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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from                to                 

 

Commission file number 0-31313

 

GRAPHIC

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

88-0409160

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

47 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 332, Naperville, IL 60540

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(630) 637-0315

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company  x

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

 

 

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

Yes  o    No  x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of August 1, 2008, 96,470,415 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 



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BROADWIND ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

3

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

4

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

5

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

21

 

Item 4T.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

32

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

32

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

32

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

33

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

33

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

33

 

Signatures

 

34

 

Exhibit Index

 

35

 

 

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PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.                    Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

81,869

 

$

5,782

 

Restricted cash

 

1,000

 

500

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,275 and $2,983, respectively

 

31,016

 

13,541

 

Inventories, net of allowance of $1,096 and $1,096, respectively

 

19,232

 

12,983

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,000

 

1,946

 

Total current assets

 

134,117

 

34,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,957 and $2,476, respectively

 

86,802

 

58,890

 

Goodwill

 

37,819

 

27,611

 

Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $6,972 and $1,655, respectively

 

110,334

 

84,022

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

1,427

 

543

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

370,499

 

$

205,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Lines of credit and notes payable

 

$

6,928

 

$

440

 

Notes payable to related parties

 

 

25,000

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

17,176

 

12,693

 

Current portions of long-term capital lease obligations

 

295

 

300

 

Accounts payable

 

13,643

 

10,136

 

Accrued liabilities

 

9,988

 

12,457

 

Unearned revenue

 

91

 

97

 

Customer deposits

 

13,486

 

1,326

 

Total current liabilities

 

61,607

 

62,449

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

21,921

 

17,620

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portions

 

2,165

 

686

 

Interest rate swaps

 

377

 

388

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,542

 

139

 

Total liabilities

 

89,612

 

81,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.001 par value: 150,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized, respectively; 96,470,415 and 76,260,912 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

96

 

76

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

296,127

 

133,033

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(15,336

)

(9,877

)

Interest in variable interest entity

 

 

1,304

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

280,887

 

124,536

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

370,499

 

$

205,818

 

 

 

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BROADWIND ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

40,830

 

$

2,643

 

$

75,994

 

$

4,862

 

Cost of sales

 

30,739

 

1,527

 

57,893

 

3,050

 

Gross profit

 

10,091

 

1,116

 

18,101

 

1,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

8,995

 

751

 

16,365

 

1,211

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

2,738

 

 

5,317

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

11,733

 

751

 

21,682

 

1,211

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,642

)

365

 

(3,581

)

601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(794

)

114

 

(2,011

)

59

 

Other, net

 

475

 

 

376

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

(319

)

114

 

(1,635

)

59

 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

(1,961

)

479

 

(5,216

)

660

 

Provision for income taxes

 

12

 

 

200

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,973

)

$

479

 

$

(5,416

)

$

660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.01

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.02

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

86,821,984

 

47,724,464

 

83,255,004

 

43,584,476

 

 

 

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BROADWIND ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(5,416

)

$

660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

4,481

 

198

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

5,317

 

191

 

Change in valuation of interest rate swap

 

(11

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

200

 

 

Stock issued for marketing costs

 

 

240

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

784

 

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

22

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(1,708

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(10,472

)

(1,784

)

Inventories, net

 

(5,753

)

(91

)

Prepaids and other accounts receivable

 

1,101

 

(512

)

Other non-current assets

 

(865

)

(2

)

Accounts payable

 

(2,554

)

(1,055

)

Accrued liabilities

 

(3,709

)

(1,013

)

Customer deposits

 

12,160

 

1,664

 

Unearned revenue

 

(11

)

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(6,434

)

(1,504

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activity:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received

 

(24,955

)

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(20,465

)

(1,778

)

Increase in related party receivable

 

 

(34

)

Increase (decrease) in restricted cash

 

(500

)

(500

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(45,920

)

(2,312

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

 

117,725

 

15,400

 

Payment of lines of credit

 

