could result in a loss of
contracts and market share. Either of these results could seriously harm our business and
operating results. In addition, there are a number of gasification and conventional,
non-gasification, coal-based alternatives for producing heat and power that could compete with our
technology in specific situations. If we are unable to effectively compete with other sources of
energy, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed.
In our areas of operation,
the projects we intend to build will face rigorous environmental regulation, review and approval. There is no
assurance that we will be able to obtain such approvals or maintain them once granted.
Our operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental
protection. Numerous governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various Chinese
authorities, issue regulations to implement and enforce such laws, which often require difficult
and costly compliance measures that carry substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties
or may result in injunctive relief for failure to comply. These laws and regulations may require
the acquisition of a permit before operations at a facility commence, restrict the types,
quantities and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in
connection with such activities, limit or prohibit construction activities on certain lands lying
within wilderness, wetlands, ecologically sensitive and other protected areas, and impose
substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. We believe that we are in
substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and we have not
experienced any material adverse effect from compliance with these environmental requirements.
In China, developing and constructing gasification facilities is highly regulated. In the
development stage of a project, the key government approvals are the projects environmental
impact assessment report, feasibility study (also known as the project application report) and, in
the case of a Sino-foreign joint venture, approval of the joint venture companys joint venture
contract and articles of association. Approvals in China are required at the municipal, provincial
and/or central government levels depending on the total investment in the project.
Although we have been successful in obtaining the permits that are required at this stage of
our development, any retroactive change in regulations or an opinion that the approvals that have been
obtained are inadequate, either at the federal, provincial or state level, could require us to
obtain additional or new permits or spend considerable resources on complying with such
regulations. Other developments, such as the enactment of more stringent environmental laws and
regulations, could require us to incur significant capital expenditures.
We may have difficulty managing the government approval process which could delay the
implementation of our business plan.
Selling syngas, electricity and other commodities is highly regulated in many markets around
the world. We believe our projects will be supported by the governmental agencies in which they
will operate because coal-based technologies, which put less of a
burden on the environment, are generally encouraged by most governments. However, in China
and other developing markets, the regulatory environment is often uncertain and can change quickly,
often with contradictory regulations being issued. In some cases, government officials have
different interpretations of such regulations and project approvals that are obtained by the
Company could later be deemed to be inadequate or new regulations could require that additional
levels of approval be obtained. If we are unable to effectively manage the government approval
process in the markets in which we intend to operate, our business prospects and operating results
could be seriously harmed.
We are dependent on the availability and cost of fuel supplies and our inability to obtain a
low-cost source could have an impact on our business.
Our projects may depend on the supply of low cost fuel, the supply of which could be
interrupted by shortages and/or transportation bottlenecks. We intend to locate projects in
areas where low cost fuels are available, or where low cost fuels can be moved to a project site by
bulk commodity transport services, thereby eliminating transportation bottlenecks. If we are unable to
effectively obtain a source of low-cost feedstock for our projects, our business and operating results could be seriously
harmed.
We face the potential inability to protect our intellectual property rights which could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
We rely on proprietary technology from GTI. Our license agreement with GTI for the U-GAS
®
technology (described under BusinessGTI License Agreement) is a critical component of our
business. GTIs proprietary technical know-how is critical to
the use of the technology and certain of the
patents granted around the U-GAS
®
technology have expired. We are improving the technology and we
plan to create new technologies around the core U-GAS
®
technology and to seek patent protections
for these improvements and new technologies. Proprietary rights relating to the U-GAS technology
are protected from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that they are covered by
valid and enforceable patents or are maintained in confidence. There can be no assurance that
patents will be issued from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to the
Company or that the claims allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect
the Companys technology. In the absence of patent protection, the Company may be vulnerable to
competitors who attempt to copy the Companys technology or gain access to its proprietary
information and technical know-how. In addition, the Company relies on proprietary information and
technical know-how that it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with its
collaborators, employees, and consultants. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have adequate remedies for
any breach, or that the Companys trade secrets will not otherwise become known or be independently
developed by competitors.
7
Proceedings initiated by the Company to protect its proprietary rights could result in
substantial costs to the Company. There can be no assurance that competitors of the Company will
not initiate litigation to challenge the validity of the Companys patents, or that they will not
use their resources to design comparable products that do not infringe upon the Companys patents.
There may also be pending or issued patents held by parties not affiliated with the Company that
relate to the Companys products or technologies. The Company may need to acquire licenses to, or
contest the validity of, any such patents. There can be no assurance that any license required
under any such patent would be made available on acceptable terms or that the Company would prevail
in any such contest. The Company could incur substantial costs in defending itself in suits brought
against it or in suits in which the Company may assert its patent rights against others. If the
outcome of any such litigation is unfavorable to the Company, the Companys business and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Foreign laws may not afford us sufficient protections for our intellectual property, and we may not
be able to obtain patent protection outside the United States.
Despite continuing international pressure on the Chinese government, intellectual property
rights protection continues to present significant challenges to foreign investors, and,
increasingly, Chinese companies. China has put in place a comprehensive system of intellectual
property laws; however, incidents of infringement are common and enforcement of rights can, in
practice, be difficult. With the assistance of our Chinese and US intellectual property counsel, we have
developed a strategy for managing our intellectual property rights in China, the United States and
elsewhere. Even though our first-mover advantage is our best protection against intellectual
property rights infringements and/or competitive threats, we have the option to take some or all of
the following steps: (i) place tangible protections on intellectual property, especially GTIs
know-how, including compartmentalization of information and tracking access to sensitive design
information, which may include restricting access to computer systems by locking disc drives,
installing security systems on computers that would not allow files to be copied or uploaded for
e-mail transmission, restricting a computer users ability to print sensitive files, and/or using
encryption, (ii) designate a special project room with security and limited access for design work,
(iii) develop a solid patent registration portfolio, (iv) register technology licenses with the
appropriate authorities, and use contractual mechanisms consistent with Chinese law to provide a
basis for enforcement, (v) conduct thorough due diligence of any partners with whom technology will
be shared or licensed and ensure alignment of economic interests with such partners, (vi) copyright
all engineering design and product design blueprints, (vii) enter into strict confidentiality
agreements, (viii) aggressively monitor the market for infringements, (ix) take swift and immediate
action at the first signs of infringement, or (x) develop relationships with local authorities
where intellectual property rights are licensed or otherwise used. If we are unable to manage our
intellectual property rights, our business and operating results may be seriously harmed.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
We may have a contingent liability arising out of the issuance of shares by Tamborine.
As discussed elsewhere herein, Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation formed under the
laws of the British Virgin Islands (Synthesis BVI), and Synthesis Energy Systems, LLC, a West
Virginia limited liability company (Synthesis LLC), were formed as sister companies in November
of 2003 to engage in the business of development and commercialization of the U-GAS
®
technology.
The founders of Synthesis BVI believed that it was important to be a publicly traded company in order to
obtain the capital necessary to engage in this business. Tamborine Holdings, Inc. a shell company
trading on the Pink Sheets (Tamborine), a centralized quotation service that collects and
publishes market maker quotes for securities traded in the over-the-counter market (the Pink
Sheets), was receptive to a combination transaction with Synthesis BVI. As such, on April 18, 2005,
pursuant to the terms of an
8
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Agreement), SES Acquisition Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Tamborine, merged with and into Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., a Florida
corporation (Synthesis Florida), whereby the holders of common stock of Synthesis Florida became
shareholders of, and Synthesis Florida became a wholly-owned subsidiary of, Tamborine. As a
condition of the above merger, Synthesis Florida completed a restructuring whereby each of
Synthesis BVI and Synthesis LLC became wholly owned subsidiaries of Synthesis Florida. On April
27, 2005, Tamborine changed its name to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and on June 27, 2005,
reincorporated in the state of Delaware. At the time of the merger, there were 100,000,000 shares
of Tamborine common stock outstanding, 94,000,000 of which were cancelled in connection with the
merger. The remaining 6,000,000 shares became shares of the Company as the surviving entity as a
result of the name change and the reincorporation. An additional 21,000,000 restricted shares
were issued as consideration in the merger to former shareholders of Synthesis Florida, all of whom
were accredited investors.
Tamborine made numerous representations and warranties in the Agreement, including a
representation that all prior offers and sales of its common stock were duly registered or exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws.
As noted above, one of the principal reasons that Synthesis Florida completed the merger was to
have access to a public trading market, and Tamborine had represented that its shares were eligible
for trading, and in fact were trading, on the Pink Sheets. The Companys current management team,
which took office beginning in May of 2006, re-examined the facts surrounding the Tamborine
issuances prior to the merger and now believes that Tamborines representation in the Agreement as
to its compliance with federal and state securities laws was incorrect. Although the Companys
current management has not been able to locate any definitive records regarding the prior issuances
of Tamborine, they have been able to determine the following details.
Tamborine was formed in May 2004, and in connection with its formation, issued 100,000,000
shares of its common stock to its three founders, including IFG Investment Services, Inc. (IFG).
The certificates issued to two of the three founders contained the appropriate restrictive legend
limiting transfer of the shares as is customary in an unregistered private placement. However, the
certificate issued to IFG for 7,500,000 shares was apparently issued without such restrictive
legends. In June 2004, IFG delivered its certificate to Transfer Online, which thereafter began
acting as the transfer agent for Tamborines common stock. In January 2005, a broker-dealer
diligence form was filed by Tamborine with the Pink Sheets under Rule 15c2-11 of the Exchange Act
stating that 6,000,000 shares of Tamborine common stock had been sold in 2004 pursuant to an
exemption from registration under Rule 504 of the Securities Act. We are unsure of which 6,000,000
shares this filing refers to, although it likely is referring to a portion of IFGs shares. It is
our belief that this Rule 15c2-11 form was filed to permit trading of the common stock of Tamborine
on the Pink Sheets. On March 29, 2005, a second Rule 15c2-11 filing was made by Tamborine which
stated that there were 7,500,000 freely tradable shares in the float, meaning that those shares
could be traded on the Pink Sheets, and also stating that 6,000,000 shares had been sold in 2004 to
three investors in Texas under Rule 504.
It is our belief that 6,000,000 shares of the 7,500,000 shares that were represented to be
freely tradable in Tamborines second 15c2-11 filing, and which remained outstanding after the
merger, were not in fact freely tradable when issued. As noted above, there are no available
definitive records, other than the two Rule 15c2-11 filings, regarding the issuance of those shares
or the possible exemptions from registration under federal and state securities laws that were used
to issue the shares or permit trading of the shares on the Pink Sheets. IFG has not provided an
opinion of counsel confirming that these shares were issued, and subsequently transferred, subject
to an available exemption. Moreover, the representation in the 15c2-11 filing that issuing these
shares under Rule 504 permits those shares to become freely tradable is likely not correct.
Under Rule 504, any shares sold thereunder are restricted shares and may not be sold in the
public markets without the use of an exemption from registration. We believe that IFG may have
based its view on an incorrect and outdated interpretation of Rule 504. This means that resales of
these shares by IFG on the Pink Sheets may have been in violation of applicable securities laws
because the shares were in fact restricted. Trading by subsequent holders
9
may have been in accordance with applicable securities laws based on other available
exemptions, but we do not have any documentation to confirm any such conclusions.
We are currently taking a number of steps to deal with these issues. We have notified our
transfer agent to cease any further transfers of our common stock without the approval of
management. Additionally, we may request that IFG surrender its remaining shares of common stock
in return for restricted shares and/or for cancellation. We have no reason to believe, at this
time, that IFG will respond to our request. We also intend to contact all stockholders who
purchased shares of common stock in our May 2005 and August 2006 private placements to inform them
of these issues and give them the opportunity to have the aggregate purchase price that they paid
returned, plus interest. We are also filing this registration statement on Form SB-2 to (a) cause
the Company to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act, which simplifies the use of Rule
144 to trade Company securities, provides information that is more complete to stockholders and is
a key requirement for listing on a national securities exchange, and (b) register resales of shares
held by investors in the private placements noted above, which provides them with an opportunity to
dispose of shares using the registration statement without any limitations on volume or concerns
about the issues noted above. Lastly, the Company has filed an updated 15c2-11 filing on August
11, 2006 and intends to file another updated 15c2-11 filing in connection with the filing of the
registration statement to provide current and correct information about the Company and the above
matters.
As noted above, many aspects of these events cannot be corroborated by documentary evidence or
otherwise. In addition, there is not sufficient evidence relating to the trading history of our
common stock to analyze the range of potential damages, if any, arising out of these events. In
fact, the trading price for our stock has generally increased since it began trading on the Pink
Sheets, and we have made progress in executing its business plan, so it is possible that these
events have not generated significant liabilities. Of course, federal and state regulatory
agencies could also examine these events and commence proceedings against the Company, its officers
and directors (former and current) and the other individuals involved. We do maintain officer and
director liability insurance, and would of course utilize that coverage, if it is available under
the terms of the policy, in the event any liabilities are assessed against officers and directors.
Given the above facts, it is not possible at this time to predict the likelihood that the Company
will in fact have any liability arising out of these events or the amount of such liability, if
any.
Our historic stock price has been volatile and the future market price for our common stock is
likely to continue to be volatile. Furthermore, the limited market
for our shares could make our
price more volatile. This may make it difficult for you to sell our common stock for a positive
return on your investment.
The public market for our common stock has historically been very volatile. Any future market
price for our shares is likely to continue to be very volatile. During the twelve months ended
December 31, 2006, our common stock has traded at prices as low as $3.00 per share and as high as
$9.75 per share. This price volatility may make it more difficult for you to sell shares when you
want at prices you find attractive. We do not know of any one particular factor that has caused
volatility in our stock price. However, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price
and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of companies. Broad market factors and the investing publics negative perception of
our business may reduce our stock price, regardless of our operating performance.
Further, the market for our common stock is limited and we cannot assure you that a larger
market will ever be developed or maintained. The average daily trading volume of our common stock
has historically been insignificant and on some trading days, we have had no volume in our common
stock. Market fluctuations and volatility, as well as general economic, market and political
conditions, could reduce our market price. Should additional equity be issued by us in the future,
we cannot assure you that a more active trading market will develop. As a result, this may make it
difficult or impossible for you to sell our common stock or to sell our common stock for a positive
return on your investment.
10
Our securities have been thinly traded on the Pink Sheets, which may not provide liquidity for our
investors.
Our securities are quoted on the Pink Sheets. The Pink Sheets are an inter-dealer,
over-the-counter market that provides significantly less liquidity than national or regional
exchanges. Securities traded on the Pink Sheets are usually thinly traded, highly volatile, have
fewer market makers and are not followed by analysts. The order handling rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) do not apply to securities quoted on the Pink Sheets. Quotes for
stocks included on the Pink Sheets are not listed in newspapers. Therefore, prices for securities
traded solely on the Pink Sheets may be difficult to obtain and holders of our securities may be
unable to resell their securities at or near their original acquisition price, or at any price. We
cannot give any assurance that we will be able to meet, or, if met, maintain, the listing standards
of any national or regional exchanges.
Investors must contact a broker-dealer to trade over-the-counter bulletin board securities. As a
result, you may not be able to buy or sell our securities at the times that you may wish.
Even though our securities are quoted on the Pink Sheets, the Pink Sheets may not permit our
investors to sell securities when and in the manner that they wish. Because there are no automated
systems for negotiating trades on the Pink Sheets, they are conducted via telephone or the
Internet. In times of heavy market volume, the limitations of this process may result in a
significant increase in the time it takes to execute investor orders. Therefore, when investors
place market orders an order to buy or sell a specific number of shares at the current market price
it is possible for the price of a stock to go up or down significantly during the lapse of time
between placing a market order and its execution.
Our common stock may be subject to the penny stock rules of the SEC and the trading market in our
securities is limited, which makes transactions in our stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of
an investment in our stock.
The SEC has adopted Rule 3a51-1 which establishes the definition of a penny stock, for the
purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per
share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.
Although our common stock currently trades for more than $5.00 per share, it has traded below this
threshold at various periods of time in the past. For any transaction involving a penny stock,
unless exempt, Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act requires:
|
|
|
that a broker or dealer approve a persons account for transactions in penny stocks; and
|
|
|
|
|
the broker or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction,
setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.
|
In order to approve a persons account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer
must:
|
|
|
obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and
|
|
|
|
|
make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for
that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to
be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.
|
The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a
disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight
form:
|
|
|
sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination;
and
|
|
|
|
|
attests that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor
prior to the transaction.
|
11
Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public
offerings and in secondary trading, and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and
the registered representative. Current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies
and to be available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly
statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the
account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Generally, brokers may be less
willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the penny stock rules. This may make it
more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock if it is trading below $5.00 per share
and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.
The market valuation of our business may fluctuate due to factors beyond our control and the value
of your investment may fluctuate correspondingly.
The market valuation of energy companies, such as us,
frequently fluctuate due to factors unrelated to the
past or present operating performance of such companies. Our market valuation may fluctuate
significantly in response to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
|
|
|
changes in securities analysts estimates of our
financial performance, although there are currently no analysts
covering our stock;
|
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes, particularly among securities of energy
companies;
|
|
|
|
|
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
|
|
|
|
|
announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, new technologies,
acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
|
|
|
|
|
variations in our quarterly operating results;
|
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices;
|
|
|
|
|
loss of a major customer or failure to complete significant commercial contracts;
|
|
|
|
|
loss of a relationship with a partner; and
|
|
|
|
|
additions or departures of key personnel.
|
As a result, the value of your investment in us may fluctuate.
Investors should not look to dividends as a source of income.
In the interest of reinvesting initial profits back into our business, we do not intend to pay
cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, any economic
return will
initially be derived, if at all, from appreciation in the fair market value of our stock, and not
as a result of dividend payments.
12
BUSINESS
General
We are an emerging development stage company involved in the global development and
commercialization of gasification technology. We have not earned any operating revenue as of the
date of this filing. As described further herein, our principal asset is an exclusive license with
GTI for their U-GAS
®
gasification technology. Our license agreement with GTI has an initial term
of ten years beginning on August 31, 2006, but may be extended for two additional ten years terms
at the option of the Company. See License Agreement with GTI for more information.
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands (Synthesis BVI), and Synthesis Energy Systems, LLC, a West Virginia limited liability
company (Synthesis LLC), were formed as sister companies in November of 2003 to engage in the
business of development and commercialization of the U-GAS
®
technology. On April 18, 2005,
pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Agreement), SES Acquisition
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tamborine Holdings, Inc., a Mississippi corporation
(Tamborine), merged with and into Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation
(Synthesis Florida), whereby the holders of common stock of Synthesis Florida became shareholders
of, and Synthesis Florida became a wholly-owned subsidiary of, Tamborine. As a condition of the
above merger, Synthesis Florida completed a restructuring whereby each of Synthesis BVI, Synthesis
LLC, International Hydrogen Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation, and Innovative Engines,
Inc., a Florida corporation became wholly owned subsidiaries of Synthesis Florida. On April 27,
2005, Tamborine changed its name to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and on June 27, 2005,
reincorporated in the state of Delaware. During 2006, International Hydrogen Technologies, Inc.
and Innovative Engines, Inc. were dissolved.
We have provided definitions for some of the industry terms used in this registration
statement, and in particular, this Business section, in the Glossary of Terms in Appendix A
Overview of Gasification Technology and U-GAS
®
Gasification is a technology which converts solid hydrocarbon fuels such as coal, biomass or
petroleum coke into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other products,
otherwise referred to as syngas.
Gasification plants are extremely low emitters of certain regulated emissions, such as sulfur,
nitrous oxides and particulates and allow, if desired, for the low cost capture of greenhouse gases
such as carbon dioxide from the effluent steam. Typically, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC)
power plants are more efficient than conventional combustion coal power plants. According to Green
Car Congress, an energy product, policies and issues publication, conventional coal power plants
have an efficiency of approximately 30%-35% while new IGCC power plants have achieved 38%-45%
efficiency with efficiency targets of 50%-60%. In addition to power and steam production, such
plants can supply a slate of chemical products including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen,
nitrogen and steam, to chemical plants, petrochemical facilities, oil refineries and other industrial
complexes.
13
Technology
Over the past 30 years, GTI has developed a fluidized bed gasification technology trademarked
U-GAS
®
. In January 2004 we obtained a ten-year exclusive license to the medium and high-pressure
U-GAS
®
applications for certain geographic areas from GTI. As described further below, we entered
into an Amended and Restated License Agreement with GTI in August 2006 which grants us an exclusive
license to manufacture, make, use and sell U-GAS
®
systems using the technology of GTI
worldwide as to coal (and as to biomass blends made of up to 40% biomass) gasification systems and
a non-exclusive license to manufacture, make, use and sell biomass gasification systems worldwide.
The primary advantage of U-GAS
®
relative to other leading gasification technologies is the
ability to efficiently gasify a wide array of fuels including wastes from coal processing facilities, high ash
coals and lignite coals. These low rank fuels may cost as little as $0.25-1.20 per MMBtu while
higher rank coals typically required by other gasification technologies can cost significantly more
than $1.50 per MMBtu. In addition, U-GAS
®
systems have been in operation worldwide for over 30
years, with the most recent project being a $12 million facility at GTIs Chicago technical campus
built in 2004.
U-GAS
®
Gasification Process
The U-GAS
®
gasification process is based on a single-stage fluidized-bed technology for
production of low-to-medium heating value syngas from a wide array of biomass feedstocks and coals
(including high-ash fuels). The U-GAS
®
technology was developed for gasification of all ranks of
coal as well as coal and biomass blends.
In the U-GAS
®
gasification process, fuel is processed and conveyed into the gasifier vessel.
Within the fluidized bed, the fuel reacts with steam, air and/or oxygen at a temperature of
840
°
C to 1100
°
C (1550
°
F to 2000
°
F). The temperature for gasification
depends on the type of fuel used and is controlled to maintain high carbon conversion and
non-slagging conditions for the ash. The U-GAS
®
process accomplishes four important functions in a
single-stage fluidized bed gasifier: it decakes, devolatilizes, and gasifies fuel, and if
necessary, agglomerates and separates ash from the reacting coal. The operating pressure of the
gasifier depends on the end use for the syngas and may vary from 3 to 30 bars (40 to 435 psia) or
more. After cleaning, the product gas can be used as industrial fuel gas for process heating,
syngas for production of methanol, ammonia, hydrogen or liquids, and for power generation
and fuel cells.
During
operation, fuel is gasified rapidly within the fluidized bed and produces a gaseous mixture of hydrogen,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane, in addition to small amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and other trace impurities. If the operating temperature required to achieve acceptable
carbon conversion exceeds the fuel ash softening temperature, the ash concentration of the
fluidized bed is allowed to increase until a condition is reached that allows the ash particles to
agglomerate into larger particles. The agglomerated particles are denser than the surrounding bed
material and can thus be selectively removed from the bottom of the bed.
Reactant gases, including steam, air, and/or oxygen are introduced into the gasifier in two
areas: 1) through a sloping distribution grid at the bottom of the bed and 2) through a terminal
velocity-controlled ash discharge port at the center of the distribution grid. In both
agglomerating and non-agglomerating operating modes, ash is removed by gravity from the fluidized
bed and discharged into a lockhopper system for depressurization and disposal. In both operating
modes, the gasifier maintains a
14
low level of carbon in the bottom ash discharge stream, making overall carbon
conversion of 95% or higher possible. Cold gas efficiencies of over 80% have been repeatedly
demonstrated.
Fines purified from the fluidized bed are typically separated from the product syngas by up to
three stages of external cyclone separators, one or two of which return the fines to the fluidized
bed for increased carbon conversion. The product syngas is essentially free of tars and oils due
to the temperature and residence time of the gases in the fluidized bed, simplifying downstream
heat recovery and gas cleaning operations.
When used to gasify biomass or highly reactive wastes, an inert material such as sand,
limestone or dolomite is used to maintain the fluidized bed. In this case, most of the ash from
the fuel leaves the fluidized bed with the product syngas, with the bottom ash discharge serving
primarily to discharge tramp material entering with the biomass or waste feed.
U-GAS® Installation History
Initial
Test Facility in Chicago
. GTI built a large-scale U-GAS® test facility in the Chicago area and
completed installation and testing in the late 1970s. GTI continued periodic development of
U-GAS® at this facility into the 1980s and early 1990s with a focus on biomass. These
facilities ran for thousands of hours and demonstrated the technical and economic viability of the
technology. This facility has since been decommissioned to make way for a more modern test facility.
U-GAS®
Facility in Finland
. In 1989, the U-GAS® technology for biomass fuels (and coal blends with over 40% biomass) was licensed to
Tampella Power Inc., which built a multi-fuel pressurized pilot plant in Tampere, Finland to
further develop and demonstrate the technology for air-blown IGCC power generation with coal and
biomass. This fully integrated plant includes all gasification island components from fuel
presentation through waste heat recovery and hot gas clean-up. The facility can process up to 42
tons/day of coal and 60 tons/day of biomass at pressures up to 435
psia. At the time of this filing, the plant has logged
over 3,800 hours of operations with 5,900 tons of fuel processed in 26 test runs. The tested fuels
include biomass and mixtures of coal and biomass.
Biomass
Demonstration Project in Hawaii
. In the early 1990s, GTI built a
demonstration project in Hawaii in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The
project involved building a medium pressure gasifier to convert sugarcane waste produced from a
local sugar processing facility. The plant was fully constructed and was successfully tested and
commissioned. However, after a period of successful operations, the local sugar grower changed
the sugarcane harvesting process resulting in a waste product that would not flow through the
originally designed fuel handling system.
15
The DOE chose not to fund the fuel handling upgrade that was required to process
the new fuel type citing that the test was successful and the required data was gathered. Currently
the plant has been shutdown awaiting further funding.
Large Commercial Facility for Shanghai Coking and Chemical
. A large low pressure,
commercial installation at Shanghai Coking and Chemical (SCC) was developed in 1994 that included
eight gasifiers with a capability at full pressure of producing over 160,000 normal cubic meter/hr
of syngas. The SCC facility, which was conceived and designed as a seasonal peaking facility,
entered commercial operation in 1995 and remained in service supplying syngas to a large chemical
complex until, in 2000, a free source of waste fuel gas became available from a neighboring sister
facility. During its six years of operations, the SCC installation experienced some operational
challenges dealing with improper coal purchasing and preparation.
Despite these problems, three SCC gasifiers reached 8,000 operating hours each by 1998, three more
in 1999 and a seventh in 2000. Total SCC gasifier operating hours exceeded 76,000 hours.
Large-scale Test Gasifier in Chicago
. With historically high natural gas prices in
the U.S., GTI recently put renewed emphasis on U-GAS
®
technology and in 2004 completed a $12
million large-scale test gasifier facility on its technical campus northwest of Chicago. The
facility evaluates advanced and innovative gasification processes using all ranks of coal and other
low-cost solid fuels. The facility is also being used to facilitate commercialization of advanced
gasification and other new technologies to improve the commercial competitiveness of U-GAS
®
technology.
The facilitys flexible design allows testing of a variety of syngas cleanup systems, and the
gasifier and feed system is configured to allow simultaneous co-firing of coal with biomass or
other opportunity fuels.
License Agreement with GTI
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated License Agreement dated as of August 31, 2006 between
Synthesis and GTI (the License Agreement), Synthesis has an exclusive global license to manufacture,
make, use and sell U-GAS
®
systems for coal and coal and biomass blends made of up to 40% biomass and non-exclusive license to
manufacture, make, use and sell U-GAS
®
systems for coal and biomass blends in excess of 40%
biomass. The License Agreement has a term of ten years, but may be extended for two additional
ten-year periods at the option of Synthesis.
As consideration for the license, Synthesis paid $500,000 cash, and issued 190,500 shares of
restricted common stock, to GTI. Synthesis is also restricted from offering a competing gasification technology during
the term of the license. Additionally, for each U-GAS
®
unit which Synthesis
licenses, designs, builds or operates which uses coal, or a coal and biomass mixture, as the feed
stock, Synthesis must pay a royalty based upon a calculation using the per thermal megawatt/hr of
dry syngas production of a rated design capacity, payable in installments at the beginning and at
the completion of the project build. Synthesis must also provide GTI with a copy of each contract
that Synthesis enters into relating to a U-GAS
®
system and report to GTI with their progress on
development of the technology every six months. A failure to comply with any of the above
requirements could result in the termination of the License Agreement by GTI if not cured by the Company within specified time periods.
In addition, Synthesis was required to (i) have a contract for the sale of a U-GAS
®
system with
a customer in the territory covered by the License Agreement no later than August 31, 2007, (ii)
fabricate and put into operation at least one U-GAS
®
system by July 31, 2008 and (iii) fabricate
and put into operation at least one U-GAS
®
system for each calendar year of the License Agreement,
beginning with the calendar year 2009. The Company has satisfied the obligation to have a contract for the
sale of a U-GAS
®
system no later than August 31, 2007 through our contract with Hai Hua described
below. Additionally, Synthesis is required to disclose to GTI any improvements related to the U-GAS
®
system which
are developed and implemented by Synthesis and the manner of using and applying such improvements. Failure to satisfy the requirements
as to these milestones could lead to the revocation of the license by GTI; provided, however, that GTI is required to give a
twelve-month notice of termination and Synthesis is able to cure the default and continue the Agreement prior to the expiration
of such time period.
16
During the
term of the license,
Synthesis has granted to GTI a royalty-free non-exclusive irrevocable license to make,
manufacture, use, market, import, offer for sale and sell U-GAS
®
systems that incorporate the improvements of Synthesis. Such license only applies outside of the exclusive rights granted to Synthesis
under the License Agreement.
Without the prior written consent of GTI, Synthesis has no right to sublicense any U-GAS
®
system other than to customers for which Synthesis has constructed a U-GAS
®
system. For a period of
ten years, Synthesis is restricted from disclosing any confidential information (as defined in the
license) to any person other than employees of its affiliates or contractors who are required to
deal with such information, and such persons will be bound by the confidentiality provisions of the
license. Synthesis further indemnifies GTI and its affiliates from any liability or loss resulting
from unauthorized disclosure or use of any confidential information that it receives.
Market Opportunity
Over the past decade
developing economies such as China and India, as well as established
economies such as the United States, have had increased demand for energy to fuel growth and many
commercial opportunities to address energy related concerns have emerged. Some of the specific
trends over the past several years include:
|
|
Demand for natural gas is outpacing supply and resulting in higher prices and potential interruptions in supply due to
technological innovations related to natural gas combustion (primarily for power generation).
|
|
|
Increased attention on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
|
|
|
Higher energy price environments resulting from the absorption of excess petroleum capacities.
|
|
|
Recognition by policy makers of national security issues related to reliance on external energy sources.
|
Similar to the advances, such as increased efficiencies and reduced emissions, in natural gas
turbine technologies, emerging technologies that efficiently and cleanly convert coal into fuels
for power generation, chemical production and even transportation will experience rapid market
acceptance. With the expectation that those technical improvements should be achieved, coal has
become a larger part of the long-term supply plans for governments and major energy companies
worldwide.
In particular, within the Chinese and U.S. markets, coal gasification represents an
opportunity to improve air quality, economically capture greenhouse gas emissions and replace
energy imports from politically unstable sources with indigenous coal supplies. The United States
Department of Energy has stated that Chinese and U.S. coal reserves make up approximately 40% of
the global totals. China and the U.S. are also the largest importers of petroleum products. We
believe a significant commercial opportunity exists for companies that can successfully introduce
clean coal technologies to utilize these indigenous coal fuel sources.
We
have elected to make China a priority market since China offers immediate opportunities to develop
U-GAS
®
-based coal
gasification projects and has a ready supply of low rank coal. According to The World Bank, China is the worlds second
largest and fastest growing energy market. They estimate that over the next 25 years China will
require two trillion dollars of investment in the power sector alone, more than any other country
or region. They believe growth in manufacturing and the rise of Chinas middle class are driving
this demand, and this demand is far outstripping supply for electricity and other essential
industrial commodities in China. The World Bank also believes that despite a 15% growth in
electricity production and 100 million additional
17
tons of coal mined in 2003, energy shortages in China will persist. Coal is Chinas most
abundant, indigenous energy resource and is in high demand, which in turn causes economic and
environmental pressures and forces the Chinese government and Chinese industries to re-think the
way coal is used. In order to meet the demand for clean energy and industrial commodities, China is in
the process of finding environmentally acceptable methods to convert coal into energy and chemical
commodities.
Our goal is to develop projects, technologies and systems to meet these needs and to establish
U-GAS
®
as a reliable and efficient alternative source of power, hydrogen and other gasification
products to manufacturers. The primary drivers for growth is a large indigenous coal
supply, heightened awareness of environmental issues, and a desire to develop a diversified energy
mix and mitigate over-reliance on natural gas and imported crude oil.
Targeted Customers
Chemical Plants, Petrochemical Plants and Refineries
. We believe that many chemical,
petrochemical plants and refineries are seeking a broad slate of products including electricity,
steam, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, nitrogen and compressed air. We also believe U-GAS
®
gasification systems provide an ideal solution for these plants and refineries because inherent
integration opportunities allow these products to be produced with minimum additional capital
and/or operating costs. Moreover, because such plants tend to be run on a continuous basis, low
fuel cost is a key to economic competitiveness. General Electric and Shell have built multiple
IGCC power or chemical feedstock facilities for petrochemical and refinery facilities around the
world.
Large Manufacturers
. Many manufacturers require power, steam and hot water as part of their
production process. In addition, many industrial development zones are seeking co-generation
facilities specially dedicated to manufacturers in that zone that require power, steam and hot
water for industrial applications and for district heating and air conditioning. We believe that a
clean U-GAS
®
facility can provide the necessary energy and chemical operating feedstocks in areas
where scarcity or high prices of other energy sources make operations unprofitable.
Ammonia and Fertilizer Plants
. Ammonia and fertilizer plants require large amounts of
hydrogen, carbon monoxide, power and steam. We believe a significant opportunity exists for
conversion of these plants to U-GAS
®
since most of these plants purchase power from the grid and
produce their own syngas using old fixed bed gasification technology, which requires low ash and
high priced coal for fuel. We also believe that, due to the wide use of inefficient fixed bed gasification systems, the vast majority of Chinas fertilizer plants
will require replacement of their entire gasification systems in the near future.
Alumina Refineries
. The production of alumina from bauxite requires a great deal of energy
that is currently being provided by natural gas or heavy fuel oil. The integration of a U-GAS
®
coal
gasification facility into an alumina refinery can lower the cost of production by reducing the raw
material costs for the energy required and increase the efficiency by which the refinery can
produce alumina. There are many alumina refineries in our target markets that are actively seeking
alternatives to their current high cost energy structure, which may include our U-GAS
®
technology.
Hydrogen Production
. Around the world, most hydrogen is produced from natural gas. With
increased natural gas prices, hydrogen production costs have risen dramatically. U-GAS
®
technology
can produce hydrogen at a cost which is much lower than the cost of hydrogen based on production
using natural gas as a feedstock. Increasingly heavy crude oils, as well as increased chemical
plant utilization, has driven the demand for hydrogen to unprecedented levels. Coal gasification
is a viable alternative for large scale production of hydrogen. We believe that the U-GAS
®
process
will allow us to take advantage of this expanding marketplace by being the low cost provider of
coal-derived hydrogen.
Coal-to-Liquids Plants
. Many countries desire to avoid their dependence on imported oil and
have taken steps to make coal-toliquid technology a viable energy alternative for transportation
fuels. Such plants will need large quantities of hydrogen, electricity, steam and oxygen, which we
believe can
18
be provided by U-GAS
®
gasification plants. For example, two of Chinas largest coal companies
are developing large coal-to-liquids facilities. Coal companies typically have substantial amounts of waste
coal that are not adequately utilized. We believe the U-GAS
®
system could allow such a mining company to convert negative value waste into low cost feedstocks for these coal-to-liquid projects.
Integrated Projects
. Projects with the highest margins will be located at, or within a very
close distance to, opportunity fuels such as low-rank coals, lignites and other waste coals. Such
projects typically require multiple gasification commodities, such as power, steam, hydrogen,
carbon monoxide, and nitrogen, where an entire products value chain is integrated within one
complex. For example, where a methanol complex is established at a coal mine, the basic structure
of the project would be waste coal to power, steam, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, to methanol and then
sales to domestic and international markets.
Competition
We will seek to deploy U-GAS
®
plants in areas where the maximum integration of the process is
possible. In the world gasification market, the largest providers are General Electric, Shell,
Siemens and ConocoPhillips. Shells gasification efforts remain focused on the production of syngas
for chemical processes. Shell has recently announced a multi-million dollar contract to use its
gasification technology to produce hydrogen for a large coal-to-liquids project in China. There
are also several Chinese companies that utilize older, low pressure technologies, which utilize
high-cost coals and are relatively immature, with low capital costs being their primary competitive
advantage. In addition, there is a small Chinese coal gasification company that utilizes a low pressure fluidized bed
technology which may compete with our
U-GAS
®
technology. The following table depicts the
U-GAS
®
process as compared to the other major coal gasification technologies.
In general, we believe that the primary competitive advantages of U-GAS
®
relative to the other
technologies are: (a) the potential for U-GAS
®
gasifiers to utilize low quality, low cost coals,
(b) the inherent flexibility of the U-GAS
®
technology allows a project to change fuels or utilize a
mix of fuels over the life of the project, and (c) the ability to economically build relatively
smaller plants. This ability to build plants that are economical at sizes required by many
industrial companies opens up a potentially large under served market. We believe that the lower capital
costs, shorter siting and construction time periods may allow us to build projects where our larger
competitors would be economically disadvantaged.
19
Current Projects
Our plan is to develop, finance, build, own and operate U-GAS
®
based coal gasification plants
ranging in size from 20 MWs (equivalent) to greater than 250 MWs (equivalent) and at costs ranging
from $20 million to several hundred million dollars. Our strategy is to sell the outputs of the
plants, which can be syngas, power, steam and other products (e.g. sulfur, ash) under long-term
contracts to industrial and wholesale customers. We may sell capacity in the plants outright or
under tolling agreements as a way to insulate the Company from commodity price volatility. We also
have the right to sublicense any U-GAS
®
system to customers for which we have constructed a U-GAS
®
system.
For
our first project, Synthesis Energy Systems Investments, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc. (SES Investments), entered into a cooperative joint venture
contract with Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical Company Ltd. (Hai Hua) which established Synthesis
Energy Systems (Zaozhuang) New Gas Company Ltd. (the Joint Venture), a joint venture company that
has the primary purposes of (i) developing, constructing and operating a synthesis gas production
plant utilizing the U-GAS
®
technology in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, China and (ii)
producing and selling syngas, steam and the various byproducts of the plant, including ash,
elemental sulphur, hydrogen and argon. Hai Hua is an independent producer of coke and coke oven
gas and owns a subsidiary engaged in methanol production. Hai Hua processes its coal in its own coal
washery prior to using such coal in its coke ovens. This coal washing process produces a byproduct
which is the design fuel for the Joint Ventures U-GAS
®
gasification plant. The technology will enable syngas to be
produced from Hai Huas coal sources and such syngas will be used in Hai Huas methanol subsidiary,
coke ovens and power plant. In exchange for their respective ownership shares in the Joint
Venture, SES Investments agreed to contribute approximately $9,300,000 in capital, and Hai Hua
agreed to contribute land use rights to a parcel of land for construction of coal storage
facilities and certain other management services. The contribution of SES Investments is payable
in installments, with approximately $3,800,000 being contributed as of December 31, 2006.
By November of 2006, the project had obtained approval of its feasibility study, environmental
impact assessment and the Joint Venture was issued its business license. The
groundbreaking for the plant took place on December 5, 2006. Construction on the plant is expected
to be completed in the second half of the calendar year 2007 at a
projected cost of $24 million.
It is contemplated that the Joint Venture will obtain debt financing for a portion of the
construction costs, although no agreements have been entered into at this time. The plant will be
built on a site adjacent to the Hai Hua coke and methanol facility. Hai Hua is obligated to grant
rights of way for construction access and other on-going operations of the plant. The land was
purchased from the Chinese government with the assistance of the Shandong Xue Cheng Economic
Development Zone.
If either of SES Investments or Hai Hua desires to invest in another coal gasification project
within Zaozhuang City, the other company has a right to participate in up to 25% of the investment.
For the first twenty years, after the date that the plant becomes operational (the Operational
Date), 95% of all net profits of the Joint Venture will be distributed to SES Investments. After the initial
twenty years, the profit distribution percentages will be changed, with SES Investments receiving
10% of the net profits of the JV Company and Hai Hua receiving 90% of the JV's net profits. The contract has a term of fifty
years, subject to earlier termination if either SES Zaohuang files for bankruptcy or becomes
insolvent or if the syngas purchase contract between the Joint Venture and Hai Hua (discussed in
more detail below) is terminated. Hai Hua has also agreed that the License Agreement is the sole
property of SES Investments and its affiliated entities and that it will not compete with SES
Investments, or its affiliated entities, with respect to fluidized bed gasification technology for
the term of the Joint Venture.
In addition, Hai Hua has agreed to purchase, once the plant is completed, syngas from the
Joint Venture pursuant to the terms and conditions of a purchase and sale contract. Hai Hua will
(i) pay a monthly capacity fee and a monthly energy fee; (ii) provide piping to the plant for the
acceptance of steam and coke oven gas from Hai Hua and for the delivery of syngas from the Joint
Venture to Hai Hua; and (iii) coordinate its operations and maintenance so as to ensure Hai Hua
purchases as much syngas as possible. The energy fee is a per Ncum of syngas fee calculated by a
formula which factors in the
20
monthly averages of the prices of design base coal, coke, coke oven gas, power, steam and
water, all of which are components used in the production of syngas. The capacity fee is paid
based on the capacity of the plant to produce syngas, factoring in the number of hours (i) of
production and (ii) of capability of production as compared to the guaranteed capacity of the
plant, which for purposes of the contract is 22,000 Ncum per hour of syngas.
The Joint Venture is required to procure any other necessary consumables for operation of the
plant, provided, however, the Joint Venture is entitled to reimbursement for these costs through
the payment of the energy fee. As part of its registered capital contribution to the Joint
Venture, Hai Hua shall, to the extent that it is required, provide up to 100,000 Ncum of coke oven
gas and up to 600 tons of coke free to the Joint Venture during the first year of operation as
start-up fuels for the gasifiers. Any requirements for coke or coke oven gas above these amounts
shall be paid for by the Joint Venture. If Hai Hua is unable or unwilling to provide the required
coke or coke oven gas, the plant will be deemed to be able to produce for purposes of calculating
the capacity fee and Hai Hua will not be relieved of its payment obligations. Pursuant to the
terms of the contract, the value of the items provided by Hai Hua to the Joint Venture (including
the coke, coke oven gas, piping and acreage for the storage facilities) shall not exceed 5% of the
equity of the Joint Venture.
Hai Hua is required to annually provide to the Joint Venture a preliminary syngas usage plan
for that year, provided, however, that in no event shall the usage plan require less than 19,000,
or more than 22,000, Ncum per hour of syngas. In connection with this, the Joint Venture shall
annually provide a generation plan to Hai Hua which sets forth the anticipated syngas generation
for that year, and it shall use its best efforts to match its generation plan with Hai Huas usage
plan. If the Joint Venture produces more syngas than the capacity that Hai Hua is required to
purchase under the contract, Hai Hua shall have a right of first refusal to purchase such excess
amount.
The syngas to be purchased by Hai Hua is subject to certain quality component requirements set
forth in the contract. All byproducts of the gasification process are the property of the Joint
Venture. The Joint Venture is entitled to provide services and sell products which it produces
other than syngas to third parties, but Hai Hua has a right of first refusal for any such sales.
Hai Hua is obligated to pay the capacity fee regardless of whether they use the gasification
capacity, subject only to availability of the plant and exceptions for certain events of force
majeure.
The agreement terminates twenty years from the Operational Date. Upon termination of the
agreement for any reason other than the expiration of the term, the Joint Venture will have the
right to either produce syngas for other customers in its current location or dismantle the plant and move the plant
to another location.
Within two years of October 22, 2006, the date of the contract, Hai Hua may request that the Joint
Venture expand its syngas production in order to assist in the production of methanol by a
subsidiary of Hai Hua and the Joint Venture is required to negotiate such increased production in
good faith. Hai Hua has made such a request and as of the date hereof, the Joint Venture is in
negotiations regarding the details and pricing of the expansion project.
Research and Development
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we spent $373,282 and $87,954,
respectively, for research and development mainly related to the development and fuel testing of
coal as well as the development of engine generators using syngas as fuel. During the years ended
June 30, 2006 and 2005 we spent $158,406 and $26,804 in engineering salaries, respectively. We
plan to continue increasing internal research and development with a goal of offering our customers
the best and most efficient clean coal solutions.
21
Governmental and Environmental Regulation
Our operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental
protection. Numerous governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various Chinese
authorities, issue regulations to implement and enforce such laws, which often require difficult
and costly compliance measures that carry substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties
or may result in injunctive relief for failure to comply. These laws and regulations may require
the acquisition of a permit before operations at a facility commence, restrict the types,
quantities and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in
connection with such activities, limit or prohibit construction activities on certain lands lying
within wilderness, wetlands, ecologically sensitive and other protected areas, and impose
substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. We believe that we are in
substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and we have not
experienced any material adverse effect from compliance with these environmental requirements.
In China, developing and constructing gasification facilities is highly regulated. In the
development stage of a project, the key government approvals are of the projects environmental
impact assessment report, feasibility study (also known as the project application report) and, in
the case of a Sino-foreign joint venture, approval of the joint venture companys joint venture
contract and articles of association. Approvals in China are required at the municipal, provincial
and/or central government levels depending on the total investment in the project.
Although we have been successful in obtaining the permits that are required at this stage of
the project, any retroactive change in regulations or an opinion that the approvals that have been
obtained are inadequate, either at the federal, provincial or state level, could require us to
obtain additional or new permits or spend considerable resources on complying with such
regulations. Other developments, such as the enactment of more stringent environmental laws and
regulations, could require us to incur significant capital expenditures.
Employees
As of January 28,
2006, we had 26 employees. None of our employees is represented by any
collective bargaining unit. We have not experienced any work stoppages, work slowdowns or other
labor unrest. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Our corporate office occupies approximately 3,000 square feet of leased office space in
Houston, Texas. We also lease approximately 3,500 square feet of office space in Shanghai, China
and we also lease small offices in Miami, Florida and Beijing, China. Over time, additional
facilities may be required as we add personnel to advance our commercial and technical efforts.
22
PLAN OF OPERATIONS
The following plan of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this registration statement. Our fiscal year
ends on June 30 and unless otherwise noted, all future references to years shall mean our fiscal
year, rather than a calendar year.
We are a development stage enterprise and have not earned any operating revenue as of the date
of this filing. Our principal asset is our License Agreement. If we are successful in the use of
this license, our plants will provide our customers with molecular feedstocks (e.g. hydrogen,
carbon monoxide) or energy services (e.g. power, compression, steam) integrated with engine and/or
turbine generators for power and steam production. In connection with our molecular feedstock and
energy supply business, we may also provide certain additional services relating to U-GAS
®
installation projects, including equipment procurement and supply services, technology licensing
services, technology and engineering development services, and operations and maintenance services.
Over the next twelve months, we are planning to develop relationships with energy and chemical
feedstock customers. We plan to develop multi-megawatt facilities from which syngas
or power could be sold into the wholesale energy and chemical markets. We intend to sell the
outputs of the plant which can be syngas, power, steam and other products (e.g. sulfur, ash) under
long term contracts to industrial and wholesale customers. In some cases, we may sell capacity in
the plants outright or under tolling agreement contracts with coal providers and customers to
mitigate commodity price risk. We will attempt to secure non-recourse debt financing in order to
construct our plant facilities. Such financing will be used on a project basis to offset the
amount of equity capital required to complete the project.
Over the next year, our plan of operation includes:
|
|
|
Completing engineering and construction of a plant as part of our joint venture
with Hai Hua (described under BusinessCurrent Projects) as well as create a
modular gasification engineering block to speed the development of future U-GAS
®
based projects.
|
|
|
|
|
Advancing the commercial development of U-GAS
®
based projects in China and
selected locations in the United States.
|
|
|
|
|
Building relationships with multi-national industrial concerns to provide
U-GAS
®
solutions for their energy and chemical feedstock needs.
|
|
|
|
|
Expanding our experienced global engineering and project execution team to
complete the development of current projects as well as future projects under
development by the project development team.
|
|
|
|
|
Protecting technology used by the Company in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office as well as similar agencies throughout the world.
|
|
|
|
|
Raising additional capital through the sale of equity securities and by
obtaining debt financing, including project financing.
|
In October
of 2006, all necessary government approvals for the construction of our plant in
connection with our joint venture with Hai Hua were obtained to move forward with the Joint
Venture. The groundbreaking on the plant took place on December 5, 2006. Construction on the
plant is expected to be completed in the second half of the calendar year 2007 at a projected cost
of $24 million. It is contemplated that the Joint Venture will obtain debt financing for a portion
of the construction costs, although no agreements have been entered into at this time.
23
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the selling stockholders.
Assuming that the selling stockholders offer all of their shares of our common stock, the selling
stockholders will not have any beneficial ownership except as otherwise provided in the table
below. The shares are being registered to permit the selling stockholders to sell or otherwise
dispose of the shares covered hereby, or interests therein, from time to time. See Plan of
Distribution.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
Number of Shares Owned
|
|
Number of
|
|
Number of
|
|
Shares Owned
|
|
|
and to be Owned Prior to
|
|
Shares Being
|
|
Shares Owned
|
|
After
|
Selling Stockholder
|
|
Offering(1)
|
|
Offered(1)
|
|
After Offering(2)
|
|
Offering(2)
|
ATC Trustees(3)
|
|
80,000
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas G. Bongard(3)
|
|
100,000
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Cadwell(3)
|
|
33,333
|
|
33,333
|
|
|
|
|
Ira Ronald Cadwell(3)
|
|
33,334
|
|
33,334
|
|
|
|
|
Stephanie Cadwell(3)
|
|
33,333
|
|
33,333
|
|
|
|
|
David A. Schwedel(3)
|
|
225,200(4)
|
|
20,000
|
|
205,200
|
|
*
|
Adam M. Dernbach(3)
|
|
20,000
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy Alan Dernbach(3)
|
|
20,000
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy A. Dernbach(3)
|
|
10,000
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore & Eve Golfinopoulos(3)
|
|
20,000
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
James D. Hanson, Jr.(3)
|
|
200,000
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
MD Investments(3)
|
|
40,000
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
John F. Michel, Jr.(3)
|
|
28,000
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. Puccio(3)
|
|
12,000
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
|
Renee Schwedel(3)
|
|
40,000
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
Silo Investments Limited(3)
|
|
210,000
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
|
|
Micheal G. Storey(3)
|
|
1,440,000(5)
|
|
900,000
|
|
540,000
|
|
2.0%
|
Michael Tublin(3)
|
|
40,000
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
Travis & Edith Wichman(3)
|
|
80,000
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
|
Zahaca Enterprises(3)
|
|
80,000
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
6,000,000
|
|
6,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Less than one percent, based on 28, 183,715 shares
outstanding as of January 28, 2007.
|
(1)
|
|
Ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
|
24
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Assumes the sale of all of the shares offered hereby to persons who are not affiliates of the
selling stockholders.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Each selling stockholder purchased the shares offered hereby
for their own account and not with a view toward distribution.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Includes 205,200 shares held by the David A. Schwedel Living Trust, of which Mr. Schwedel is the beneficial owner.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Includes 40,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(6)
|
|
We also plan to include 6,000,000 shares
of stock which are eligible for trading on the Pink Sheets. We plan to set
a record date and include the names of the selling stockholders on such date in an
amendment to this registration statement.
|
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the shares
covered hereby, or interests therein, by the selling stockholders.
25
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock
received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge,
partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any
stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private
transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time
of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time
of sale, or at negotiated prices.
The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares
or interests therein:
|
|
|
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
|
|
|
|
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as
agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate
the transaction;
|
|
|
|
|
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
|
|
|
|
|
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
|
|
|
|
|
privately negotiated transactions;
|
|
|
|
|
short sales effected after the date the registration
statement, of which this
prospectus is a part, is declared effective by the SEC;
|
|
|
|
|
through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
|
|
|
|
|
broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified
number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; and
|
|
|
|
|
a combination of any such methods of sale.
|
The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some
or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their
secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock,
from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule
424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling
stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling
stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of
common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in
interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders
may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may
in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers
that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or
other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or
more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial
institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
26
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as
supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered
by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each
of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time
to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly
or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.
The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market
transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the
criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.
The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in
the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be underwriters within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn
on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Selling stockholders who are underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities
Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling
stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents,
dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer
will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock
may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In
addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or
qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and
is complied with.
We intend to advise the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M
under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the
selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable we will make
copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the
selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in
transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities
arising under the Securities Act.
The selling stockholders will not engage in any short sale of the securities offered by it
pursuant to this prospectus until the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part has
been declared effective by the SEC.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the
shares offered by this prospectus.
We have agreed with the selling stockholders to keep the registration statement of which this
prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier of (1) such time as all of the shares
covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with the
registration statement or (2) the date on which the shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) of
the Securities Act.
27
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information concerning our directors, executive officers and
key employees as of January 15, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
Timothy Vail
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
David Eichinger
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President of Corporate Development
|
Donald Bunnell
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer Asia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pacific and Director
|
Gregory (Bruce) Golden
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Chief Technologist
|
Carol Pearson
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Corporate Controller and Corporate Secretary
|
Michael Storey
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
Director
|
Denis Slavich
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
Director
|
Harry Rubin
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Director
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
. Mr. Lamadrid has been our Chairman since April of 2005. Since 2001, Mr.
Lamadrid has also served as Chairman and Chief Executive of Globe Development Group, LLC, a firm
specializing in international energy advisory, investment, and development of major energy and
power projects. He is also a Managing Director and Founding Partner of the Worldwide Power Group,
Ltd., a developer of large-scale energy and power generation projects in Asia and Latin America,
and is also a member of the International Advisory Board and the Executive Committee of Sirocco
Aerospace International, a marketer of aerospace products. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Lamadrid was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Arthur D. Little, Inc., a global management consulting
firm. Prior to joining Arthur D. Little, from 1996 to 1999, Mr. Lamadrid was President of Western
Resources International, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Resources, Inc., and Managing Director of
The Wing Group, a subsidiary of Western Resources that develops large-scale international electric
power projects. Prior to that, Mr. Lamadrid spent seven years with General Electric, the last two
as a Corporate Officer. He served as Vice President and General Manager of GE Aerospace, where he
was responsible for international operations, domestic marketing and business development
activities, and strategy development for the overall Aerospace Group. While at General Electric,
Mr. Lamadrid also served as Corporate Staff Executive for strategic planning and business
development. Mr. Lamadrid also served on the Board of Directors of the General Electric Trading
Company, GE/RCA Licensing Operation, Toshiba Electronic Systems Company (Japan), Ltd., and the
Philadelphia World Affairs Council. Before joining General Electric, Mr. Lamadrid was a Manager at
The Boston Consulting Group, and was also a founding investor of the Boston Beer Company. Mr.
Lamadrid graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Administrative
Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a M.S. in Chemical Engineering, and Harvard
with an M.B.A.
Timothy Vail.
Mr. Vail is our President and Chief Executive Officer and is also a Director.
Mr. Vail joined us as a Director on September 20, 2005, and accepted the President and Chief
Executive Officer position on May 30, 2006. Prior to joining us, beginning in 2002, Mr. Vail
served as the Director of Commercialization for Fuel Cell Development for General Motors
Corporation (GM). At GM, Mr. Vails duties included the development of GMs Shanghai fuel cell
office as well as coordination of engineering facilities in the US, Germany, Japan and China. Prior
to his position at GM, Mr. Vail was the Vice President of product development for The New Power
Company, a start-up subsidiary of Enron Corporation, where he was responsible for the development
of new products and services to be delivered to New Powers customer bases. From 1995 until
starting work for The New Power Company, Mr. Vail was a Vice President at Enron Energy Services.
Mr. Vail was also a securities lawyer with Andrews
28
Kurth, LLP from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Vail holds a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center
and a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.
David Eichinger.
Mr. Eichinger has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President of Corporate Development, since May 30, of 2006. Prior to joining us as an executive
officer, Mr. Eichinger was a consultant to us since November 1, 2005, in which capacity he advised
us on technology license negotiations and global expansion beyond the Chinese market. From 1991
to 1996, Mr. Eichinger spent five years in the Corporate Treasury function as an analyst in
Corporate Finance and Tax at Exxon Corporation and Exxon Chemicals. From 1996 to 2000, Mr.
Eichinger led merger and acquisition teams for Enron Corporation in the deregulating wholesale and
retail markets in North and South America. In addition, Mr. Eichinger led the spin off of The New
Power Company and served as an executive officer in charge of corporate development. Mr. Eichinger
has also advised a number of energy related firms including CAM Energy (a New York based hedge
fund) and General Hydrogen. Mr. Eichinger holds both a B.S.
and M.S. in Chemistry from The College of William and Mary, and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon.
Donald Bunnell
. Mr. Bunnell is our President and Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, a
Director and a co-founder of our company. From 2001 until the creation of our company, Mr. Bunnell
was the Asia Business Development Vice President for BHP Billitons aluminum group. Between 1997
and 2001, Mr. Bunnell served in various capacities, including Vice President in charge of Enron
Chinas power group, and Country Manager, with the power development team of Enron Corporation.
During this time, Mr. Bunnell spent three years leading the Enron/Messer/Texaco consortium for the
Nanjing BASF Project. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Bunnell was a manager with Coastal Power Corporation
(now part of El Paso Corporation) in Beijing, where he was involved in development of gas turbine
power plants and other power projects. Mr. Bunnell is an attorney licensed to practice in the
United States and has practiced law in Hong Kong, advising clients on China investments, prior to
entering the power business. Mr. Bunnell is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, has lived in China for over 11
years, and has 10 years of experience in the China power industry developing projects and managing
joint ventures. Mr. Bunnell graduated from Miami University with a B.A. and from the William &
Mary School of Law with a J.D.
Gregory Bruce Golden
. Mr. Golden is our Chief Technologist and a co-founder of the Company.
Mr. Golden has 30 years of experience in the power industry developing, designing, building and
operating power plants, including experience with IGCC power and
utility plants. Mr. Golden worked for Enron Corporation from 1991 through 2001. From March to
November 2001, Mr. Golden led Enron Corporations technical definition and estimate phase of a
solid fuel power generation initiative. This solid fuel initiative helped Mr. Golden to better
understand the competitiveness of IGCC power utility plants and
led him to the U-GAS
®
technology. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Golden led several technical proposal
teams for inside-the-fence utility supply facilities and was also general manager of development
engineering responsible for technical support for the development of several large power plants in
China. From March 1994 to June 1996, Mr. Golden managed the construction of a 150 MW combined
cycle gas turbine power plant in Hainan, China. Mr. Golden also assumed responsibility during this
period for the review and oversight of a 550 MW poly-generation facility for the Saras Oil Refinery
in Italy. When Mr. Golden joined Enron in 1991, he initially managed the development and
construction of power plants in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras. Of Mr. Goldens
30 years in the power industry, he has spent most of the past 10 years developing and building
power and poly-generation plants. Mr. Golden graduated from Rice University with a B.S.
in Mechanical Engineering.
Carol Pearson
. Ms. Pearson has served as our Corporate Controller since July 27, 2006 and as
our Corporate Secretary since October 11, 2006. From October 2005 to July 2006, she served as
Corporate Controller for Cornell Companies Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Pearson served as Director of
Internal Audit at Camden Property Trust, Inc. from May 2004 through August 2005. From January 2001
through
29
May 2004, she was in charge of Financial Reporting and Compliance for EGL, Inc. Ms. Pearson
previously served as an audit manager with Ernst & Young, LLP and a senior accountant with Coopers
& Lybrand, LLP. She graduated from Northeast Louisiana University with a B.B.A. in accounting with
Honors and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Michael Storey.
Mr. Storey has served as one of our directors since November of 2005. From
2000 to 2004, he has served as President and CEO of Inmarsat Ventures, a global communications
company. He resigned in March of 2004, but continues as an advisor. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Storey
ran several telecommunications businesses during European deregulation that became MCI Europe and
is now Verizon Communications. In 1984, Mr. Storey established City Centre Communications, a
business in the cable television and telecommunications industry. He grew his business and acquired
several franchises before selling his interests in 1992 to Videotron and Bell Canada. He served as
a Director and then Chairman of the Cable Communications Association from 1983 to 1990,
representing all the investors in the U.K. cable industry. Starting in 1972, Mr. Storey served for
10 years as a Vice President and Partner of Booze Allen Hamilton International Management
Consultants. Mr. Storey is a graduate of Kings Fund Administrative Staff College and has an
M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. From 1958 to 1968, he worked in the healthcare industry,
operating hospitals in the U.K., Middle East, and North America. He also holds two professional
certifications: Professionally Qualified Hospital Administrator and Professionally Qualified
Personnel Manager.
Denis Slavich.
Mr. Slavich has served as a director since November of 2005 and currently
serves as the Chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Slavich has over 35 years of experience in
large-scale power generation development. He is currently an international consultant to a number
of U.S. and China-based companies engaged in cross border transactions, as well as an advisor and
board member for a number of additional firms. From 1998 to 2000 Mr. Slavich was the CFO and
director of KMR Power Corporation and was responsible for the development of an international IPP
company that developed projects in Columbia as well as other areas. Mr. Slavich also served as
acting President for Kellogg Development Corporation, a division of M.W. Kellogg, during 1997.
From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Slavich was also a Vice President of Marketing for Flour Daniel. From 1971
to 1991 Mr. Slavich served in various executive positions at Bechtel Corporation including Sr. VP,
CFO, and director and Sr. VP and manager of the International Power Division. Mr. Slavich received
his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and
his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.
Harry Rubin.
Mr. Rubin has been a Director since August 5, 2006. Mr. Rubin is currently
Chairman of Henmead Enterprises, in which capacity he advises various companies regarding strategy,
acquisitions and divestitures. He currently serves as a Director of Image-Metrics Plc, and has held
board positions at a number of private and public companies such as the A&E Network, RCA/Columbia
Pictures Home Video and the Genisco Technology Corporation. He was a founding partner of the Boston
Beer Company. In the 12 years prior to 2006, Mr. Rubin held various senior management roles in the
computer software industry, including Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of Atari, and President of International Operations and Chief Financial Officer for GT Interactive
Software. Mr. Rubin entered the computer software business in 1993 when he became Executive VP
for GT Interactive Software as a start-up company, and played a leadership role in GTs progression
as the company went public in 1995 and became one of the largest industry players. Prior to 1993,
he held various senior financial and general management positions at RCA, GE and NBC. He is a
graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Business School, and resides in New York City.
30
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Companys Board of Directors (the Board) has six directors and has established the
Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees as its standing committees. The Board does not have
an executive committee or any committees performing a similar function. We are not listed on a
national securities exchange or in an inter-dealer quotation system that has requirements that a
majority of the board of directors be independent, nor have we applied for a listing with a
national exchange or in an inter-dealer quotation system which has requirements that a majority of
the board of directors be independent. However, the Board has determined that all members of the
Board, other than Timothy Vail, the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and Donald
Bunnell, President and Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, are independent under the definition set forth in the listing standards of the
American Stock Exchange, which is the definition that the Board has chosen to use for the purposes
of the determining independence, as the Pink Sheets does not provide such a definition. In
addition, the Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Companys Audit Committee,
in addition to meeting the above standards, also meet the criteria for independence for audit
committee members which are set out in the Exchange Act.
31
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our
common stock as of January 15, 2007, by:
|
|
each person who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of
the outstanding class of our capital stock;
|
|
|
each member of the Board;
|
|
|
each of our executive officers; and
|
|
|
all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. To our knowledge,
each of the holders of capital stock listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the
capital stock owned unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numbers of Shares of
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock Beneficially
|
|
% of Common
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Owned
|
|
Stock Outstanding
(1)
|
Donald Bunnell
|
|
|
6,102,500
|
|
|
|
21.7
|
%
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid (2)
|
|
|
3,195,000
|
|
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Gregory Bruce Golden
|
|
|
3,030,000
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
%
|
Azure International (3)
|
|
|
1,680,000
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
Michael Storey (4)
|
|
|
1,440,000
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
Timothy Vail (5)
|
|
|
715,000
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
David Eichinger (6)
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
Harry Rubin (7)
|
|
|
102,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Denis Slavich (8)
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Executive Officers and Directors as a
group (8 persons)
|
|
|
15,009,500
|
|
|
|
53.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Less than 1%
|
|
(1)
|
|
Based on 28,183,715 shares outstanding as of January 28, 2007.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Includes 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Christopher J. Raczkowski, Stephen M. Terry and Juanli Han are the principals of, and
exercise voting and investment authority over the shares held by, this stockholder.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Includes 40,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Includes 495,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Includes 350,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Includes 32,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
|
(8)
|
|
Includes 65,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days hereof.
|
32
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
. The following table provides information concerning compensation
paid or accrued during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 to our principal executive
officer and each of our other two most highly paid executive officers whose salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000, collectively referred to as the Named Executive Officers, determined at the end
of the last fiscal year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
Name and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Compen-
|
|
|
Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Awards
|
|
Awards
|
|
Earnings
|
|
sation
|
|
Total
|
Timothy Vail,
President and CEO
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
12,500
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,219,478
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,231,978
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Eichinger, CFO
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,936,891
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
46,573
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
5,993,464
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald Bunnell,
President and CEO
Asia Pacific
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
$
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
124,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Prior to May 30, 2006, Mr. Vail served only as a director, for which he did not receive any
cash compensation.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Time vested options. Value determined using a Black-Sholes model. See Note 11 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of assumptions made in the valuation of
option grants.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Prior to May 30, 2006, Mr. Eichinger served as a consultant to the Company. His compensation
for these services is listed under All Other Compensation.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Represents amounts paid under a consulting agreement between the Company and Mr. Eichinger
which was effective from October 19, 2005 through May 1, 2006. Mr. Eichinger was hired by the
Company as an employee on a permanent basis effective May 30, 2006.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Mr. Bunnell was one of the Companys founders and received 7,402,500 shares in exchange for
his work for the Company and his initial capital contribution of $100,000 subsequent to our
merger with Tamborine on April 18, 2005.
|
We have entered into employment agreements with Timothy Vail, as our President and Chief
Executive Officer, David Eichinger, as our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of
Corporate Development and Donald Bunnell, as our President and Chief Executive Officer Asia
Pacific.
Our agreement with Mr. Vail became effective May 30, 2006 and is for a four-year term. He
receives an annual base salary of up to $180,000, bonuses as may be awarded from time to time by
the Board or any compensation committee thereof, including a performance bonus, and reimbursement
of no more than $1,500 per month for all reasonable and customary medical and health insurance
premiums incurred by Mr. Vail if he is not covered by insurance. Mr. Vails current salary is
$10,000 per month and is subject to increase upon the achievement of certain performance
milestones. The compensation committee of the Board shall also evaluate Mr. Vails salary on an
annual basis and determine if any additional increases are warranted. Pursuant to the terms of the
employment agreement, we have also granted Mr. Vail options to purchase 2,350,000 shares of common
stock. The options have an exercise price of $3.00 and vest in five equal annual installments,
with the first installment vesting on the effective date of the employment agreement. The options
are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Companys Amended and Restated 2005
Incentive Plan (the Plan). If the employment agreement is terminated by us other than by reason
of death, disability or cause, we will continue to pay Mr. Vail his salary for the remaining term
of the employment agreement, but in no event less than 6 months and all options shall automatically
vest. All vested options must be exercised within six months of the
33
termination date, regardless
of the reason for termination. The employment agreement prohibits Mr. Vail
from competing with us during his employment and for a period of 18 months after termination
of his employment. In addition, all options shall automatically vest upon a change of control, as
such term is defined in the employment agreement.
Mr. Vail was also granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the
terms of a nonstatutory stock option agreement dated effective November 7, 2005. The option has an
exercise price of $2.50 and vest in four equal annual installments, with the first installment
vesting on the effective date of the grant. The option expires on November 7, 2010. The option is
subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Plan. In addition, the option shall
automatically vest upon a change of control, as such term is defined in the grant agreement.
Our agreement with Mr. Eichinger became effective May 30, 2006 and is for a four-year term.
He receives an annual base salary of up to $180,000, bonuses as may be awarded from time to time by
the Board or any compensation committee thereof, including a performance bonus, and reimbursement
of no more than $1,500 per month for all reasonable and customary medical and health insurance
premiums incurred by Mr. Eichinger if he is not covered by insurance. Mr. Eichingers current
salary is $15,000 per month and is subject to increase upon the achievement of certain performance
milestones. The compensation committee of the Board shall also evaluate Mr. Eichingers salary on
an annual basis and determine if any additional increases are warranted. We have also granted Mr.
Eichinger options to purchase 1,750,000 shares of common stock. The options have an exercise price
of $3.00 and vest in five equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the date
of the option grant. The options are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Plan. If
the employment agreement is terminated by us other than by reason of death, disability or cause, we
will continue to pay Mr. Eichinger his salary for the remaining term of the employment agreement,
but in no event less than 6 months and all options shall automatically vest. All vested options
must be exercised within six months of the termination date, regardless of the reason for
termination. The employment agreement prohibits Mr. Eichinger from competing with us during his
employment and for a period of 18 months after termination of his employment. In addition, all
options shall automatically vest upon a change of control, as such term is defined in the
employment agreement.
Our agreement with Mr. Bunnell was amended and restated effective July 14, 2006 and is for a
term ending on April 18, 2009. Mr. Bunnell receives an annual base salary of $120,000, bonuses as
may be awarded from time to time by the Board or any compensation committee thereof, including a
performance bonus, and reimbursement of no more than $1,500 per month for all reasonable and
customary medical and health insurance premiums incurred by Mr. Bunnell if he is not covered by
insurance. Mr. Bunnells salary is subject to increase upon the achievement of certain performance
milestones. The compensation committee of the Board shall also evaluate Mr. Bunnells salary on an
annual basis and determine if any additional increases are warranted. If the employment agreement
is terminated by us other than by reason of death, disability or cause, we will continue to pay Mr.
Bunnell his salary for the remaining term of the employment agreement, but in no event less than 6
months and all options shall automatically vest. All vested options must be exercised within six
months of the termination date, regardless of the reason for termination. The employment agreement
prohibits Mr. Bunnell from competing with us during his employment and for a period of 18 months
after termination of his employment.
34
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
Payout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
Plan Awards:
|
|
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Value of
|
|
Number
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Number
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
Shares or
|
|
of
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
of
|
|
of
|
|
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
Units of
|
|
Unearned
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
Stock
|
|
Shares,
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That
|
|
That
|
|
Units or
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have
|
|
Have
|
|
Other Rights
|
|
That Have
|
|
|
Options
|
|
Options
|
|
Unearned
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Option
|
|
Not
|
|
Not
|
|
That Have
|
|
Not
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
Options
|
|
Price
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Vested
|
|
Vested
|
|
Not Vested
|
|
Vested
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
Date
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)
|
|
(i)
|
|
(j)
|
Timothy Vail
|
|
|
482,500
|
|
|
|
1,917,500
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Eichinger
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
|
1,400,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald Bunnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Mr. Vail has received two option grants: (a) an option to purchase 50,000 shares at an
exercise price of $2.50 on November 7, 2005, and (b) an option to purchase 2,350,000 shares at
an exercise price of $3.00 on May 30, 2006. The options expire on November 7, 2010 and May
30, 2011, respectively. The November 7, 2005 option vests in four equal annual installments,
with the first installment vesting on the date of grant. The May 30, 2006 option vests in
five equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the date of grant.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Mr. Eichinger received an option to purchase 1,750,000 shares on May 30, 2006 which vests in
five equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the date of grant. The
option expires on May 30, 2011.
|
The description of the terms of the employment agreements of Messrs. Vail and Eichinger
also includes a summary description of the terms of their May 30, 2006 option grants.
35
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
Compensation
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in Cash
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Option
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
Name
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
$
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
212,317
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
272,317
|
|
Michael Storey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
770,437
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
770,437
|
|
Denis Slavich
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
770,437
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
770,437
|
|
Harry Rubin(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Mr. Lamadrid was granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $2.50 on November 7, 2005. The option vests in four equal annual installments, with
the first installment vesting on the date of grant. The option expires on November 7, 2010.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Each of Mr. Storey and Mr. Slavich were granted (i) an option to purchase 50,000 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share on November 7, 2005 and (ii) an option to
purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share on May 30,
2006. The options vest in four and five equal annual installments, respectively, with the
first installment vesting on the date of grant. The options expire on November 7, 2010 and
May 30, 2011, respectively.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Mr. Rubin began serving as a director on August 4, 2006. On that date, he was granted an
option to purchase 160,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
The option vests in five equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the
date of grant. The option expires on August 4, 2011.
|
Mr. Lamadrid has a consulting agreement with us for his service as Chairman of our Board.
The agreement is for a four-year term effective August 1, 2006. Mr. Lamadrid receives an annual
consulting fee of $60,000 and reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of
his services. The compensation committee of the Board shall also evaluate Mr. Lamadrids
consulting fee on an annual basis and determine if any additional increases are warranted.
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
None.
36
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock has been quoted on the Pink Sheets since March 23, 2005. On May 23, 2005, we
changed our symbol on the Pink Sheets from TMBH to SYMX and our common stock is
currently trading on the Pink Sheets under that symbol.
The following table sets forth the range of the high and low closing prices, as reported by
the Pink Sheets, for our common stock for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales Price
|
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
Year Ending June 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter (beginning March 23, 2005)
|
|
$
|
6.75
|
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
6.00
|
|
|
$
|
4.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending June 30, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
6.00
|
|
|
$
|
5.00
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
7.25
|
|
|
$
|
5.75
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
5.00
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
6.50
|
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
$
|
5.75
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
7.50
|
|
|
$
|
6.25
|
|
Third
Quarter (as of January 29, 2007)
|
|
$
|
6.50
|
|
|
$
|
5.00
|
|
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock. As of January
28, 2007, 28,183,715 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. As of such date, there
were approximately 290 holders of record of our common stock.
We have not paid dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in
the immediate future as we contemplate that our cash flows will be used for continued growth of our
operations. The payment of future dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors
in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, capital
requirements, and restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors.
37
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value
per share, of which 28,183,715 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding as of January
28, 2007. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued and
outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable. The following summary of the terms and provisions
of our capital stock is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our
certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and any other agreements referred to
herein, and all amendments thereto, where such rights are set forth in full, and the provisions of
applicable law.
Common Stock
Voting
. The holders of our common stock have one vote for each share they hold on all matters
presented to them and do not have cumulative voting rights.
Dividends
. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends equally, if any, as
may be declared by the Board out of funds legally available therefore after taking into account
various factors, including, among others, our financial condition, results of operations, cash
flows from operations, current and anticipated capital requirements and expansion plans.
Liquidation
. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock
will be entitled to a ratable portion (based upon the number of shares of our common stock held by
each such holder or issuable upon the exercise of any securities convertible in shares of our
common stock) of our available net assets.
Preemptive Rights
. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption,
or conversion rights.
Transfer Restrictions
. Holders of our common stock may only transfer, sell or otherwise
dispose of our common stock held pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act or Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. In connection with any transfer,
sale or disposition of any of our common stock other than pursuant to an effective registration
statement or Rule 144, we may require you to provide us a written opinion of counsel providing that
such transfer, sale or disposition does not require registration under the Securities Act.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and
Restated Bylaws
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws
contain provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, tender
offer, proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove our incumbent officers and directors. These
provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate
takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control
of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased
protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited
proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals
because negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Stockholder meetings
. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of
stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by a
resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors.
38
Requirements for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals
. Our amended
and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and
the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the
direction of the board of directors.
Stockholder action by written consent
. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that no action
that is required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at any annual or special meeting may
be effected by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders, unless the
action to be effected by written consent of stockholders and the taking of such action by such
written consent have expressly been approved in advance by our board of directors. This provision,
which may not be amended except by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the
voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, voting together as a single class, makes it difficult for stockholders to
initiate or effect an action by written consent that is opposed by our board of directors.
Amendment of the bylaws
. Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is
conferred upon the stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its certificate of incorporation
also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal its bylaws. Our charter
and amended and restated bylaws grant our board the power to adopt, amend and repeal our amended
and restated bylaws at any regular or special meeting of the board on the affirmative vote of a
majority of the directors then in office. Our stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal our amended
and restated bylaws but only at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by an affirmative
vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital
stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
These provisions of our certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could
have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence,
they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often
result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect
of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more
difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best
interests.
Agreement with Union Charter Financial
In March 2005, we entered into an agreement with Union Charter Capital VII, Inc. (UCF) which
covered certain capital commitment obligations of UCF and the Company and set forth certain rights
of UCF if certain commitment thresholds were met. Effective November 30, 2006, we have amended and
restated this agreement in its entirety to clarify certain statements in the original agreement.
As amended and restated, UCF is entitled to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Companys common
stock at a purchase price of $2.50 per share on or prior to June 30, 2007. Upon exercise of this
right, UCF may purchase all or a portion of the shares.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH ISSUER OF EXPERTS NAMED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
None.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
39
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
In November 2006, KPMG LLP, a US based accounting firm, became our independent auditor. We
were formerly audited by KPMG Huazhen, the China member firm of KPMG International. The decision to
move the audit function to the United States from China was deemed the best course of action given
our recent opening of our corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas. There were no disagreements
between us and KPMG Huazhen over accounting principles or practices, and the audit firm did not
issue an adverse opinion or disclaimer, regarding our financial statements for the years ending
June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006.
Additionally, their opinions were not qualified and did not have any modifications as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
We did not consult with KPMG LLP regarding the application of accounting principles or
application before their appointment as our auditors. Our audit committee approved the change to
KPMG LLP.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON
INDEMNIFICATION OF SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Our bylaws provide that each officer and director of our company shall be indemnified by us
against all costs and expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with
the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which he or she may be involved or to which he or
she may be made a party by reason of his or her being or having been such director or officer,
except in relation to matters as to which he or she has been finally adjudged in such action, suit
or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duty.
The indemnification provisions of our bylaws diminish the potential rights of action, which
might otherwise be available to shareholders by affording indemnification against most damages and
settlement amounts paid by a director in connection with any shareholders derivative action.
However, there are no provisions limiting the right of a shareholder to enjoin a director from
taking actions in breach of his fiduciary duty, or to cause the Company to rescind actions already
taken, although as a practical matter courts may be unwilling to grant such equitable remedies in
circumstances in which such actions have already been taken. Although we presently have directors
liability insurance, there is no assurance that it will provide coverage to the extent directors
would be indemnified under the provisions, and as such, we may be forced to bear a portion or all
of the cost of the directors claims for indemnification under such provisions. If we are forced to
bear the costs for indemnification, the value of our stock may be adversely affected.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock offered hereby will be passed on for
us by Porter & Hedges, L.L.P. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any
offering by their own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. as of June 30, 2006
and 2005, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2006 and 2006 and the
period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006, have been included herein in reliance upon the
report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
40
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-23
|
|
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and
subsidiaries (a development-stage enterprise) as of June 30, 2006 and 2005, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years
in the two-year period ended June 30, 2006 and for the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to
June 30, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries (a
development-stage enterprise) as of June 30, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended June 30, 2006 and for the
period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
January 25, 2007
F-2
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
3,154,096
|
|
|
$
|
2,706,602
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 3)
|
|
|
42,037
|
|
|
|
30,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
3,196,133
|
|
|
|
2,737,420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 4)
|
|
|
9,854
|
|
|
|
5,929
|
|
Intangible asset, net (Note 5)
|
|
|
7,561
|
|
|
|
8,561
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
3,213,548
|
|
|
$
|
2,751,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables (Note 6)
|
|
$
|
328,198
|
|
|
$
|
114,003
|
|
Loan from a shareholder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
328,198
|
|
|
|
115,153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized; 24,647,500 and 28,030,000 shares
issued and outstanding, respectfully (Note 10)
|
|
|
246,475
|
|
|
|
280,300
|
|
Additional paid-in capital (Note 10)
|
|
|
8,179,604
|
|
|
|
2,714,810
|
|
Deficit accumulated during development stage
|
|
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
|
(358,353
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
2,885,350
|
|
|
|
2,636,757
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
3,213,548
|
|
|
$
|
2,751,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-3
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
(inception)
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
to June 30, 2006
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of goods sold
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and
administrative expenses and other expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(1,023,229
|
)
|
|
|
(237,463
|
)
|
|
|
(1,261,132
|
)
|
Stock based compensation
|
|
|
(3,042,979
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,042,979
|
)
|
Project development expenses
|
|
|
(871,882
|
)
|
|
|
(43,679
|
)
|
|
|
(915,561
|
)
|
Technical development expenses
|
|
|
(373,282
|
)
|
|
|
(87,954
|
)
|
|
|
(461,236
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
$
|
(5,311,372
|
)
|
|
$
|
(369,096
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,680,908
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
128,996
|
|
|
|
13,623
|
|
|
|
142,619
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,440
|
)
|
|
|
(2,440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss before income tax benefit
|
|
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share (Note 8):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted shares
|
|
|
27,754,139
|
|
|
|
27,180,446
|
|
|
|
27,351,936
|
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in Capital
|
|
|
Development Stage
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance at November 4, 2003 (inception)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the period November 4, 2003
to June 30, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2004
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
|
$
|
(440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
|
(357,913
|
)
|
Investor contributions
|
|
|
264,190
|
|
|
|
235,810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
Conversion of debt to equity
|
|
|
5,810
|
|
|
|
5,190
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
Net proceeds from private placement
offering
|
|
|
10,300
|
|
|
|
2,473,810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,484,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
280,300
|
|
|
$
|
2,714,810
|
|
|
$
|
(358,353
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,636,757
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
Net proceeds from private placement
offering
|
|
|
9,700
|
|
|
|
2,378,290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,387,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment related to return of shares
|
|
|
(43,525
|
)
|
|
|
43,525
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
246,475
|
|
|
$
|
8,179,604
|
|
|
$
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,885,350
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
to June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
(Since Inception)
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
|
|
|
3,960
|
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
|
4,262
|
|
Amortization of intangible asset
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
999
|
|
|
|
2,439
|
|
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(11,219
|
)
|
|
|
(30,818
|
)
|
|
|
(42,037
|
)
|
Increase in accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
214,195
|
|
|
|
114,003
|
|
|
|
328,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
$
|
(1,931,461
|
)
|
|
$
|
(273,427
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,204,888
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
(7,885
|
)
|
|
|
(6,231
|
)
|
|
|
(24,116
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
$
|
(7,885
|
)
|
|
$
|
(6,231
|
)
|
|
$
|
(24,116
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
|
|
|
2,387,990
|
|
|
|
2,984,110
|
|
|
|
5,372,100
|
|
Loans from (repayments to) shareholders
|
|
|
(1,150
|
)
|
|
|
150
|
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
$
|
2,386,840
|
|
|
$
|
2,984,260
|
|
|
$
|
5,383,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash
|
|
|
447,494
|
|
|
|
2,704,602
|
|
|
|
3,154,096
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
|
|
|
2,706,602
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
|
|
$
|
3,154,096
|
|
|
$
|
2,706,602
|
|
|
$
|
3,154,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
$
|
2,290
|
|
|
$
|
2,440
|
|
Cash received for interest
|
|
$
|
128,996
|
|
|
$
|
13,623
|
|
|
$
|
142,619
|
|
Non-cash transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
$
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
Conversion of debt to equity
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,000
|
|
|
$
|
11,000
|
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the
period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Organization and description of business
:
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (SES or the Company) is an emerging development stage
technology company involved in the global development and commercialization of gasification
technology. Its principal asset is a license with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a U.S.
based non-profit research organization, for U-GAS
®
technology. See Note 13 Subsequent events -
License Agreement with GTI.
The Companys strategy is to commercialize GTIs technology with the initial focus on
development in Shanghai, China. The Companys headquarters are located in Houston, Texas.
On April 18, 2005, SES Acquisition Corporation, a Florida corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Tamborine Holdings, Inc. (Tamborine), a Mississippi corporation, merged with and
into Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (Synthesis Florida), whereby the
holders of common stock of Synthesis Florida became shareholders of, and Synthesis Florida became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of, Tamborine. The Company accounted for this business combination
transaction using the purchase method of accounting, in accordance with FASB Statement No. 141,
Business Combinations. This transaction was an exchange of stock in one company for stock in
another company; therefore, no goodwill or intangibles were recorded in this transaction. On April
27, 2005, Tamborine changed its name to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. and on June 27, 2005,
reincorporated in the State of Delaware.
As a condition of the above merger, Synthesis Florida completed a restructuring whereby each
of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands, International Hydrogen Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation, Innovative Engines,
Inc., a Florida corporation, and Synthesis Energy Systems, LLC, a West Virginia limited liability
company, became wholly owned subsidiaries of Synthesis Florida. The Company accounted for this
transaction as an acquisition between entities under common control. Therefore, the results of
operations, of these new subsidiary companies from the acquisition date of April 18, 2005 are
included in the Companys consolidated financial statements as if the restructuring had been formed
at the earliest inception date of each of the subsidiaries. Accordingly, no goodwill was recorded
as a result of this transaction.
(b) Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are in US dollars and include SES, all of
its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. The Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to
the current year presentation. The Company is currently in development stage and has not generated
any operating revenue to date.
(c) Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate
operational and financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the assumptions that
are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant
judgment in this process. Among the factors, but not fully inclusive of all factors that may be
considered by management in these processes are: the range of accounting policies permitted by
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; managements
understanding of the Companys business both historical results and expected future results; the
extent to which operational controls exist that provide high degrees of assurance that all desired
information to assist in the estimation is available and reliable or whether there is greater
uncertainty in the information that is available upon
F-7
which to base the estimate; expectations of the future performance of the economy, both
domestically, and globally, within various areas that serve the Companys principal customers and
suppliers of goods and services; expected rates of exchange, sensitivity and volatility associated
with the assumptions used in developing estimates; and whether historical trends are expected to be
representative of future trends. The estimation process often times may yield a range of
potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes and management must select an
amount that lies within that range of reasonable estimates based upon the quantity, quality and
risks associated with the variability that might be expected from the future outcome and the
factors considered in developing the estimate. This estimation process may result in the selection
of estimates which could be viewed as conservative or aggressive by others. Management attempts to
use its business and financial accounting judgment in selecting the most appropriate estimate,
however, actual amounts could and will differ from those estimates.
(d) 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 are carried at cost, which approximates market
value.
(e) Property, plant, and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by using the
straight-line method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the various classes of
property. Estimates of useful lives are based upon a variety of factors including durability of
the asset, the amount of usage that is expected from the asset, the rate of technological change
and the Companys business plans for the asset. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight
line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Should the
Company change its plans with respect to the use and productivity of property and equipment, it may
require a change in the useful life of the asset or incur a charge to reflect the difference
between the carrying value of the asset and the proceeds expected to be realized upon the assets
sale or abandonment. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and
significant major improvements are capitalized.
(f) Impairment of assets
The Company evaluates fixed assets for impairment if an event or circumstance occurs that
triggers an impairment test. Substantial judgment is necessary in the determination as to whether
an event or circumstance has occurred that may trigger an impairment analysis and in the
determination of the related cash flows from the asset. Estimating cash flows related to
long-lived assets are a difficult and subjective process that applies historical experience and
future business expectations to revenues and related operating costs of assets. Should impairment
appear to be necessary, subjective judgment must be applied to estimate the fair value of the
asset, for which there may be no ready market, which oftentimes results in the use of discounted
cash flow analysis and judgmental selection of discount rates to be used in the discounting
process. If the Company determines an asset has been impaired based on the projected undiscounted
cash flows of the related asset or the business unit over the remaining amortization period, and if
the cash flow analysis indicates that the carrying amount of an asset exceeds related undiscounted
cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value of the asset or the present
value of the expected future cash flows.
(g) Intangible asset
Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated
useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with
FASB Statement No. 144,
Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.
(h) Provision for income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax
liabilities and assets are determined based on temporary differences between the basis of assets
and liabilities for income tax and financial reporting purposes. The deferred tax assets and
liabilities are classified according to the financial statement classification of the assets and
liabilities generating the differences. Valuation allowances are established when necessary based
upon the judgment of management to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
F-8
realized and could be necessary based upon estimates of future profitability and expenditure
levels over specific time horizons in particular tax jurisdictions.
(i) Foreign currency translation
Assets and liabilities of the Companys foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars
at year-end rates of exchange and income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates
during the year. Adjustments resulting from translating financial statements into U.S. dollars for
the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 were immaterial and therefore the Companys financial
statements do not reflect any cumulative translation adjustments which would normally be shown as a
separate component of other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency
transactions are included in net loss.
(j) Research and development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
(k) Stock option plan
In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No.
123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,
we have elected to account for our stock-based
compensation plans under the intrinsic value method established by Accounting Principles Board
Opinion (APB) No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.
In accordance with the
provisions of APB No. 25, amounts recorded in net income reflect only the amount by which fair
market value is greater than the exercise price of the option at the date of grant. Due to the
thinly traded nature of the Companys stock, the Company uses an average of several days of trades
to calculate fair market value. In accordance with SFAS No. 148,
Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of SFAS No. 123,
the effect on our net loss
per share as if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based
employee compensation (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
|
(inception)
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
to June 30, 2006
|
|
Net loss, as reported
|
|
$
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
Add: Total stock-based compensation recorded, net of tax
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,042,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all awards,
net of related tax effects (
1
)
|
|
|
(4,132,917
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,132,917
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss
|
|
$
|
(6,272,314
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
$
|
(6,630,667
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted, as reported
|
|
$
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.20
|
)
|
Basic and diluted pro forma
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average fair value per share of options granted (1)
|
|
$
|
3.49
|
|
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
3.49
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information
regarding the computations presented above.
|
Note 2 Recently issued accounting standards
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment"
(SFAS No.123(R)) requiring the compensation cost relating to share-based payments be recognized
over their vesting periods in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. In April
2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Shared-Based Payment providing for a
phased-in implementation process for SFAS No. 123(R). The Statement will be effective for the
Company for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006. The Company expects to record approximately
$12.0 million of stock-based compensation over the next four years based upon options outstanding at
June 30, 2006.
F-9
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a
replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 (SFAS No. 154)
. This pronouncement
applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and revises the requirements for
accounting for and reporting a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective
application to prior periods financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle,
unless it is impracticable to do so. This pronouncement also requires changes to the method of
depreciation, amortization, or depletion for long-lived, non-financial assets are accounted for as
a change in accounting estimate that is affected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154
is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2005. SFAS No. 154 does not change the transition provisions of any existing
accounting pronouncements, including those which are in a transition phase (such as SFAS No.
123(R)) as of the effective date of SFAS No. 154. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS
No. 154 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an
Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,
which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax
positions. FIN 48 requires we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position,
if the position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits
of the position. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The
Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material input on its financial position,
results of operation or cash flows.
Note 3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Prepaid insurance
|
|
$
|
13,158
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Prepaid legal & consulting services
|
|
|
17,781
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
Prepaid rent & related deposits
|
|
|
3,243
|
|
|
|
9,022
|
|
Employee advances
|
|
|
4,389
|
|
|
|
11,796
|
|
Other
|
|
|
3,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
42,037
|
|
|
$
|
30,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30,
|
|
|
|
Estimated useful lives
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
2 to 3 years
|
|
$
|
3,129
|
|
|
$
|
2,957
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
Lease term
|
|
|
2,298
|
|
|
|
2,297
|
|
Computer equipment
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
8,689
|
|
|
|
977
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
14,116
|
|
|
$
|
6,231
|
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,262
|
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,854
|
|
|
$
|
5,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense for the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from
November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006 was $3,960, $302 and $4,262, respectively .
F-10
Note 5 Intangible asset
The Companys only intangible asset is a license with the Gas Technology Institute
(GTI); a U.S. based non-profit research organization, for U-GAS
®
technology in several world-wide
geographic markets, including China, the Appalachian Mountain regions of the United States, India,
Pakistan, Australia and the United Kingdom. This agreement was amended and restated on August 31,
2006. See Note 13
Subsequent Events License Agreement with GTI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2006
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Estimated useful life
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
Use rights of U-GAS:
|
|
10 years
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,439
|
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense for the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from
November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006 was $1,000, $999 and $2,439, respectively. Based
upon the GTI Agreement that existed as of June 30, 2006, the annual estimated amortization
expense, related to an intangible asset, for the next five years is $1,000 per year.
Note 6 Accrued expenses and other payables
The components of the accrued expenses and other payables are as follows :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Reimbursable expenses
|
|
$
|
87,595
|
|
|
$
|
11,929
|
|
Technical, engineering and design services
|
|
|
118,143
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit, tax and other consulting
|
|
|
91,269
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued payroll
|
|
|
24,153
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
Other
|
|
|
7,038
|
|
|
|
47,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
328,198
|
|
|
$
|
114,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 7 Income taxes
For financial reporting purposes, net loss before income taxes showing domestic and
foreign sources was as follows :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$
|
(3,396,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
(36,598
|
)
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(1,785,639
|
)
|
|
|
(321,315
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-11
Provision for income taxes
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate of
35% to the income tax provision (benefit) recorded :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(5,182,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
(357,913
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computed tax benefit at statutory rate
|
|
|
(1,813,832
|
)
|
|
|
(125,270
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
1,347
|
|
|
|
516
|
|
Tax on income/(losses) from foreign operations
|
|
|
616,389
|
|
|
|
112,460
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
1,196,096
|
|
|
|
12,294
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
The components of the net deferred asset (liabilities) are as follows :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carry forward
|
|
$
|
144,999
|
|
|
$
|
12,294
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued professional fees
|
|
|
10,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
1,024,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accruals
|
|
|
28,332
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
1,208,390
|
|
|
|
12,294
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(1,208,390
|
)
|
|
|
(12,294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred assets (liabilities)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2006 we had approximately $390,107 of federal net operating loss (NOL)
carry forwards, and $56,412 of China NOL carry forwards. The federal NOL carry forwards have
expiration dates through the year 2026. The China NOL carry forwards will expire in 2011.
The Company has established valuation allowances for uncertainties in realizing the benefit of
tax losses, and other deferred tax assets in all jurisdictions. Future changes in estimates of
taxable income or in tax laws may change the need for the valuation allowance .
Note 8 Net loss per share data
Historical net loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Basic loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net
loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. For the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November 4, 2003
(inception) to June 30, 2006, the number of weighted average shares included in the calculation was
27,754,139, 27,180,446 and 27,351,936 respectively. Stock options are the only potential dilutive
share equivalents the Company has outstanding for the periods presented. No shares related to
options were included in diluted earnings per share for the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and
F-12
the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006 as their effect would have been
antidilutive as the Company incurred net loss during those periods.
Note 9 Commitments and contingencies
Lease commitments
The Company occupies approximately 3,000 square feet of leased office space in Houston,
Texas, approximately 3,500 square feet of office space in Shanghai, China and small offices in
Miami, Florida, and Beijing, China. Rental expenses incurred under operating leases for the years
ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006
were approximately $27,085, $6,267 and $33,352, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under
non-cancelable operating lease (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of
June 30, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
8,033
|
|
2008
|
|
|
1,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total future minimum lease payments
|
|
$
|
9,534
|
|
|
|
|
|
License agreement
On February 27, 2006, the Company amended its license agreement with the Gas Technology
Institute (GTI); a U.S. based non-profit research organization, for U-GAS
®
technology.
Commitments under the amended agreement at June 30, 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
60,000
|
|
2008
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total future minimum lease payments
|
|
$
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
On August 31, 2006, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated License Agreement with
GTI for which the company paid $500,000 in cash and issued 190,500 shares of common stock in lieu
of the payments above. (See Note 13 Subsequent events License Agreement with GTI).
Employment agreements
The Company has entered into employment agreements with several of its top management
executives which contain specific guaranteed bonuses and/or pay increases based upon certain
specific targets. As of June 30, 2006 none of the specified targets had been met therefore no
accrual has been made for these events.
Equity and financing transaction
In
March 2005, in connection with a private placement for a maximum
of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, (See Note 10 Stockholders Equity) the Company entered into an agreement with Union Charter Capital VII, Inc.
(UCF) which covered certain capital commitment obligations of UCF and the Company and set forth
certain rights of UCF if certain commitment thresholds were met. UCF
met these commitments in connection with the August 2006 private
placement of 3,345,715 shares of common stock. On
November 30, 2006, the Company amended and restated its
agreement with UCF in its entirety to clarify certain statements in
the previous agreement. As amended and restated, UCF is entitled to
purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Companys common
stock at a purchase price of $2.50 per share on or prior to
June 30, 2007. Upon exercise of this right, UCF may purchase all
or a portion of the 2,000,000 shares. The Company estimates the
fair value of these options to be $9.8 million dollars, using a
Black Scholes options pricing model. The following weighted average
assumption used were as follows: risk-free interest rates of 5.10%,
dividend rate of 0.00%, expected life of 10 months and expected
volatility of 58.66%.
Tamborine merger related representations and warranties
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands (Synthesis BVI), and Synthesis Energy Systems, LLC, a West Virginia limited liability
company (Synthesis LLC), were formed as sister companies in November of 2003 to engage in the
business of development and commercialization of the U-GAS
®
technology. The founders of SES BVI
believed that it was important to be a publicly traded company in order to obtain the capital
necessary to engage in this business. Tamborine Holdings,
F-13
Inc., a shell company trading on the Pink Sheets (Tamborine), a centralized quotation
service that collects and publishes market maker quotes for securities traded in the
over-the-counter market (the Pink Sheets), was receptive to a combination transaction with SES
BVI. As such, on April 18, 2005, pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
Agreement), SES Acquisition Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tamborine, merged with and
into Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (Synthesis Florida), whereby the
holders of common stock of Synthesis Florida became shareholders of, and Synthesis Florida became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of, Tamborine. As a condition of the above merger, Synthesis Florida
completed a restructuring whereby each of Synthesis BVI and Synthesis LLC became wholly owned
subsidiaries of Synthesis Florida. On April 27, 2005, Tamborine changed its name to Synthesis
Energy Systems, Inc. and on June 27, 2005, reincorporated in the state of Delaware. At the time
of the merger, there were 100,000,000 shares of Tamborine common stock outstanding, 94,000,000 of
which were cancelled in connection with the merger. The remaining 6,000,000 shares became shares
of the Company as the surviving entity as a result of the name change and the reincorporation. An
additional 21,000,000 restricted shares were issued as consideration in the merger to former
shareholders of Synthesis Florida, all of whom were accredited investors.
Tamborine made numerous representations and warranties in the Agreement, including a
representation that all prior offers and sales of its common stock were duly registered or exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws.
As noted above, one of the principal reasons that Synthesis Florida completed the merger was to
have access to a public trading market, and Tamborine had represented that its shares were eligible
for trading, and in fact were trading, on the Pink Sheets. The Companys current management team,
which took office beginning in May of 2006, re-examined the facts surrounding the Tamborine
issuances prior to the merger and now believes that Tamborines representation in the Agreement as
to its compliance with federal and state securities laws was incorrect. Although the Companys
current management has not been able to locate any definitive records regarding the prior issuances
of Tamborine, they have been able to determine the following details.
Tamborine was formed in May 2004, and in connection with its formation, issued 100,000,000
shares of its common stock to its three founders, including IFG Investment Services (IFG). The
certificates issued to two of the three founders contained the appropriate restrictive legend
limiting transfer of the shares as is customary in an unregistered private placement. However, the
certificate issued to IFG for 7,500,000 shares was apparently issued without such restrictive
legends. In June 2004, IFG delivered its certificate to Transfer Online, which thereafter began
acting as the transfer agent for Tamborines common stock. In January 2005, a broker-dealer
diligence form was filed by Tamborine with the Pink Sheets under Rule 15c2-11 of the Exchange Act
stating that 6,000,000 shares of Tamborine common stock had been sold in 2004 pursuant to an
exemption from registration under Rule 504 of the Securities Act. We are unsure of which 6,000,000
shares this filing refers to, although it likely is referring to a portion of IFGs shares. The
Companys current management team believes that this Rule 15c2-11 form was filed to permit trading
of the common stock of Tamborine on the Pink Sheets. On March 29, 2005, a second Rule 15c2-11
filing was made by Tamborine which stated that there were 7,500,000 freely tradable shares in the
float, meaning that those shares could be traded on the Pink Sheets, and also stating that
6,000,000 shares had been sold in 2004 to three investors in Texas under Rule 504.
The Companys current management team believes that 6,000,000 shares of the 7,500,000 shares
that were represented to be freely tradable in Tamborines second 15c2-11 filing, and which
remained outstanding after the merger, were not in fact freely tradable when issued. As noted
above, there are no available definitive records, other than the two Rule 15c2-11 filings,
regarding the issuance of those shares or the possible exemptions from registration under federal
and state securities laws that were used to issue the shares or permit trading of the shares on the
Pink Sheets. IFG has not provided an opinion of counsel confirming that these shares were issued,
and subsequently transferred, subject to an available exemption. Moreover, the representation in
the 15c2-11 filing that issuing these shares under Rule 504 permits those shares to become freely
tradable is likely not correct. Under Rule 504, any shares sold thereunder are restricted
shares and may not be sold in the public markets without the use of an exemption from registration.
We believe that IFG may have based its view on an incorrect and outdated interpretation of Rule
504. This means that resales of these shares by IFG on the Pink Sheets may have been in violation
of applicable securities laws because the shares were in fact restricted. Trading by subsequent
holders may have been in accordance with applicable securities laws based on other available
exemptions, but we do not have any documentation to confirm any such conclusions.
F-14
The Company is taking a number of steps to deal with these issues and have notified its
transfer agent to cease any further transfers of the Companys common stock without the approval of
management. Additionally, the Company may request that IFG surrender its remaining shares of
common stock in return for restricted shares and/or for cancellation. Current Management of the
Company has no reason to believe, at this time, that IFG will respond to their request. They also
intend to contact all stockholders who purchased shares of common stock in our May 2005 and August
2006 private placements to inform them of these issues and give them the opportunity to have the
aggregate purchase price that they paid returned, plus interest. We are also filing a registration
statement on Form SB-2 to (a) cause the Company to become a reporting company under the Exchange
Act, which simplifies the use of Rule 144 to trade Company securities, provides information that is
more complete to stockholders and is a key requirement for listing on a national securities
exchange, and (b) register resales of shares held by investors in the private placements noted
above, which provides them with an opportunity to dispose of shares using the registration
statement without any limitations on volume or concerns about the issues noted above. Lastly, the
Company has filed an updated 15c2-11 filing on August 11, 2006 and intends to file another updated
15c2-11 filing in connection with the filing of the registration statement to provide current and
correct information about the Company and the above matters.
As noted above, many aspects of these events cannot be corroborated by documentary evidence or
otherwise. In addition, there is not sufficient evidence relating to the trading history of the
Companys common stock to analyze the range of potential damages, if any, arising out of these
events. In fact, the trading price for our stock has generally increased since it began trading on
the Pink Sheets, and we have made progress in executing its business plan, so it is possible that
these events have not generated significant liabilities. Of course, federal and state regulatory
agencies could also examine these events and commence proceedings against the Company, its officers
and directors (former and current) and the other individuals involved. We do maintain officer and
director liability insurance, and would of course utilize that coverage, if it is available under
the terms of the policy, in the event any liabilities are assessed against officers and directors.
Given the above facts, it is not possible at this time to predict the likelihood that the Company
will in fact have any liability arising out of these events or the amount of such liability, if
any.
Note 10 Stockholders equity
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of common
stock. Prior to the merger transaction between the Company and Synthesis Florida effective on
April 18, 2005 as described in Note 1(a), the Companys total issued and outstanding common stock
was 100,000,000 shares. After the effective date of the merger, 94,000,000 shares of the issued
and outstanding common stock of the Company were forfeited, and 21,000,000 shares of the Company
were issued to the original shareholders of Synthesis Florida as consideration for the merger. As
a result, 27,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock were issued and outstanding on the
effective date of the merger.
Subsequent to the merger, the Company offered for private placement a maximum of 2,000,000
shares of its common stock at a price of $2.50 per share for a maximum aggregate amount of
$5,000,000 to certain accredited investors in 2005. The offering was fully subscribed and, after
deducting for legal and other related expenses, net proceeds of $4,872,100 were received by the
Company. The difference between the offered price and the Companys par value is recorded under
additional paid-in capital. As a result, 29,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock were
issued and outstanding after the close of the private placement.
As part of the reincorporation of the Company from Mississippi to Delaware as described in
Note 1(a), the par value of the Companys common stock was converted from $0.001 per share to
$0.01 per share, with the total number of outstanding shares remaining unchanged. The capital
stock amount and the additional paid-in capital amount in the accompanying financial statements,
including the prior period comparative figures, have been reclassified and recapitalized to reflect
such par value change, with nil net impact on stockholders equity.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, certain shareholders of the Company agreed to surrender
an aggregate of 4,352,500 shares of the Companys common stock. As a result, the issued and
outstanding shares of the Company were reduced from 29,000,000 shares to 24,647,500 shares. The
capital stock amount and the additional paid-in capital amount in the accompanying financial
statements have been reclassified and recapitalized to reflect such reduction in the number of
issued and outstanding shares, with no net impact on stockholders equity.
F-15
Note 11 Accounting for stock-based compensation
Under our 2005 SES 2005 Incentive Plan we may grant (a) non-qualified stock options to
our employees, directors and eligible consultants, (b) incentive stock options to employees only in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the plan or (c) restricted stock. The total number of
shares of common stock that may be subject to the granting of incentive awards under the plan is
15% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares on the last day of each calendar quarter
preceding a grant. (See Note 13 Subsequent Events Amendment to the 2005 Incentive Plan). The
plan options vest up to five years and expire five years from the grant date.
The following is a summary of the status of our 2005 Incentive Plan at June 30, 2006 and 2005,
and changes during the years then ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(inception)
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
to June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited or canceled
|
|
|
197,500
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
197,500
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of year
|
|
|
4,802,500
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,802,500
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable, end of year
|
|
|
1,015,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average grant-date
fair value of options granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.49
|
|
The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at June
30, 2006 :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
Range of Exercise
|
|
Number
|
|
Contractual
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Number
|
|
Exercise
|
Prices
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
Life (Years)
|
|
Price
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Price
|
$2.50 to $3.00
|
|
|
4,802,500
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
1,015,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.96
|
|
For purposes of the pro forma disclosures in Note 1(k), under SFAS No. 123, the fair
value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants during the years
ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period for November 4, 2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006,
respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.96%, 0.00% and 4.96%; dividend rates of $0, $0 and $0;
expected lives of 3.50, 0.00 and 3.50 years; expected volatility of 67.6%, 0.00% and 67.6%.
The Black-Scholes option pricing model and other existing models were developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of, and are highly sensitive
to, subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Our employee stock
options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and changes in
the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
F-16
Note 12 Related party transactions
Companies are considered to be related if a company has the ability, directly or
indirectly, to control a second company or exercise significant influence over a second company in
making financial and operating decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are
subject to common control or common significant influence. There was no material related party
transactions during the year ended June 30, 2006.
On December 27, 2004, a shareholder advanced $1,050,000 to the Company at an interest rate of
approximately 1.6% per annum. The advance was repaid with interest expense, approximately $2,290
on February 17, 2005. Since the net amount is zero these amounts are not shown on the Companys
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended June 30, 2005.
In 2005, loans from shareholders in the amount of $11,000 were converted into paid-in-capital
upon the Agreement of Forgiveness of loan signed on April 18, 2005.
Note 13 Subsequent events
Joint Venture Project in China
On July 6, 2006, one of the Companys wholly-owned subsidiaries, Synthesis Energy Systems
Investments, Inc., entered into a cooperative joint venture contract with Shandong Hai Hua Coal &
Chemical Company Ltd. (Hai Hua) which established Synthesis Energy Systems (Zaozhuang) New Gas
Company Ltd. (SES Zaozhuang), a joint venture company that has the primary purpose of developing,
constructing and operating a synthesis gas production plant utilizing the U-GAS
®
technology.
Pursuant to the terms of the contract, in exchange for their respective ownership shares in SES
Zaozhuang, SES Investments will contribute capital, and Hai Hua will contribute land use rights,
storage facilities and certain other management services to the Company. Hai Hua will buy
synthesis gas from the joint venture company at a specified contract amount. The contract has a
term of fifty years, subject to earlier termination if either SES Zaohuang files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent or if the tolling contract between SES Zaozhuang and Hai Hua (discussed in more
detail below) is terminated. Hai Hua has also agreed that the License Agreement is the sole
property of SES Investments and its affiliated entities and that it will not compete with SES
Investments, or its affiliated entities, with respect to fluidized bed gasification technology for
the term of the contract.
The Company is currently estimating that it will contribute approximately $9.3 million as
equity into the newly formed joint venture company. Construction of the plant is expected to be
completed in the second half of the calendar year 2007. The Company and Hai Hua have received
government approvals for the establishment of the joint venture
company. As of September 30, 2006 the Company had paid $232,279 to equipment suppliers for downpayments on equipment to be
built for the Hai Hua project.
On October 22, 2006, SES Zaozhuang entered into purchase and sale contract with Hai Hua
pursuant to which Hai Hua will buy, once the plant is completed, synthesis gas from SES Zaozhuang
at a specified contract amount. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Hai Hua will pay a tolling
fee based upon the available gasification capacity and an energy charge based upon the actual
syngas consumed. Hai Hua is obligated to pay the tolling fee regardless of whether they use the
gasification capacity. If SES Zaozhuang produces more syngas than the capacity that Hai Hua is
required to purchase under the contract, Hai Hua shall have a right of first refusal to purchase
such excess amount. The agreement terminates twenty years from the date the plant becomes
operational.
License Agreement with GTI
On August 31, 2006, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated License Agreement with
GTI for which the Company paid $500,000 in cash and issued 190,500 shares of common stock. Pursuant
to the Amended and Restated License Agreement between the Company and GTI (the License
Agreement), the Company has an exclusive license to manufacture, make, use and sell U-GAS
®
systems
using the technology of GTI worldwide as to coal gasification, biomass blends up to 40% biomass,
systems and non-exclusive license to manufacture, make, use and sell 40% biomass and coal mixture
gasification systems. The License Agreement has an initial term of ten years, but may be extended
for two additional ten years terms (total of 30 years) at the option of the Company. This
agreement also outlines certain restrictive covenants relating to competing, gasification
technologies. Additionally, for each U-GAS
®
unit for which the Company licenses, designs, builds or
operates which uses coal, or a coal and
F-17
biomass mixture, as the feed stock, the Company must pay a royalty and must also provide GTI
with a copy of each contract that the Company enters into relating to a U-GAS
®
system and report to
GTI with their progress on development of the technology every six months. A failure to comply
with any of the above requirements could result in the termination of the License Agreement by GTI.
In addition, the Company is required to (i) have a contract for the sale of a U-GAS
®
system
with a customer in the territory covered by the License Agreement no later than August 31, 2007,
(ii) fabricate and put into operation at least one U-GAS
®
system within the territory covered by
the License Agreement by July 31, 2008 and (iii) fabricate and put into operation at least one
U-GAS
®
system within the territory covered by the License Agreement for each calendar year of the
License Agreement, beginning with the calendar year 2009. The Company is required to disclose to
GTI any improvements related to the U-GAS
®
system which are developed and implemented by the
Company and the manner of using and applying such improvements. Failure to satisfy the
requirements as to these milestones could lead to the revocation of the license by GTI; provided,
however, that GTI is required to give a twelve-month notice of termination and the Company is able
to cure the default and continue the Agreement prior to the expiration of such time period.
Without the prior written consent of GTI, the Company has no right to sublicense any U-GAS
®
system other than to customers for which the Company has constructed a U-GAS
®
system. For a period
of ten years, the Company is restricted from disclosing any confidential information (as defined in
the license) to any person other than employees of its affiliates or contractors who are required
to deal with such information, and such persons will be bound by the confidentiality provisions of
the license. The Company further indemnified GTI and its affiliates from any liability or loss
resulting from unauthorized disclosure or use of any confidential information that it receives.
Amendment to the 2005 Incentive Plan
Effective August 5, 2006, the Companys amended and restated its 2005 Incentive Plan. The
Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (the Plan) increases the number of shares reserved under
the plan to 6,000,000 shares of common stock. The Companys Board of Directors adopted the Plan as
amended and restated on August 5, 2006 and shareholder approval was obtained at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders on September 25, 2006.
Issuance of Common Stock
In August 2006, the Company received
approximately $16,000,000 and issued 3,345,715 shares
of common stock in a round of private placement financing which closed on November 30, 2006.
Amendment to the Union Charter Agreement
On
November 30, 2006, the Company amended and restated its
agreement with UCF in its entirety to clarify certain statements in
the previous agreement. As amended and restated, UCF is entitled to
purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Companys common
stock at a purchase price of $2.50 per share on or prior to
June 30, 2007. Upon exercise of this right, UCF may purchase all
or a portion of the 2,000,000 shares. The Company estimates the
fair value of these options to be $9.8 million dollars, using a
Black Scholes options pricing model. The following weighted average
assumption used were as follows: risk-free interest rates of 5.10%,
dividend rate of 0.00%, expected life of 10 months and expected
volatility of 58.66%.
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger
On
December 29, 2006, the Company
amended the Agreement for the sole purpose of correcting the number of shares of common stock issued in the merger with
Tamborine. The Agreement stated that 21,050,000 shares were issued when in actuality only 21,000,000 shares
were issued.
F-18
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
17,510,891
|
|
|
$
|
3,154,096
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
97,394
|
|
|
|
42,037
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
17,608,285
|
|
|
$
|
3,196,133
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
96,061
|
|
|
|
9,854
|
|
Project prepayment
|
|
|
232,279
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible asset, net
|
|
|
1,868,036
|
|
|
|
7,561
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
19,804,661
|
|
|
$
|
3,213,548
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
$
|
538,126
|
|
|
$
|
328,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
538,126
|
|
|
|
328,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 28,183,715 and 24,647,500 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively
|
|
|
281,837
|
|
|
|
246,475
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
27,459,950
|
|
|
|
8,179,604
|
|
Deficit accumulated during development stage
|
|
|
(8,475,796
|
)
|
|
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
19,266,535
|
|
|
$
|
2,885,350
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
19,804,661
|
|
|
$
|
3,213,548
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-19
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
(Inception) to
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
September 30, 2005
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of goods sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses and other expenses
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(727,206
|
)
|
|
|
(111,648
|
)
|
|
|
(1,988,338
|
)
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
(1,779,545
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,822,524
|
)
|
Project development cost
|
|
|
(375,832
|
)
|
|
|
(102,705
|
)
|
|
|
(1,291,393
|
)
|
Technical development
|
|
|
(148,607
|
)
|
|
|
(83,714
|
)
|
|
|
(609,843
|
)
|
Operating loss
|
|
$
|
(3,031,190
|
)
|
|
$
|
(298,067
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,762,098
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
96,123
|
|
|
|
25,978
|
|
|
|
238,742
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,440
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss before income tax benefit
|
|
|
(2,935,067
|
)
|
|
|
(272,089
|
)
|
|
|
(8,475,796
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(2,935,067
|
)
|
|
$
|
(272,089
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,475,796
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted shares
|
|
|
26,070,648
|
|
|
|
28,762,889
|
|
|
|
27,240,572
|
|
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-20
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in Capital
|
|
|
Development Stage
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
246,475
|
|
|
$
|
8,179,604
|
|
|
$
|
(5,540,729
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,885,350
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,935,067
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,935,067
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
544
|
|
Net proceeds from private
placement offering
|
|
|
33,457
|
|
|
|
16,126,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,159,800
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,779,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,779,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued for amended GTI
license
|
|
|
1,905
|
|
|
|
1,374,458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,376,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at September 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
281,837
|
|
|
$
|
27,459,950
|
|
|
$
|
(8,475,796
|
)
|
|
$
|
544
|
|
|
|
19,266,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-21
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
November 4, 2003
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
(inception)
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
September 30, 2005
|
|
|
to September 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(2,935,067
|
)
|
|
$
|
(272,089
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,475,796
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
1,779,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,822,524
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
|
|
|
1,998
|
|
|
|
778
|
|
|
|
6,260
|
|
Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment
|
|
|
2,296
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,296
|
|
Amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
15,888
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
18,327
|
|
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(55,358
|
)
|
|
|
(109,353
|
)
|
|
|
(97,395
|
)
|
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
209,927
|
|
|
|
(76,592
|
)
|
|
|
538,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
$
|
(980,771
|
)
|
|
$
|
(457,004
|
)
|
|
$
|
(3,185,659
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
(90,499
|
)
|
|
|
(4,015
|
)
|
|
|
(114,615
|
)
|
Amendment of GTI license rights
|
|
|
(500,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(500,000
|
)
|
Project prepayment
|
|
|
(232,279
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(232,279
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
$
|
(822,778
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,015
|
)
|
|
$
|
(846,894
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
|
|
|
16,159,800
|
|
|
|
2,387,990
|
|
|
|
21,531,900
|
|
Loans from (repayments to) shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,150
|
)
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
$
|
16,159,800
|
|
|
$
|
2,386,840
|
|
|
$
|
21,542,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash
|
|
|
14,356,251
|
|
|
|
1,925,821
|
|
|
|
17,510,347
|
|
Cash, beginning of the period
|
|
|
3,154,096
|
|
|
|
2,706,602
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rates on cash
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, end of the period
|
|
$
|
17,510,891
|
|
|
$
|
4,632,423
|
|
|
$
|
17,510,891
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-22
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Organization and description of business
The Company is an emerging development stage technology company involved in the global
development and commercialization of gasification technology. Its principal asset is a license
with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a U.S. based non-profit research organization, for
U-GAS
®
technology. The Companys strategy is to commercialize GTIs technology with the initial
focus on development in Shanghai, China. The Companys headquarters are located in Houston, Texas.
(b) Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are in US dollars and include Synthesis
Energy Systems, Inc., all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has reclassified certain prior
year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. The Company is currently in development
stage and has not generated any operating revenue to date.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three-month periods ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to September 30, 2006
have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of
normal recurring accruals and adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to
fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. Certain information and
disclosures normally present in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such
rules and regulations. The company believes that the disclosures provided are adequate to make the
information presented not misleading.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements
and explanatory notes for the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November 4,
2003 (inception) to June 30, 2006.
The results of the three-month period ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative
of the results of operations to be expected for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2007.
(c) Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate
operational and financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the assumptions that
are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant
judgment in this process. Among the factors, but not fully inclusive of all factors that may be
considered by management in these processes are: the range of accounting policies permitted by
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; managements
understanding of the Companys business both historical results and expected future results; the
extent to which operational controls exist that provide high degrees of assurance that all desired
information to assist in the estimation is available and reliable or whether there is greater
uncertainty in the information that is available upon
F-23
which to base the estimate; expectations of the future performance of the economy, both
domestically, and globally, within various areas that serve the Companys principal customers and
suppliers of good and services; expected rates of exchange, sensitivity and volatility associated
with the assumptions used in developing estimates; and whether historical trends are expected to be
representative of future trends. The estimation process often times may yield a range of
potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes and management must select an
amount that lies within that range of reasonable estimates based upon the quantity, quality and
risks associated with the variability that might be expected from the future outcome and the
factors considered in developing the estimate. This estimation process may result in the selection
of estimates which could be viewed as conservative or aggressive by others. Management attempts to
use is business and financial accounting judgment in selecting the most appropriate estimate,
however, actual amounts could and will differ from those estimates .
Note 2 Accounting for stock-based compensation
Under our 2005 SES 2005 Incentive Plan we may grant (a) non-qualified stock options to
our employees, directors and eligible consultants, (b) Incentive Stock options to employees only in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the plan or (c) restricted stock. The total number of
shares of common Stock that may be subject to the granting of incentive awards under the plan is
15% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares on the last day of each calendar quarter
preceding a grant. (See Note 13 Subsequent Events Amendment to the 2005 Incentive Plan). The
plan options vest up to five years and expire five years from the grant date.
Prior to July 1, 2006, we accounted for our stock option and stock-based compensation plans
using the intrinsic-value method outlined by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25.
Accordingly, we computed compensation cost for each employee stock option granted as the amount by
which the fair market value was greater than the exerciser price of the option at the date of
grant. Due to the thinly traded nature of the Companys stock, the Company uses an average of
several days of trades to calculate fair market value. The amount of compensation cost was
expensed over the vesting period. During the year ended June 30, 2006 the Company recognized
$3,042,979 of stock-based compensation.
Effective July 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123R, Share Based Payment and
elected to use the modified prospective transition method. Under this method, compensation cost
recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2006, includes the applicable amounts of: (a)
compensation cost of all stock-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of June 30,
2006 based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of
SFAS No. 123 and previously presented in pro forma footnote disclosures, and (b) compensation cost
for all stock-based awards granted subsequent to June 30, 2006 (based on the grant-date fair
value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R)). Results for prior periods
have not been restated.
SFAS No. 123R amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows, to require reporting of tax
benefits as a financing cash flow, rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. These tax benefits
result from tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recognized for options exercised.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, no stock options were exercised.
On March 29, 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 107 to address certain
issues related to SFAS No. 123R. SAB 107 provides guidance on transition methods, valuation
methods, income tax effects and other share-based payment topics, and we had also applied this
guidance in our adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
On November 10, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued FASB Staff
Position (FSP) No. FAS 123(R)-3, Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of
Share-Based Payment Awards (FSP 123R-3). FSP 123R-3 provides for an alternative transition
method for establishing the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool (APIC pool)
related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation, which is available to absorb tax
deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. We have elected to adopt this
alternative transition method, otherwise known as the simplified method, in establishing our
beginning APIC pool at July 1, 2006
F-24
Effect of Adopting SFAS No. 123(R)
The following is the effect of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) as of July 1, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
2006
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
$
|
1,779,545
|
|
Related deferred income tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in basic and diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
The amounts above relate to the impact of recognizing compensation expense related to
stock options.
The Company recognizes expense for our stock-based compensation over the vesting period, which
represents the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award
and recognizes compensation expense for stock-based awards immediately if the award has immediate
vesting.
Prior Period Pro Forma Presentation
Under the modified prospective application method, results for prior periods have not been
restated to reflect the effects of implementing SFAS No, 123 (R). The following pro forma
information, as required by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and
Disclosure, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123 is presented for comparative purposes and
illustrates the pro forma effect on net loss per share for the period presented as if we had
applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based compensation prior to
July 1, 2006 (in thousands, except per-share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
September 30, 2005
|
Net loss, as reported
|
|
$
|
(272,089
|
)
|
Add: total stock-based compensation recorded, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
Less: total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all
awards, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss
|
|
$
|
(272,089
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted as reported
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Basic and diluted pro forma
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Assumptions
The fair values for the significant stock-based awards granted during the three months ended
September 30, 2006 were estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model
with the following weighted-average assumptions. No stock-based awards were issued during the
three months ended September 30, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
Risk-free rate of return
|
|
|
4.80
|
%
|
Expected life of award
|
|
3.5 years
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Expected volatility of stock
|
|
|
66.54
|
%
|
Weighted-average fair value
|
|
$
|
3.81
|
|
The expected volatility of stock assumption was derived by referring to changes in the
historical volatility of comparable companies. Forfeiture rates are estimated due to a lack of
historical forfeiture data.
F-25
In accordance with SAB 107, we used the simplified method for plain vanilla options to
estimate the expected term of options granted during 2006.
Stock-based award activity during the three months ended September 30, 2006 was as follows
(aggregate intrinsic value in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Average
|
|
Remaining
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
of
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Contractual
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Term
|
|
Value
|
Outstanding at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
4,802,500
|
|
|
$
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
2.4
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
340,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.94
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
.4
|
|
Exercised
Canceled
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at September 30, 2006
|
|
|
5,142,500
|
|
|
$
|
3.10
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
$
|
2.8
|
|
As of
September 30, 2006, approximately $10.3 million of estimated expense with respect to
non-vested stock-based awards has yet to be recognized and will be recognized in expense over the
employees remaining weighted average service period of approximately 4.6 years. As of September
30, 2006, 1,083,000 of the above options were exercisable.
The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding and
exercisable at September 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Remaining
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Number
|
|
Exercise
|
Range of Exercise Prices
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
Life (Years)
|
|
Price
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Price
|
$2.50 to $3.00
|
|
|
4,802,500
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
1,015,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.96
|
|
$3.01 to $6.75
|
|
|
340,000
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
4.94
|
|
|
|
68,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
5,142,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,083,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based award activity for non-vested awards during the three months ended September
30, 2006 is as follows :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
of
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Fair Value
|
Non-vested at June 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
3,787,500
|
|
|
$
|
2.79
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
340,000
|
|
|
|
3.81
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(68,000
|
)
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Canceled
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-vested at September 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
4,059,500
|
|
|
$
|
2.85
|
|
F-26
Note 3 Intangible asset
The Companys only intangible asset is a license with the Gas Technology Institute
(GTI), a U.S. based non-profit research organization, for U-GAS
®
technology.
On August 31, 2006, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated License Agreement with
GTI. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated License Agreement between the Company and GTI (the
License Agreement), the Company has an exclusive license to manufacture, make, use and sell
U-GAS
®
systems using the technology of GTI worldwide as to coal gasification, biomass blends up to
40% biomass, systems and non-exclusive license to manufacture, make, use and sell 40% biomass and
coal mixture gasification systems. The License Agreement has an initial term of ten years, but may
be extended for two additional ten-year terms (total of 30 years) at the option of the Company.
As
consideration for the license, the Company paid $500,000, and issued
190,500 shares of restricted stock to GTI. As a part of the agreement the Company is restricted
from offering a competing gasification technology within any market covered by the License
Agreement. Additionally, for each U-GAS
®
unit for which the Company licenses, designs, builds or
operates which uses coal, or a coal and biomass mixture as the feed stock, the Company must pay a
royalty and must also provide GTI with a copy of each contract that the Company enters into
relating to a U-GAS
®
system and report to GTI with their progress on development of the technology
every six months. A failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in the
termination of the License Agreement by GTI.
In addition, the Company is required to (i) have a contract for the sale of a U-GAS
®
system
with a customer in the territory covered by the License Agreement no later than August 31, 2007,
(ii) fabricate and put into operation at least one U-GAS
®
system within the territory covered by
the License Agreement by July 31, 2008 and (iii) fabricate and put into operation at least one
U-GAS
®
system for each calendar year of the License Agreement, beginning with the calendar year
2009. The Company is required to disclose to GTI any improvements related to the U-GAS
®
system
which are developed and implemented by the Company and the manner of using and applying such
improvements. Failure to satisfy the requirements as to these milestones could lead to the
revocation of the license by GTI; provided, however, that GTI is required to give a twelve-month
notice of termination and the Company is able to cure the default and continue the Agreement prior
to the expiration of such time period.
Without the prior written consent of GTI, the Company has no right to sublicense any U-GAS
®
system other than to customers for which the Company has constructed a U-GAS
®
system. For a period
of ten years, the Company is restricted from disclosing any confidential information (as defined in
the license) to any person other than employees of its affiliates or contractors who are required
to deal with such information, and such persons will be bound by the confidentiality provisions of
the license. The Company further indemnified GTI and its affiliates from any liability or loss
resulting from unauthorized disclosure or use of any confidential information that it receives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2006
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Gross carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Estimated useful life
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
|
amount
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
Use rights of U-GAS:
|
|
10 years
|
|
$
|
1,886,363
|
|
|
$
|
18,327
|
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the
period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to September 30, 2006 was $15,898, $252 and $18,327,
respectively.
F-27
Note 4 Income taxes
Income taxes are recorded utilizing an asset and liability approach. This method gives
consideration to the future tax consequences associated with the differences between the financial
accounting basis and tax basis of the assets and liabilities, and the ultimate realization of any
deferred tax asset resulting from such differences .
Note 5 Net loss per share data
Historical net loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Basic loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net
loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. For the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November
4, 2003 (inception) to September 30, 2006, the number of weighted average shares included in the
calculation was 26,070,648, 28,762,889 and 27,240,572, respectively. Stock options are the only
potential dilutive share equivalents the Company has outstanding for the periods presented. No
shares related to options were included in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the period from November 4, 2003 (inception) to September 30, 2006
as their effect would have been antidilutive as the Company incurred net losses during those
periods.
Note 6 Commitments and Contingencies
In
March 2005, in connection with a private placement for a maximum of
2,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company
entered into an agreement with Union Charter Capital VII. Inc.
(UCF) which covered certain capital commitment
obligations of UCF and the Company and set forth certain rights of
UCF if certain commitment thresholds were met. UCF
met these commitments in connection with the August 2006 private
placement of 3,345,715 shares of common stock.
On November 30,
2006, the Company amended and restated its agreement with UCF in its entirety to clarify certain statements in the
previous agreement. As amended and restated, UCF is entitled to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Companys
common stock at a purchase price of $2.50 per share on or prior to June 30, 2007. Upon exercise of this right, UCF may
purchase all or a portion of the 2,000,000 shares. The Company estimates the fair value of these options to
be
$9.8 million dollars, using a Black Scholes options pricing
model. The following weighted average assumption used were as
follows: risk-free interest rates of 5.10%, dividend rate of 0.00%,
expected life of 10 months and expected volatility of 58.66%.
F-28
Appendix A
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a description of the meanings of some of the industry terms used and not
otherwise defined in this Form SB-2.
Agglomerates
. To form or collect into a rounded mass.
Bar
. A unit of pressure measurement equal to 100,000 pascals.
Biomass
. Living and recently living biological material that can be used as fuel or for
industrial production.
Bituminous coal
. A relatively hard coal containing a tar-like substance called bitumen.
Btu
. A British Thermal Unit, which is a unit of measurement for the quantity of heat
required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
Byproduct
. Secondary or incidental product derived from a manufacturing process or chemical
reaction, which is not the primary product being produced.
Carbonaceuous
. The defining attribute of a substance rich in carbon.
Coke
. Solid carbonaceous residue derived from destructive distillation of low-ash,
low-sulfur bituminous coal
Engineering Block
. A phase of development whereby all mechanical systems are specified and
designed.
Feedstock
.
Substances used as raw material in the gasification process.
Fines
. Coal with a maximum particle size between one-sixteenth inch and one-eighth inch,
occasionally exceeding this maximum.
Fluidized bed
. Type of combustion used in power plants and which suspends solid fuels on
upward-blowing jets of air during the combustion process.
Flux
. A substance used to promote fusion of metals or minerals.
Fuel cell
. An electrochemical energy conversion device designed for continuous
replenishment of the reactants consumed and which produces electricity from an external
supply of fuel and oxidant.
Gasifier
. A vessel which covers carbonaceous materials, such as coal, petroleum, petroleum
coke or biomass, into carbon monoxide and hydrogen and other constituent materials.
High rank
. Coals with higher purity of carbon and less hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
content.
Integrated gasification combined cycle
. A type of power plant using syngas as a source of
clean fuel.
Low rank
. Coals with lower purity of carbon and less hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen content.
A-1
MMBtu
. Million British Thermal Units.
MW
. Mega watt, or one million watts, which is a unit of measurement of power.
Ncum
. Normal cubic meter.
Oxidant
. A chemical compound that readily transfers oxygen atoms or a substance that gains
electrons in a redox chemical reaction.
Particulates
. Tiny particles of solid (a smoke) or liquid (an aerosol) suspended in a gas.
Poly-generation configuration
. The arrangement of equipment which allows for the production of a
number of commodities, including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, steam and power.
Psia
. A unit of measurement for pressure which means pounds per square inch absolute.
Reactant gases
. A gas which is the starting material for a chemical reaction.
Slagging
. The process of removing a nonmetallic material produced from the mutual
dissolving of flux and nonmetallic materials.
Syngas
. A mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other products also referred to as
synthesis gas.
A-2
8,000,000 Shares
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
, 2007
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 24. Indemnification of Directors and Officer
Delaware Law
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, permits a corporation, under
specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and
reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third
parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors, officers, employees or agents of the
corporation, if such directors, officers, employees or agents acted in good faith and in a manner
they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful.
In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be
made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents
in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a
matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall
be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the
extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that
the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or
any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as
directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted
under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our certificate of incorporation is to eliminate
our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders derivative suits on our behalf) to
recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director,
including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by
the DGCL:
|
|
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders;
|
|
|
for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
|
|
|
in respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases; and
|
|
|
for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
|
This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek
non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a directors
duty of care.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
liability of directors, then, in accordance with our certificate of incorporation, the liability of
our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of
incorporation limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by
changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless
otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in
law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.
II-1
Certificate
of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or
permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former directors and officers, as well as
those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as
directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including
service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or
completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all
expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines,
ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
any such person in connection with any such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person
eligible for indemnification pursuant to our certificate of incorporation will be indemnified by us
in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by
our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.
The right to indemnification conferred by our certificate of incorporation is a contract right
that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise
participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided,
however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director
(solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon
delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts
so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for
such expenses under our certificate of incorporation or otherwise.
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights which any person covered by our certificate of incorporation may have or hereafter
acquire under law, our certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, an agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation affecting
indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any
other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective
only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader
indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect
any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such
inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or
amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our certificate of incorporation also permits
us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance
expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our certificate of incorporation.
Our amended and restated bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and
indemnification rights consistent with those set forth in our certificate of incorporation. In
addition, our amended and restated bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the
event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a
specified period of time. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain
insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our
corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss,
whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or
loss under the DGCL.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our amended and restated bylaws affecting
indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable
law, or
II-2
the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required
by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to
provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or
adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission
occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
Item 25. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the various expenses, all of which will be borne by us, in
connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than the
underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC
registration fee.
|
|
|
|
|
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
|
|
$
|
4,922
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
75,000
|
|
Printing and engraving expenses
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
284,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 26. Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities
In March of 2005, we issued 2,000,000 shares of common stock to 23 accredited investors in a
private placement. The aggregate consideration paid for such shares was approximately $5 million.
All the shares of common stock were offered and sold pursuant to the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D.
In August of 2006, we issued 3,345,715 shares of common stock to 4 accredited investors in a
private placement. The aggregate consideration paid for such shares was approximately $18 million.
All the shares of common stock were offered and sold pursuant to the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 506 of Regulation D. Union
Charter Financial acted as the sole and exclusive placement agent for the private placement and
received a fee of $1.4 million, or 8% of the total offering amount, plus expenses. The offering
terminated on November 30, 2006.
II-3
Item 27. Index to Exhibits.
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
|
|
|
|
3.2**
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen Stock Certificate
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion of Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., with respect to legality of the
securities, including consent.
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger among Tamborine
Holdings, Inc., SES Acquisition Corporation, Synthesis Energy
Holdings, Inc. and the shareholders of Synthesis Energy Holdings,
Inc. dated April 4, 2005
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and among the Company, SES Acquisition Corporation,
Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., and the shareholders listed on the
signature page thereto dated December 29, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.3*
|
|
Amended and Restated License Agreement by and between Synthesis
Energy Systems, Inc. and Gas Technology Institute dated August 31,
2006
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Cooperative Joint Venture Contract of SES (Zaozhuang) New Gas
Company Ltd. between Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical Company Ltd.
and Synthesis Energy Systems Investments, Inc. dated July 6, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Amendment to Cooperative Joint Venture Contract of SES (Zaozhuang)
New Gas Company Ltd. between Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical
Company Ltd. and Synthesis Energy Systems Investments, Inc. dated
November 8, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.6*
|
|
Contract for Synthesis Gas Purchase and Sales by and between
Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical Company Ltd. and Synthesis Energy
Systems (Zaozhuang) New Gas Company Ltd. dated October 22, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.7+
|
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Timothy Vail dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.8+
|
|
Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Timothy
Vail dated November 15, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.9+
|
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and David Eichinger dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.10+
|
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and
Donald Bunnell dated July 14, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.11+
|
|
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Lorenzo Lamadrid dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.12+
|
|
Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan
|
|
|
|
10.13+
|
|
Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (four year vesting)
|
|
|
|
10.14+
|
|
Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (five year vesting)
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Amended and Restated Commitment Agreement dated November 30, 2006
between the Company and Union Charter Capital VII, Inc.
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Company.
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Porter & Hedges, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (contained in signature page).
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
|
|
**
|
|
To be filed by amendment
|
|
+
|
|
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
|
II-4
Item 28. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant will:
(1) File, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:
(i) Include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act.
(ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of
Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) Include any additional or changed material information on the
plan of distribution.
(2) For determining any liability under the Securities Act, treat each
post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities offered and the
offering of such securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering.
(3) File a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the
securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.
(4) For determining liability of the undersigned small business issuer under
the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the
undersigned small business issuer undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the
undersigned small business issuer pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the
underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned small business issuer will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered
to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned small
business issuer relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
(§ 230.424 of this chapter);
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by
or on behalf of the undersigned small business issuer or used or referred to by the
undersigned small business issuer;
(iii) (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating
to the offering containing material information about the undersigned small business
issuer or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned small business
issuer; and
II-5
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by
the undersigned small business issuer to the purchaser
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
(c) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933
to any purchaser:
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant to Rule 424(b)(3)
shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the
filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration
statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance
on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i),
(vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by
section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of
and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date
such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date such
form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the
first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be
deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to
the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus
relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no
statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement or made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to
such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the
registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration
statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective
date; or
(d) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration
statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be
deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used
after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first
use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus
that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such
date of first use.
II-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
|
|
|
|
Date: January 31, 2007
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Timothy Vail
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy Vail, President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
II-7
POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
We the undersigned officers and directors of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., hereby,
severally constitute and appoint Timothy Vail and David Eichinger, and each of them singly, our
true and lawful attorneys with full power to them and each of them singly, to sign for us and in
our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form SB-2 filed herewith
and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said registration statement and any
subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) and
generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and
directors to enable Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of
them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto or to any subsequent
registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b).
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Capacity In Which Signed
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ Timothy Vail
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer and
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy Vail
|
|
Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ David Eichinger
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
and Senior Vice President
of Corporate Development
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Eichinger
|
|
(Principal Financial
Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Carol Pearson
|
|
Corporate Controller and
Secretary (Principal
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carol Pearson
|
|
Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Donald Bunnell
|
|
President, Chief
Executive Officer Asia
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donal Bunnell
|
|
Pacific and Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lorenzo Lamdrid
|
|
Director
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael Storey
|
|
Director
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Storey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Denis Slavich
|
|
Director
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denis Slavich
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Harry Rubin
|
|
Director
|
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harry Rubin
|
|
|
|
|
II-8
Index to Exhibits.
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
|
|
|
|
3.2**
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen Stock Certificate
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion of Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., with respect to legality of the
securities, including consent.
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger among Tamborine
Holdings, Inc., SES Acquisition Corporation, Synthesis Energy
Holdings, Inc. and the shareholders of Synthesis Energy Holdings,
Inc. dated April 4, 2005
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and among the Company, SES Acquisition Corporation,
Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc., and the shareholders listed on the
signature page thereto dated December 29, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.3*
|
|
Amended and Restated License Agreement by and between Synthesis
Energy Systems, Inc. and Gas Technology Institute dated August 31,
2006
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Cooperative Joint Venture Contract of SES (Zaozhuang) New Gas
Company Ltd. between Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical Company Ltd.
and Synthesis Energy Systems Investments, Inc. dated July 6, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Amendment to Cooperative Joint Venture Contract of SES (Zaozhuang)
New Gas Company Ltd. between Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical
Company Ltd. and Synthesis Energy Systems Investments, Inc. dated
November 8, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.6*
|
|
Contract for Synthesis Gas Purchase and Sales by and between
Shandong Hai Hua Coal & Chemical Company Ltd. and Synthesis Energy
Systems (Zaozhuang) New Gas Company Ltd. dated October 22, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.7+
|
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Timothy E. Vail dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.8+
|
|
Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Timothy
E. Vail dated November 15, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.9+
|
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and David Eichinger dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.10+
|
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and
Donald P. Bunnell dated July 14, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.11+
|
|
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Lorenzo Lamadrid dated
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
10.12+
|
|
Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan
|
|
|
|
10.13+
|
|
Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (four year vesting)
|
|
|
|
10.14+
|
|
Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement (five year vesting)
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Amended and Restated Commitment Agreement dated November 30, 2006
between the Company and Union Charter Capital VII, Inc.
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Company.
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Porter & Hedges, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (contained in signature page).
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
|
|
**
|
|
To be filed by amendment
|
|
+
|
|
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
|
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Copy
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
TAMBORINE HOLDINGS, INC.,
SES ACQUISITION CORPORATION
SYNTHESIS ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SYNTHESIS ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
APRIL 4, 2005
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made and entered into on this
4th day of April 2005 (this
Agreement
), by and among Tamborine Holdings, Inc., a
Mississippi corporation (the
Purchaser
), SES Acquisition Corporation, a Florida
corporation and wholly owned Subsidiary of the Purchaser (
Acquisition
), Synthesis Energy
Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (the
Corporation
), and the shareholders of the
Corporation who are listed on the signature pages hereto, which represents all of the shareholders
of the Corporation (collectively, the
Sellers
). Terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings set forth in Section 11.3 hereof.
WHEREAS,
upon consummation of the Restructuring, the Corporation will be a holding
company that through its Subsidiaries will provide energy and utility solutions, equipment
and technology to its customers (the
Business
);
WHEREAS,
the Purchaser, Acquisition and the Corporation intend to effect a merger of
Acquisition with and into the Corporation (the
Merger
) in accordance with terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Florida Business
Corporation Act (the
FBCA
);
WHEREAS,
upon the consummation of the Merger, Acquisition will cease to exist, and the
Corporation will be the surviving corporation and become a wholly owned Subsidiary of the
Purchaser;
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of the Purchaser, Acquisition and the
Corporation have each (i) determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby are advisable and in the best interests of their respective
shareholders and (ii) adopted this Agreement and approved the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby;
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of the Purchaser, as the sole shareholder of Acquisition,
has determined that the Merger is advisable and in the best interests of Acquisition and has
adopted this Agreement and approved the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby; and
WHEREAS,
for United States income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger qualify
as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the representations and warranties, covenants and
agreements, and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Sellers, the Corporation,
the Purchaser and Acquisition hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
THE MERGER
1.1.
The Merger
. Subject to the terms and conditions contained
herein, at the Effective Time, pursuant to the Merger, Acquisition shall be merged with
and into the
Corporation in accordance with the requirements of the FBCA. Thereupon, the corporate
existence of the Corporation, with all its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and purposes,
shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger, and the Corporation, as the corporation
surviving the Merger, shall be fully vested therewith, the separate existence of Acquisition shall
cease upon the Merger becoming effective as herein provided and thereupon the Corporation and
Acquisition shall be a single corporation (sometimes referred to herein as the
Surviving
Corporation
).
1.2.
Filing
. As soon as practicable following fulfillment of the conditions
specified in Article VI and Article VII hereof, and provided that this Agreement has not been
terminated and
abandoned pursuant to Article IX hereof, Acquisition and the Corporation will cause an executed
counterpart of the Articles of Merger in substantially the form of
Exhibit 1.2
hereto (the
Articles of Merger
) to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida in
accordance with the
provisions of Section 607.1109 of the FBCA.
1.3.
Effective Time of the Merger
. The Merger shall be effective at the time that
the filing of the counterpart of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of Florida referred to in Section 1.2 is completed, which time is sometimes referred to herein as
the
Effective Time
.
1.4.
Effect of the Merger
. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Sections
607.1106 and 607.11101 of the FBCA. As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, the
Purchaser shall change its name to SES, Inc.
1.5.
Certificate of Incorporation
. At the Effective Time, the certificate of
incorporation of the Corporation, as amended pursuant to the Articles of Merger, shall be the
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, which may be amended from time to
time after the Effective Time as provided by law.
1.6.
Bylaws
. At the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Corporation shall be the
bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, which may be amended from time to time after the Effective
Time as provided by the certificate of incorporation or said bylaws.
1.7.
Directors and Officers
.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation immediately prior to the Effective Time set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto shall become the members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation
and the Purchaser. At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, all members of the boards of
directors of Acquisition and of the Purchaser shall tender their resignations and such
vacancy(ies) shall be filled solely by the members of the board of directors of the Corporation
set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, the officers of the Corporation immediately prior
to the Effective Time set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto shall become the
officers of the Surviving Corporation and the Purchaser in the same capacities they
respectively held in the Corporation. At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, all
officers of Acquisition and of the Purchaser shall tender their resignations and all officers
of the
-2-
Surviving Corporation set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto shall be such
persons who shall be designated as the officers of the Surviving Corporation and the Purchaser.
1.8.
Conversion
. At the Effective Time, all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of Acquisition and the Corporation Capital Stock shall, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, become and be converted into
shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation or into the right to receive the Purchaser
Common Stock, par value $0.01 share (the
Purchaser Common Stock
), or be canceled, as the
case may be, as follows:
(a) Each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Acquisition shall
be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation.
(b) Each treasury share of capital stock of the Corporation, if any, shall be canceled,
and no payment shall be made in respect thereof.
(c) All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (the
Corporation Capital Stock
) that shall be issued and outstanding at the Effective Time
(other than shares of the Corporations common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the
Corporation Common Stock
), held in the treasury of the Corporation) (the
Shares
) shall be converted into the right to receive an aggregate of 21,050,000 shares
of the Purchaser Common Stock subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.9 (the
Merger
Consideration
), which shall be equal to 75% of the aggregate number of shares of Purchasers
capital stock on a fully diluted basis to be issued and outstanding after giving effect to (i) the
issuance of 21,050,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock as Merger Consideration, (ii) the
consummation of the sale of 1,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock in the Private
Placement, and (iii) the forfeiture of 94,000,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock by Alexander
Gomez, the majority shareholder of the Purchaser, or his nominees or assigns
(Tamborine
Majority Shareholder
) immediately prior to the Effective Time (the
Exchange Ratio
)
(items (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be referred to as the
Merger Transactions
). The
allocation of the shares of the Purchaser Common Stock to be issued as Merger Consideration to the
Sellers pursuant to the Merger is set forth on
Schedules 1.8(c)
attached hereto, which
shares are subject to the Merger Consideration adjustments set forth in Sections 1.9(a) through
(d) below.
(d) No fractional shares of the Purchaser Common Stock shall be issued.
1.9.
Merger Consideration Adjustments
.
(a) If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the issued and
outstanding shares of the Corporation Capital Stock or the Purchaser Common Stock are changed
into a different number or class or series of shares by reason of any stock split, stock
dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization exchange, extraordinary
distribution, redemption or other similar transaction then, if the effect of the same is not
already accommodated in the calculation of the Exchange Ratio, the Exchange Ratio shall be
appropriately and correspondingly adjusted downward or upward (as the case may be) to the extent
the record date for any such event is prior to the Effective Time whereby the Sellers shall
-3-
maintain 75% of the aggregate number of shares of the Purchasers capital stock on a
fully diluted basis after giving effect to the Merger Transactions.
(b) At the Closing, the Sellers shall be issued 21,050,000 shares of the Purchaser Common
Stock as the aggregate Merger Consideration and, as a result, the Sellers shall own 80.19% of the
aggregate number of shares of the Purchasers capital stock on a fully diluted basis after giving
effect to the Merger, the sale of 200,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock in the Private
Placement, and the forfeiture of 94,000,000 of Purchaser Common Stock to the Purchaser by the
Tamborine Majority Shareholder pursuant to Section 5.14;
provided
,
however,
that
if 1,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock is sold in the Private Placement, such
percentage shall be reduced to 75% of the aggregate number of shares of the Purchasers capital
stock on a fully diluted basis.
(c) If the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock sold in the Private Placement is less
than 1,000,000, then the Sellers shall maintain the percentage of the Purchasers capital stock
on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the Merger Transactions determined by a fraction
(i) the numerator of which shall be the 21,050,000 shares of the . Purchaser Common
Stock issued to the Sellers as Merger Consideration and (ii) the denominator of which shall be
(x) the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger
after giving effect to the forfeiture of 94,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock to the
Purchaser by Tamborine Majority Shareholder pursuant to Section 5.14, plus (y) the 21,050,000
shares of the Purchaser Common Stock issued to the Sellers as Merger Consideration, plus (z) the
actual number of shares sold in the Private Placement.
(d) If pursuant to Section 5.14 the Tamborine Majority Shareholder forfeits and tenders
to the Purchaser a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock that is greater or less than
94,000,000, the number of share of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued as Merger
Consideration shall be adjusted upward or downward to provide that the Sellers shall maintain
the same percentage ownership of the Purchasers capital stock on a fully diluted basis as
determined pursuant to Sections 1.9(a), (b) and (c).
1.10.
Payment for Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate or certificates (the
Certificate
) theretofore representing issued and outstanding Shares entitled to
receive the
Merger Consideration therefore may surrender such Certificates to the Purchaser or the Surviving
Corporation and receive in exchange therefore, the Merger Consideration as provided in Section
1.8 immediately upon such surrender. In case any payment pursuant to this Section 1.10 is to be
made to a holder other than the registered owner of a surrendered Certificate, it shall be a
condition of such payment that the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or
otherwise in proper form for transfer and that all applicable transfer and other similar Taxes
shall have been paid by the Corporation (or the Surviving Corporation). Until surrendered in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10, the Certificate or Certificates which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented all the issued and outstanding Shares shall
represent for all purposes only the right to receive the Merger Consideration.
-4-
(b) In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or
destroyed, the Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation shall issue in exchange for such lost,
stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration payable in exchange therefore pursuant to
this Article 1. The Board of Directors of the Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation may, in its
discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed Certificate to give the Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation, as the case
may be, a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any Claim that may be made
against the Surviving Corporation with respect to the Certificate alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed.
(c) Promptly following the date which is six months after the Closing Date, each holder of a
Certificate may surrender such Certificate to the Surviving Corporation and, subject to
applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar laws, receive in exchange therefore the Merger
Consideration payable pursuant to this Article I without any interest thereon.
1.11.
Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Warrants
. The Corporation and
none of its Subsidiaries have or will have issued Options, stock appreciation rights, or
warrants or have any outstanding Options, stock appreciation rights or warrants to purchase any
of their respective shares of capital stock.
1.12.
Closing of Transfer Books
. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of
the Corporation shall be closed and no transfer of Shares or Options shall thereafter be made.
If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Purchaser or the Surviving
Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration in accordance with
Section 1.8. From and after the Effective Time, no Shares shall be deemed to be outstanding, and
holders of Certificates shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto except as provided
herein or by law.
1.13.
Actions Taken at Closing
. At the Closing, (a) the Corporation shall deliver to
the Purchaser the various certificates, instruments, Contracts, consents and documents required to
be delivered to the Purchaser by the Corporation and the Sellers as a condition precedent to the.
Purchasers obligations hereunder pursuant to Article VI; (b) the Purchaser shall deliver to the
Corporation the various certificates, instruments, Contracts, consents and documents required to
be delivered to the Corporation and the Sellers by the Purchaser as a condition precedent to the
Corporations obligations hereunder pursuant to Article VII; (c) the Corporation and Acquisition
shall execute and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida the Articles of Merger
and shall have the executed plan of merger attached thereto; and (d) the Purchaser shall deliver
the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 1.10.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CORPORATION AND THE
SELLERS
The Corporation represents and warrants to the Purchaser and Acquisition as of the
date hereof and as of the Closing Date, except for the representations and warranties in
Sections
-5-
2.6(b), 2.24, and 2.25 in which each Seller severally and the Corporation represents and
warrants to the Purchaser and Acquisition as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as
follows, it being acknowledged and agreed that the representations and warranties set forth in
this Article II are based on the assumption that the Restructuring has occurred:
2.1.
Corporate Organization, Etc
. The Corporation is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation with
full corporate power and authority to carryon its business as it is now being conducted and to
own, operate and lease its properties and assets. The Corporation is duly qualified or licensed
to do business and is in corporate and Tax good standing in every jurisdiction in which the
conduct of its business, the ownership or lease of its properties, require it to be so qualified
or licensed. Such jurisdictions are set forth in
Schedule 2.1(a)
attached hereto. True,
complete and correct copies of the Corporations articles of incorporation and bylaws as
presently in effect are set forth in
Schedule 2.1(b)
attached hereto.
2.2.
Subsidiaries
. Set forth on
Schedule 2.2(a)
attached hereto is a
complete and accurate list of all Subsidiaries of the Corporation after the Restructuring. Each
Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in corporate and Tax good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation with full corporate power and
authority to carryon its business as it is now being conducted and to own, operate and lease its
properties and assets. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in
corporate and Tax good standing in every jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business, the
ownership or lease of its properties, require it to be so qualified or licensed. Such
jurisdictions are set forth in
Schedule 2.2(b)
attached hereto. All of the outstanding
shares of the capital stock, all Options to acquire capital stock, and all securities that are
exchangeable or convertible into capital stock, of each Subsidiary are owned or will be owned
after the Restructuring by the Corporation or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation, are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and have been issued in compliance
with all applicable Regulations and Contracts. The Corporation or its wholly-owned Subsidiary has
good and marketable title to all of the shares of outstanding capital stock, all Options to
acquire capital stock, and an securities that are exchangeable or convertible into capital stock,
of each Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens, Contracts, Options or other limitations
whatsoever. True, complete and correct copies of each Subsidiarys charter and bylaws as
presently in effect are set forth in
Schedule 2.2(c)
attached hereto. No shares of
capital stock of any Subsidiary are reserved for issuance and there are no outstanding Options,
Claims, Contracts, convertible or exchangeable securities or other commitments, contingent or
otherwise, relating to the capital stock of any Subsidiary or pursuant to which any Subsidiary is
or may become obligated to issue or exchange any shares of capital stock. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.2(d)
attached hereto, the Corporation does not have any obligation to make any
additional Investments in any Person.
2.3.
Capitalization
. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock, Options, and
securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, capital stock of the Corporation on a
fully diluted basis as of the date hereof, and without giving effect to any of the transactions
contemplated hereby, including after the Restructuring, are held beneficially and of record by the
Persons as set forth in
Schedule 2.3(a)
attached hereto. The Corporation does not have any
Contracts containing any profit participation features, stock appreciation rights or phantom stock
options, or similar Contracts that allow any Person to participate in the equity of the
Corporation
-6-
except as set forth on
Schedule 2.3(a)
attached hereto. The Corporation is not
subject to any obligation or Contract (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire
or retire any shares of its capital stock or any Options. All of the outstanding shares of the
Corporations capital stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no shares
of capital stock of the Corporation held in the treasury of the Corporation and no shares of
capital stock of the Corporation are currently reserved for issuance for <my purpose or upon
the occurrence of any event or condition. There are no existing Contracts or Options between a
Seller, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand, regarding the Shares. Except as
set forth in
Schedule 2.3(b)
attached hereto, there are no Contracts between or among any
of the Corporations shareholders or any other Persons that are binding upon the Corporation with
respect to the voting, transfer, encumbrance of the Corporations capital stock or Options to
acquire capital stock or securities that are exchangeable or convertible into capital stock of the
Corporation or with respect to any aspect of the Corporations governance or dividends or
distributions. The stock record books of the Corporation that have been delivered to Purchaser for
inspection prior to the date hereof are complete and correct in all material respects. The
Corporation does not have any issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock.
2.4.
Books and Records.
The corporate minute books of the Corporation that have been
made available to Purchaser for inspection are complete and correct in all material respects and
contain all of the proceedings of the shareholders and directors of the Corporation. A true and
complete list of the incumbent directors and officers of the Corporation is set forth in
Schedule 2.4
attached hereto. Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has any of its
records, systems, controls, data or information recorded, stored, maintained, operated or
otherwise wholly or partly dependent upon or held by any means (including any electronic,
mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) which (including all means of
access thereto and therefrom) are not under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the
Corporation or a wholly-owned Subsidiary.
2.5.
Title to Stock
. All of the outstanding the Corporation Capital Stock is owned
by the Sellers, are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, are free of all
Liens and Contracts, and have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws. All
of the Shares were acquired from third parties or the Corporation in compliance with all
applicable Regulations, free and clear of any rescission and Contract rights. There is no
outstanding Contract with the Corporation or any other Person to purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any outstanding shares of the capital stock or Options of the Corporation, or securities
or obligations of any kind convertible into any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.
The Corporation has not redeemed any securities in violation of any Contract, Order or Regulation.
Upon
payment of the Merger Consideration to the Sellers at the Closing, the Sellers will convey good
and marketable title to the Shares, free and clear of all Liens, Orders, Contracts or other
limitations whatsoever. The assignments, endorsements, stock powers and other instruments of
transfer delivered by the Sellers to Purchaser at the Closing will be sufficient to transfer the
Sellers entire interest, legal and beneficial, in the Shares to Purchaser.
2.6.
Authorization, Etc.
(a) The Corporation has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the
agreements contemplated hereby to which the Corporation is a party and to consummate
-7-
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and all other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by the Board of Directors and prior to the Closing will be authorized by the
shareholders of the Corporation and no other corporate proceedings on their part are necessary to
authorize this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. This Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby to be entered into
by the Corporation each constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation
enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms.
(b) Each Seller is the sole owner of and has full right, power and authority to sell and vote
the Shares set forth opposite the signature line for such Sellers name below. Each Seller has
full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby and
to deliver the Shares and the certificates evidencing such Shares to the Purchaser as provided for
herein, free and clear of all Liens. This Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby
to be entered into by the Sellers each constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Seller who is a party thereto enforceable against such Seller in accordance with its terms.
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.6
attached hereto, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Corporation and the Sellers of this Agreement, and all other agreements
contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and
thereof by the Corporation and the Sellers, do not and will not (a) conflict with or result in a
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) constitute a default or event of default
under (whether with or without due notice, the passage of time or both), (c) result in the
creation of any Lien upon the Corporations capital stock or assets pursuant to, (d) give any
third party the right to modify, terminate or accelerate any obligation under, (e) result in a
violation of, or (f) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by,
notice to, or filing with any third party or Authority pursuant to, the charter or bylaws of the
Corporation or any applicable Regulation, Order or Contract to which the Corporation, the Sellers
or their respective properties or the Shares are subject. Each of the Sellers and the Corporation
has complied with all applicable Regulations and Orders in connection with the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement, the agreements contemplated hereby and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
2.7.
Financial Statements.
(a) Attached as
Schedule 2.7(a)
attached hereto are (i) unaudited year-end balance
sheets of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a company organized under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands (
SESI
), as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and Synthesis Energy Systems,
LLC, a West Virginia limited liability company (
SESLLC
), as of December 31, 2004 and
statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flow of the Corporation for each of the
fiscal years then ended, as applicable, (ii) an unaudited balance sheet of SESI and SESLLC as of
February 28,2005 and unaudited statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flow for the
two-month period then ended, and (iii) financial projections of the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries as if the Restructuring had been consummated as of January 1, 2005 and for the
calendar years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Such balance sheets and the notes thereto fairly
present the financial position of the Corporation at the respective dates thereof, and such
-8-
statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flow and the notes thereto fairly
present the results of operations for the periods referred to therein. All of the foregoing
financial statements and projections were prepared from the books and records of the
Corporation. The Corporation
does not utilize any percentage of completion or similar method of accounting for revenue,
income or cost recognition purposes. The Corporation has not written off any research and
development costs, incurred any reorganization, restructuring or similar costs or changed the
book value of any assets, liabilities or goodwill of any Subsidiary or business acquired by
the Corporation. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.2(d)
attached hereto, the
Corporation does not have any obligation to make any additional Investments in any Person.
All properties used in the Corporations business operations during the period covered by
the foregoing financial statements are reflected in the financial statements. The foregoing
balance sheets and statements of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows and the
notes thereto are herein collectively referred to as the
Financial Statements
and
December 31, 2004 is herein referred to as the
Financial Statement Date
.
(b) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.7(b)
attached hereto, the Corporation
does not have any Indebtedness, obligation or liability (whether accrued, absolute, contingent,
unliquidated or otherwise, known or unknown to the Corporation, whether due or to become due)
arising out of transactions entered into at or prior to the Closing Date, or any state of
facts existing at or prior to the Closing Date, other than: (i) liabilities set forth in the
December 31, 2004 balance sheet of the Corporation, (ii) liabilities and obligations
that have arisen after December 31, 2004 in the ordinary course of business (none of
which is a liability resulting from breach of a Contract, Regulation, Order or warranty,
tort, infringement or Claim), or (iii) liabilities incurred in connection with the
transactions by this Agreement.
(c) There is no Person that has Guaranteed, or provided any financial accommodation of, any
Indebtedness, obligation or liability of the Corporation or for the benefit of the Corporation
for the periods covered by the Financial Statements other than as set forth in the Financial
Statements. The management of the Corporation has disclosed to the Corporations independent
auditors and the Purchaser all facts and circumstances known to them that are material and bear
upon the accuracy of the financial statements. The Corporations accounting systems and controls
are sufficient to detect material fraud and inaccuracies in the financial reporting processes and
reports.
2.8.
Employees
.
Schedule 2.8
attached hereto sets forth a list of all
officers, directors and key employees (meaning those earning more than $50,000 annually) of the
Corporation, together with a description of the rate and basis for their total compensation. The
Corporation has conducted its business in compliance with all Regulations and Orders affecting
employment and employment practices applicable to the Corporation, including the payment of wages
and hours. The Corporation has no collective bargaining agreements and there have been no
strikes, work stoppages nor any demands for collective bargaining by any union, labor
organization or other Person. There is no dispute or controversy with any union or other
organization of the Corporations employees and no arbitration proceedings are pending or, to the
best knowledge of the Corporation, threatened involving a dispute or controversy affecting the
Corporation. At the Closing the Corporation will not have any liability or obligation to any of
its current or former employees, officers or directors (including unaccrued year end bonuses)
other than for the payment of salaries to be paid in the ordinary course of business. Except as
set forth on
-9-
Schedule 2.8
attached hereto, the Corporation has not taken any action, or failed to
take any action, that has or would be reasonably likely to result in any Claim by an employee
that he has been constructively terminated or due severance payments. Upon the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and pursuant to the agreements referred to herein, the
Corporation will not have any change in control bonus or other obligations to any of its
employees, consultants or other Persons performing services for the Corporation.
2.9.
Absence of Certain Changes
. Since the Financial Statement Date, there has not
been any (a) Material Adverse Change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition
(financial or otherwise), results, plans, strategies or prospects of the Corporation; (b)
damage,
destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance or not, having a cost of $100,000 or more, with
regard to the Corporations property and business; (c) declaration, setting aside or payment of
any dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of the Corporations
capital stock, Options or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock; (d)
redemption or other acquisition of capital stock, Options or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for capital stock by the Corporation or any payment of any stock appreciation right
or other profit participation; (e) increase in the compensation payable to or to become payable by
the Corporation to its officers or employees or any adoption of or increase in any bonus,
insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan, payment or arrangement made to, for or with any
such officers or employees or any Affiliate of the Corporation; (f) entry into any material
Contract not in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation, any borrowing from
any new lender or in excess of the existing credit limits or capital expenditure (except for the
capital expenditures set forth in
Schedule 2.18
attached hereto); (g) change by the
Corporation in accounting methods or principles or any write-down, write-up or revaluation of any
assets of the Corporation except depreciation accounted for in the ordinary course of business and
write downs of inventory which reflect the lower of cost or market and which are in the ordinary
course of business; (h) failure to promptly pay and discharge current liabilities or agree with
any party to extend the payment of any current liability; (i) Lien placed on any property of the
Corporation other than Permitted Liens; (j) sale, assignment, transfer, lease, license or
otherwise placement of a Lien on any of the Corporations tangible assets, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or canceled any material debts or Claims; (k)
sale, assignment, transfer, lease, license or otherwise placement of a Lien on any Intellectual
Property rights or other intangible assets, disclosure of any material confidential information to
any Person or abandoned or permitted to lapse any Intellectual Property rights; (1) commitment to
make any charitable contributions or pledges exceeding in the aggregate $25,000; or (m) agreement,
whether orally or in writing, to do any of the foregoing.
2.10.
Contracts
.
(a) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.10(a)
attached hereto, as of the Closing Date, the
Corporation is not a party to any written or oral: (1) pension, profit sharing, Option, employee
stock purchase, stock appreciation right, phantom stock option or other plan providing for deferred
or other compensation to employees or any other employee benefit plan (other than as set forth in
Schedule 2.15
attached hereto), or any Contract with any labor union or labor group; (2)
Contract relating to loans to officers, directors, Sellers or their Affiliates; (3) Contract
relating to the borrowing of money or the mortgaging, pledging or otherwise placing a Lien on any
asset of the Corporation; (4) Guarantee of any obligation; (5) Contract under which the
-10-
Corporation has advanced or loaned, or agreed to advance or loan, any Person amounts in the
aggregate exceeding $10,000; (6) Contract pursuant to which the Corporation is lessor of or
permits any third party to hold or operate any property, real or personal, owned or controlled
by the Corporation; (7) warranty Contract with respect to its services rendered or its products
sold or leased; (8) Contract or non-competition provision in any Contract prohibiting it from
freely engaging in any business or competing anywhere in the world; (9) Contract for the
purchase, acquisition or supply of inventory and other property and assets, whether for resale
or otherwise in excess of $10,000; (10) Contracts with independent agents, brokers, dealers or
distributors which provide for annual payments in excess of $10,000; (11) employment,
consulting, sales, commissions, advertising or marketing Contracts; (12) Contracts providing for
take or pay or similar unconditional purchase or payment obligations; (13) Contracts with
Persons with which, directly or indirectly, a Seller also has a Contract; (14) Contract that
requires the consent of any Person, or contains any provision that would result in a
modification of any rights or obligation of any Person thereunder upon a change in control of
the Corporation or which would provide any Person any remedy (including rescission or liquidated
damages), in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the
agreements contemplated hereby and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby; (15) nondisclosure or confidentiality Contracts; (16) power of attorney or other
similar Contract or grant of agency; or (17) any other Contract which is material to its
operations and business prospects or involves a consideration in excess of $25,000 annually,
excluding any purchase orders in the ordinary course of business.
(b) The Corporation has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be
performed by it and is not in default in any respect under or in breach of nor in receipt of any
Claim of default or breach under any material Contract to which the Corporation is subject
(including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty obligations or otherwise); no
event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would result
in a default, breach or event of non-compliance under any material Contract to which the
Corporation is subject (including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty obligations
or otherwise); the Corporation does not have any present expectation or intention of not fully
performing all such obligations; the Corporation does not have any knowledge of any breach or
anticipated breach by the other Persons to any such Contract to which it is a party.
(c) The Corporation has delivered to the Purchaser true and complete copies of all the
Contracts and documents listed in the schedules to this Agreement.
(d)
Schedule 2.10(d)
attached hereto sets forth a complete and accurate list of
each outstanding bid or proposal for business submitted by the Corporation in excess of
$25,000.
2.11.
Title and Related Matters
.
(a) Except
as set forth in
Schedule 2.1l(a)
attached hereto, the Corporation has
good and marketable title to all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property and other
assets reflected in the Financial Statements or acquired after the Financial Statement Date,
free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens. All properties used in the Corporations
business operations for the periods covered by the Financial Statements are reflected in the
Financial Statements, except as to those assets that are leased.
Schedule 2.11(b)
attached hereto sets forth
-11-
a complete and accurate summary of all leased assets that have annual rental payments in
excess of $12,000, describing the expiration date of such lease, the name of the lessor, the
annual rental payment and whether a consent is required from the lessor to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) All the Corporations leases are in full force and effect, and valid and enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms. The Corporation has not received any notice of any, and
there exists no event of default or event which constitutes or would constitute (with notice or
lapse of time or both) a default by the Corporation or any other Person under any lease. All rent
and other amounts due and payable with respect to the Corporations leases have been paid through
the date of this Agreement and all rent and other amounts due and payable with respect to the
Corporations leases that are due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date will have been paid
prior to the Closing Date. All lessors under the Corporations real property leases have consented
(where such consent is necessary) or prior to the Closing will have consented (where such consent
is necessary) to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without
requiring material modification in the rights or obligations thereunder. The Corporation has
received no written notice that the landlord with respect to any real property lease would refuse
to renew such lease upon expiration of the period thereof upon substantially the same terms,
except for rent increases consistent with past experience or market rentals.
(c) None of the assets belonging to the Corporation is or will be on the Closing Date
subject to any (i) Contracts of sale or lease except as set forth in
Schedule 2.11(c)
attached hereto, except Contracts for the sale of inventory in the ordinary and regular
course of business or (ii) Liens, except for Permitted Liens and the Liens set forth in
Schedule 2.11(c)
attached hereto.
(d) There has not been since the Financial Statement Date and will not be prior to the
Closing Date, any sale, lease, or any other disposition or distribution by the Corporation of
any of its assets or properties, now or hereafter owned by it, except transactions in the
ordinary and regular course of business or as otherwise consented to by the Purchaser.
Immediately after the Closing, the Purchaser will own, or have the unrestricted right to use,
all properties and assets that are used (or necessary) in connection with the Corporations
business on the same economic basis as before the Closing.
2.12.
Litigation.
Schedule 2.12
attached hereto sets forth a true and
complete list of all Claims and Orders involving the Corporation since November 3, 2003. Except as
set forth in
Schedule 2.12
attached hereto, to the best knowledge of the Corporation,
there is no Claim or Order threatened against the Corporation nor is there any reasonable basis
therefor. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.12
attached hereto, the Corporation is fully
insured with respect to each of the matters set forth on
Schedule 2.12
attached hereto and
the Corporation has not received any opinion or a memorandum or advice from legal counsel to the
effect that it is exposed, from a legal standpoint, to any liability or obligations which could
have an adverse effect in excess of $10,000.
-12-
2.13.
Tax Matters
.
(a)
Tax Returns
. The Corporation has timely filed or caused to be timely filed
with the appropriate taxing authorities all tax returns, statements, forms and reports (including
elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules, estimates and information Tax Returns) for Taxes
(
Tax Returns
) that are required to be filed by, or with respect to, the Corporation on
or prior to the Closing Date. Such Tax Returns have been correct and complete in all material
respects.
(b)
Payment of Taxes
. All Taxes and Tax liabilities due by or with respect to the
income, assets or operations of the Corporation for all taxable years or other taxable periods
that end on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable year or other taxable
period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year
or period ending on and including the Closing Date (
Pre-Closing Period
) have been timely
paid or will be timely paid in full on or prior to the Closing Date or accrued and adequately
disclosed and fully provided for in accordance with GAAP on the Financial Statements.
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.13(c)
attached hereto,
(i) the Corporation has not been the subject of an audit or other examination of Taxes by the
tax authorities of any nation, state or locality; (ii) no such audit is contemplated or pending;
and (1ii) the Corporation has not received any written notices from any taxing authority relating
to any issue which could affect the Tax liability of the Corporation;
(ii) the Corporation, as of the Closing Date, (A) has not entered into an agreement or waiver
or been requested to enter into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations
relating to the payment or collection of Taxes of the Corporation that has not expired, or (B) is
not presently contesting the Tax liability of the Corporation before any court, tribunal or
agency;
(iii) the Corporation has not been included in any consolidated, unitary or combined
Tax Return provided for under the law of the United States, any foreign jurisdiction or any state
or locality with respect to Taxes for any taxable period for which the statute of limitations has
not expired (other than a group of which the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries are the only
members);
(iv) all Taxes which the Sellers, the Corporation and each of its subsidiaries is (or was)
required by law to withhold or collect in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party have been duly withheld or
collected, and have been timely paid over to the proper authorities to the extent due and
payable;
(v) no written claim has ever been made by any taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the
Corporation does not file Tax Returns that the Corporation is or may be subject to taxation by
that jurisdiction;
(vi) there are no tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreements in effect
as between the Corporation or any predecessor or affiliate thereof and any other party (including
the Sellers and any predecessors or affiliates thereof) under which the Purchaser or the
Corporation could be liable for any Taxes or other claims of any party after the Closing Date;
-13-
(vii) the Corporation has not applied for, been granted, or agreed to any accounting
method change for which it will be required to take into account any adjustment under Section 481
of the Code or any similar provision of the Code or the corresponding tax laws of any nation,
state or locality;
(viii) there are no deferred intercompany transactions between the Corporation and any of its
subsidiaries or between its subsidiaries and there is no excess loss account (within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-19 with respect to the stock of the Corporation) which will
or may result in the recognition of income upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated
by this Agreement;
(ix) no indebtedness of the Corporation consists of corporate acquisition indebtedness
within the meaning of Section 279 of the Code; and
(x) the Corporation has not been a United States real property holding corporation within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time during the five year period ending on the
Closing Date; and
(xi) the Corporation is not a party to any agreement that would require the Corporation or
any affiliate thereof to make any payment that would constitute an excess parachute payment for
purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or that would not be deductible pursuant to Section
162(m) of the Code.
2.14.
Compliance with Law and Certifications
.
(a) The Corporation has operated in compliance with regard to its operations, practices,
real property, plants, structures, machinery, equipment and other property, employees, products
and services and all other aspects of its business, with all applicable Regulations and Orders,
including, without limitation, all Regulations relating to the safe conduct of business,
environmental protection, quality and labeling, antitrust, consumer protection, equal
opportunity, discrimination, health, sanitation, fire, zoning, building and occupational safety.
There are no Claims pending, or threatened, nor has the Corporation received any written notice,
regarding any violations of any Regulations or Orders enforced by any Authority claiming
jurisdiction over the Corporation.
(b) The Corporation holds all material registrations, accreditations and other
certifications required for the conduct of its business by any Authority or trade group and the
Corporation has operated in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such registrations,
accreditations and certifications. The Corporation has not received any notice alleging that it
has failed to hold any such material registration, accreditation or other certification.
2.15.
ERISA and Related Matters
.
(a)
List of Plans
. Set forth in
Schedule 2.15(a)
attached hereto is an
accurate and complete list of all domestic and foreign (i) employee benefit plans, within the
meaning of
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
Regulations thereunder (
ERISA
); (ii) bonus, stock option, stock purchase,
restricted stock, incentive, fringe benefit, voluntary employees beneficiary associations
(
VEBAs
) under
-14-
Section 501(c )(9) of the Code, profit-sharing, pension or retirement, deferred
compensation, medical, life insurance, disability, accident, salary continuation, severance,
accrued leave, vacation, sick pay, sick leave, supplemental retirement and unemployment benefit
plans, programs, arrangements, commitments and/or practices (whether or not insured); and (iii)
employment, consulting, termination, and severance Contracts; in each case for active, retired or
former employees or directors, whether or not any such plans, programs, arrangements, commitments,
Contracts, agreements and/or practices (referred to in (i), (ii) or (iii) above) are in writing or
are otherwise exempt from the provisions of ERISA; that have been established, maintained or
contributed to (or with respect to which an obligation to contribute has been undertaken) or with
respect to which any potential liability is borne by the Corporation (including, for this purpose
and for the purpose of all of the representations in this Section 2.15, any predecessors to the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries and all employers (whether or not incorporated) that would
be treated together with the Corporation, and/or the Sellers as a single employer (1) within the
meaning of Section 414 of the Code, or (2) as a result of the Corporation or any Subsidiary and/or
the Sellers being or having been a general partner of any such employer), since September 2, 1974
(
Employee Benefit Plans
).
(b)
Status of Plans
. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.15(b)
attached
hereto, each Employee Benefit Plan (including any related trust) complies in form with the
requirements of all applicable Regulations, including, without limitation, ERISA, the Code, and
foreign tax, labor, securities, data privacy, currency exchange control and other Regulation, and
has at all times been maintained and operated in substantial compliance with its terms and the
requirements of all applicable Regulation, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code. No
complete or partial termination of any Employee Benefit Plan has occurred or is expected to occur.
Neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries has any commitment, intention or
understanding to create, modify or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan. Except as required to
maintain the tax-qualified status of any Employee Benefit Plan intended to qualify under Section
401(a) of the Code, no condition or circumstance exists that would prevent the amendment or
termination of any Employee Benefit Plan. No event has occurred and no condition or circumstance
has existed that could result in a material increase in the benefits under or the expense of
maintaining any Employee Benefit Plan from the level of benefits or expense incurred for the most
recent fiscal year ended thereof, and no benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan have been
increased subsequent to the date as of which documents have been provided.
(c)
No Pension Plans
. No Employee Benefit Plan is an employee pension benefit plan
(within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or
Title IV of ERISA. Neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries has ever maintained or
contributed to, or had any obligation to contribute to (or borne any liability with respect to)
any multiple employer plan (within the meaning of the Code or ERISA) or any multiemployer plan
(as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA). Neither the Corporation nor or any of its
Subsidiaries maintains or contributes to any VEBA.
(d)
Liabilities.
(i) Neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries maintains any Employee Benefit
Plan which is a group health plan (as such term is defined
-15-
in Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code) that has not been administered
and operated in all respects in compliance with the applicable requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle
B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code and neither the Corporation nor or any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to any material liability, including, without limitation, additional
contributions, fines, taxes, penalties or loss of tax deduction as a result of such administration
and operation. No Employee Benefit Plan which is such a group health plan is a multiple employer
welfare arrangement, within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.15(d)
attached hereto, each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to meet the
requirements of Section 125 of the Code meets such requirements, and each program of benefits for
which employee contributions are provided pursuant to elections under any Employee Benefit Plan
meets the requirements of the Code applicable thereto. The Corporation does not maintain any
Employee Benefit Plan which is an employee welfare benefit plan (as such term is defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA) that has provided any disqualified benefit (as such term is defined in
Section 4976(b) of the Code) with respect to which an excise tax could be imposed.
(ii) Neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries maintains any Employee Benefit
Plan (whether qualified or non-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code) providing for
post-employment or retiree health, life insurance and/or other welfare benefits and having
unfunded liabilities, and neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries have any
obligation to provide any such benefits to any retired or former employees or active employees
following such employees retirement or termination of service. Neither the Corporation nor or any
of its Subsidiaries has any unfunded liabilities pursuant to any Employee Benefit Plan that is not
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code. No Employee Benefit Plan holds as an
asset any interest in any annuity Contract, guaranteed investment Contract or any other investment
or insurance Contract, policy or instrument issued by an insurance company that, to the best
knowledge of the Sellers and the Corporation, is or may be the subject of bankruptcy,
conservatorship, insolvency, liquidation, rehabilitation or similar proceedings.
(iii) Neither the Corporation nor or any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for
any tax or excise tax arising under Chapter 43 of the Code, and no event has occurred and no
condition or circumstance has existed that could give rise to any such liability.
(iv) There are no actions, suits, claims or disputes pending, or, to the best belief and
knowledge of the Corporation and the Sellers, threatened, anticipated or expected to be asserted
against or with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or the assets of any such plan (other than
routine claims for benefits and appeals of denied routine claims). No civil or criminal action
brought pursuant to the provisions of Title
I,
Subtitle B, Part 5 of ERISA is pending, or to the
best knowledge of the Corporation and the Sellers threatened, anticipated, or expected to be
asserted against the Corporation or any fiduciary of any Employee Benefit Plan, in any case with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan. No Employee Benefit Plan or any fiduciary thereof has been
the direct or indirect subject of an audit, investigation or examination by any governmental or
quasi-governmental agency.
(e)
Contributions
. Full payment has been timely made of all amounts which the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is required, under applicable law or under any Employee
Benefit Plan or any agreement relating to any Employee Benefit Plan to which the
-16-
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, to have paid as contributions or premiums
thereto as of the last day of the most recent fiscal year of such Employee Benefit Plan ended
prior to the date hereof or have been accrued on the Corporations Financial Statements. All such
contributions and/or premiums have been fully deducted for income tax purposes and no such
deduction has been challenged or disallowed by any governmental entity, and to the best knowledge
and belief of the Sellers and the Corporation and its Subsidiaries no event has occurred and no
condition or circumstance has existed that could give rise to any such challenge or disallowance.
The Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision for reserves to meet
contributions and premiums and any other liabilities that have not been paid or satisfied because
they are not yet due under the terms of any Employee Benefit Plan, applicable law or related
agreements. Benefits under all Employee Benefit Plans are as represented and have not been
increased subsequent to the date as of which documents have been provided.
(f)
Tax Qualification
. Each Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code has, as currently in effect, been determined to be so qualified by the
Internal Revenue Service (or has submitted, or is within the remedial amendment period for
submitting an application for a determination letter with the Internal Revenue Service, and is
waiting receipt of a response). Each trust established in connection with any Employee Benefit
Plan which is intended to be exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 50l(a) of the Code
has, as currently in effect (or has submitted, or is within the remedial amendment period for
submitting an application for a determination letter with the Internal Revenue Service, and is
waiting receipt of a response), been determined to be so exempt by the Internal Revenue Service.
Since the date of each most recent determination referred to in this paragraph (f), no event has
occurred and no condition or circumstance has existed that resulted or is likely to result in the
revocation of any such determination or that could adversely affect the qualified status of any
such Employee Benefit Plan or the exempt status of any such trust.
(g)
Transaction
s. Neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of
their respective directors, officers, employees or, to the best belief and knowledge of the
Sellers and the Corporation, other persons who participate in the operation of any Employee
Benefit Plan or related trust or funding vehicle, has engaged in any transaction with respect to
any Employee Benefit Plan or breached any applicable fiduciary responsibilities or obligations
under Title I of ERISA that would subject any of them to a tax, penalty or liability for
prohibited transactions or breach of any obligations under ERISA or the Code or would result in
any claim being made under, by or on behalf of any such Employee Benefit Plan by any party with
standing to make such claim.
(h)
Triggering Events
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.15(h)
attached
hereto or as provided in Section 1.8 of this Agreement, the execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not constitute a triggering event under
any Employee Benefit Plan, policy, arrangement, statement, commitment or agreement, whether or not
legally enforceable, which (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent
event) will or may result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise), parachute
payment (as such term is defined in Section 280G of the Code), acceleration, vesting or increase
in benefits to any employee or former employee or director of the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.15(h)
attached hereto, no Employee Benefit
-17-
Plan provides for the payment of severance, termination, change in control or
similar-type payments or benefits.
(i)
Classification
. The Corporation and its Subsidiaries have classified all
individuals who perform services for them correctly under each Employee Benefit Plan, ERISA, the
Code and other applicable law as common law employees, independent contractors or leased
employees.
(j)
Documents
. The Sellers have delivered or caused to be delivered to Purchaser
and its counsel true and complete copies of all material documents in connection with
each Employee Benefit Plan, including, without limitation (where applicable): (i) all Employee
Benefit Plans as in effect on the date hereof, together with all amendments thereto, including,
in the case of any Employee Benefit Plan not set forth in writing, a written description
thereof; (ii) all current summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications, and
material
communications; (iii) all current trust agreements, declarations of trust and other
documents establishing other funding arrangements (and all amendments thereto and the
latest financial
statements thereof); (iv) the most recent IRS determination letter obtained with respect to each
Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 40l(a) of the Code or exempt under
Section 50l(a) or 50l(c)(9) of the Code; (v) the annual report on Internal Revenue Service
Form 5500-series for each of the last three years for each Employee Benefit Plan required to
file such form; (vi) the most recently prepared financial statements for each Employee
Benefit Plan for which such statements are required; and (vii) all Contracts relating to
each Employee Benefit Plan, including, without limitation, service provider agreements,
insurance Contracts, annuity Contracts, investment management Contracts, subscription
Contracts, participation Contracts, and record keeping Contracts and collective bargaining
Contracts.
2.16.
Intellectual Property
.
(a)
Schedule 2.16(a)
attached hereto is a complete and accurate list of all
domestic and foreign patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks and other indicia
of origin, trademark and service mark registrations and applications for registrations thereof,
registered copyrights and applications for registration thereof, Internet domain names and URLs,
corporate and business names, trade names, brand names and material computer software programs
used or held for use in the business of the Corporation. To the extent indicated on such
schedule, the Intellectual Property listed on
Schedule 2.16(a)
attached hereto has been
duly registered in, filed in or issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United
States Copyright Office, a duly accredited and appropriate domain name registrar, the
appropriate offices in the various states of the United States and the appropriate offices of
other jurisdictions (foreign and domestic), and each such registration, filing and issuance
remains in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. Copies of all items of the Corporation
Intellectual Property which have been reduced to writing or other tangible form have been
delivered by the Corporation to the Purchaser (including, without limitation true and complete
copies of all related licenses, and amendments and modifications thereto).
(b) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(b)
attached hereto, the Corporation is
not a party to any license or Contract, whether as licensor, licensee, or otherwise with
respect to any Intellectual Property. To the extent any Intellectual Property is used under
license in the
-18-
business of the Corporation, no notice of a material default has been sent or received by the
Corporation under any such license which remains uncured and the execution, delivery or
performance of the Corporations obligations hereunder will not result in such a default. Each
such license agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Corporation and each of the
other parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.l6(c)
attached hereto, the Corporation and/or
its wholly-owned Subsidiaries owns or is licensed to use, all of the Corporation Intellectual
Property, free and clear of any Liens, Orders and other adverse Claims, without obligation to pay
any royalty or any other fees with respect thereto. The Corporations use of the Intellectual
Property (including, without limitation, the manufacturing, marketing, licensing, sale or
distribution of products and the general conduct and operations of the business of the
Corporation) does not violate, infringe, misappropriate or misuse any intellectual property rights
of any third party. None of the Corporation Intellectual Property has been cancelled, abandoned or
otherwise terminated and all renewal and maintenance fees in respect thereof have been duly paid.
There are no actions that must be taken or payments that must be made by the Corporation within
180 days following the Closing Date that, if not taken, will adversely affect the Corporation
Intellectual Property. The Corporation has the exclusive right to file, prosecute and maintain all
applications and registrations with respect to the Intellectual Property that is owned by the
Corporation.
(d)
Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(d)
attached hereto, the Corporation has not
received any written notice or Claim from any third party challenging the right of the Corporation
to use any of the Intellectual Property. The Corporation Intellectual Property constitutes all the
Intellectual Property necessary to operate the business of the Corporation as of the Closing Date
and thereafter, in the manner in which it is presently operated.
(e) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(e)
attached hereto, the Corporation has not
made any Claim in writing of a violation, infringement, misuse or misappropriation by any third
party (including, without limitation, any employee or former employee of the Corporation) of its
rights to, or in connection with any Intellectual Property, which Claim is still pending. Except
as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(e)
attached hereto, the Corporation has not entered into any
Contract to indemnify any other Person against any charge of infringement of any Intellectual
Property, other than indemnification provisions contained in purchase orders or license agreements
arising in the ordinary course of business.
(f) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(f)
attached hereto, to the best knowledge of
the Corporation, there is no pending or threatened Claims by any Person or Authority of a
violation, infringement, misuse or misappropriation by the Corporation of any Intellectual
Property owned by any third party, or of the invalidity of any patent or registration of a
copyright, trademark, service mark, domain name, or trade name included in the Corporation
Intellectual Property. To the best knowledge of the Corporation, the Corporation does not know of
any valid basis for any such Claims.
(g)
Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(g)
attached hereto, there are no
interferences or other contested proceedings, either pending or, to the best knowledge of
the
Corporation, threatened, in the United States Copyright Office, the United States Patent and
-19-
Trademark Office, or any governmental Authority (foreign or domestic) relating to any
pending application with respect to the Corporation Intellectual Property.
(h) the Corporation has secured valid written assignments from all Persons (including,
without limitation, consultants and employees) who contributed to the creation or development
of the Corporation Intellectual Property of the rights to such contributions that the
Corporation does not already own by operation of law.
(i) the Corporation has taken all necessary and reasonable steps to protect and preserve
the confidentiality of all trade secrets, know-how, source codes, databases, customer
lists, schematics, ideas, algorithms and processes and all use, disclosure or appropriation
thereof by or to any third party has been pursuant to the terms of a written agreement between
such third party and the Corporation. The Corporation has not breached any Contracts of
non-disclosure or confidentiality.
(j) Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.16(j)
attached hereto, for the twelve month
period prior to the Closing Date, the Internet domain names and URLs of the Corporation
Intellectual Property (together with any content and other materials accessible and/or displayed
thereon, the
Sites
) direct and resolve to the appropriate Internet protocol addresses
and are and have been maintained and accessible to Internet users on those certain computers
used by the Corporation to make the Sites so accessible (the
Server
) approximately
twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week (
24/7
) and are and have been
operational for downloading content from the Server on a 24/7 basis.
2.17.
Environmental Matters
.
(a) The Corporation has operated in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and
the terms and conditions of permits issued under such Environmental Laws with respect to any
property owned, leased or occupied by it.
(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation or the Sellers,
threatened environmental Claims against the Corporation or, to the knowledge of the
Corporation or the Sellers, any property owned, leased or occupied by the Corporation.
(c) There are no facts, circumstances, conditions or occurrences on any property owned,
leased or occupied by the Corporation that could reasonably be anticipated (i) to form a basis
of an environmental Claim against the Corporation, including without limitation any Claim
related to the release of Hazardous Substances or (ii) to cause such property or any of the
Corporations assets to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or
transferability thereof under any applicable Environmental Law.
2.18.
Capital Expenditures and Investments
. The Corporation has outstanding
Contracts and a budget for capital expenditures and investments as set forth in
Schedule 2.18
attached hereto which includes a schedule of all monies disbursed on
account of capital expenditures and investments made by the Corporation since the Financial
Statement Date.
2.19.
Dealings with Affiliates
.
Schedule 2.19
attached hereto sets forth a
complete and accurate list and description of the economic terms, including the parties, of all
Contracts to
-20-
which the Corporation is, will be or has been a party, at any time from November 3, 2003 to the
Closing Date, and to which anyone or more of (a) the Sellers, (b) the Corporations Affiliates,
(c) a Sellers Affiliate, or (d) any Person in which a Seller, an Affiliate of the Corporation or
a Seller has, directly or indirectly, made an Investment, is also a party. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.19
attached hereto, since November 3,2003, the Corporation has not made any
payments, loaned or borrowed any funds or property or made any credit arrangement or accommodation
with any Seller, Affiliate or employee of the Corporation except for the payment of employee
salaries and director compensation in the ordinary course of business.
2.20.
Insurance
. The Corporation and its Subsidiaries do not have or maintain
any insurance Policies.
2.21.
Customers and Suppliers
.
Schedule 2.21
attached hereto sets forth a
complete and accurate list of (a) each customer that accounted for more than 5% of the
consolidated revenues and/or income of the Corporation during the last full fiscal year and the
interim period through February 28, 2005 and the amount of revenues accounted for by such customer
during each such period and (b) each supplier that is the sole supplier of any significant product
or component to the Corporation. No material customer of the Corporation has advised the
Corporation in writing within the past year that it will stop, or decrease the rate of, buying
materials, products or services from the Corporation. No unfilled customer order or commitment
obligating the Corporation to process, manufacture or deliver products or perform services will
result in an anticipated loss to the Corporation upon completion of performance. No material
supplier of the Corporation has advised the Corporation in writing within the past year that it
will stop, or decrease the rate of, supplying materials, products, or services to the Corporation.
The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not have a material adverse effect
on the Corporations relationship with any customer or supplier listed on
Schedule 2.21
attached hereto.
2.22.
Permits
. The Permits listed on
Schedule 2.22
attached hereto are the
only Permits that have been required for the Corporation to conduct its business in accordance
with applicable Regulations and Orders of any Authority. The Corporation has duly and validly
held all such
Permits, and each such Permit has been in full force and effect and, to the best of the knowledge
of the Corporation, no suspension or cancellation of any such Permit is threatened and there is no
basis for believing that such Permit will not be renewable upon expiration.
2.23.
Improper and Other Payments
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.23
attached hereto, neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer,
agent, representative, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Corporation or any of
its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of,
the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (a) made, paid or received any unlawful bribes,
rebates, payoffs, influence payments, kickbacks or any other similar unlawful payments to or
from any Person or Authority, (b) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift,
entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (c) made any direct or
indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from
corporate funds, and (d) made any improper foreign payment (as defined in the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended). The internal accounting controls of the Corporation are
-21-
believed by the Corporations management to be adequate to detect any of the foregoing under
current circumstances.
2.24.
Securities Laws Matters
. Each Seller is acquiring the Purchaser Common Stock
hereunder for his own account for investment and not with a view to, or for the sale in connection
with, any distribution of the Purchaser Common Stock, as such term is used in Section 2(11) of
the Securities Act. Each Seller has had the opportunity to discuss the transactions contemplated
hereby with the Purchaser and has been afforded, prior to execution of this Agreement, the
opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from the Purchaser and to obtain any
additional information relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Seller has
requested. Each Seller is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated
under the Securities Act and has such knowledge and experience in business or financial matters
that he is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Purchaser Common
Stock. Each Seller can bear the economic risk of losing his investment in the Purchaser Common
Stock and has adequate means for providing for his current financial needs and contingencies. Each
Seller acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser Common Stock will be restricted securities
within the meaning of Rule 144 and can not be sold or otherwise disposed of, except (a) pursuant
to an exemption from the registration requirements under applicable state securities laws and the
Securities Act, (b) in accordance with Rule 144 or (c) pursuant to an effective registration
statement filed by the Purchaser with the Securities and Exchange Commission under applicable
state securities laws and the Securities Act. Each Seller is a resident of, and the Purchaser
Common Stock will come to rest, in the states set forth in the addresses on the signature pages
hereto. Each Seller acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser may, unless a registration
statement is in effect covering such Purchaser Common Stock or unless the holders thereof comply
with Rule 144, place stop transfer orders with its transfer agent with respect to such
certificates in accordance with federal securities laws.
2.25.
Legend.
Each Seller acknowledges and agrees that each certificate evidencing
the Purchaser Common Stock and each certificate issued in exchange therefor or upon the transfer
of any Purchaser Common Stock shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in
substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
ACT
), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR
AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED
BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE CORPORATIONS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT
CHARGE.
2.26.
Private Placement Memorandum
. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by or on behalf of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including
the entities included in the Restructuring pursuant to Section 5.17) for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the Private Placement Memorandum will contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light
-22-
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no
representation or warranty is made by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries
(including the entities included in the Restructuring pursuant to Section 5.17) with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference in the Private Placement Memorandum based on
information by the Purchaser or Acquisition for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
2.27.
Board Approval
. The Board of Directors of the Corporation, by unanimous
written consent or by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous vote of those voting at a
meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way (the
Corporation Board Approval
), has duly authorized (a) this Agreement, the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) an amendment to the articles of incorporation
of the Corporation, and (c) the appointment of certain directors to the Corporation Board of
Directors as set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto. The Corporation Board Approval
constitutes approval of this Agreement and the Merger for purposes of Sections 607.0821 and
607.1103 of the FBCA Article II of the by-laws of the Corporation.
2.28.
Shareholders Approval
. On or prior to the Closing Date and after the
Restructuring has been consummated, the shareholders of the Corporation will approve in
accordance with the FBCA by resolutions duly adopted by a written consent or a vote of a majority
of the Corporations shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting duly called and held and not
subsequently rescinded or modified in any way this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (the
Corporation Shareholders Approval
).
2.29.
Banks
. (i) the name of each bank, trust company or other financial institution
and stock or other broker with which the Corporation has an account, credit line or safe deposit
box or vault, (ii) the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access to any
safe deposit box or vault, (iii) the purpose of each such account, safe deposit box or vault, and
(iv) the names of all persons authorized by proxies, powers of attorney or other like instrument
to act on behalf of the Corporation in matters concerning any of its business or affairs is set
forth on
Schedule 2.29
attached hereto. No such proxies, powers of attorney or other like
instruments are irrevocable.
2.30.
Disclosure
. Neither this Agreement nor any of the Contracts, exhibits,
attachments, written statements, documents, certificates or other items prepared for or supplied
to the Purchaser by or on behalf of the Corporation or the Sellers with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits a
material fact necessary to make each statement contained herein or therein not misleading. There
is no fact which the Sellers or the Corporation has not disclosed to the Purchaser herein and of
which the Sellers or the Corporation, or any of their respective officers, directors or executive
employees is aware which could reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Corporation or the ability of the Purchaser to continue the businesses of the Corporation in the
same manner as the Corporation conducted its business prior to the Closing Date.
-23-
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Sellers and the Corporation as follows as of
the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:
3.1.
Corporate Organization, Etc
. The Purchaser is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation with
full corporate power and authority to carryon its business as it is now being conducted and to
own, operate and lease its properties and assets. The Purchaser is duly qualified or licensed to
do business and is in corporate and Tax good standing in every jurisdiction in which the conduct
of its business, the ownership or lease of its properties, require it to be so qualified or
licensed.
3.2.
Authorization, Etc
. The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby to which the Purchaser is a party and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and all other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and prior to the Closing will be authorized by the
shareholders of the Purchaser and no other corporate proceedings on its part are necessary to
authorize this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby to be
entered into by the Purchaser each constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Purchaser enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms.
3.3.
No Violation
. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.3
attached hereto, the
execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement, and all other agreements
contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and
thereof by the Purchaser, do not and will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach of the
terms,
conditions or provisions of, (b) constitute a default or event of default under (whether with
or without due notice, the passage of time or both), (c) result in a violation of, or (d)
require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by, or notice to, or
filing with any third party or Authority pursuant to, the charter or bylaws of the Purchaser
or any applicable
Regulation, Order or Contract to which the Purchaser or its properties are subject. The Purchaser
has complied with all applicable Regulations and Orders in connection with its execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement, the agreements contemplated hereby and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
3.4.
Investment Intent
. The Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for investment
purposes and not with a view to distribution thereof and agrees that it will not make any
sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shares in violation of any applicable securities
law.
3.5.
Capitalization
. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock, Options,
and securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, capital stock of the Purchaser on a
fully diluted basis as of the date hereof, and without giving effect to any of the transactions
contemplated hereby, are held beneficially and of record by the Persons as set forth in
Schedule 3.5(a)
attached hereto. The Purchaser does not have any Contracts containing any
-24-
profit participation features, stock appreciation rights or phantom stock options, or
similar Contracts that allow any Person to participate in the equity of the Purchaser except as
set forth on
Schedule 3.5(a)
attached hereto. The Purchaser is not subject to any
obligation or Contract (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any
shares of its capital stock or any Options. All of the outstanding shares of the Purchasers
capital stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no shares of capital
stock of the Purchaser held in the treasury of the Purchaser and no shares of capital stock of the
Purchaser are currently reserved for issuance for any purpose or upon the occurrence of any event
or condition. There are no existing Contracts or Options between a shareholder of the Purchaser,
on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other hand, regarding the Purchasers capital stock.
Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.5(b)
attached hereto, there are no Contracts between or
among any of the Purchasers shareholders or any other Persons that are binding upon the Purchaser
with respect to the voting, transfer, encumbrance of the Purchasers capital stock or Options to
acquire capital stock or securities that are exchangeable or convertible into capital stock of the
Purchaser or with respect to any aspect of Purchasers governance or dividends or distributions.
The stock record books of the Purchaser that have been delivered to the Purchaser for inspection
prior to the date hereof are complete and correct in all material respects. As of the date hereof,
the authorized capital stock of the Purchaser consists solely of 100,000,000 shares of the
Purchaser Common Stock, of which 100,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock are currently
issued and outstanding. Prior to the Closing Date, Tamborine Majority Shareholder pursuant to
Section 5.14 shall cause 94,000,000 shares of issued and outstanding Purchaser Common Stock to be
forfeited and returned to the treasury of the Purchaser and cancelled, so that at the Closing Date
and prior to issuance of the Merger Consideration, not more than 6,000,000 shares of the Purchaser
Common Stock shall be issued and outstanding. At the Effective Time, assuming (i) the maximum
number of shares have been sold pursuant to the Private Placement and (ii) 94,000,000 shares of
issued and outstanding Purchaser Common Stock has been forfeited to the Purchaser pursuant to
Section 5.14, the
authorized capital stock of the Purchaser shall consist of 100,000,000 shares of the Purchaser
Common Stock of which 29,050,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock shall be issued and
outstanding and 1,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock will be subject to a stock option
plan to be adopted and implemented by the Purchaser as soon as practicable after the Closing Date
(the
Purchaser Stock Option Plan
). All offers and sales of capital stock of the
Purchaser prior to the date of this Agreement were, at all relevant times, duly registered or
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and were duly registered or
subject to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the applicable state
securities or blue sky laws, as the case may be. The shares of the Purchaser Common Stock
comprising the Merger Consideration (excluding, without limitation, any shares issuable pursuant
to the Purchaser Stock Option Plan) will be issued in material compliance (assuming each recipient
of the Purchaser Common Stock as Merger Consideration is an accredited investor and has
otherwise complied in all material respects with the applicable state and federal securities laws)
with the registration and qualification requirements of all applicable state and federal
securities laws.
3.6.
Books and Records
. The corporate minute books of the Purchaser that have been
made available to the Purchaser for inspection are complete and correct in all material respects
and contain all of the proceedings of the shareholders and directors of the Purchaser. A true and
complete list of the incumbent directors and officers of the Purchaser is set forth in
Schedule 3.6
attached hereto. Neither the Purchaser nor Acquisition has any of its
records, systems, controls,
-25-
data or information recorded, stored, maintained, operated or otherwise wholly or partly
dependent upon or held by any means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process,
whether computerized or not) which (including all means of access thereto and therefrom) are not
under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the Purchaser or a wholly-owned Subsidiary.
3.7.
Acquisition
. Acquisition is the only Subsidiary of the Purchaser, was formed
solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no
other business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated hereby. As of the
date hereof, the Purchaser does not have any joint ventures.
3.8.
Operations of Purchaser and Acquisition
. Since December 31, 2004, the
Purchaser (i) has not engaged in any business activities of any type whatsoever, except with
respect to its maintenance as a public company and except as in furtherance of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) does not own any properties or other assets, (iii) has
less than $100 of cash (or cash equivalents) and has no material liabilities, whether fixed,
accrued or contingent, and (iv) is not a party to or bound by any contract, commitment, agreement
or understanding (whether written or oral), except for this Agreement, any subscription or other
documents in connection with the Private Placement. The Purchaser and Acquisition do not have any
paid employees. At the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall have no liabilities other than up to
an aggregate amount equal to $100,000 in fees, expenses or disbursements incurred in connection
with this Agreement, the Merger, the Private Placement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
3.9.
Financial Condition and Reports.
(a) Attached as
Schedule 3.9(a)
attached hereto are the Purchasers Form 15c2-11,
which presents fairly the financial condition, assets, liabilities, and shareholders equity of
the Purchaser as of the date thereof; each such statement of income and statement of retained
earnings presents fairly and accurately the results of operations of the Purchaser for the period
indicated; and each such statement of changes in financial position presents fairly and
accurately the information purported to be shown therein.
(b) As of the date hereof and except as set forth in the Purchasers Form 15c2-11, Section
3.8, the Purchaser and Acquisition have no liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether asserted, unasserted, accrued, unaccrued, absolute, fixed, contingent, liquidated,
unliquidated, due, to become due, or otherwise), and there is no fact, condition or circumstance
which could reasonably be expected to result in such liabilities or obligations. The Purchaser and
Acquisition have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise Tax Returns
due prior to the date of this Agreement and have paid all Taxes shown as due thereon. There are no
unpaid Taxes claimed to be due by the Taxing Authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of
the Purchaser know of no basis for such claim. The properties and assets of the Purchaser and
Acquisition are owned by the Purchaser free and clear of all Liens.
(c) The Purchaser has filed all forms, reports and documents with the SEC and applicable
state laws and regulations required to be filed by it pursuant to the federal and state
securities laws, and SEC rules and regulations thereunder, and all such forms, reports and
-26-
documents, as amended, filed with the SEC or any secretary of state have complied with all
applicable requirements of the federal and state securities laws and the SEC rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
3.10.
Contracts
. As of the Closing Date, the Purchaser and Acquisition are only
party to the Contracts set forth in
Schedule 3.10
attached hereto. Each of the Purchaser
and Acquisition has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by
it and is not in default in any respect under or in breach of nor in receipt of any Claim of
default or breach under any material Contract to which the Purchaser or Acquisition is subject
(including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty obligations or otherwise); no event
has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would result in a
default, breach or event of non-compliance under any material Contract to which the Purchaser or
Acquisition is subject (including without limitation all performance bonds, warranty obligations
or otherwise); each of the Purchaser and Acquisition does not have any present expectation or
intention of not fully performing all such obligations; each of the Purchaser and Acquisition does
not have any knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by the other Persons to any such
Contract to which it is a party. The Purchaser and Acquisition have delivered to the Corporation
true and complete copies of all the Contracts and documents listed in the schedules to this
Agreement.
3.11.
Title and Related Matters
.
(a) Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.11(a)
attached hereto, the Purchaser has good
and marketable title to all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property and other assets
reflected in the Financial Statements or acquired after the Financial Statement Date, free and
clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens. All properties used in the Purchasers business
operations for the periods covered by the Financial Statements are reflected in the Financial
Statements, except as to those assets that are leased.
Schedule 3.11 (b)
attached hereto
sets forth a complete and accurate summary of all leased assets that have annual rental payments
in excess of $12,000, describing the expiration date of such lease, the name of the lessor, the
annual rental payment and whether a consent is required from the lessor to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) All the Purchasers leases are in full force and effect, and valid and enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms. The Purchaser has not received any notice of any, and
there exists no event of default or event which constitutes or would constitute (with notice or
lapse of time or both) a default by the Purchaser or any other Person under any lease. All rent
and other amounts due and payable with respect to the Purchasers leases have been paid through
the date of this Agreement and all rent and other amounts due and payable with respect to the
Purchasers leases that are due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date will have been paid
prior to the Closing Date. All lessors under the Purchasers real property leases have consented
(where such consent is necessary) or prior to the Closing will have consented (where such consent
is necessary) to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without
requiring material modification in the rights or obligations thereunder. The Purchaser has
received no written notice that the landlord with respect to any real property lease would refuse
to renew such lease upon expiration of the period thereof upon substantially the same terms,
except for rent increases consistent with past experience or market rentals.
-27-
(c) None of the assets belonging to the Purchaser is or will be on the Closing Date subject
to any (i) Contracts of sale or lease except as set forth in
Schedule 3.11(c)
attached
hereto, except Contracts for the sale of inventory in the ordinary and regular course of
business
or (ii) Liens, except for Permitted Liens and the Liens set forth in
Schedule 3.11(d)
attached hereto.
3.12.
Litigation
.
Schedule 3.
12 attached hereto sets forth a true and
complete list of all Claims and Orders involving the Purchaser since May 28, 2004. Except as set
forth in
Schedule 3.12
attached hereto, to the best knowledge of the Purchaser, there is
no Claim or Order
threatened against the Purchaser nor is there any reasonable basis therefor. Except as set forth
on
Schedule 3.12
attached hereto, the Purchaser is fully insured with respect to each of
the matters set forth on
Schedule 3.12
attached hereto and the Purchaser has not received
any opinion or a memorandum or advice from legal counsel to the effect that it is exposed, from a
legal standpoint, to any liability or obligations which could have an adverse effect in excess of
$10,000.
3.13.
Tax Matters
.
(a)
Tax Returns
. The Purchaser has timely filed or caused to be timely filed with
the appropriate taxing authorities all Tax Returns that are required to be filed by, or with
respect to, the Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date. Such Tax Returns have been correct and
complete in all material respects.
(b)
Payment of Taxes
. All Taxes and Tax liabilities due by or with respect to the
income, assets or operations of the Purchaser for all taxable years or other taxable periods that
end on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable year or other taxable period
beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year or
period ending on and including the Closing Date (
Pre-Closing Period
) have been timely
paid or will be timely paid in full on or prior to the Closing Date or accrued and adequately
disclosed and fully provided for in accordance with GAAP on the Financial Statements.
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.13(c)
attached hereto,
(i) the Purchaser has not been the subject of an audit or other examination of Taxes by the
tax authorities of any nation, state or locality; (ii) no such audit is contemplated or pending;
and (iii) the Purchaser has not received any written notices from any taxing authority relating to
any issue which could affect the Tax liability of the Purchaser;
(ii) the Purchaser, as of the Closing Date, (A) has not entered into an agreement or waiver
or been requested to enter into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations
relating to the payment or collection of Taxes of the Purchaser that has not expired, or (B) is
not presently contesting the Tax liability of the Purchaser before any court, tribunal or agency;
(iii) the Purchaser has not been included in any consolidated, unitary or combined Tax
Return provided for under the law of the United States, any foreign jurisdiction or any state or
locality with respect to Taxes for any taxable period for which the
-28-
statute of limitations has not expired (other than a group of which the Purchaser and/or
its subsidiaries are the only members);
(iv) all Taxes which the Purchaser is (or was) required by law to withhold or collect in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor,
stockholder or other third party have been duly withheld or collected, and have been timely paid
over to the proper authorities to the extent due and payable;
(v) no written claim has ever been made by any taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the
Purchaser does not file Tax Returns that the Purchaser is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction;
(vi) there are no tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar agreements in effect as
between the Purchaser or any predecessor or affiliate thereof and any other party under which the
Purchaser or the Corporation could be liable for any Taxes or other claims of any party after the
Closing Date;
(vii) the Purchaser has not applied for, been
granted, or agreed to any accounting method change for which it will be required to take into account any adjustment under
Section 481 of the Code or any similar provision of the Code or the corresponding tax laws of any
nation, state or locality;
(viii) there are no deferred intercompany transactions between the Purchaser and any of its
subsidiaries and there is no excess loss account (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-19 with respect to the stock of the Purchaser) which will or may result in the
recognition of income upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement;
(ix) no indebtedness of the Purchaser consists of corporate acquisition indebtedness within
the meaning of Section 279 of the Code; and
(x) the Purchaser has not been a United States real property holding corporation within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time during the five year period ending on
the Closing Date; and
(xi) the Purchaser is not a party to any agreement that would require the Purchaser or any
affiliate thereof to make any payment that would constitute an excess parachute payment for
purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or that would not be deductible pursuant to
Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.14.
Compliance with Law and Certifications.
(a) The Purchaser has operated in compliance with regard to its operations, practices, real
property, plants, structures, machinery, equipment and other property, employees, products and
services and all other aspects of its business, with all applicable Regulations and Orders,
including, without limitation, all Regulations relating to the safe conduct of business,
environmental protection, quality and labeling, antitrust, consumer protection, equal
opportunity,
-29-
discrimination, health, sanitation, fire, zoning, building and occupational safety. There are no
Claims pending, or threatened, nor has Purchaser received any written notice, regarding any
violations of any Regulations or Orders enforced by any Authority claiming jurisdiction over the
Purchaser.
(b) The Purchaser holds all material registrations, accreditations and other
certifications required for the conduct of its business by any Authority or trade group and
the Purchaser has operated in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such
registrations,
accreditations and certifications. The Purchaser has not received any notice alleging that it
has failed to hold any such material registration, accreditation or other certification.
3.15.
Intellectual Property
. The Purchaser does not own any Intellectual Property.
3.16.
Dealings with Affiliates
.
Schedule 3.16
attached hereto sets forth a
complete and
accurate list and description of the economic terms, including the parties, of all
Contracts to which the Purchaser is, will be or has been a party, at any time from May 28, 2004
to the Closing Date, and to which anyone or more of (a) the Purchasers Affiliates, or (b) any
Person in which
an Affiliate of the Purchaser has, directly or indirectly, made an Investment, is also a party.
Since May 28, 2004, the Purchaser has not made any payments, loaned or borrowed any funds or
property or made any credit arrangement or accommodation with any Affiliate of the Purchaser
except for the payment of employee salaries and director compensation in the ordinary course of
business.
3.17.
Insurance
. The Purchaser has had, and through the Closing Date will have,
Policies in full force and effect that provide for coverages that are usual and customary as to
amount and scope in the business of the Purchaser. All of the Policies have been in full force
and effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including the
Closing Date have been paid or accrued therefor, and no notice of cancellation or termination
has been received with respect to any Policy.
Schedule 3.17
attached hereto sets forth a
complete and accurate summary of all Policies, including name of insurer, the types, dates and
amounts of coverage, any material coverage exclusion and a statement of the Claims paid out, and
Claims pending, as to each Policy for each of the last three (3) full fiscal years and any
interim period. The Purchaser has not breached or otherwise failed to perform in any material
respect its obligations under any of the Policies nor has the Purchaser received any adverse
notice or communication from any of the insurers party to the Policies with respect to any such
alleged breach or failure in connection with any of the Policies. All Policies are sufficient
for compliance with all Regulations and all Contracts to which the Purchaser is subject, are to
the Purchasers knowledge valid, outstanding, collectible and enforceable policies, and will not
in any way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of, the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set forth
in
Schedule 3.17
attached hereto, all of the Policies remain in full force and effect
through thirty (30) days after the Closing Date. The Purchaser has not during the last five (5)
years been refused any insurance with respect to its assets or operations, nor has coverage ever
been limited by any insurance carrier to which the Purchaser has applied for any Policy or with
which it has carried a Policy.
3.18.
Permits
. The Permits listed on
Schedule 3.18
attached hereto are the
only Permits that have been required for the Purchaser to conduct its business in accordance
with applicable
-30-
Regulations and Orders of any Authority. The Purchaser has duly and validly held all such
Permits, and each such Permit has been in full force and effect and, to the best of the knowledge
of the Purchaser, no suspension or cancellation of any such Permit is threatened and there is no
basis for believing that such Permit will not be renewable upon expiration.
3.19.
Improper and Other Payments
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.19
attached hereto, neither the Purchaser nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer,
agent, representative, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Purchaser or any of its
Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the
Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries, (a) made, paid or received any unlawful bribes, rebates,
payoffs, influence payments, kickbacks or other unlawful payments to or from any Person or
Authority, (b) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or
other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (c) made any direct or indirect unlawful
payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, and (d)
made any improper foreign payment (as defined in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as
amended). The internal accounting controls of the Purchaser are believed by the Purchasers
management to be adequate to detect any of the foregoing under current circumstances.
3.20.
Private Placement Memorandum
. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by or on behalf of each of the Purchaser and Acquisition for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in the Private Placement Memorandum will contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that
no representation or warranty is made by each of the Purchaser and Acquisition with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference in the Private Placement Memorandum based on
information by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including the entities
included in the Restructuring pursuant to Section 5.17) for inclusion or incorporation by
reference therein. The Private Placement Memorandum and any other documents to be filed with the
SEC or any other Authority in connection with the Merger and other transactions contemplated
hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
3.21.
Board Approval
. The Board of Directors of the Purchaser, by unanimous written
consent or by resolutions duly adopted by unanimous vote of those voting at a meeting duly called
and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way (the
Purchaser Board
Approval
), has duly authorized (a) this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) an amendment to the articles of incorporation of the
Purchaser, (i) amending its corporate purpose, and (ii) changing its corporate name, and ( c) the
appointment of certain directors to Purchaser Board of Directors as set forth on
Schedule
1.7(a)
attached hereto. The Purchaser Board Approval constitutes approval of this Agreement
and the Merger for purposes of Sections 79-4-8.21 and 79-4-11.02 of the Mississippi Business
Corporation Act (the
MBCA
) and Article 3 of the by-laws of the Purchaser. Each of
Acquisitions Board of Directors and shareholders has approved this Agreement and the Merger for
purposes of Sections 607.0821 and 607.1103 of the FBCA and Article II of the by-laws of
Acquisition.
-31-
3.22.
Purchaser Shareholders Approval
. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
shareholders of the Purchaser will approve in accordance with the MBCA by resolutions duly adopted
by a written consent or a vote of a majority of the Purchasers shareholders entitled to vote at a
meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way (i) this
Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (ii) an amendment to
the articles of incorporation of the Purchaser (a) amending its corporate purpose, (b) changing
its corporate name, and (c) increasing the Purchasers Board of Directors to five (5) members from
three (3), and (iii) the appointment of certain directors to the Purchasers Board of Directors as
set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto (the
Purchaser Shareholders
Approval
).
3.23.
Banks
. (i) the name of each bank, trust company or other financial institution
and stock or other broker with which the Purchaser has an account, credit line or safe deposit box
or vault, (ii) the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access to any safe
deposit box or vault, (iii) the purpose of each such account, safe deposit box or vault, and (iv)
the names of all persons authorized by proxies, powers of attorney or other like instrument to act
on behalf of the Purchaser in matters concerning any of its business or affairs is set forth on
Schedule 3.23
attached hereto. No such proxies, powers of attorney or other like
instruments are irrevocable.
3.24.
Absence of Certain Changes
. Since the Financial Statement Date, there has
not been any (a) Material Adverse Change in the business, operations, properties, assets,
condition (financial or otherwise), results, plans, strategies or prospects of the Purchaser;
(b) damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance or not, having a cost of $100,000
or more, with regard to the Purchasers property and business; (c) declaration, setting aside
or payment of any dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of
the Purchasers capital stock, Options or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock; (d) redemption or other acquisition of capital stock, Options or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock by the Purchaser or any payment of any stock
appreciation right or other profit participation; (e) increase in the compensation payable to
or to become payable by the Purchaser to its officers or employees or any adoption of or
increase in any bonus, insurance, pension or other employee benefit plan, payment or
arrangement made to, for or with any such officers or employees or any Affiliate of the
Purchaser; (f) entry into any material Contract not in the ordinary course of business,
including without limitation, any borrowing from any new lender or in excess of the existing
credit limits or capital expenditure; (g) change by the Purchaser in accounting methods or
principles or any write-down, write-up or revaluation of any assets of the Purchaser except
depreciation accounted for in the ordinary course of business and write downs of inventory
which reflect the lower of cost or market and which are in the ordinary course of business; (h)
failure to promptly pay and discharge current liabilities or agree with any party to extend the
payment of any current liability; (i) Lien placed on any property of the Purchaser other than
Permitted Liens; (j) sale, assignment, transfer, lease, license or otherwise placement of a
Lien on any of the Purchasers tangible assets, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or canceled any material debts or Claims; (k) sale, assignment,
transfer, lease, license or otherwise placement of a Lien on any Intellectual Property rights
or other intangible assets, disclosure of any material confidential information to any Person
or abandoned or permitted to lapse any Intellectual Property rights;
-32-
(1) commitment to make any charitable contributions or pledges exceeding in the
aggregate $25,000; or (m) agreement, whether orally or in writing, to do any of the
foregoing.
3.25.
Disclosure
. Neither this Agreement nor any of the Contracts, exhibits,
attachments, written statements, documents, certificates or other items prepared for or supplied
to the Purchaser by or on behalf of the Purchaser with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits a material fact necessary to make
each statement contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no fact which the Purchaser
has not disclosed to the Corporation herein and of which the Purchaser, or any of their respective
officers, directors or executive employees is aware which could reasonably be anticipated to have
a Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser or the ability of Purchaser to continue the businesses of
the Purchaser in the same manner as the Purchaser conducted its business prior to the Closing
Date.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER, ACQUISITION AND THE CORPORATION
4.1.
Covenants of the Corporation
. Until the Closing Date, except as otherwise
consented to or approved by the Purchaser in writing or as necessary or beneficial to effect the
Restructuring, the Corporation and the Sellers agree that they shall act, or refrain from acting
where required hereinafter, to comply (and in the case of the Sellers, to cause the Corporation
to comply) with the following:
(a)
Regular Course of Business
. The Corporation shall (a) operate its business
diligently and in good faith, consistent with past management practices; (b) maintain all of its
properties in customary repair, order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted; (c)
maintain (except for expiration due to lapse of time) all leases and Contracts in effect without
change except as expressly provided herein; (d) comply with the provisions of all Regulations and
Orders applicable to the Corporation and the conduct of its business; (e) not cancel, release,
waive or compromise any debt, Claim or right in its favor having a value in excess of $5,000
other than in connection with returns of inventory for credit or replacement in the ordinary
course of business; (f) not alter the rate or basis of compensation of any of its officers,
directors or employees other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and immaterial in amount; (g) maintain its books, accounts and records in accordance
with past custom and practice as used in the preparation of the Financial Statements; (h)
maintain in full force and effect the existence of all Intellectual Property Rights; (i) use its
reasonable best efforts to preserve the goodwill and organization of its business and its
relationships with its customers, suppliers, employees and other Persons having business
relations with it; G) not take or omit to take any action that would require disclosure under
Article II, or that would otherwise result in a breach of any of the representations, warranties
or covenants made by the Corporation in this Agreement or in any of the agreements contemplated
hereby; and (k) not take any action or omit to take any action which act or omission would
reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
Capital Changes
. The Corporation shall not issue or sell any shares of its
capital stock or issue or sell any securities convertible or exchangeable into, or Options to
-33-
subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock and the Corporation shall not pledge or otherwise
encumber any shares of its capital stock. The Corporation shall not redeem, retire, purchase or
otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of its issued and outstanding capital stock, Options
or any outstanding rights or securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into its
capital stock. The Corporation shall not declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or
other distribution in respect of its capital stock, Options or any outstanding rights or
securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into its capital stock. The Corporation
shall not issue any additional Options or enter into any Contracts containing any profit
participation features, stock appreciation rights or phantom stock option plans, or similar
Contracts that allows any Person to participate in the equity of the Corporation. The Corporation
shall not amend its charter or bylaws or merge into or consolidate with any other Person or change
the character of its business. In addition, the Corporation shall not allow the transfer of any
shares of its capital stock on the stock transfer ledger or other books and records.
(c)
Capital and Other Expenditures
. The Corporation shall not make any Investments
or capital expenditures, or commitments with respect thereto, except as provided in its budget set
forth in
Schedule 2.18
attached hereto. The Corporation shall not make any loan or advance
to any Person (other than accounts receivable made in the ordinary course of business) and shall
collect in full any amounts outstanding now due from any Affiliate. The Corporation shall not make
any charitable or other contributions to any Person nor shall it make any commitments therefor.
(d)
Borrowing
. The Corporation shall not incur, assume or Guarantee any
Indebtedness not reflected on the Financial Statements except in the ordinary course of business
under existing credit facilities as such credit facilities exist on the date hereof.
(e)
Other Commitments
. Except as set forth in this Agreement, incurred or transacted
in the ordinary course of business, or permitted in writing by the Purchaser, the Corporation
shall not enter into any material Contract or transaction or make any commitment or incur any
material obligation or liability (including entering into any real property leases).
(f)
Interim Financial Information and Audit
. The Corporation shall supply the
Purchaser with unaudited monthly operating statements within thirty (30) days after the end of
each month ending between the date hereof and the Closing Date, certified by the Corporations
chief financial officer as having been prepared in accordance with procedures employed by the
Corporation in preparing prior monthly operating statements necessary to fairly present the
Corporations financial position, results of operations and changes in financial position at and
for such periods.
(g)
Full Access and Disclosure
. The Corporation shall afford to the Purchaser and
its counsel, accountants, agents and other authorized representatives and to financial
institutions specified by the Purchaser reasonable access during business hours to the
Corporations plants, properties, books and records in order that the Purchaser may have full
opportunity to make such reasonable investigations as it shall desire to make of the affairs of
the Corporation. The Corporation shall cause its officers, employees, counsel and auditors to
furnish such additional financial and operating data and other information as the Purchaser shall
from time to time reasonably request including, without limitation, any internal control
-34-
recommendations made by its independent auditors in connection with any audit of the
Corporation. From time to time prior to the Closing Date, the Corporation shall promptly
supplement or amend information previously delivered to the Purchaser with respect to any matter
hereafter arising which, if existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be set forth or disclosed herein; provided, however, that such supplemental
information shall not be deemed to be an amendment to any schedule hereto and shall not change the
risk allocation of this Agreement between the Purchaser and the Sellers.
(h)
Tax Matters
. The Corporation shall not make or change any election, file a Tax
Return not in accordance with past practice, change an annual accounting period, adopt or
change any accounting method, file any amended Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement,
settle any Tax Claim or assessment relating to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries,
surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the
limitation period applicable to any Tax Claim or assessment relating to the Corporation, or any of
its Subsidiaries, or take any other similar action, or omit to take any action relating to the
filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax, if such election, adoption, change, amendment,
Contract, settlement, surrender, consent or other action or omission, would have the effect of
increasing the present or future Tax liability or decreasing any present or future Tax asset of
the Corporation.
(i)
Fulfillment of Conditions Precedent
. The Corporation and the Sellers shall
use their reasonable best efforts to obtain at the Corporations expense all such waivers,
Permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations from third Persons and Authorities, and to
do all things as may be necessary or desirable in connection with transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(j)
Satisfaction of Closing Conditions
. Except as required by applicable law, the
Corporation shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action that
would, or would reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the conditions to the Merger set
forth in Article VI not being satisfied or (ii) a material delay in the satisfaction of such
conditions.
(k)
Tax-Free Qualification
. The Corporation shall use its reasonable best
efforts not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts not to permit any of its respective
Subsidiaries to, take any action that would prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization under Section 368 of the Code.
4.2.
Covenants of the Purchaser
. Until the Closing Date, except as otherwise
consented to or approved by the Corporation in writing or as necessary or beneficial to effect
the Restructuring, the Purchaser and Acquisition agree that they shall act, or refrain from
acting where required hereinafter, to comply with the following:
(a)
Regular Course of Business
. The Purchaser shall (a) operate its business
diligently and in good faith, consistent with past management practices; (b) maintain all of its
properties in customary repair, order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted; (c)
maintain (except for expiration due to lapse of time) all leases and Contracts in effect without
change except as expressly provided herein; (d) comply with the provisions of all Regulations
-35-
and Orders applicable to the Purchaser and the conduct of its business; (e) not cancel,
release, waive or compromise any debt, Claim or right in its favor having a value in excess of
$5,000 other than in connection with returns of inventory for credit or replacement in the
ordinary course of business; (f) not alter the rate or basis of compensation of any of its
officers, directors or employees other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and immaterial in amount; (g) use its reasonable best efforts to preserve the
goodwill and organization of its business and its relationships with its customers, suppliers,
employees and other Persons having business relations with it; (h) not take or omit to take any
action that would require disclosure under Article III, or that would otherwise result in a breach
of any of the representations, warranties or covenants made by the Purchaser in this Agreement or
in any of the agreements contemplated hereby; and (i) not take any action or omit to take any
action which act or omission would reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
Capital Changes
. Other than the shares of the Purchaser Common Stock to be
sold in the Private Placement, the Purchaser shall not issue or sell any shares of its capital
stock or issue or sell any securities convertible or exchangeable into, or Options to subscribe
for, any shares of its capital stock and the Purchaser shall not pledge or otherwise encumber
any shares of its capital stock. Other than the 94,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock
to be forfeited by the Tamborine Majority Shareholder pursuant to Section 5.14, the Purchaser
shall not redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of its issued
and outstanding capital stock, Options or any outstanding rights or securities exercisable or
exchangeable for or convertible into its capital stock. The Purchaser shall not declare, payor
set aside for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of its capital stock,
Options or any outstanding rights or securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible
into its capital stock. The Purchaser shall not issue any additional Options or enter into any
Contracts containing any profit participation features, stock appreciation rights or phantom
stock option plans, or similar Contracts that allows any Person to participate in the equity of
the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall not amend its charter or bylaws or merge into or consolidate
with any other Person or change the character of its business. In addition, other than the
shares of the Purchaser Common Stock to be sold in the Private Placement, the Purchaser shall
not allow the transfer of any shares of its capital stock on the stock transfer ledger or other
books and records.
(c)
Capital and Other Expenditures
. The Purchaser shall not make any Investments or
capital expenditures, or commitments with respect thereto. The Purchaser shall not make any loan
or advance to any Person (other than accounts receivable made in the ordinary course of business)
and shall collect in full any amounts outstanding now due from any Affiliate. The Purchaser shall
not make any charitable or other contributions to any Person nor shall it make any commitments
therefor.
(d)
Borrowing
. The Purchaser shall not incur, assume or Guarantee any Indebtedness
not reflected on the Financial Statements except in the ordinary course of business under
existing credit facilities as such credit facilities exist on the date hereof.
(e)
Other Commitments
. Except as set forth in this Agreement, incurred or
transacted in the ordinary course of business, or permitted in writing by the Purchaser, the
Purchaser shall not enter into any material Contract or transaction or make any commitment or
incur any material obligation or liability (including entering into any real property leases).
-36-
(f)
Interim Financial Information and Audit
. The Purchaser shall supply the
Corporation with unaudited monthly operating statements within thirty (30) days after the end of
each month ending between the date hereof and the Closing Date, certified by the Purchasers
president or chief financial officer as having been prepared in accordance with procedures
employed by the Corporation in preparing prior monthly operating statements necessary to fairly
present the Purchasers financial position, results of operations and changes in financial
position at and for such periods.
(g)
Full Access and Disclosure
. The Purchaser shall afford to the Corporation and
its counsel, accountants, agents and other authorized representatives and to financial
institutions specified by the Corporation reasonable access during business hours to the
Corporations plants, properties, books and records in order that the Corporation may have full
opportunity to make such reasonable investigations as it shall desire to make of the affairs of
the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall cause its officers, employees, counsel and auditors to furnish
such additional financial and operating data and other information as the Corporation shall from
time to time reasonably request including, without limitation, any internal control
recommendations made by its independent auditors in connection with any audit of the Purchaser.
From time to time prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall promptly supplement or amend
information previously delivered to the Purchaser with respect to any matter hereafter arising
which, if existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set
forth or disclosed herein; provided, however, that such supplemental information shall not be
deemed to be an amendment to any schedule hereto and shall not change the risk allocation of this
Agreement between the Purchaser and the Sellers.
(h)
Tax Matters
. The Purchaser shall not make or change any election, change an
annual accounting period, adopt or change any accounting method, file any amended Tax Return,
enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax Claim or assessment relating to the Purchaser or
any of its Subsidiaries, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent to any extension
or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax Claim or assessment relating to the
Purchaser, or any of its Subsidiaries, or take any other similar action, or omit to take any
action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax, if such election,
adoption, change, amendment, Contract, settlement, surrender, consent or other action or
omission, would have the effect of increasing the present or future Tax liability or decreasing
any present or future Tax asset of the Purchaser.
(i)
Fulfillment of Conditions Precedent
. The Purchaser shall use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain at their expense all such waivers, Permits, consents, approvals or other
authorizations from third Persons and Authorities, and to do all things as may be necessary or
desirable in connection with transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(j)
Satisfaction of Closing Conditions
. Except as required by applicable law, the
Purchaser shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action that would,
or would reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article VII not being satisfied or (ii) a material delay in the satisfaction of such conditions.
(k)
Tax-Free Qualification
. The Purchaser shall use its reasonable best efforts not
to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts not to permit any of its respective
-37-
Subsidiaries to, take any action that would prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying
as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
5.1.
Confidentiality
. Except as may be required by lawful Order of an Authority of
competent jurisdiction, each party agrees that each party and its representatives and its
Affiliates and their representatives and advisors will hold in strict confidence all data and
information obtained from the other party in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, except any of the same which (a) was, is now, or becomes generally available to the
public (but not as a result of a breach of any duty of confidentiality by which a party and its
representatives and advisors arc bound); (b) was known to a party prior to its disclosure to
such other as demonstrated by such partys written records; (c) is disclosed to a party by a
third party not subject to any duty of confidentiality to the other party prior to its
disclosure to such party by the other party, or (d) may be disclosed pursuant to Section 5.7.
Each party will use such data and information solely for the specific purpose of evaluating the
transactions contemplated hereby. If this Agreement is properly terminated, each party and its
Affiliates and their representatives and advisors will promptly return to the other party or
destroy all such data, information and other written material (including all copies thereof)
which has been obtained by such party, and such party will make no further use whatsoever of any
of such or the information and knowledge contained therein or derived therefrom. The provisions
of this Section 5.1 shall supersede any confidentiality or similar Contract that may exist
between the parties prior to the date hereof.
5.2.
Agreement to Defend
. In the event any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation is commenced, whether before or after the Closing Date, all the parties hereto
agree to cooperate and use their best efforts to defend against and respond thereto.
5.3.
Further Assurances
. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
parties hereto shall use their best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do,
or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Regulations and
Orders to consummate and make effective as promptly as possible the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby, and to cooperate with each other in
connection with the foregoing, including without limitation using their best efforts (a) to
obtain all necessary waivers, consents, and approvals from other parties to loan agreements,
leases, mortgages and other Contracts; (b) to obtain all necessary Permits, consents, approvals
and authorizations as are required to be obtained under any Regulation or Order; (c) to lift or
rescind any injunction or restraining order or other Order adversely affecting the ability of the
parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) to effect all necessary
registrations and filings including, but not limited to, filings and submissions of information
requested by Authorities; and (e) to fulfill all conditions to the obligations of the parties
under this Agreement. Each of the Purchaser and the Corporation further covenants and agrees that
it shall use its respective best efforts to prevent, with respect to a threatened or pending
preliminary or permanent injunction or other Regulation or Order the entry, enactment or
promulgation thereof, as the case may be.
-38-
5.4.
No Solicitation or Negotiation
. The Purchaser, the Corporation and the
Sellers shall not, and the Purchaser and the Corporation shall use their best efforts to ensure
that its shareholders, and any of its and its shareholders Affiliates, representatives, officers,
employees, directors or agents shall not, directly or indirectly (a) submit, solicit, initiate,
encourage or discuss any proposal or offer from any Person or enter into any Contract or accept
any offer relating to or to consummate any (i) reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or
recapitalization of the Purchaser or the Corporation, as the case may be; (ii) merger or
consolidation involving the Purchaser or the Corporation, as the case may be; (iii) purchase or
sale of any of the assets or capital stock, Options, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock
options or other similar equity based participations (or any rights to acquire, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for, any such capital stock, Options, stock appreciation rights,
phantom stock options or other such securities) of the Purchaser or the Corporation, as the case
may be (other than a purchase or sale of inventory and worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past custom and practice and in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement); (iv) similar transaction or business combination involving the Purchaser or the
Corporation, as the case may be, or their assets; or (v) acquisition by the Purchaser or the
Corporation, as the case may be, of other businesses, whether by the purchase of assets or capital
stock of another Person; or (b) furnish any information with respect to, assist or participate in
or facilitate in any other manner any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of
the foregoing; provided however, nothing herein shall limit or restrict in any way the Purchaser
or the Corporation, as the case may be, from communicating with its legal, accounting and other
professional advisors or lenders for the purpose of facilitating the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. Each party shall notify the other party immediately if any Person makes any
proposal, offer, inquiry or contact to the such party or, to the such partys knowledge, any other
Person for the purpose of effectuating one or more of the foregoing transactions.
5.5.
No Termination of the Corporations and the Sellers Obligations by Subsequent
Incapacity, Dissolution, Etc
. Each Seller specifically agrees that the obligations of such
Seller hereunder, shall not be terminated by the dissolution of such Seller, by operation of law
or by the death or incapacity of any individual Seller. The Corporation hereby agrees that its
obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall not be terminated by the dissolution of the
Corporation, by operation of law or otherwise.
5.6.
Deliveries After Closing
. From time to time after the Closing, at the
Purchasers request and without expense to the Corporation or any Subsidiary and without further
consideration from the Purchaser, the Corporation or any Subsidiary, the Sellers shall execute
and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as the
Purchaser reasonably may require to convey, transfer to and vest in the Purchaser and to put the
Purchaser in possession of any rights or property to be sold, conveyed, transferred and delivered
hereunder.
5.7.
Public Announcements
. Prior to the Closing, neither the Sellers, the
Corporation nor the Purchaser nor any Affiliate, representative or shareholder of such Persons,
shall disclose any of the terms of this Agreement to any third party without the other partys
prior written
consent. The form, content and timing of all press releases, public announcements or publicity
statements with respect to this Agreement and transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject
to the prior approval of both the Corporation and the Purchaser, which approval shall not be
-39-
unreasonably withheld. No press releases, public announcements or publicity statements shall
be released by either party without such prior mutual agreement.
5.8.
Information for the Private Placement Memorandum
. On or prior to the date
hereof, the Purchaser completed the Private Placement as described in the Private Placement
Memorandum. Each of the parties has furnished and shall furnish all information concerning itself
that is required or customary for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum. If at any time
prior to the Effective Time any information relating to the Purchaser, Acquisition or the
Corporation, or any of their respective affiliates, trustees, directors or officers, is discovered
that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum, so
that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, the party that discovers such information shall promptly
notify the other parties hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such
information shall be made to the Private Placement Memorandum and, to the extent required by
applicable law, disseminated to the purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Purchaser Common
Stock pursuant to the Private Placement Memorandum.
5.9.
Current Information
. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, the Corporation and the Purchaser will cause one or more of their designated
representatives to confer on a regular and frequent basis (not less than weekly) with each other
and to report the general status of the ongoing operations of each of the Purchaser and the
Corporation. The Corporation will promptly notify the Purchaser of any material change in the
normal course of business or in the operation of the properties of the Corporation and of any
governmental complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same
may be contemplated), or the institution or the threat of significant litigation involving the
Corporation and will keep the Purchaser fully informed of such events. The Purchaser will promptly
notify the Corporation of any material change in the normal course of business or in the operation
of the properties of the Purchaser and of any governmental complaints, investigations or hearings
(or communications indicating that the same may be contemplated), or the institution or the threat
of significant litigation involving the Purchaser and will keep the Corporation fully informed of
such events.
5.10.
Directors and Officers of the Purchaser and the Surviving
Corporation
.
(a) The Purchaser and the Corporation shall take, or cause to be taken, all action necessary
so that at the Effective Time, the directors and officers of the Purchaser shall be as set forth
on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached hereto.
(b) The Purchaser, Acquisition and the Corporation shall take, or cause to be taken, all
action necessary so that at or immediately after the Effective Time, the directors and officers
of the Surviving Corporation shall be as set forth on
Exhibits 1.7(a)
attached hereto,
respectively.
5.11.
Certain Employee Agreements
. The Purchaser and its Subsidiaries shall
honor, without modification, all contracts, agreements, collective bargaining agreements and
commitments of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries that apply to any current or former
-40-
employees or current or former directors of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that this undertaking is not intended to prevent the Purchaser from enforcing such
contracts, agreements, collective bargaining agreements and commitments in accordance with their
terms, or from enforcing any right to amend, modify, suspend, revoke or terminate any such
contract, agreement, collective bargaining agreement or commitment.
5.12.
Available Cash
. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Purchaser shall
have not less than $500,000 of cash (or cash equivalents) net of any Indebtedness and shall have
no liabilities, whether fixed, accrued or contingent other than not more than an aggregate of
$100,000 in fees, expenses or disbursements incurred in connection with this Agreement, the
Merger, the Private Placement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herby and
thereby.
5.13.
Conveyance Taxes
. The Purchaser and the Corporation shall cooperate in the
preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents
regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer
and stamp Taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees, and any similar Taxes
which become payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are
required or permitted to be paid on or before the Effective Time.
5.14.
Purchaser Capitalization Adjustment
. On or prior to the Closing Date, the
Tamborine Majority Shareholder solely as it relates to the Purchasers representations and
warranties contained in Section 3.5 Capitalization of this Agreement, shall forfeit and tender
to the Purchaser for cancellation 94,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock that is
beneficially owned by Tamborine Majority Shareholder.
5.15.
Audited Financial Statement
. On or prior to June 30, 2005, an audit of the
Corporations financial statements for the calendar year ending December 31,2004 shall have been
completed and prepared in accordance with GAAP by a recognized independent accounting firm, and a
copy of such audited financial statement shall have been delivered to the Purchaser.
5.16.
Stock Incentive Plan
. As soon as practicable after the Closing, the Purchaser
shall adopt and implement the Purchaser Stock Option Plan pursuant to which the Purchaser shall
have the right to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock in the form of
Options or restricted stock to the Purchaser employees, non-employee directors, consultants and
advisors.
5.17.
Restructuring
. Prior to the Closing, as described on
Schedule 5.17
attached hereto, the Corporation shall effectuate a restructuring of its assets, Affiliates and
Subsidiaries whereby (i) each of International Hydrogen Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation
(
IHTI
), and Innovative Engines, Inc. a Florida corporation (
IEI
), shall be
formed as wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Corporation, and (ii) each of the shareholders and
members, as the case ay be, of SESI and SESLLC, shall exchange their respective shares or
membership interests, as the case may be, for shares of the Corporation (the
Restructuring
). Upon consummation of the Restructuring, each of IHTI, IEI, SESI and
SESLLC shall be wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Corporation, and any and all assets relating to
the Business shall be owned by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens,
Contracts or Orders. Any and all Taxes resulting
-41-
from the Restructuring shall be the responsibility of the Surviving Corporation and the
Purchaser and may be paid from the $100,000 allocated for expenses pursuant to Section 5.12.
5.18.
Private Placement
. Prior to the Closing, the Purchaser shall sell at least
200,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to the Private Placement. Pursuant to the
terms of the Private Placement, the Purchaser shall sell an additional 1,800,000 shares of the
Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to the Private Placement.
5.19.
Termination of Corporation Shareholders Agreements
. The Sellers shall cause
any and all shareholders agreements of the Corporation, IHTI, IEI, SESI and SES LLC to be
terminated at or prior to Closing without any further liability or obligation to the
Corporation.
5.20.
Payment of Taxes.
(a) The Sellers shall be responsible and liable for the timely payment of any and all Taxes
imposed on or with respect to the properties, income and operations of the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries for all Pre-Closing Periods, including the portion of the Overlap Period up to and
including the Closing Date. In addition, the Sellers shall pay Purchaser the amount of any Taxes
allocated to the Sellers pursuant to Section 5.20(b) below (to the extent that the Sellers are
liable therefor and to the extent not already paid by the Sellers on or before the Closing Date)
five (5) business days prior to the due date of such Taxes.
(b) All Taxes and Tax liabilities with respect to the income, property or operations of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries that relate to the Overlap Period shall be apportioned between
the Sellers and Purchaser as follows: (i) in the case of Taxes other than income, sales and use
and withholding Taxes, on a per diem basis, and (ii) in the case of income, sales and use and
withholding Taxes, as determined from the books and records of the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries as though the taxable year of the Corporation or any Subsidiary terminated at the
close of business on the Closing Date. The Sellers shall be liable for Taxes of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries which are attributable to the portion of the Overlap Period ending on and
including the Closing Date.
(c) All transfer, sales and use, value added, registration, documentary, stamp and similar
Taxes imposed in connection with the Merger Consideration or any other transaction that occurs
pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne solely by the Sellers.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PURCHASER AND ACQUISITION
Each and every obligation of the Purchaser under this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions unless waived in
writing by the Purchaser:
6.1.
Representations and Warranties; Performance
. The representations and
warranties of the Corporation and the Sellers contained in Article II and elsewhere in this
Agreement and all information contained in any exhibit and schedule hereto delivered by, or on
behalf of, the Corporation and/or the Sellers to the Purchaser, which are modified by
materiality
-42-
shall be true and correct (and all other representations shall be true and correct in all
material respects) when made and on the Closing Date as though then made, except as expressly
provided herein. The Corporation and the Sellers shall have performed and complied with all
agreements, covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed and complied with
by them prior to the Closing Date. The president of the Corporation shall have delivered to the
Purchaser a certificate (which shall be addressed to the Purchaser), dated the Closing Date, in
the form designated
Exhibit 6.1
hereto, certifying to the foregoing.
6.2.
Consents and Approvals
. The Purchaser and the Corporation shall have obtained
any and all consents, approvals, Orders, Permits or other authorizations required by all
applicable Regulations, Orders and Contracts involving the Corporation or binding on its
properties and assets, with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement
and the agreements contemplated hereby, the financing and consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein and the conduct of the business of the Corporation in the same manner after
the Closing Date as before the Closing Date.
6.3.
No Material Adverse Change
. There shall have been no Material Adverse Change
since the date of this Agreement. The Purchaser shall have received certificates (which shall be
addressed to the Purchaser), dated the Closing Date, of the president and chief financial officer
of the Corporation, in the form of
Exhibit 6.3
attached hereto, certifying to the
foregoing.
6.4.
No Proceeding or Litigation
. No preliminary or permanent injunction or
other Order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any Authority, or any Regulation
or Order promulgated or enacted by any Authority shall be in effect which would prevent the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.5.
Accounting Matters
. The Purchaser shall have received a certificate, dated
the Closing Date, of the Corporations chief financial officer in form and substance
satisfactory to the Purchaser, as to the accuracy of all of the Financial Statements in the
form of
Exhibit 6.5
attached hereto.
6.6.
Proceedings and Documents
. All corporate and other proceedings in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents and instruments incident to such
transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchaser and the
Purchasers counsel, and the Corporation shall have made available to the Purchaser for
examination the originals or true, complete and correct copies of all records and documents
relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation that the Purchaser may reasonably
request in connection with said transaction.
6.7.
Secretarys Certificate
. The Purchaser shall have received a certificate, by
the secretary of the Corporation, as to the charter and bylaws of the Corporation, the
resolutions adopted by the directors and shareholders of the Corporation in connection with this
Agreement, the incumbency of certain officers of the Corporation and the jurisdictions in which
the Corporation is qualified to conduct business in the form of
Exhibit 6.7
attached
hereto.
6.8.
Certificates of Good Standing
. At the Closing, the Corporation shall
have delivered to the Purchaser certificates issued by the appropriate governmental
Authorities
-43-
evidencing the good standing, with respect to both the conduct of business and the payment of
all Taxes, of the Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries as of a date not more than fifteen (15)
days prior to the Closing Date as a corporation organized under the laws of the state and as a
foreign
corporation authorized to do business under the laws of the jurisdictions listed in the
schedules hereto.
6.9.
Employment Agreements
. Messrs. Donald P. Bunnell, Gregory B. Golden and
Lorenzo C. Lamadrid shall have each executed and delivered employment agreements in a form
mutually agreed to by the Purchaser and the employee signatory thereto providing for the
continued employment of such Persons with the Corporation and containing non-compete and
non-solicitation provisions (the
Employment Agreements
).
6.10.
Private Placement
. The Purchaser shall have completed the Private Placement
and at least 200,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock shall have been sold in connection
with the Private Placement.
6.11.
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation
. Prior to or at the
Effective Time, the Corporation shall have taken, or caused to be taken, all necessary
corporate action so that, at or immediately after the Effective Time, the directors and
officers of the Surviving
Corporation shall be as set forth on
Schedule
1.7(a)
.
6.12.
The Corporation Shareholders Approval
. The Corporation shall have delivered
to the Purchaser the Corporation Shareholders Approval and the matters set forth therein shall
have been effectuated.
6.13
Restructuring
. The Corporation shall have effectuated the
Restructuring.
6.14.
Delivery of Stock Certificates
. Each Seller shall have delivered at the
Closing stock certificates representing all of its Shares, duly endorsed to the Purchaser,
together with stock powers executed in blank.
6.15.
Termination of Corporation Shareholders Agreements
. The Sellers shall have
caused any and all shareholders agreements of the Corporation, IHTI, IEI, SESI and SES LLC to be
terminated at or prior to Closing without any further liability or obligation to the Corporation.
6.16.
Other Documents
. The Corporation shall have furnished the Purchaser with such
other and further documents and certificates, including certificates of the Corporations
officers and others, as the Purchaser shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with the
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE SELLERS
Each and every obligation of the Corporation and the Sellers under this Agreement shall be
subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions
unless waived in writing by the Corporation and the Sellers:
-44-
7.1.
Representations and Warranties; Performance
. The representations and
warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article III and elsewhere in this Agreement and all
information contained in any exhibit or schedule hereto delivered by, or on behalf of, the
Purchaser to the Corporation and the Sellers, which are modified by materiality shall be true and
correct (and all other representations shall be true and correct in all material respects) when
made and on the Closing Date as though then made, except as expressly provided herein. The
Purchaser shall have performed and complied with all agreements, covenants and conditions required
by this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it prior to the Closing Date. The president
of the Purchaser shall have delivered to the Corporation and the Sellers a certificate, dated the
Closing Date, in the form designated
Exhibit 7.1
attached hereto, certifying to the
foregoing.
7.2.
Consents and Approvals
. The Purchaser shall have obtained any and all consents,
approvals, Orders, Permits or other authorizations required by all applicable Regulations or
Orders involving the Purchaser, with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of the
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.3.
No Material Adverse Change
. There shall have been no Material Adverse
Change since the date of this Agreement. The Corporation shall have received certificates
(which shall be addressed to the Corporation), dated the Closing Date, of the president of
the Purchaser, in the form of
Exhibit 7.3
attached hereto, certifying to the
foregoing.
7.4.
No Proceeding or Litigation
. No preliminary or permanent injunction or
other Order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any Authority, or any Regulation
or Order promulgated or enacted by any Authority shall be in effect which would prevent the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.5.
Accounting Matters
. The Corporation shall have received a certificate, dated
the Closing Date, of the Purchasers president in form and substance satisfactory to the
Corporation, as to the accuracy of all of the Purchasers financial statements in the form of
Exhibit 7.5
attached hereto.
7.6.
Proceedings and Documents
. All corporate and other proceedings in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents and instruments incident to such
transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Corporation and the
Corporations counsel, and the Purchaser shall have made available to the Corporation for
examination the originals or true, complete and correct copies of all records and documents
relating to the business and affairs of the Purchaser that the Corporation may reasonably request
in connection with said transaction.
7.7.
Certificates of Good Standing
. At the Closing, the Purchaser shall have
delivered to the Corporation certificates issued by the appropriate governmental Authorities
evidencing the good standing, with respect to both the conduct of business and the payment of all
Taxes, of the Purchaser and each of its Subsidiaries as of a date not more than fifteen (15) days
prior to the Closing Date as a corporation organized under the laws of the state and as a foreign
corporation authorized to do business under the laws of the jurisdictions listed in the schedules
hereto.
-45-
7.8.
Secretarys Certificate
. The Sellers shall have received a certificate, by
the secretary of the Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, as to the charter and bylaws of the
Purchaser, the resolutions adopted by the directors of the Purchaser in connection with this
Agreement, the incumbency of certain officers of the Purchaser and the jurisdictions in which
Purchaser is qualified to conduct business in the form of
Exhibit 7.8
hereto.
7.9.
Employment Agreements
. The Corporation shall have executed the Employment Agreements
7.10.
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation
. Prior to or at the
Effective Time, the Purchaser and Acquisition shall have taken, or caused to be taken, all
necessary corporate action so that, at or immediately after the Effective Time, the directors and
officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be as set forth on
Schedule 1.7(a)
attached
hereto.
7.11.
Purchaser Shareholders Approval
. The Purchaser shall have delivered to the
Corporation the Purchaser Shareholders Approval and the matters set forth therein shall have
been effectuated.
7.12.
The Corporation Agreements
. The Purchaser shall have assumed the obligations
of the Corporation under the Corporation Employment Agreements on terms reasonably satisfactory
to the Corporation.
7.13.
The Purchaser Cash
. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Purchaser
shall have not less than $500,000 of cash (or cash equivalents) net of any Indebtedness and shall
have no liabilities, whether fixed, accrued or contingent other than not more than an aggregate of
$100,000 in fees, expenses or disbursements incurred in connection with this Agreement, the
Merger, the Private Placement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herby and
thereby.
7.14.
Purchaser Capitalization Adjustment
. Tamborine Majority Shareholder shall have
forfeited and tendered to the Purchaser for cancellation 94,000,000 shares of the Purchaser Common
Stock that is beneficially owned by Tamborine Majority Shareholder.
7.15.
Private Placement
. The Purchaser shall have completed the Private Placement
and at least 200,000 shares of the Purchaser Common Stock shall have been sold in connection
with the Private Placement.
7.16.
Shareholder Notice
. Pursuant to Section 79-4-11.03 of the MBCA, the Purchaser
shall have delivered notice to its shareholders informing them that the Purchasers Board of
Directors and a majority of the Purchasers shareholders entitled to vote adopted this Agreement
and approved the Merger, the Private Placement and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.
7.17.
Other Documents
. The Purchaser shall have furnished the Corporation with such
other and further documents and certificates, including certificates of the Purchasers officers
and others, as the Corporation shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with the
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
-46-
ARTICLE VIII
CLOSING
8.1.
Closing
. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated or abandoned pursuant
to the provisions of Article IX hereof, a closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the
Closing
) shall be held on or before March 30, 2005 or on such other date
(the
Closing Date
) as mutually agreed to by the Purchaser and the Corporation in the
offices of White & Case LLP, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 4900, Miami, Florida 33131,
provided that the Closing shall not occur, in any event, after April 18, 2005.
8.2.
Intervening Litigation
. If prior to the Closing Date any preliminary or
permanent injunction or other Order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by any other
Authority shall restrain or prohibit this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby for a period of fifteen (15) days or longer, the Closing shall be adjourned at
the option of either party for a period of not more than thirty (30) days. If at the end of such
thirty (30) day period such injunction or Order shall not have been favorably resolved, either
party may, by written notice thereof to the other, terminate this Agreement, without liability or
further obligation hereunder.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
9.1.
Methods of Termination
. This Agreement may be terminated and
the
transactions herein contemplated may be abandoned at any time:
(a) by mutual consent of the Purchaser, the Corporation and the Sellers;
(b) by the Purchaser or the Corporation if this Agreement is not consummated on or before
April 18, 2005;
provided
that
if any party has breached or defaulted with respect
to its obligations under this Agreement on or before such date, such party may not terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(b), and each other party to this Agreement may at its
option enforce its rights against such breaching or defaulting party and seek any remedies against
such party, in either case as provided hereunder and by applicable Regulation;
(c) by the Purchaser if as of the Closing Date any of the conditions specified in Article
VI hereof have not been satisfied or if the Sellers or the Corporation is otherwise in default
under this Agreement;
(d) by the Corporation if as of the Closing Date any of the conditions specified in Article
VII hereof have not been satisfied or if the Purchaser is otherwise in default under this
Agreement;
(e) by the Purchaser, if the Corporation shall have failed to obtain the Corporation
Shareholders Approval; or
-47-
(f) by the Corporation, if the Purchaser shall have failed to obtain the
Purchaser Shareholders Approval.
9.2.
Procedure Upon Termination
. In the event of termination and abandonment
pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, and subject to the proviso contained in Section 9.1(b) this
Agreement shall terminate and shall be abandoned, without further action by any of the
parties hereto. If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein:
(a) each party shall either destroy or redeliver all documents and other material of
any other party relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, whether obtained before or
after the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same;
(b) all information received by any party hereto with respect to the business of any other
party (other than information which is a matter of public knowledge or which has heretofore been
or is hereafter published in any publication for public distribution or filed as public
information with any governmental authority) shall not at any time be used for the advantage of,
or disclosed to third parties by, such party to the detriment of the party furnishing
such information; and
(c) other than as provided in Section 11.13 no non-breaching party hereto shall have
any liability or further obligation to any other party to this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
.
(a)
Indemnification.
To the extent, if any, not provided by an existing right of
indemnification or other agreement or policy, from and after the Effective Time, the Purchaser
and the Surviving Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the
date hereof, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer, director or management
employee of the Corporation and the Purchaser and their respective Subsidiaries (each an
Indemnified Party
and, collectively, the
Indemnified Parties
) against (i) all
losses, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), Claims, damages, costs,
liabilities, judgments or (subject to the proviso of the next succeeding sentence) amounts that
are paid in settlement of or in connection with any Claim based in whole or in part on or arising
in whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or management
employee of such party or any Subsidiary thereof, whether pertaining to any matter existing or
occurring after the Effective Time and whether asserted or claimed after the Effective Time and
(ii) all liabilities based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, or
pertaining to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby;
provided
,
however,
that no such indemnification shall be required to be paid to an Indemnified
Party with respect to any losses, expenses, Claims, damages, costs, liabilities, judgments or
amounts that are finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (after exhaustion of all
appeals) or in an arbitration conducted in accordance with this Agreement), or as
-48-
may be mutually determined, and set forth in a writing signed, by the Purchaser, the
Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Party (each in its sole discretion), to have resulted
solely from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In the
event of any such loss, expense, Claim, damage, cost, liability, judgment or settlement (whether
or not arising before the Effective Time), (A) the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation shall
pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation, promptly after
statements therefor are received, and otherwise advance to the Indemnified Parties upon request
reimbursement of documented expenses reasonably incurred, (B) the Purchaser and the Surviving
Corporation shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter and (C) any determination required
to be made with respect to whether an Indemnified Partys conduct complies with the standards
under applicable law or as set forth in the Purchasers or the Surviving Corporations articles of
incorporation or bylaws, as applicable, shall be made by independent counsel mutually acceptable
to the Purchaser, the Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Party;
provided
,
however,
that the Purchaser and the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for any
settlement effected without their written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed). The Indemnified Parties as a group may retain only one law firm (other than
local counsel) with respect to each related matter except to the extent there is, in the sole
opinion of counsel to an Indemnified Party, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a
conflict on any significant issue between positions of any two or more Indemnified Parties, in
which case each Indemnified Party with a conflicting position on a significant issue shall be
entitled to separate counsel.
(b)
Successors
. In the event the Purchaser or any of its successors or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all
of its properties and assets to any person, then and in either such case, the Purchaser shall use
reasonable efforts to provide a provision that the successors and assigns of the Purchaser shall
assume the obligations set forth in this Section 10.1.
(c)
Survival of Indemnification
. To the fullest extent not prohibited by law, from
and after the Effective Time, all rights to indemnification now existing in favor of the
employees, agents, directors or officers of the Purchaser and the Corporation and their respective
Subsidiaries with respect to their activities as such prior to or at the Effective Time, as
provided in their respective articles of incorporation or bylaws or indemnification agreements in
effect on the date of such activities or otherwise in effect on the date hereof, shall survive the
Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not less than six (6) years
from the Effective Time.
(d)
Benefit
. The provisions of this Section 10.1 are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his or her heirs and his or
her representatives.
(e)
Taxes
. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, each Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Purchaser, its Affiliates
(including the Surviving Corporation, the Corporation and their Subsidiaries) and the successors
to the foregoing (and their respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees and agents) on
an after-tax basis against (i) all Taxes, losses, claims and expenses resulting from,
-49-
arising out of, or incurred with respect to, any claims that may be asserted by any party
based upon, attributable to, or resulting from the failure of any representation or warranty made
pursuant to Section 2.13 of this Agreement to be true and correct as of the Closing Date; (ii)
all Taxes imposed on or asserted against the properties, income or operations of the Corporation
or its Subsidiaries, or for which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries may otherwise be
liable, for all Pre-Closing Periods; (iii) all Taxes imposed on the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries, or for which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries may be liable, as a result
of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement; and (iv) all Taxes imposed on the Corporation
or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6
or the analogous provisions of any state, local or foreign law.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11.1.
Amendment and Modification
. This Agreement may be amended, modified and
supplemented only by written agreement of all the parties hereto with respect to any of the terms
contained herein. No course of dealing between or among the parties shall be deemed effective to
modify, amend, waive or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any
party under or by reason of this Agreement.
11.2.
Waiver of Compliance; Consents
. Any failure of any party hereto to comply with
any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived in writing by the other
parties hereto, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to,
any subsequent or other failure. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent by or on
behalf of any party hereto, such consent shall be given in writing to be effective.
11.3.
Certain Definitions
.
24/7
shall have the meaning set forth in
2.16(j).
AAA
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11.17.
Acquisition
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
Affiliate
means, with regard to any Person, (a) any Person, directly or indirectly,
controlled by, under common control of, or controlling such Person; (b) any Person, directly or
indirectly, in which such Person holds, of record or beneficially, 5% or more of the equity or
voting securities; (c) any Person that holds, of record or beneficially, 5% or more of the equity
or voting securities of such Person; (d) any Person that, through Contract, relationship or
otherwise, exerts a substantial influence on the management of such Persons affairs; (e) any
Person that, through Contract, relationship or otherwise, is influenced substantially in the
management of its affairs by such Person; (f) any director, officer, partner or individual holding
a similar position in respect of such Person; or (g) as to any natural Person, any Person related
by blood, marriage or adoption and any Person owned by such Persons.
Agreement
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
-50-
Articles of Merger
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.2.
Authority
means any governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agency,
commission, board, arbitrator or authority, any court or judicial authority, any public, private
or industry regulatory authority, whether international, national, federal, state or local.
Business
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
CERCLA
: means Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980, as amended, and the Regulations thereunder.
Certificates
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.10(a).
Claim
means any action, suit, claim, lawsuit, demand, suit, inquiry, hearing,
investigation, notice of a violation or noncompliance, litigation, proceeding, arbitration,
appeals or other dispute, whether civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise.
Closing
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.1.
Closing Date
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.1.
Code
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
Regulations thereunder.
Contract
means any agreement, contract, commitment, instrument, document,
certificate or other binding arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral.
Corporation
shall mean, notwithstanding any definition in the preamble,
Synthesis Energy Holdings Corporation, Inc., a Florida corporation, and its Subsidiaries,
including without limitation 1HTI, IEI, SESI, and SESLLC, taken as a whole,.
Corporation Board Approval
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.27.
Corporation Capital Stock
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.8.
Corporation Common Stock
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8.
Corporation Intellectual Property
shall mean all Intellectual Property owned by the
Corporation or used in connection with the business of the Corporation and/or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Corporation Shareholders Approval
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.28.
Effective Time
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.3.
Employee Benefit Plans
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.15(a).
Employment Agreements
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.9.
-51-
Environmental Law
shall mean any Regulation, Order, settlement agreement or
Authority requirement, which relates to or otherwise imposes liability or standards of conduct
concerning the environment, health, safety or Hazardous Substances, including without limitation,
discharges, emissions, releases or threatened releases of noises, odors or any Hazardous
Substances, whether as matter or energy, into ambient air, water, or land, or otherwise relating
to the manufacture, processing, generation, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
cleanup, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances, including but not limited to CERCLA, the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Hazardous Material Transportation Act,
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act,
the Occupational Safety and Health Act, any so-called Superlien law, all as now or hereafter
amended or supplemented, and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other similar
Federal, state or local Regulations.
ERISA
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.l5(a).
Exchange Act
shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
Exchange Ratio
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8(c).
FBCA
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
Financial Statements
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(a).
Financial Statement Date
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(a).
GAAP
means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, as in existence at the date hereof.
Guarantee
means any guarantee or other contingent liability (other than any
endorsement for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect with
respect to any obligations of another Person, through a Contract or otherwise, including, without
limitation, (a) any endorsement or discount with recourse or undertaking substantially equivalent
to or having economic effect similar to a guarantee in respect of any such obligations and (b) any
Contract (i) to purchase, or to advance or supply funds for the payment or purchase of, any such
obligations, (ii) to purchase, sell or lease property, products, materials or supplies, or
transportation or services, in respect of enabling such other Person to pay any such obligation or
to assure the owner thereof against loss regardless of the delivery or nondelivery of the
property, products, materials or supplies or transportation or services or (iii) to make any loan,
advance or capital contribution to or other Investment in, or to otherwise provide funds to or
for, such other Person in respect of enabling such Person to satisfy an obligation (including any
liability for a dividend, stock liquidation payment or expense) or to assure a minimum equity,
working capital or other balance sheet condition in respect of any such obligation.
Hazardous Substances
shall be construed broadly to include any toxic or
hazardous substance, material, or waste, any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive
materials, asbestos in any form that has become friable, ura formaldehyde foam insulation,
dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas, any
chemicals,
-52-
materials or substances defined or included in the definition of hazardous substances,
restricted hazardous wastes, toxic substances, toxic pollutants, or words of similar import,
under any applicable Environmental Law, any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to
which is prohibited, limited, or regulated by any governmental Authority and any other
contaminant, pollutant or constituent thereof, whether liquid, solid, semi-solid, sludge and/or
gaseous, including without limitation, chemicals, compounds, by-products, pesticides, asbestos
containing materials, petroleum or petroleum products or by-products, and polychlorinated
biphenyls, the presence of which requires investigation or remediation under any Environmental Law
or which are or could reasonably be expected to become regulated, listed or controlled by, under
or pursuant to any Environmental Law, or which has been or shall be determined or interpreted at
any time by any Authority to be a hazardous or toxic substance regulated under any other
Regulation or Order.
IEI
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.17.
IHTI
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.17.
Indebtedness
with respect to any Person means (a) any obligation of such
Person for borrowed money, but in ~U1y event shall include: (i) any obligation or
liabilities incurred for all or any part of the purchase price of property or other assets or for the
cost of property or other assets constructed or of improvements thereto, other than accounts
payable
included in current liabilities and incurred in respect of property purchased in the ordinary
course of business, (whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of
such obligation) (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, known or
unknown, whether due or to become due); (ii) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for
the account of such Person and all drafts drawn thereunder; (iii) obligations incurred for all or
any part of the purchase price of property or other assets or for the cost of property or other
assets constructed or of improvements thereto, other than accounts payable included in current
liabilities and incurred in respect of property purchased in the ordinary course of business
(whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation)
secured by Liens; (iv) capitalized lease obligations; and (v) all Guarantees of such Person; (b)
accounts payable of such Person that have not been paid within sixty (60) days of their due date
and are not being contested; (c) annual employee bonus obligations that are not accrued on the
Financial Statements; and (d) retroactive insurance premium obligations.
Indemnified Party
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.1(a).
Indemnified Parties
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.1(a).
Intellectual Property
means all domestic and foreign patents, patent applications,
trademarks, service marks and other indicia of origin, trademark and service mark registrations
and applications for registrations thereof, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications
for registration thereof, Internet domain names and universal resource locators (
URLs
),
trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable), invention disclosures, moral and economic
rights of authors and inventors (however denominated), technical data, customer lists, corporate
and business names, trade names, trade dress, brand names, know-how, show-how, maskworks,
formulae, methods (whether or not patentable), designs, processes, procedures,
-53-
technology, source codes, object codes, computer software programs, databases, data
collectors and other proprietary information or material of any type, whether written or
unwritten (and all goodwill associated with, and all derivatives, improvements and refinements
of, any of the foregoing).
Investment
shall mean (a) any direct or indirect ownership, purchase or other
acquisition by a Person of any notes, obligations, instruments, capital stock, Options,
securities or ownership interests (including partnership interests and joint venture interests)
of any other Person; and (b) any capital contribution or similar obligation by a Person to any
other Person.
Lien
means any (a) security interest, lien, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
encumbrance, Claim, easement, charge, restriction on transfer or otherwise, or interest of another
Person of any kind or nature, including any conditional sale or other title retention Contract or
lease in the nature thereof; (b) any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor
under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar statute; and (c) any subordination arrangement in
favor of another Person.
Material Adverse Change
means any developments or changes which would have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Material Adverse Effect
means any circumstances, state of facts or matters which
might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect in respect of the Corporations
business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise), results, plans,
strategies or prospects.
MBCA
shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.21.
Merger
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
Merger Consideration
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8(c).
Merger Transactions
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8(c).
Option
means any subscription, option, warrant, right, security, Contract,
commitment, understanding, stock appreciation right, phantom stock option, profit participation
or arrangement by which (a) with respect the Corporation, the Corporation is bound to issue any
additional shares of its capital stock or an interest in the equity or equity appreciation of the
Corporation or rights pursuant to which any Person has a right to purchase shares of the
Corporations capital stock or an interest in the equity or equity appreciation of the
Corporation or (b) with respect to a Seller, the Seller is bound to sell or allow another Person
to vote, encumber or control the disposition of any shares of the Corporations capital stock or
rights pursuant to which any Person has a right to purchase, vote, encumber or control the
disposition of shares of the Corporations capital stock from the Seller.
Order
means any writ, decree, order, judgment, injunction, rule, ruling, Lien,
voting right, consent of or by an Authority.
-54-
Overlap Period
means a taxable year or other taxable period that begins on
or before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.
Permits
means all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates,
Orders, qualifications or approvals required by any Authority or other Person.
Permitted Liens
means (a) statutory Liens not yet delinquent and immaterial in
amount; (b) such imperfections or irregularities of title or Liens as do not materially detract
from or interfere with the present use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected
thereby, otherwise impair present business operations at such properties, or do not detract from
the value of such properties and assets; ( c) Liens reflected in the Financial Statements or the
notes thereto; (d) the rights of customers of the Corporation with respect to inventory or work in
progress under purchase orders or Contracts entered into by the Corporation in the ordinary course
of business; (e) mechanics, carriers, workers, repairmens, warehousemens, or other similar
Liens arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations not overdue and
immaterial in amount or which arc being contested in good faith and covered by a bond in an amount
at least equal to the amount of the Lien; and (f) deposits or pledges to secure workmens
compensation, unemployment insurance, old age benefits or other social security obligations in
connection with, or to secure the performance of, bids, tenders, trade Contracts not for the
payment of money or leases, or to secure statutory obligations or surety or appeal bonds or other
pledges or deposits for purposes of like nature in the ordinary course of business and immaterial
in amount.
Person
means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
company, organization, entity, Authority or natural person.
Policies
means all Contracts that insure (a) the Corporations or any of its
Subsidiaries, properties, plant and equipment for loss or damage; and (b) the Corporation or any
of its Subsidiaries or their officers, directors, employees or agents against any liabilities,
losses or damages (or lost profits) for any reason or purpose.
Private Placement
means that certain offering of up to 2,000,000 shares of
Purchaser Common Stock for a maximum aggregate amount equal to $5,000,000 pursuant to the terms
and conditions set forth in the Private Placement Memorandum.
Private Placement Memorandum
means that certain Confidential Private Placement
Memorandum, dated as of March 9, 2005, as amended by that certain Amended and Restated
Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, dated as of March 30, 2005, and as may be amended or
supplemented, describing the Private Placement.
Purchaser
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
Purchaser Board Approval
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.22.
Purchaser Common Stock
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8.
Purchaser Shareholders Approval
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section
3.23.
-55-
Purchaser Stock Option Plan
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.5.
Regulation
means any rule, law, code, statute, regulation, ordinance, requirement,
announcement, policy, guideline, rule of common law or other binding action of or by an Authority
and any judicial interpretation thereof.
Restructuring
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.17.
Rules
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11.17.
SEC
shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.25.
Sel1ers
shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
Server
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.16(j).
SESI
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(a).
SESLLC
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(a).
Shares
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.8(c).
Sites
shall have the meaning set forth in
2.16(j).
Subsidiary
any Person in which the Corporation has (a) an Investment; (b)
advanced funds or provided financial accommodations to which, in each case, is secured by an
Investment in; or (c) has an Option to acquire an Investment in such Person.
Surviving Corporation
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.1.
Tax Returns
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.13(a).
Tamborine Majority Shareholder
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section
1.8(c).
Taxes
shall mean all taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other
governmental charges, including, without limitation, all Federal, state, local, foreign and other
income, franchise, profits, gross receipts, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, property,
sales, use, value-added, occupation, property, excise, severance, windfall profits, stamp,
license, payroll, social security, withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties,
fees, levies or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever (whether payable directly or by
withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax Return), all estimated taxes,
deficiency assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest and shall include any liability
for such amounts as a result either of being a member of a combined, consolidated, unitary or
affiliated group or of a contractual obligation to indemnify any person or other entity.
-56-
Taxing Authorities
means Internal Revenue Service and any other Federal,
state, or local Authority which has the right to impose Taxes on the Corporation or the Sellers.
VEBA
shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.15(a).
11.4.
Notices
. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) one (1)
business day after being delivered by hand, (b) five (5) business days after being mailed first
class or certified with postage paid or (c) one (1) business day after being couriered by
overnight receipted courier service:
(a) If to the Corporation or the Sellers, to:
Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc.
1424 West 28th Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33140 Attn:
Lorenzo C. Lamadrid
and
Synthesis Energy Holdings, Inc.
Level 21 HSBC Tower 21 Yin Cheng E Road
Shanghai 200120 China
Attn: Donald P. Bunnell
(b) If to the Purchaser, to:
Tamborine Holdings, Inc.
1450 Fifth Avenue
Suite 2200
Seattle, Washington 98101
Attn: Alexander E. Gomez
or to such other Person or address as the Purchaser shall furnish by notice to the Corporation in
writing.
11.5.
Assignment
. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder
shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties.
11.6.
Governing Law
. The Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of Florida as to all matters, including but not limited to matters of validity,
construction, effect and performance.
11.7.
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts
(including by means of telecopied signature pages), each of which shall be deemed an original,
but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signatures
-57-
need not be on the same page and shall be deemed effective upon receipt. If this Agreement
is executed by the Purchaser and one or more Sellers, it shall be deemed to be a valid Contract
as between 3l1d among such signatories notwithstanding that other
Sellers may be named herein.
Sellers subsequently executing this Agreement shall become parties hereto as and when their
executed signature pages are delivered to the Purchaser and the Corporation.
11.8.
Headings
. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.
11.9.
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits hereto
and the Contracts, documents, certificates and instruments referred to herein, embodies the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and supersedes all prior Contracts, representations, warranties, promises,
covenants, arrangements, communications and understandings, oral or written, express or implied,
between the parties with respect to such transactions. There are no Contracts, representations,
warranties, promises, covenants, arrangements or understandings between the parties with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby, other than those expressly set forth or referred to
herein.
11.10.
Injunctive Relief
. The parties hereto agree that in the event of a breach
of any provision of this Agreement or a failure by a party to perform in accordance with the
specific
terms herein, the aggrieved party or parties may be damaged irreparably and without an adequate
remedy at law. The parties therefore agree that in the event of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement, the aggrieved party or parties may elect to institute and prosecute proceedings in any
court of competent jurisdiction to enforce specific performance or to enjoin the continuing breach
of such provision without the requirement of a posting of a bond, as well as to obtain damages for
breach of this Agreement. By seeking or obtaining any such relief, the aggrieved party shall not
be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which it may be entitled.
11.11.
Delays or Omissions
. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or
remedy accruing to any party hereto, upon any breach or default of any other party under this
Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such party nor shall it be construed to
be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar
breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be
deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver,
permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party hereto of any breach
or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or
conditions of this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be effective only to the extent
specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or
otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
11.12.
Severability
. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Regulations, but if any
provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or
circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law in
-58-
any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to
the extent of such prohibition or illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
11.13.
Expenses
. The Purchaser and the Corporation (for itself and on behalf of
the Sellers) shall each bear its own expenses, including without limitation, legal fees and
expenses, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. If any legal
action or other proceeding relating to this Agreement, the agreements contemplated hereby, the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the enforcement of any provision of this
Agreement or the agreements contemplated hereby is brought against any party, the prevailing
party in such action or proceeding shall be entitled to recover all reasonable expenses relating
thereto (including attorneys fees and expenses) from the party against which such action or
proceeding is brought in addition to any other relief to which such prevailing party may be
entitled.
11.14.
No Third Party Beneficiaries
. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the
parties and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing herein express or implied shall be
construed to give any person, other than the parties of such permitted successors and assigns, any
legal or equitable rights hereunder.
11.15.
Schedules
. No exceptions to any representations or warranties disclosed on
one schedule shall constitute an exception to any other representation or warranties made in this
Agreement unless the substance of such exception is disclosed as provided herein on each such
applicable schedule or a specific cross reference to a disclosure on another schedule is made. All
schedules and exhibits attached hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a
part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.
11.16.
No Strict Construction
. The parties have participated jointly in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and
no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the
authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
11.17.
Dispute Resolution
. If the parties should have a dispute arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the parties respective rights and duties hereunder, then the
parties will resolve such dispute in the following manner: (i) any party may at any time deliver
to the others a written dispute notice setting forth a brief description of the issue for which
such notice initiates the dispute resolution mechanism contemplated by this Section 11.17; (ii)
during the forty-five (45) day period following the delivery of the notice described in Section
11.17(i) above, appropriate representatives of the various parties will meet and seek to resolve
the disputed issue through negotiation, (iii) if representatives of the parties arc unable to
resolve the disputed issue through negotiation, then within fifteen (15) days after the period
described in
Section 11.17(ii) above, the parties will refer the issue (to the exclusion of a court of law) to
final and binding arbitration in Miami, Florida in accordance with the then existing rules (the
Rules
) of the American Arbitration Association (
AAA
), and judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof;
provided
,
however
, that the
law applicable to any controversy shall be the law of the State of Florida, regardless of
principles
-59-
of conflicts of laws;
provided
,
further
, that the foregoing provisions of
this Section 11.17 shall not apply with respect to any equitable or prejudgment remedies
available to a party hereunder or pursuant to any applicable law. In any arbitration pursuant to
this Agreement, (i) discovery shall be allowed and governed by the Florida Rules of Civil
Procedure and (ii) the award or decision shall be rendered by a majority of the members of a
Board of Arbitration consisting of three (3) members, one of whom shall be appointed by each of
the respective parties and the third of whom shall be the chairman of the panel and be appointed
by mutual agreement of said two party-appointed arbitrators. In the event of failure of said two
arbitrators to agree within thirty (30) days after the commencement of the arbitration
proceeding upon the appointment of the third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be appointed
by the AAA in accordance with the Rules. In the event that either party shall fail to appoint an
arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of the arbitration proceedings, such
arbitrator and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance with the Rules.
Nothing set forth above shall be interpreted to prevent the parties from agreeing in writing to
submit any dispute to a single arbitrator in lieu of a three (3) member Board of Arbitration.
Upon the completion of the selection of the Board of Arbitration (or if the parties agree
otherwise in writing, a single arbitrator), an award or decision shall be rendered within no
more than thirty (30) days.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the request by either party for preliminary or permanent
injunctive relief, whether prohibitive or mandatory, shall not be subject to arbitration and
may be adjudicated only by the courts of the State of Florida or the Federal District Court
for the Southern District of Florida. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MA Y LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, TRIAL BY
WRY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING HEREUNDER.
11.18.
Arms Length Negotiations
. Each party herein expressly represents and
warrants to all other parties hereto that (a) before executing this Agreement, said party has
fully informed itself of the terms, contents, conditions and effects of this Agreement; (b)
said party has relied solely and completely upon its own judgment in executing this Agreement;
(c) said party has had the opportunity to seek and has obtained the advice of counsel before
executing this Agreement; (d) said party has acted voluntarily and of its own free will in
executing this Agreement; ( e) said party is not acting under duress, whether economic or
physical, in executing this Agreement; and (f) this Agreement is the result of arms length
negotiations conducted by and among the parties and their respective counsel.
*****
-60-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement and Plan
of Merger to be executed and delivered on its behalf by one of its duly authorized officers,
all as of the day and year first above written.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TAMBORINE HOLDINGS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Alexander E. Gomez
Alexander E. Gomez
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SES ACQUISITION CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Alexander E. Gomez
Alexander E. Gomez
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYNTHESIS ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SELLERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lorenzo Lamadrid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Gregory B. Golden
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory B. Golden
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Donald P. Bunnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald P. Bunnell
|
|
|
-61-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Fred A. Breidenbach
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred A. Breidenbach
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Huang Da Li
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Huang Da Li
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AZURE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Stephen M. Terry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Stephen M. Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Chen Xiao Dong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chen Xiao Dong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Wang Yi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wang Yi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Alexander Gomez
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alexander Gomez (solely with respect to
Section 5.14 of this Agreement)
|
|
|
-62-
Exhibit
10.12
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
(as amended and restated effective August 5, 2006)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAN GOVERNANCE, COVERAGE AND BENEFITS
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 Purpose
|
|
|
1
|
|
1.2 Definitions
|
|
|
2
|
|
1.3 Plan Administration
|
|
|
6
|
|
1.4 Shares of Common Stock Available for Incentive Awards
|
|
|
8
|
|
1.5 Share Pool Adjustments for Awards and Payouts
|
|
|
9
|
|
1.6 Common Stock Available
|
|
|
10
|
|
1.7 Participation
|
|
|
10
|
|
1.8 Types of Incentive Awards
|
|
|
11
|
|
1.9 Other Compensation Programs
|
|
|
11
|
|
1.10 Repricing
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 2. STOCK OPTIONS
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 Grant of Stock Options
|
|
|
11
|
|
2.2 Stock Option Terms
|
|
|
12
|
|
2.3 Stock Option Exercises
|
|
|
13
|
|
2.4 Reload Options
|
|
|
15
|
|
2.5 Supplemental Payment on Exercise of Nonqualified Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 3. RESTRICTED STOCK
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 Award of Restricted Stock
|
|
|
16
|
|
3.2 Restrictions
|
|
|
17
|
|
3.3 Delivery of Shares of Common Stock
|
|
|
17
|
|
3.4 Supplemental Payment on Vesting of Restricted Stock
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 4. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND PERFORMANCE AWARDS
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards
|
|
|
18
|
|
4.2 Other Stock-Based Award Terms
|
|
|
18
|
|
4.3 Performance Awards
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAN PARTICIPATION
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1 Plan Conditions
|
|
|
21
|
|
5.2 Transferability and Exercisability
|
|
|
22
|
|
5.3 Rights as a Stockholder
|
|
|
23
|
|
5.4 Listing and Registration of Shares of Common Stock
|
|
|
23
|
|
5.5 Change in Stock and Adjustments
|
|
|
24
|
|
5.6 Termination of Employment, Death, Disability and Retirement
|
|
|
27
|
|
5.7 Change in Control
|
|
|
27
|
|
5.8 Exchange of Incentive Awards
|
|
|
29
|
|
5.9 Financing
|
|
|
29
|
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
SECTION 6. GENERAL
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.1 Effective Date and Grant Period
|
|
|
29
|
|
6.2 Funding and Liability of Company
|
|
|
29
|
|
6.3 Withholding Taxes
|
|
|
30
|
|
6.4 No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
|
|
|
31
|
|
6.5 Designation of Beneficiary by Grantee
|
|
|
31
|
|
6.6 Deferrals
|
|
|
31
|
|
6.7 Amendment and Termination
|
|
|
31
|
|
6.8 Requirements of Law
|
|
|
32
|
|
6.9 Rule 16b-3 Securities Law Compliance and Compliance with Company
Policies
|
|
|
32
|
|
6.10 Compliance with Code Section 162(m)
|
|
|
32
|
|
6.11 Successors
|
|
|
32
|
|
6.12 Miscellaneous Provisions
|
|
|
33
|
|
6.13 Severability
|
|
|
33
|
|
6.14 Gender, Tense and Headings
|
|
|
33
|
|
6.15 Governing Law
|
|
|
33
|
|
6.16 Code Section 409A
|
|
|
33
|
|
ii
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1.
GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO
PLAN GOVERNANCE, COVERAGE AND BENEFITS
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. authorized the establishment
of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (the Plan) originally effective November 7,
2005 and effective August 5, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the amendment and restatement
of the Plan to increase the number of shares authorized under the Plan, subject to shareholder
approval as provided herein;
NOW, THEREFORE,
the Plan is hereby amended and restated as follows:
The purpose of the Plan is to foster and promote the long-term financial success of Synthesis
Energy Systems, Inc. (the
Company
) and its Subsidiaries and to increase stockholder value by: (a)
encouraging the commitment of selected key Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors, (b)
motivating superior performance of key Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors by means of
long-term performance related incentives, (c) encouraging and providing key Employees, Consultants
and Outside Directors with a program for obtaining ownership interests in the Company which link
and align their personal interests to those of the Companys stockholders, (d) attracting and
retaining key Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors by providing competitive incentive
compensation opportunities, and (e) enabling key Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors to
share in the long-term growth and success of the Company.
The Plan provides for payment of various forms of incentive compensation and it is not
intended to be a plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended (
ERISA
). The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered consistent with its
status as a plan that is not subject to ERISA.
The Plan shall commence on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect, subject to the right
of the Board to amend or terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to
Section 6.7
, until all
Shares subject to the Plan have been purchased or acquired according to its provisions. However,
in no event may an Incentive Award be granted under the Plan after the expiration of ten (10) years
from November 7, 2005. Subject to the approval of stockholders, the Plan is amended and restated
effective as of August 5, 2006 (the Effective Date).
1
The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a)
Authorized Officer
. The Chief Executive Officer or any other senior
officer of the Company to whom either of them delegate the authority to execute any
Incentive Agreement for and on behalf of the Company. No officer or director shall be an
Authorized Officer with respect to any Incentive Agreement for himself.
(b)
Board
. The Board of Directors of the Company.
(c)
Change in Control
.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Grantees
Incentive Agreement, any of the events described in and subject to
Section 5.7
.
(d)
Code
. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
and other authority promulgated thereunder by the appropriate governmental authority.
References herein to any provision of the Code shall refer to any successor provision
thereto.
(e)
Committee
.
A committee appointed by the Board consisting of not less than
two directors as appointed by the Board to administer the Plan. During such period that the
Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, the Plan shall be administered by a committee
appointed by the Board consisting of not less than two directors who fulfill the
non-employee director requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, the outside
director requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the independent requirements of
the rules of any national securities exchange or the NASDAQ, as the case may be, on which
any of the securities of the Company are traded, listed or quoted. The Committee may be the
Compensation Committee of the Board, or any subcommittee of the Compensation Committee,
provided that the members of the Committee satisfy the requirements of the previous
provisions of this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the composition of the
Board does not provide the Company the ability to establish a committee meeting the
foregoing requirements, the Plan shall be administered by the full Board.
The Board shall have the power to fill vacancies on the Committee arising by
resignation, death, removal or otherwise. The Board, in its sole discretion, may bifurcate
the powers and duties of the Committee among one or more separate committees, or retain all
powers and duties of the Committee in a single Committee. The members of the Committee
shall serve at the discretion of the Board.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, the term Committee as used in the Plan with
respect to any Incentive Award for an Outside Director shall refer to the entire Board. In
the case of an Incentive Award for an Outside Director, the Board shall have all the powers
and responsibilities of the Committee hereunder as to such Incentive Award, and any actions
as to such Incentive Award may be acted upon only by the Board (unless it otherwise
designates in its discretion). When the Board exercises its authority to act in the
capacity as the Committee hereunder with respect to an Incentive Award for
2
an Outside Director, it shall so designate with respect to any action that it
undertakes in its capacity as the Committee.
(f)
Common Stock
.
The common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share,
and any class of common stock into which such common shares may hereafter be converted,
reclassified or recapitalized.
(g)
Company
.
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware, and any successor in interest thereto.
(h)
Consultant
.
An independent agent, consultant, attorney, an individual who
has agreed to become an Employee within the next six (6) months, or any other individual who
is not an Outside Director or employee of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) and who
(i), in the opinion of the Committee, is in a position to contribute to the growth or
financial success of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary), (ii) is a natural person and
(iii) provides bona fide services to the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary), which
services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising
transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the
Companys securities.
(i)
Covered Employee
.
A named executive officer who is one of the group of
covered employees, as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code and Treasury Regulation §
1.162-27(c) (or its successor), during such period that the Company is a Publicly Held
Corporation.
(j)
Employee
.
Any employee of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) within
the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code who, in the opinion of the Committee, is in a
position to contribute to the growth, development and financial success of the Company (or
any Parent or Subsidiary), including, without limitation, officers who are members of the
Board.
(k)
Employment
.
Employment by the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or by
any corporation issuing or assuming an Incentive Award in any transaction described in
Section 424(a) of the Code, or by a parent corporation or a subsidiary corporation of such
corporation issuing or assuming such Incentive Award, as the parent-subsidiary relationship
shall be determined at the time of the corporate action described in Section 424(a) of the
Code. In this regard, neither the transfer of a Grantee from Employment by the Company to
Employment by any Parent or Subsidiary, nor the transfer of a Grantee from Employment by any
Parent or Subsidiary to Employment by the Company, shall be deemed to be a termination of
Employment of the Grantee. Moreover, the Employment of a Grantee shall not be deemed to
have been terminated because of an approved leave of absence from active Employment on
account of temporary illness, authorized vacation or granted for reasons of professional
advancement, education, health, or government service, or military leave, or during any
period required to be treated as a leave of absence by virtue of any applicable statute,
Company personnel policy or agreement. Whether an authorized leave of absence shall
3
constitute termination of Employment hereunder shall be determined by the Committee in
its discretion.
Unless otherwise provided in the Incentive Agreement, the term Employment for
purposes of the Plan is also defined to include (i) compensatory or advisory services
performed by a Consultant for the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) and (ii) membership
on the Board by an Outside Director.
(l)
Exchange Act
.
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(m)
Fair Market Value
. Except as set forth below, the Fair Market Value of one
share of Common Stock on the date in question is deemed to be (i) the closing price of a
share of Common Stock as reported on the consolidated reporting system for the securities
exchange(s) on which Shares are then listed or admitted to trading (as reported in the
Wall
Street Journal
or other reputable source), or (ii) if not so reported, the closing price for
a Share as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ), or (iii) if not quoted on
NASDAQ, the closing price for a Share as quoted by the National Quotation Bureaus Pink
Sheets or the National Association of Securities Dealers OTC Bulletin Board System or any
other method permitted by Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder or as required by
other applicable law or regulation as determined by the Committee. If there was no public
trade of Common Stock on the date in question, Fair Market Value shall be determined by
reference to the last preceding date on which such a trade was so reported or any other
method permitted by Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder
.
If the Company is not a Publicly Held Corporation at the time a determination of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is required to be made hereunder, the determination of
Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan shall be made by the Committee in its discretion
exercised in good faith and consistent with Code Section 409A as it shall determine. In
this respect, the Committee may rely on such financial data, valuations, experts, and other
sources, in its discretion, as it deems advisable under the circumstances.
(n)
Grantee
.
Any Employee, Consultant or Outside Director who is granted an
Incentive Award under the Plan.
(o)
Immediate Family
.
With respect to a Grantee, the Grantees spouse,
children or grandchildren (including legally adopted and step children and grandchildren)
(p)
Incentive Agreement
.
The written agreement entered into between the
Company and the Grantee setting forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which an
Incentive Award is granted under the Plan, as such agreement is further defined in
Section 5.1(a)
.
(q)
Incentive Award
.
A grant of an award under the Plan to a Grantee,
including any Nonqualified Stock Option, Incentive Stock Option, Reload Option, Restricted
Stock Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award.
4
(r)
Incentive Stock Option or ISO
.
A Stock Option granted by the Committee to
an Employee under
Section 2
which is designated by the Committee as an Incentive
Stock Option and intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the
Code.
(s)
Insider
.
An individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director
or ten percent (10%) beneficial owner of any class of the Companys equity securities that
is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined under Section 16 of
the Exchange Act.
(t)
Nonqualified Stock Option
.
A Stock Option granted by the Committee to a
Grantee under
Section 2
that is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive
Stock Option.
(u)
Option Price
.
The exercise price at which a Share may be purchased by the
Grantee of a Stock Option.
(v)
Other Stock-Based Award
.
An award granted by the Committee to a Grantee
under
Section 4.1
that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is
otherwise based upon Common Stock, and is payable in Common Stock, cash or other
consideration.
(w)
Outside Director
.
A member of the Board who is not, at the time of grant
of an Incentive Award, an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary within the
meaning of 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and who is certified by the Board as an independent
director; provided, however, that a person who is a control person or director of an entity
that is the beneficial owner of 25% or more of outstanding shares of the Company shall not
be deemed to be a non-employee director.
(x)
Parent
.
Any corporation (whether now or hereafter existing) which
constitutes a parent of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(y)
Performance Award
. An award granted by the Committee to the Grantee under
Section 4.3.
(z)
Performance-Based Exception
. The performance-based exception from the tax
deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code, as prescribed in Code § 162(m) and
Treasury Regulation § 1.162-27(e) (or its successor), which is applicable during such period
that the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation.
(aa)
Performance Period
. A period of time, as may be determined in the
discretion of the Committee and set out in the Incentive Agreement, over which performance
is measured for the purpose of determining a Grantees right to and the payment value of an
Incentive Award.
(bb)
Performance Share or Performance Unit
. An Incentive Award that is a
Performance Award under Section 4.3 representing a contingent right to receive cash or
Shares of Common Stock (which may be Restricted Stock) at the end of a Performance
5
Period and which, in the case of Performance Shares, is denominated in Common Stock,
and in the case of Performance Units is denominated in cash values.
(cc)
Plan
.
The Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan as set forth
herein and as it may be amended from time to time.
(dd)
Publicly Held Corporation
.
A corporation issuing any class of common
equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
(ee)
Restricted Stock
.
Shares of Common Stock issued or transferred to a
Grantee pursuant to
Section 3
.
(ff)
Restricted Stock Award
.
An authorization by the Committee to issue or
transfer Restricted Stock to a Grantee.
(gg)
Restriction Period
.
The period of time determined by the Committee and
set forth in the Incentive Agreement during which the transfer of Restricted Stock by the
Grantee is restricted.
(hh)
Share
.
A share of the Common Stock.
(ii)
Share Pool
.
The number of shares authorized for issuance under
Section 1.4
, as adjusted for awards and payouts under
Section 1.5
and as
adjusted for changes in corporate capitalization under
Section 5.5
.
(jj)
Stock Option or Option
. Pursuant to
Section 2
, (i) an Incentive
Stock Option granted to an Employee or (ii) a Nonqualified Stock Option granted to an
Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, where under such stock option the Grantee has the
right to purchase Shares of Common Stock. In accordance with Section 422 of the Code, only
an Employee may be granted an Incentive Stock Option.
(kk)
Subsidiary
.
Any corporation (whether now or hereafter existing) which
constitutes a subsidiary of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(ll)
Supplemental Payment
. Any amount, as described in Sections 2.4, 3.4 or
4.3, that is dedicated to payment of income taxes which are payable by the Grantee resulting
from an Incentive Award.
(a)
Authority of the Committee
.
Except as may be limited by law and subject to
the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to (i) select Grantees who shall
participate in the Plan; (ii) determine the sizes, duration and types of Incentive Awards;
(iii) determine the terms and conditions of Incentive Awards and Incentive Agreements; (iv)
determine whether any Shares subject to Incentive Awards will be subject to any restrictions
on transfer; (v) construe and interpret the Plan and any Incentive Agreement or other
agreement entered into under the Plan; and (vi) establish, amend, or waive rules for the
Plans administration. Further, the Committee shall make
6
all other determinations which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of
the Plan including, without limitation, correcting any defect, supplying any omission or
reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or any Incentive Agreement. The determinations of
the Committee shall be final and binding.
(b)
Meetings
.
The Committee shall designate a chairman from among its members
who shall preside at all of its meetings, and shall designate a secretary, without regard to
whether that person is a member of the Committee, who shall keep the minutes of the
proceedings and all records, documents, and data pertaining to its administration of the
Plan. Meetings shall be held at such times and places as shall be determined by the
Committee and the Committee may hold telephonic meetings. The Committee may take any action
otherwise proper under the Plan by the affirmative vote, taken with or without a meeting, of
a majority of its members. The Committee may authorize any one or more of their members or
any officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee.
(c)
Decisions Binding
.
All determinations and decisions made by the Committee
shall be made in its discretion pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, and shall be final,
conclusive and binding on all persons including the Company, its stockholders, Employees,
Grantees, and their estates and beneficiaries. The Committees decisions and determinations
with respect to any Incentive Award need not be uniform and may be made selectively among
Incentive Awards and Grantees, whether or not such Incentive Awards are similar or such
Grantees are similarly situated.
(d)
Modification of Outstanding Incentive Awards
.
Subject to the stockholder
approval requirements of
Section 6.7
if applicable, the Committee may, in its
discretion, provide for the extension of the exercisability of an Incentive Award,
accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Incentive Award, eliminate or make less
restrictive any restrictions contained in an Incentive Award, waive any restriction or other
provisions of an Incentive Award, or otherwise amend or modify an Incentive Award in any
manner (including the repricing of an Incentive Award) that is either (i) not adverse to the
Grantee to whom such Incentive Award was granted or (ii) consented to by such Grantee. With
respect to an Incentive Award that is an incentive stock option (as described in Section 422
of the Code), no adjustment to such option shall be made to the extent constituting a
modification within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) unless otherwise agreed to by the
Grantee in writing, and with respect to any Stock Option no adjustment will be made if it
constitutes a modification or results in deferred compensation under Code Section 409A
unless otherwise agreed to by the Grantee in writing.
(e)
Delegation of Authority
.
The Committee may delegate to designated
officers or other employees of the Company any of its duties under this Plan pursuant to
such conditions or limitations as the Committee may establish from time to time; provided,
however, while the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, the Committee may not delegate to
any person the authority to (i) grant Incentive Awards, or (ii) take any action which would
contravene the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or the Performance-Based
Exception under Section 162(m) of the Code.
7
(f)
Expenses of Committee
.
The Committee may employ legal counsel, including,
without limitation, independent legal counsel and counsel regularly employed by the Company,
and other agents as the Committee may deem appropriate for the administration of the Plan.
The Committee may rely upon any opinion or computation received from any such counsel or
agent. All expenses incurred by the Committee in interpreting and administering the Plan,
including, without limitation, meeting expenses and professional fees, shall be paid by the
Company.
(g)
Surrender of Previous Incentive Awards
.
The Committee may, in its absolute
discretion, grant Incentive Awards to Grantees on the condition that such Grantees surrender
to the Committee for cancellation such other Incentive Awards (including, without
limitation, Incentive Awards with higher exercise prices) as the Committee directs.
Incentive Awards granted on the condition precedent of surrender of outstanding Incentive
Awards shall not count against the limits set forth in
Section 1.4
until such time
as such previous Incentive Awards are surrendered and canceled.
(h)
INDEMNIFICATION
.
EACH PERSON WHO IS OR WAS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, OR
OF THE BOARD, SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED BY THE COMPANY AGAINST AND FROM ANY DAMAGE, LOSS,
LIABILITY, COST AND EXPENSE THAT MAY BE IMPOSED UPON OR REASONABLY INCURRED BY HIM IN
CONNECTION WITH OR RESULTING FROM ANY CLAIM, ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING TO WHICH HE MAY BE
A PARTY OR IN WHICH HE MAY BE INVOLVED BY REASON OF ANY ACTION TAKEN OR FAILURE TO ACT UNDER
THE PLAN (INCLUDING SUCH INDEMNIFICATION FOR A PERSONS OWN, SOLE, CONCURRENT OR JOINT
NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY), EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH ACT OR OMISSION CONSTITUTING WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. SUCH PERSON SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED BY THE COMPANY FOR ALL
AMOUNTS PAID BY HIM IN SETTLEMENT THEREOF, WITH THE COMPANYS APPROVAL, OR PAID BY HIM IN
SATISFACTION OF ANY JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING AGAINST HIM, PROVIDED
HE SHALL GIVE THE COMPANY AN OPPORTUNITY, AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, TO HANDLE AND DEFEND THE SAME
BEFORE HE UNDERTAKES TO HANDLE AND DEFEND IT ON HIS OWN BEHALF. THE FOREGOING RIGHT OF
INDEMNIFICATION SHALL NOT BE EXCLUSIVE OF ANY OTHER RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFICATION TO WHICH SUCH
PERSONS MAY BE ENTITLED UNDER THE COMPANYS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS, AS A MATTER
OF LAW, OR OTHERWISE, OR ANY POWER THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE TO INDEMNIFY THEM OR HOLD THEM
HARMLESS.
1.4
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Available for Incentive Awards
|
Subject to adjustment under
Section 5.5
, there shall be available for Incentive Awards
that are granted wholly or partly in Common Stock (including rights or Options that may be
exercised for or settled in Common Stock) the greater of fifteen percent (15%) of Shares of Common
Stock that are outstanding on the last day of each calendar quarter preceding a grant or six (6)
million Shares. The total number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan
8
(pursuant to the previous sentence) that shall be available for Incentive Stock Options shall
be five (5) million. The number of Shares of Common Stock that are the subject of Incentive Awards
under this Plan, that are forfeited or terminated, expire unexercised, withheld for tax withholding
requirements, are settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock or in a manner such that all or some of
the Shares covered by an Incentive Award are not issued to a Grantee or are exchanged for Incentive
Awards that do not involve Common Stock, shall again immediately become available for Incentive
Awards hereunder. The Committee may from time to time adopt and observe such procedures concerning
the counting of Shares against the Plan maximum as it may deem appropriate. The Board and the
appropriate officers of the Company shall from time to time take whatever actions are necessary to
file any required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges and transaction
reporting systems to ensure that Shares are available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Awards.
During any period that the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, the following rules shall
apply to grants of Incentive Awards to Employees:
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 5.5
, the maximum aggregate
number of Shares of Common Stock (including Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock,
Performance Units and Performance Shares paid out in Shares, or Other Stock-Based Awards
paid out in Shares) that may be granted or that may vest, as applicable, in any calendar
year pursuant to any Incentive Award held by any individual Employee shall be [five million
(5,000,000).]
(b) The maximum aggregate cash payout (including SARs, Performance Units and
Performance Shares paid out in cash, or Other Stock-Based Awards paid out in cash) with
respect to Incentive Awards granted in any calendar year which may be made to any individual
Employee shall be [five million dollars ($5,000,000)
.
]
(c) With respect to any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted to an Employee
that is canceled or repriced, the number of Shares subject to such Stock Option or stock
appreciation right shall continue to count against the maximum number of Shares that may be
the subject of Stock Options or stock appreciation rights granted to such Employee hereunder
to the extent such is required in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code.
(d) The limitations of
subsections (a)
,
(b)
and
(c)
above shall
be construed and administered so as to comply with the Performance-Based Exception.
1.5
|
|
Share Pool Adjustments for Awards and Payouts.
|
The following Incentive Awards and payouts shall reduce, on a one Share for one Share basis,
the number of Shares authorized for issuance under the Share Pool:
(a) Stock Options;
(b) Restricted Stock Awards; and
9
(c) A payout of an Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Awards in Shares.
The following transactions shall restore, on a one Share for one Share basis, the number of
Shares authorized for issuance under the Share Pool:
(a) A payout of an Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Awards in the form of cash;
(b) A cancellation, termination, expiration, forfeiture, or lapse for any reason of any
Shares subject to an Incentive Award; and
(c) Payment of an Option Price or Restricted Stock purchase price as provided in the
Incentive Agreement or as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion
with previously acquired Shares or by withholding Shares that otherwise would be acquired on
exercise or grant (i.e., the Share Pool shall be increased by the number of Shares turned in
or withheld as payment of the Option Price or Restricted Stock purchase price).
1.6
|
|
Common Stock Available.
|
The Common Stock available for issuance or transfer under the Plan shall be made available
from Shares now or hereafter (a) held in the treasury of the Company, (b) authorized but unissued
shares, or (c) shares to be purchased or acquired by the Company. No fractional shares shall be
issued under the Plan; payment for fractional shares shall be made in cash.
(a)
Eligibility
.
Under the Plan
,
Incentive Awards may be granted as determined
by the Committee to a Grantee. The Committee shall from time to time designate those
Employees, Consultants and/or Outside Directors, if any, to be granted Incentive Awards
under the Plan, the type of Incentive Awards granted, the number of Shares or Stock Options,
as the case may be, which shall be granted to each such person, and any other terms or
conditions relating to the Incentive Awards as it may deem appropriate to the extent not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. A Grantee who has been granted an Incentive
Award may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Incentive Awards at any time.
(b)
Incentive Stock Option Eligibility
.
No Consultant or Outside Director
shall be eligible for the grant of any Incentive Stock Option. In addition, no Employee
shall be eligible for the grant of any Incentive Stock Option who owns or would own
immediately before the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, directly or indirectly, stock
possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary. This restriction does not apply if, at
the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Option Price with respect to the
Incentive Stock Option is at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market
Value on the date of grant and the Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable
after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. For the purpose of the
10
immediately preceding sentence, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code
shall apply for the purpose of determining an Employees percentage ownership in the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. This paragraph shall be construed consistent with the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
1.8
|
|
Types of Incentive Awards
|
The types of Incentive Awards that may be granted under the Plan are Stock Options as
described in
Section 2
, Restricted Stock as described in
Section 3
, Other
Stock-Based Awards and Performance Awards as described in
Section 4
, or any combination of
the foregoing.
1.9
|
|
Other Compensation Programs
|
The existence and terms of the Plan shall not limit the authority of the Board or Company or
any Company affiliate in compensating directors, Outside Directors, Employees or Consultants of the
Company, in such other forms and amounts, including compensation pursuant to any other plans or
programs (including but not limited to bonus programs) as may be currently in effect or adopted in
the future, as it may determine from time to time.
In connection with any Incentive Award, the Committee shall have the authority to reprice such
award. Repricing may include, as determined by the Committee, but not be limited to, any of the
following or any other action that has the same effect:
(a) lowering the strike price of a Stock Option after it is granted.
(b) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting
principles, or
(c) canceling a Stock Option at a time when its exercise price exceeds the Fair Market
Value of the underlying stock, in exchange for another stock option, Restricted Stock, or
other equity, unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a merger,
acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction.
SECTION 2.
STOCK OPTIONS
2.1
|
|
Grant of Stock Options
|
The Committee is authorized to grant (a) Nonqualified Stock Options to Employees, Consultants
and/or Outside Directors and (b) Incentive Stock Options to Employees only, in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Plan, and with such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its discretion. Successive grants may be made
to the same Grantee whether or not any Stock Option previously granted to such person remains
unexercised.
11
(a)
Written Agreement
.
Each grant of a Stock Option shall be evidenced by a
written Incentive Agreement. Among its other provisions, each Incentive Agreement shall set
forth the extent to which the Grantee shall have the right to exercise the Stock Option
following termination of the Grantees Employment. Such provisions shall be determined in
the discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Grantees Incentive Agreement and
need not be uniform among all Stock Options issued pursuant to the Plan.
(b)
Number of Shares
.
Each Stock Option shall specify the number of Shares of
Common Stock to which it pertains.
(c)
Exercise Price
.
The Option Price with respect to each Stock Option shall
be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, the Option Price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted (110% for 10% or
greater stockholders pursuant to
Section 1.7(b)
). To the extent that the Company is
a Publicly Held Corporation and the Stock Option is intended to qualify for the
Performance-Based Exception, or to the extent the Stock Option is intended to be exempt from
Code Section 409A, the Option Price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date the Stock Option is granted. Each Stock Option
shall specify the method of exercise which shall be consistent with the requirements of
Section 2.3(a)
.
(d)
Term
.
In the Incentive Agreement, the Committee shall fix the term of each
Stock Option (which shall be not more than ten (10) years from the date of grant for ISO
grants; five (5) years for ISO grants to ten percent (10%) or greater stockholders pursuant
to
Section 1.7(b)
). In the event no term is fixed, such term shall be ten (10)
years from the date of grant.
(e)
Exercise
.
The Committee shall determine the time or times at which a Stock
Option may be exercised in whole or in part. Each Stock Option may specify the required
period of continuous Employment and/or the performance objectives to be achieved before the
Stock Option or portion thereof will become exercisable. Each Stock Option, the exercise of
which, or the timing of the exercise of which, is dependent, in whole or in part, on the
achievement of designated performance objectives, may specify a minimum level of achievement
in respect of the specified performance objectives below which no Stock Options will be
exercisable and a method for determining the number of Stock Options that will be
exercisable if performance is at or above such minimum but short of full achievement of the
performance objectives. All such terms and conditions shall be set forth in the Incentive
Agreement.
(f)
$100,000 Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options
.
Notwithstanding any
contrary provision in the Plan, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Shares of Common
Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first
12
time by any Grantee during any single calendar year (under the Plan and any other stock
option plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Parent) exceeds the sum of $100,000,
such Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option to the extent in
excess of the $100,000 limit, and not an Incentive Stock Option, but all other terms and
provisions of such Stock Option shall remain unchanged. This paragraph shall be applied by
taking Incentive Stock Options into account in the order in which they were granted and
shall be construed in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code. In the absence of such
regulations or other authority, or if such regulations or other authority require or permit
a designation of the Options which shall cease to constitute Incentive Stock Options, then
such Incentive Stock Options, only to the extent of such excess, shall automatically be
deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options but all other terms and conditions of such Incentive
Stock Options, and the corresponding Incentive Agreement, shall remain unchanged.
2.3
|
|
Stock Option Exercises
|
(a)
Method of Exercise and Payment
.
Stock Options shall be exercised by the
delivery of a signed written notice of exercise to the Company as of a date set by the
Company in advance of the effective date of the proposed exercise. The notice shall set
forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied
by full payment for the Shares.
The Option Price upon exercise of any Stock Option shall be payable to the Company in
full either: (i) in cash or its equivalent, or (ii) subject to prior approval by the
Committee in its discretion, by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate
Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price (provided that the
Shares which are tendered must have been held by the Grantee for at least six (6) months
prior to their tender to satisfy the Option Price), or (iii) subject to prior approval by
the Committee in its discretion, by withholding Shares which otherwise would be acquired on
exercise having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total
Option Price, or (iv) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by a
combination of (i), (ii), and (iii) above. Any payment in Shares shall be effected by the
surrender of such Shares to the Company in good form for transfer and shall be valued at
their Fair Market Value on the date when the Stock Option is exercised. Unless otherwise
permitted by the Committee in its discretion, the Grantee shall not surrender, or attest to
the ownership of, Shares in payment of the Option Price if such action would cause the
Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation expense) with respect
to the Stock Option for financial reporting purposes.
The Committee, in its discretion, also may allow the Option Price to be paid with such
other consideration as shall constitute lawful consideration for the issuance of Shares
(including, without limitation, effecting a cashless exercise with a broker of the
Option), subject to applicable securities law restrictions and tax withholdings, or by any
other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plans purpose and
applicable law. A cashless exercise of an Option is a procedure by which a broker
provides the funds to the Grantee to effect an Option exercise, to the extent consented to
by the Committee in its discretion. At the direction of the Grantee, the broker will either
13
(i) sell all of the Shares received when the Option is exercised and pay the Grantee
the proceeds of the sale (minus the Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due to the
broker) or (ii) sell enough of the Shares received upon exercise of the Option to cover the
Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due the broker and deliver to the Grantee
(either directly or through the Company) a stock certificate for the remaining Shares.
Dispositions to a broker effecting a cashless exercise are not exempt under Section 16 of
the Exchange Act (if the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation). In no event will the
Committee allow the Option Price to be paid with a form of consideration, including, but not
limited to, a loan to employee if such form of consideration would violate the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
The Committee, in its discretion, may also allow an Option to be exercised by a
broker-dealer acting on behalf of the Grantee if (i) the broker-dealer has received from the
Grantee a duly endorsed Incentive Agreement evidencing such Option and instructions signed
by the Grantee requesting the Company to deliver the shares of Common Stock subject to such
Option to the broker-dealer on behalf of the Grantee and specifying the account into which
such shares should be deposited, (ii) adequate provision has been made with respect to the
payment of any withholding taxes due upon such exercise, and (iii) the broker-dealer and the
Grantee have otherwise complied with Section 220.3(e)(4) of Regulation T, 12 CFR Part 220
(or its successor).
As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full
payment, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to or on behalf of the
Grantee, in the name of the Grantee or other appropriate recipient, Share certificates for
the number of Shares purchased under the Stock Option. Such delivery shall be effected for
all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have deposited
such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to Grantee or other appropriate
recipient.
Subject to
Section 5.2
, during the lifetime of a Grantee, each Option granted
to him shall be exercisable only by the Grantee (or his legal guardian in the event of his
disability as determined by the Committee or as defined in the Incentive Agreement) or by a
broker-dealer acting on his behalf pursuant to a cashless exercise under the foregoing
provisions of this
Section 2.3(a)
.
(b)
Restrictions on Share Transferability
.
The Committee may impose such
restrictions on any grant of Stock Options or on any Shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of a Stock Option as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation,
restrictions under (i) any buy/sell agreement or right of first refusal, non-competition,
and any other agreement between the Company and any of its securities holders or employees,
(ii) any applicable federal securities laws, (iii) the requirements of any stock exchange or
market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or (iv) any blue sky or state
securities law applicable to such Shares. Any certificate issued to evidence Shares issued
upon the exercise of an Incentive Award may bear such legends and statements as the
Committee shall deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and
regulations.
14
Any Grantee or other person exercising an Incentive Award may be required by the
Committee to give a written representation that the Incentive Award and the Shares subject
to the Incentive Award will be acquired for investment and not with a view to public
distribution; provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may release any
person receiving an Incentive Award from any such representations either prior to or
subsequent to the exercise of the Incentive Award.
(c)
Notification of Disqualifying Disposition of Shares from Incentive Stock
Options
.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a Grantee who disposes of
Shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option by a sale or
exchange either (i) within two (2) years after the date of the grant of the Incentive Stock
Option under which the Shares were acquired or (ii) within one (1) year after the transfer
of such Shares to him pursuant to exercise, shall promptly notify the Company of such
disposition, the amount realized and his adjusted basis in such Shares.
2.4
|
|
Reload Options
|
|
|
|
At the discretion of the Committee, the Grantee may be granted under an Incentive Agreement,
replacement Stock Options under the Plan that permit the Grantee to purchase an additional
number of Shares equal to the number of previously owned Shares surrendered by the Grantee
to pay for all or a portion of the Option Price upon exercise of his Stock Options. The
terms and conditions of such replacement Stock Options shall be set forth in the Incentive
Agreement.
|
|
2.5
|
|
Supplemental Payment on Exercise of Nonqualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
.
|
The Committee, either at the time of grant or as of the time of exercise of any Nonqualified
Stock Option or stock appreciation right, may provide in the Incentive Agreement for a Supplemental
Payment by the Company to the Grantee with respect to the exercise of any Nonqualified Stock Option
or stock appreciation right. The Supplemental Payment shall be in the amount specified by the
Committee, which amount shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay the federal and state income
tax payable with respect to both the exercise of the Nonqualified Stock Option and/or stock
appreciation right and the receipt of the Supplemental Payment, assuming the holder is taxed at
either the maximum effective income tax rate applicable thereto or at a lower tax rate as deemed
appropriate by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee shall have the discretion to grant
Supplemental Payments that are payable solely in cash or Supplemental Payments that are payable in
cash, Common Stock, or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee at the time of
payment.
15
SECTION 3.
RESTRICTED STOCK
3.1
|
|
Award of Restricted Stock
|
(a)
Grant
.
In consideration of the performance of Employment by any Grantee
who is an Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, Shares of Restricted Stock may be
awarded under the Plan by the Committee with such restrictions during the Restriction Period
as the Committee may designate in its discretion, any of which restrictions may differ with
respect to each particular Grantee. Restricted Stock shall be awarded for no additional
consideration or such additional consideration as the Committee may determine, which
consideration may be less than, equal to or more than the Fair Market Value of the shares of
Restricted Stock on the grant date. The terms and conditions of each grant of Restricted
Stock shall be evidenced by an Incentive Agreement.
(b)
Immediate Transfer Without Immediate Delivery of Restricted Stock
.
Unless
otherwise specified in the Grantees Incentive Agreement, each Restricted Stock Award shall
constitute an immediate transfer of the record and beneficial ownership of the Shares of
Restricted Stock to the Grantee in consideration of the performance of services as an
Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, as applicable, entitling such Grantee to all
voting and other ownership rights in such Shares.
As specified in the Incentive Agreement, a Restricted Stock Award may limit the
Grantees dividend rights during the Restriction Period in which the shares of Restricted
Stock are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning given to such
term under Code Section 83) and restrictions on transfer. In the Incentive Agreement, the
Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends that the Committee deems appropriate.
Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, if the grant or vesting of Shares
of Restricted Stock granted to a Covered Employee, if applicable, is designed to comply with
the requirements of the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may apply any
restrictions it deems appropriate to the payment of dividends declared with respect to such
Shares of Restricted Stock, such that the dividends and/or the Shares of Restricted Stock
maintain eligibility for the Performance-Based Exception. In the event that any dividend
constitutes a derivative security or an equity security pursuant to the rules under Section
16 of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such dividend shall be subject to a vesting period
equal to the remaining vesting period of the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to
which the dividend is paid.
Shares awarded pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock may be (i) issued in the name of
the Grantee and held, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, by the Committee or
Company (or their delegates) or in trust or in escrow pursuant to an agreement satisfactory
to the Committee or (ii) issued in book entry form or other means of evidencing
uncertificated Shares, as determined by the Committee, until such time as the restrictions
on transfer have expired. All such terms and conditions shall be set forth in the
particular Grantees Incentive Agreement. The Company or Committee
16
(or their delegates) shall issue to the Grantee a receipt evidencing the certificates
held by it which are registered in the name of the Grantee.
(a)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock
.
Restricted Stock awarded to a Grantee may
be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restriction Period: (i)
a restriction that constitutes a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Code
Section 83), or a restriction on transferability; (ii) unless otherwise specified by the
Committee in the Incentive Agreement, the Restricted Stock that is subject to restrictions
which are not satisfied shall be forfeited and all rights of the Grantee to such Shares
shall terminate; and (iii) any other restrictions that the Committee determines in advance
are appropriate, including, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the
Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Stock to a continuing substantial risk of
forfeiture in the hands of any transferee. Any such restrictions shall be set forth in the
particular Grantees Incentive Agreement.
(b)
Issuance of Certificates
.
Reasonably promptly after the date of grant with
respect to Shares of Restricted Stock, the Company shall cause to be issued a stock
certificate, registered in the name of the Grantee to whom such Shares of Restricted Stock
were granted, evidencing such Shares; provided, however, that the Company shall not cause to
be issued such a stock certificate unless it has received a stock power duly endorsed in
blank with respect to such Shares; provided, further, in lieu of issuing such a stock
certificate, the Committee may arrange to make book entries or other means of evidencing
uncertificated Shares of Restricted Stock. Each such stock certificate shall bear the
following legend or any other legend approved by the Company:
The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the restrictions, terms and
conditions (including forfeiture and restrictions against transfer)
contained in the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan
and an Incentive Agreement entered into between the registered owner
of such shares and Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. A copy of the
Plan and Incentive Agreement are on file in the corporate offices of
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Such legend shall not be removed from the certificate evidencing such Shares of Restricted
Stock until such Shares vest pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Agreement.
(c)
Removal of Restrictions
.
The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the
authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock if it determines
that, by reason of a change in applicable law or another change in circumstance arising
after the grant date of the Restricted Stock, such action is appropriate.
3.3
|
|
Delivery of Shares of Common Stock
|
Subject to withholding taxes under
Section 6.3
and to the terms of the Incentive
Agreement, a stock certificate evidencing the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which
17
the restrictions in the Incentive Agreement have been satisfied shall be delivered to the
Grantee or other appropriate recipient free of restrictions. Such delivery shall be effected for
all purposes when the Company shall have deposited such certificate in the United States mail,
addressed to the Grantee or other appropriate recipient.
3.4
|
|
Supplemental Payment on Vesting of Restricted Stock
|
The Committee, either at the time of grant or vesting of Restricted Stock, may provide for a
Supplemental Payment by the Company to the holder in an amount specified by the Committee, which
amount shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay the federal and state income tax payable with
respect to both the vesting of the Restricted Stock and receipt of the Supplemental Payment,
assuming the Grantee is taxed at either the maximum effective income tax rate applicable thereto or
at a lower tax rate as deemed appropriate by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee shall
have the discretion to grant Supplemental Payments that are payable solely in cash or Supplemental
Payments that are payable in cash, Common Stock, or a combination of both, as determined by the
Committee at the time of payment.
SECTION 4.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND PERFORMANCE AWARDS
4.1
|
|
Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards
|
Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded by the Committee to selected Grantees that are
denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise related to,
Shares of Common Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan
and the goals of the Company. Types of Other Stock-Based Awards include, without limitation,
purchase rights, Shares of Common Stock awarded which are not subject to any restrictions or
conditions, convertible or exchangeable debentures, other rights convertible into Shares, Incentive
Awards valued by reference to the value of securities of, or the performance of, the Company or a
specified Subsidiary, division or department, and settlement in cancellation of rights of any
person with a vested interest in any other plan, fund, program or arrangement that is or was
sponsored, maintained or participated in by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. As is the
case with other Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded either alone or in
addition to or in tandem with any other Incentive Awards.
4.2
|
|
Other Stock-Based Award Terms
|
(a)
Written Agreement
.
The terms and conditions of each grant of an Other
Stock-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Incentive Agreement.
(b)
Purchase Price
.
Except to the extent that an Other Stock-Based Award is
granted in substitution for an outstanding Incentive Award or is delivered upon exercise of
a Stock Option, the amount of consideration required to be received by the Company shall be
either (i) no consideration other than services actually rendered (in the case of authorized
and unissued shares) or to be rendered, or (ii) in the case of an Other Stock-Based Award in
the nature of a purchase right, consideration (other than services rendered or to be
rendered) at least equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Fair Market Value
18
of the Shares covered by such grant on the date of grant (or such percentage higher
than 50% that is required by any applicable tax or securities law). To the extent that the
Company is a Publicly Held Corporation and that a stock appreciation right is intended to
qualify for the Performance-Based Exception or to the extent it is intended to be exempt
from Code Section 409A, the exercise price per share of Common Stock shall not be less than
one hundred percent (100%) of Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of
the grant of the stock appreciation right.
(c)
Performance Criteria and Other Terms
. In its discretion, the Committee may
specify such criteria, periods or goals for vesting in Other Stock-Based Awards and payment
thereof to the Grantee as it shall determine; and the extent to which such criteria, periods
or goals have been met shall be determined by the Committee. All terms and conditions of
Other Stock-Based Awards shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Incentive
Agreement.
(d)
Payment
.
Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in Shares of Common Stock,
cash or other consideration or a combination thereof related to such Shares, in a single
payment or in installments on such dates as determined by the Committee, all as specified in
the Incentive Agreement.
(e)
Dividends
.
The Grantee of an Other Stock-Based Award shall not be entitled
to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents with respect
to the number of Shares covered by the Other Stock-Based Award, unless (and to the extent)
otherwise as determined by the Committee and set forth in a separate Incentive Agreement.
The Committee may also provide in such Incentive Agreement that the amounts of any dividends
or dividend equivalent shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares of
Common Stock.
(a)
Grant
. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to selected
Grantees who are Employees or Consultants. Performance Awards may be by reference to
Performance Shares or Performance Units. Each grant of Performance Awards shall he
evidenced by an Incentive Agreement in such amounts and upon such terms as shall be
determined by the Committee. The Committee may make grants of Performance Awards in such a
manner that more than one Performance Period is in progress concurrently. For each
Performance Period, the Committee shall establish the number of Performance Awards and their
contingent values which may vary depending on the degree to which performance criteria
established by the Committee are met.
(b)
Performance Criteria
. The Committee may establish performance goals
applicable to Performance Awards based upon criteria in one or more of the following
categories: (i) performance of the Company as a whole, (ii) performance of a segment of the
Companys business, and (iii) individual performance. Performance criteria for the Company
shall relate to the achievement of predetermined financial objectives for the Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Performance criteria for a segment of the
Companys business shall relate to the achievement of financial and
19
operating objectives of the segment for which the Grantee is accountable. Examples of
performance criteria shall include one or more of the following pre-tax or after-tax profit
levels, including: earnings per share, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net operating profits after tax, and net
income; total stockholder return; return on assets, equity, capital or investment; cash flow
and cash flow return on investment; economic value added and economic profit; growth in
earnings per share; levels of operating expense, maintenance expenses or measures of
customer satisfaction and customer service as determined from time to time including the
relative improvement therein; stock price performance, sales, costs, production volumes, or
reserves added. Individual performance criteria shall relate to a Grantees overall
performance, taking into account, among other measures of performance, the attainment of
individual goals and objectives. The performance goals may differ among Grantees. The
Performance Criteria need not be based on an increase or positive result and may include for
example, maintaining the status quo or limiting economic loss.
(c)
Modification
. If an Incentive Award is intended to meet the
Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall not permit any modification that would
cause the Incentive Award to fail to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception, if
applicable.
(d)
Payment
. The basis for payment of Performance Awards for a given
Performance Period shall be the achievement of those performance objectives determined by
the Committee at the beginning of the Performance Period as specified in the Grantees
Incentive Agreement. If minimum performance is not achieved for a Performance Period, no
payment shall be made and all contingent rights shall cease. If minimum performance is
achieved or exceeded, the number of Performance Awards may be based on the degree to which
actual performance exceeded the pre-established minimum performance standards. The amount of
payment shall be determined by multiplying the number of Performance Awards granted at the
beginning of the Performance Period times the final Performance Award value. Payments shall
be made, in the discretion of the Committee as specified in the Incentive Agreement.
(e)
Special Rule for Covered Employees
. No later than the ninetieth (90th) day
following the beginning of a Performance Period (or twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Performance Period) the Committee shall establish performance goals as described in
Section 4.3
applicable to Performance Awards awarded to Covered Employees in such a
manner as shall permit payments with respect thereto to qualify for the Performance-Based
Exception, if applicable. If a Performance Award granted to a Covered Employee is intended
to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee in establishing performance
goals shall comply with Treasury Regulation § l.162-27(e)(2) (or its successor). As soon as
practicable following the Companys determination of the Companys financial results for any
Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing: (i) whether the Company achieved
its minimum performance for the objectives for the Performance Period, (ii) the extent to
which the Company achieved its performance objectives for the Performance Period, (iii) any
other terms that are material to the grant of Performance Awards, and (iv) the calculation
of the payments, if any, to be paid to each Grantee for the Performance Period.
20
(f)
Supplemental Payment on Vesting of Performance Units or Performance Shares
.
The Committee, either at the time of grant or at the time of vesting of Performance Units
or Performance Shares, may provide for a Supplemental Payment by the Company to the Grantee
in an amount specified by the Committee, which amount shall not exceed the amount necessary
to pay the federal and state income tax payable with respect to both the vesting of such
Performance Units or Performance Shares and receipt of the Supplemental Payment, assuming
the Grantee is taxed at either the maximum effective income tax rate applicable thereto or
at a lower tax rate as seemed appropriate by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee
shall have the discretion to grant Supplemental Payments that are payable in cash, Common
Stock, or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee at the time of payment.
SECTION 5.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAN PARTICIPATION
(a)
Incentive Agreement
.
Each Grantee to whom an Incentive Award is granted
shall be required to enter into an Incentive Agreement with the Company, in such a form as
is provided by the Committee. The Incentive Agreement shall contain specific terms as
determined by the Committee, in its discretion, with respect to the Grantees particular
Incentive Award. Such terms need not be uniform among all Grantees or any similarly
situated Grantees. The Incentive Agreement may include, without limitation, vesting,
forfeiture and other provisions particular to the particular Grantees Incentive Award, as
well as, for example, provisions to the effect that the Grantee (i) shall not disclose any
confidential information acquired during Employment with the Company, (ii) shall abide by
all the terms and conditions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as may be
imposed by the Committee, (iii) shall not interfere with the employment or other service of
any employee, (iv) shall not compete with the Company or become involved in a conflict of
interest with the interests of the Company, (v) shall forfeit an Incentive Award if
terminated for cause as determined by the Committee or as defined in the Incentive
Agreement, (vi) shall not be permitted to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code
when applicable, and (vii) shall be subject to any other agreement between the Grantee and
the Company regarding Shares that may be acquired under an Incentive Award including,
without limitation, an agreement restricting the transferability of Shares by Grantee. An
Incentive Agreement shall include such terms and conditions as are determined by the
Committee, in its discretion, to be appropriate with respect to any individual Grantee. The
Incentive Agreement shall be signed by the Grantee to whom the Incentive Award is made and
by an Authorized Officer.
(b)
No Right to Employment
.
Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed
pursuant to the Plan shall create any Employment rights (including without limitation,
rights to continued Employment) in any Grantee or affect the right of the Company to
terminate the Employment of any Grantee at any time without regard to the existence of the
Plan.
21
(c)
Securities Requirements
.
The Company shall be under no obligation to
effect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 of any Shares of Common Stock
to be issued hereunder or to effect similar compliance under any state laws.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause
to be issued or delivered any certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the Plan unless and
until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such
certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental
authorities, and the requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded.
The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of certificates
evidencing Shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such
Shares make such covenants, agreements and representations, and that such certificates bear
such legends, as the Committee, in its discretion, deems necessary or desirable.
If the Shares issuable on exercise of an Incentive Award are not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Company may imprint on the certificate for such Shares the
following legend or any other legend which counsel for the Company considers necessary or
advisable to comply with the Securities Act of 1933:
THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE
AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED EXCEPT UPON SUCH REGISTRATION OR UPON
RECEIPT BY THE CORPORATION OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE
CORPORATION, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, THAT
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER.
5.2
|
|
Transferability and Exercisability
|
Incentive Awards granted under the Plan shall not be transferable or assignable other
than: (a) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (b) pursuant to a qualified
domestic relations order (as defined by Section 414(p) of the Code (QDRO); provided,
however, that an ISO may only be transferred pursuant to a QDRO if the Incentive Agreement
expressly permits such transfer and provided further that only with respect to Incentive
Awards of Nonqualified Stock Options, the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or
a portion of the Nonqualified Stock Options to be granted on terms which permit transfer by
the Grantee to (i) the members of the Grantees Immediate Family, (ii) a trust or trusts for
the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family, or (iii) a partnership in which such members
of such Immediate Family are the only partners, provided that (A) there may be no
consideration for any such transfer, (B) the Incentive Agreement pursuant to which such
Nonqualified Stock Options are granted must be approved by the Committee, and must expressly
provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this
Section 5.2
, and (C)
subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except in accordance with
clauses (a) and (b) (above) of this sentence. Following any permitted transfer, any
Incentive Award shall continue to be subject to the
22
same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided
that the term Grantee shall be deemed to refer to the transferee. The termination of
employment events of
Section 5.6
and in the Incentive Agreement shall continue to be
applied with respect to the original Grantee, and the Incentive Award shall be exercisable
by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Incentive
Agreement.
Except as may otherwise be permitted under the Code, in the event of a permitted
transfer of a Nonqualified Stock Option hereunder, the original Grantee shall remain subject
to withholding taxes upon exercise. In addition, the Company shall have no obligation to
provide any notices to a transferee including, for example, of the termination of an
Incentive Award following the original Grantees termination of employment.
In the event that a Grantee terminates employment with the Company to assume a position
with a governmental, charitable, educational or other nonprofit institution, the Committee
may, in its discretion, subsequently authorize a third party, including but not limited to a
blind trust, to act on behalf of and for the benefit of such Grantee regarding any
outstanding Incentive Awards held by the Grantee subsequent to such termination of
employment. If so permitted by the Committee, a Grantee may designate a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the Grantee and receive any distribution under the
Plan upon the death of the Grantee.
No transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to
bind the Company unless the Committee has been furnished with a copy of the deceased
Grantees enforceable will or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to
establish the validity of the transfer. Any attempted transfer in violation of this
Section 5.2
shall be void and ineffective. All determinations under this
Section 5.2
shall be made by the Committee in its discretion.
5.3
|
|
Rights as a Stockholder
|
(a)
No Stockholder Rights
.
Except as otherwise provided in
Section
3.1(b)
for grants of Restricted Stock, a Grantee of an Incentive Award (or a permitted
transferee of such Grantee) shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares
of Common Stock until the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares.
(b)
Representation of Ownership
.
In the case of the exercise of an Incentive
Award by a person or estate acquiring the right to exercise such Incentive Award by reason
of the death or disability of a Grantee, the Committee may require reasonable evidence as to
the ownership of such Incentive Award or the authority of such person and may require such
consents and releases of taxing authorities as the Committee may deem advisable.
5.4
|
|
Listing and Registration of Shares of Common Stock
|
The exercise of any Incentive Award granted hereunder shall only be effective at such time as
counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance and delivery of Shares of
23
Common Stock pursuant to such exercise is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations
of governmental authorities and the requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares of
Common Stock are traded. The Committee may, in its discretion, defer the effectiveness of any
exercise of an Incentive Award in order to allow the issuance of Shares of Common Stock to be made
pursuant to a registration statement, or an exemption from registration, or other methods for
compliance available under federal or state securities laws. The Committee shall inform the
Grantee in writing of its decision to defer the effectiveness of the exercise of an Incentive
Award. During the period that the effectiveness of the exercise of an Incentive Award has been
deferred, the Grantee may, by written notice to the Committee, withdraw such exercise and obtain
the refund of any amount paid with respect thereto.
5.5
|
|
Change in Stock and Adjustments
|
(a)
Changes in Law or Circumstances
.
Subject to
Section 5.7
(which
only applies in the event of a Change in Control), in the event of any change in applicable
law or any change in circumstances which results in or would result in any dilution of the
rights granted under the Plan, or which otherwise warrants an equitable adjustment because
it interferes with the intended operation of the Plan, then, if the Committee should so
determine, in its absolute discretion, that such change equitably requires an adjustment in
the number or kind of shares of stock or other securities or property theretofore subject,
or which may become subject, to issuance or transfer under the Plan or in the terms and
conditions of outstanding Incentive Awards, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with
such determination. Such adjustments may include changes with respect to (i) the aggregate
number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, (ii) the number of Shares subject to
Incentive Awards, and (iii) the Option Price or other price per Share for outstanding
Incentive Awards. Any adjustment under this paragraph of an outstanding Incentive Stock
Option shall be made only to the extent not constituting a modification within the meaning
of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code or with respect to a Stock Option to the extent not
constituting a modification or deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and the
regulations thereunder unless otherwise agreed to by the Grantee in writing. The Committee
shall give notice to each applicable Grantee of such adjustment which shall be effective and
binding.
(b)
Exercise of Corporate Powers
.
The existence of the Plan or outstanding
Incentive Awards hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or
its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalization,
reorganization or other changes in the Companys capital structure or its business or any
merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or
prior preference stocks ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof, or the
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its
assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding whether of a similar character
or otherwise.
(c)
Recapitalization of the Company
.
Subject to
Section 5.7
(which
only applies in the event of a Change in Control), if while there are Incentive Awards
outstanding, the Company shall effect any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of Common
Stock or other capital readjustment, the payment of a stock dividend, stock
24
split, combination of Shares, recapitalization or other increase or reduction in the
number of Shares outstanding, without receiving compensation therefor in money, services or
property, then the number of Shares available under the Plan and the number of Incentive
Awards which may thereafter be exercised shall (i) in the event of an increase in the number
of Shares outstanding, be proportionately increased and the Option Price or Fair Market
Value of the Incentive Awards awarded shall be proportionately reduced; and (ii) in the
event of a reduction in the number of Shares outstanding, be proportionately reduced, and
the Option Price or Fair Market Value of the Incentive Awards awarded shall be
proportionately increased. The Committee shall take such action and whatever other action
it deems appropriate, in its discretion, so that the value of each outstanding Incentive
Award to the Grantee shall not be adversely affected by a corporate event described in this
subsection (c).
(d)
Issue of Common Stock by the Company
.
Except as hereinabove expressly
provided in this
Section 5.5
and subject to
Section 5.7
in the event of a
Change in Control, the issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or
services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe
therefor, or upon any conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into
such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number of, or Option Price or Fair Market Value of, any
Incentive Awards then outstanding under previously granted Incentive Awards; provided,
however, in such event, outstanding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be treated the same as
outstanding unrestricted Shares of Common Stock.
(e)
Assumption under the Plan of Outstanding Stock Options
.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan, the Committee, in its absolute discretion, may authorize
the assumption and continuation under the Plan of outstanding and unexercised stock options
or other types of stock-based incentive awards that were granted under a stock option plan
(or other type of stock incentive plan or agreement) that is or was maintained by a
corporation or other entity that was merged into, consolidated with, or whose stock or
assets were acquired by, the Company as the surviving corporation. Any such action shall be
upon such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its discretion, may deem appropriate,
including provisions to preserve the holders rights under the previously granted and
unexercised stock option or other stock-based incentive award, such as, for example,
retaining the treatment as a Stock Option. Any such assumption and continuation of any such
previously granted and unexercised incentive award shall be treated as an outstanding
Incentive Award under the Plan and shall thus count against the number of Shares reserved
for issuance pursuant to
Section 1.4
. In addition, any Shares issued by the Company
through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from an acquired company shall
reduce the Shares available for grants under
Section 1.4
.
(f)
Assumption of Incentive Awards by a Successor
.
Subject to the accelerated
vesting and other provisions of
Section 5.7
that apply in the event of a Change in
Control, in the event of a Corporate Event (defined below), each Grantee shall be entitled
to receive, in lieu of the number of Shares subject to Incentive Awards, such
25
shares of capital stock or other securities or property as may be issuable or payable
with respect to or in exchange for the number of Shares which Grantee would have received
had he exercised the Incentive Award immediately prior to such Corporate Event, together
with any adjustments (including, without limitation, adjustments to the Option Price and the
number of Shares issuable on exercise of outstanding Stock Options). For this purpose,
Shares of Restricted Stock shall be treated the same as unrestricted outstanding Shares of
Common Stock. A
Corporate Event
means any of the following: (i) a dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets,
(iii) a merger, consolidation or combination involving the Company (other than a merger,
consolidation or combination (A) in which the Company is the continuing or surviving
corporation and (B) which does not result in the outstanding Shares being converted into or
exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof), or
(iv) if so determined by the Committee, any other corporate transaction as defined in Code
Sections 424 and 409A and the regulations thereunder. The Committee shall take whatever
other action it deems appropriate to preserve the rights of Grantees holding outstanding
Incentive Awards.
Notwithstanding the previous paragraph of this
Section 5.5(f)
, but subject to
the accelerated vesting and other provisions of
Section 5.7
that apply in the event
of a Change in Control, in the event of a Corporate Event (described in the previous
paragraph), the Committee, in its discretion, shall have the right and power to:
(i) cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of the Corporate
Event, each outstanding Incentive Award (whether or not then exercisable) and, in
full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the Grantee an amount in cash equal
to the excess of (A) the value, as determined by the Committee, of the property
(including cash) received by the holders of Common Stock as a result of such
Corporate Event over (B) the exercise price of such Incentive Award, if any;
provided, however, this subsection (i) shall be inapplicable to an Incentive Award
granted within six (6) months before the occurrence of the Corporate Event but only
if the Grantee is an Insider and such disposition is not exempt under Rule 16b-3 (or
other rules preventing liability of the Insider under Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act) and, in that event, the provisions hereof shall be applicable to such Incentive
Award after the expiration of six (6) months from the date of grant; or
(ii) provide for the exchange or substitution of each Incentive Award
outstanding immediately prior to such Corporate Event (whether or not then
exercisable) for another award with respect to the Common Stock or other property
for which such Incentive Award is exchangeable and, incident thereto, make an
equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, in the
Option Price or exercise price of the Incentive Award, if any, or in the number of
Shares or amount of property (including cash) subject to the Incentive Award; or
(iii) provide for assumption of the Plan and such outstanding Incentive Awards
by the surviving entity or its parent.
26
The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority to take whatever action it deems
to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this
subsection (f)
.
5.6
|
|
Termination of Employment, Death, Disability and Retirement
|
The Committee shall provide in the Grantees Incentive Agreement for exercisability periods
and vesting and any other terms in connection with the Grantees Termination of Employment, death,
disability or retirement. Subject to the conditions and limitations of the Plan and applicable law
and regulation in the event that a Grantee ceases to be an Employee, Outside Director or
Consultant, as applicable, for whatever reason, the Committee and Grantee may mutually agree with
respect to any outstanding Option or other Incentive Award then held by the Grantee (i) for an
acceleration or other adjustment in any vesting schedule applicable to the Incentive Award, (ii)
for a continuation of the exercise period following termination for a longer period than is
otherwise provided under such Incentive Award, or (iii) to any other change in the terms and
conditions of the Incentive Award. In the event of any such change to an outstanding Inventive
Award, a written amendment to the Grantees Incentive Agreement shall be required.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control (as
defined below) the following actions shall automatically occur as of the day immediately preceding
the Change in Control date unless expressly provided otherwise in the Grantees Incentive
Agreement:
(a) all of the Stock Options then outstanding shall become one hundred percent (100%)
vested and immediately and fully exercisable;
(b) all of the restrictions and conditions of any Restricted Stock and any Other
Stock-Based Awards then outstanding shall be deemed satisfied, and the Restriction Period
with respect thereto shall be deemed to have expired; and
(c) all of the Other Stock-Based Awards shall become fully vested, deemed earned in
full, and promptly paid within thirty (30) days to the affected Grantees without regard to
payment schedules and notwithstanding that the applicable performance cycle, retention cycle
or other restrictions and conditions have not been completed or satisfied.
(d) If a Grantee is a disqualified individual (as defined in Section 280G of the
Code) and the accelerated vesting of an Incentive Award and/or the termination of the
restricted period occurs with respect to a Change in Control, together with any other
payments which the Grantee has the right to receive from the Company and its Affiliates,
whether or not under this Plan, would constitute a parachute payment (as defined in
Section 280G of the Code), then, except to the extent such Grantee has entered into an
Incentive Award Agreement or a written severance or employment agreement with the Company
that expressly provides for a parachute tax gross-up, such accelerated vesting and/or
termination of the restricted period provided under the paragraph above shall be reduced to
the extent necessary (beginning with Stock Options) so that the present value thereof (as
determined for parachute purposes) to the Grantee will be $l.00 less than three times the
Grantees base amount (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), but only if
27
such reduction produces a better net after-tax position to the Grantee. Such
determinations shall be made by the Company in good faith.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the
Grantees Incentive Agreement, the provisions of this
Section 5.7
may not be terminated,
amended, or modified to adversely affect any Incentive Award theretofore granted under the Plan
without the prior written consent of the Grantee with respect to his outstanding Incentive Awards
subject, however, to the last paragraph of this
Section 5.7
.
For all purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control of the Company shall be deemed to occur
if:
(a) any person (as defined in section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, and as such term
is modified in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, is or becomes the beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly of
securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Companys then outstanding securities, provided however, that excluded are the following:
(i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or any fiduciary holding
securities under any Compensation Plan, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities
pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) a corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of the Company (for the purposes of this paragraph, Compensation Plan shall mean
any compensation arrangement, plan, policy, practice or program established, maintained or
sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, for its employees generally or
any specific group of employees, or to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company
contributes, and which includes, by way of example and not limitation, any incentive plan,
bonus plan, 401(k) plan, pension plan, savings plan, equity or cash incentive plan, phantom
stock plan, stock appreciation right plan, stock option plan, restricted stock award plan,
retirement plan, deferred compensation plan, or supplemental benefit arrangement);
(b) during any period of not more than two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director
designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a
transaction described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this definition whose election by the
Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the
beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved (hereinafter referred to as Continuing Directors), cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof;
(c) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation or entity, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or
other fiduciary holder of securities under a Compensation
28
Plan, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company
(or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
(ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or
similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power
of the Companys then outstanding securities;
(d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially
all of the Companys assets; or
(e) any other event determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion to be a
Change in Control; provided, further, that an Initial Public Offering shall not be a Change
in Control unless it is determined to be by the Board in its sole discretion.
5.8
|
|
Exchange of Incentive Awards
|
The Committee may, in its discretion, permit any Grantee to surrender outstanding Incentive
Awards in order to exercise or realize his rights under other Incentive Awards or in exchange for
the grant of new Incentive Awards, or require holders of Incentive Awards to surrender outstanding
Incentive Awards (or comparable rights under other plans or arrangements) as a condition precedent
to the grant of new Incentive Awards.
To the extent permitted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or other applicable law, the Company
may extend and maintain, or arrange for and guarantee, the extension and maintenance of financing
to any Grantee to purchase Shares pursuant to exercise of an Incentive Award upon such terms as are
approved by the Committee and the Board in their discretion.
SECTION 6.
GENERAL
6.1
|
|
Effective Date and Grant Period
|
This Plan, as amended and restated, is adopted by the Board effective as of the Effective Date
subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months from the
Effective Date. Incentive Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time prior to receipt of
such stockholder approval; provided, however, if the requisite stockholder approval is not obtained
within the permissible time frame, then the Plan and any Incentive Awards granted hereunder shall
automatically become null and void and of no force or effect. Unless sooner terminated by the
Board pursuant to
Section 6.7
, no Incentive Award shall be granted under the Plan after ten
(10) years from November 7, 2005.
6.2
|
|
Funding and Liability of Company
|
No provision of the Plan shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any
obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to
29
which contributions are made, or otherwise to segregate any assets. In addition, the Company
shall not be required to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the
existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for purposes of the Plan.
Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Grantees who are entitled to cash,
Common Stock or rights thereto under the Plan, any such accounts shall be used merely as a
bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any
time be represented by cash, Common Stock or rights thereto. The Plan shall not be construed as
providing for such segregation, nor shall the Company, the Board or the Committee be deemed to be a
trustee of any cash, Common Stock or rights thereto. Any liability or obligation of the Company to
any Grantee with respect to an Incentive Award shall be based solely upon any contractual
obligations that may be created by this Plan and any Incentive Agreement, and no such liability or
obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any
property of the Company. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to
give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation that may be created by the Plan.
(a)
Tax Withholding
.
The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct
or withhold, or require a Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy
federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be
withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan or an Incentive
Award hereunder.
(b)
Share Withholding
.
With respect to tax withholding required upon the
exercise of Stock Options, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any
other taxable event arising as a result of any Incentive Awards, Grantees may elect, subject
to the approval of the Committee in its discretion, to satisfy the withholding requirement,
in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the
date the tax is to be determined equal to the statutory total tax which could be imposed on
the transaction. All such elections shall be made in writing, signed by the Grantee, and
shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its discretion,
deems appropriate. Any fraction of a Share required to satisfy such obligation shall be
disregarded and the amount due shall instead be paid in cash by the Grantee.
(c)
Incentive Stock Options
.
With respect to Shares received by a Grantee
pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, if such Grantee disposes of any such
Shares within (i) two (2) years from the date of grant of such Option or (ii) one (1) year
after the transfer of such shares to the Grantee, the Company shall have the right to
withhold from any salary, wages or other compensation payable by the Company to the Grantee
an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local tax withholding requirements
attributable to such disqualifying disposition.
30
6.4
|
|
No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
|
Neither the Company nor the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal,
state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to any person participating or eligible to
participate hereunder.
6.5
|
|
Designation of Beneficiary by Grantee
|
Each Grantee may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named
contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his death
before he receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior
designations by the same Grantee, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be
effective only when filed by the Grantee in writing with the Committee during the Grantees
lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Grantees death
shall be paid to the Grantees estate.
The Committee may permit a Grantee to defer such Grantees receipt of the payment of cash or
the delivery of Shares that would, otherwise be due to such Grantee by virtue of the lapse or
waiver of restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock, or the satisfaction of any requirements or
goals with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards. If any such deferral election is permitted, the
Committee shall, in its discretion, establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals to
the extent consistent with the Code.
6.7
|
|
Amendment and Termination
|
The Board shall have complete power and authority to terminate or amend the Plan at any time;
provided, however, if the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, the Board shall not, without the
approval of the stockholders of the Company within the time period required by applicable law, (a)
except as provided in
Section 5.5
, increase the maximum number of Shares which may be
issued under the Plan pursuant to
Section 1.4
, (b) amend the requirements as to the class
of Employees eligible to purchase Common Stock under the Plan, (c) to the extent applicable,
increase the maximum limits on Incentive Awards to Covered Employees as set for compliance with the
Performance-Based Exception, (d) extend the term of the Plan, or (e) to the extent applicable,
decrease the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan in contravention of Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act.
No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material
way any outstanding Incentive Award previously granted to a Grantee under the Plan, without the
written consent of such Grantee or other designated holder of such Incentive Award.
In addition, to the extent that the Committee determines that (a) the listing for
qualification requirements of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the
Common Stock is then listed or quoted, if applicable, or (b) the Code (or regulations promulgated
thereunder), require stockholder approval in order to maintain compliance with such listing
requirements or to maintain any favorable tax advantages or qualifications, then the Plan shall not
be amended in such respect without approval of the Companys stockholders.
31
The granting of Incentive Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to
all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or
national securities exchanges as may be required. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer
any Shares or other consideration under an Incentive Award if, acting in its sole discretion, it
determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or other consideration might violate
applicable laws. Certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock delivered under this Plan (to the
extent that such shares are so evidenced) may be subject to such stop transfer orders and other
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or transaction reporting system upon which the
Common Stock is then listed or to which it is admitted for quotation, and any applicable federal or
state securities law, if applicable. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed upon
such certificates (if any) to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
6.9
|
|
Rule 16b-3 Securities Law Compliance and Compliance with Company Policies
|
With respect to Insiders to the extent applicable, transactions under the Plan are intended to
comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. With respect to all
Grantees, transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with Securities Regulation BTR and the
Companys insider trading policies as revised from time to time or such other similar Company
policies, including but not limited to, policies relating to black out periods. Any ambiguities or
inconsistencies in the construction of an Incentive Award or the Plan shall be interpreted to give
effect to such intention. However, to the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the
Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent deemed advisable by
the Committee in its discretion.
6.10
|
|
Compliance with Code Section 162(m)
|
While the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation, unless otherwise determined by the Committee
with respect to any particular Incentive Award, it is intended that the Plan shall comply fully
with the applicable requirements so that any Incentive Awards subject to Section 162(m) that are
granted to Covered Employees shall qualify for the Performance-Based Exception. If any provision
of the Plan or an Incentive Agreement would disqualify the Plan or would not otherwise permit the
Plan or Incentive Award to comply with the Performance-Based Exception as so intended, such
provision shall be construed or deemed to be amended to conform to the requirements of the
Performance-Based Exception to the extent permitted by applicable law and deemed advisable by the
Committee; provided, however, no such construction or amendment shall have any adverse effect on
the prior grant of an Incentive Award, or the economic value to a Grantee of any outstanding
Incentive Award, unless consented to in writing by the Grantee.
All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Incentive Awards granted
hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such
32
successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise,
of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
6.12
|
|
Miscellaneous Provisions
|
(a) No Employee, Consultant, Outside Director, or other person shall have any claim or
right to be granted an Incentive Award under the Plan. Neither the Plan, nor any action
taken hereunder, shall be construed as giving any Employee, Consultant, or Outside Director
any right to be retained in the Employment or other service of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary.
(b) No Shares of Common Stock shall be issued hereunder unless counsel for the Company
is then reasonably satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with federal and state
securities laws, if applicable.
(c) The expenses of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.
(d) By accepting any Incentive Award, each Grantee and each person claiming by or
through him shall be deemed to have indicated his acceptance of the Plan.
In the event that any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal, invalid or unenforceable
for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining
provisions of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision was not included herein.
6.14
|
|
Gender, Tense and Headings
|
Whenever the context so requires, words of the masculine gender used herein shall include the
feminine and neuter, and words used in the singular shall include the plural. Section headings as
used herein are inserted solely for convenience and reference and constitute no part of the
interpretation or construction of the Plan.
The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and constructed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of law provisions, except as may be superseded by
applicable laws of the United States.
To the extent that any Incentive Award is subject to Code Section 409A as determined by the
Committee, the Incentive Agreement shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the
notices and regulations thereunder in a manner as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion including, but not limited to, using the more restrictive definition of Change in
Control from applicable Code Section 409A regulations and notices to the extent that it is more
restrictive than as defined in the Plan and using the more restrictive definition of
33
Disability as provided in Section 409A. The Committee may amend any Incentive Award to comply
with Code Section 409A and the notices and regulations thereunder without a Grantees consent even
if such amendment would have an adverse affect on a Grantees Incentive Award. The Board may amend
the Plan as it deems necessary to comply with Section 409A and no Grantee consent shall be required
even if such an amendment would have an adverse effect on a Grantees Incentive Award.
34