(1,000

)

(3,512

)

Payments on related party notes payable

 

(1,365

)

 

Increase in notes payable and lines of credit

 

5,942

 

 

 

Payments on notes payable and lines of credit

 

(315

)

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

8,893

 

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(70

)

(527

)

Principal payments on capital leases

 

(1,488

)

 

Issuance of restricted stock grants

 

119

 

 

Refund of bond issuance fees

 

 

11

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

128,441

 

11,372

 

Net increase in cash

 

76,087

 

8,353

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

5,782

 

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

81,869

 

$

8,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash disclosure information:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable incurred for the purchase of equipment

 

$

4,518

 

 

 

Common stock issued for acquisitions

 

$

19,821

 

 

 

Non-cash purchase accounting allocation changes

 

$

2,758

 

 

 

 

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BROADWIND ENERGY, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Note 1 — Nature of business and summary of significant accounting policies

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared by Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Broadwind”), and its subsidiaries (also referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, it does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of this financial information have been included. Financial results for the interim three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. The December 31, 2007 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. This financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Broadwind became a public company in February 2006, after a reverse shell transaction with Blackfoot Enterprises, Inc. which was incorporated in Nevada in 1996.  From the time following the reverse shell transaction through February 2008, we were known as Tower Tech Holdings Inc.  On February 28, 2008, we changed our name to Broadwind Energy, Inc., and on June 20, 2008, Broadwind changed its state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware.  Our principal executive office is located at 47 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 332, Naperville, IL 60540. Our phone number is (630) 637-0315 and our website address is www.broadwindenergy.com.

 

Our business is dedicated to the production and servicing of components for energy and infrastructure-related industries. We are primarily focused on manufacturing components for the wind industry, including: tower support structures through our Tower Tech Systems, Inc. (“Tower Tech”) subsidiary; mining and other heavy equipment through our R.B.A. Inc. (“RBA”) subsidiary; gearing systems through our Brad Foote Gear Works, Inc. (“Brad Foote”) subsidiary; construction, operations, support, maintenance, and component repairs for wind turbines through our Energy Maintenance Service, LLC (“EMS”) subsidiary; and transportation services through our Badger Transport, Inc. (“Badger”) subsidiary.

 

Manitowoc, Wisconsin serves as the main location of the manufacturing facilities for our Tower Tech and RBA subsidiaries.  RBA also operates in a second facility located in Clintonville, Wisconsin, which was established during the second quarter of 2008.  Our Brad Foote subsidiary has manufacturing and administrative facilities in Cicero, Illinois and Neville Island, Pennsylvania. Our EMS subsidiary is headquartered in Gary, South Dakota and established a service hub facility in Abilene, Texas during the second quarter of 2008.  Badger is headquartered in Clintonville, Wisconsin with equipment dispatched throughout the United States.

 

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company completed transactions resulting in the sale of an aggregate of $100,500 worth of its common stock at $7.96 per share, of which $500, or 62,814 shares, were purchased by a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and an aggregate of $100,000 worth, or 12,562,814 shares, were purchased by Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”), Tontine Partners, L.P. (“TP”), Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd. (“TOF”) and Tontine 25 Overseas Master Fund L.P. (“T25”, and collectively with Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P. (“TMF”), TCP, TP and TMF, “Tontine”).  Thomas Weisel Partners issued a fairness opinion in connection with the Tontine parties’ investment.

 

On June 4, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Badger for total purchase price of $11,811, excluding acquisition costs.  The purchase price consisted of $5,811 of cash and 581,959 unregistered shares of Broadwind common stock at a price per share of $10.31, which represented the average closing price of Broadwind common stock for the thirty trading days preceding execution of the Badger acquisition agreement.  The Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the former owner of Badger that provides the former owner with limited piggyback registration rights.  The Company financed the cash portion of the acquisition with cash on hand.

 

The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 20, 2008 in Naperville, Illinois.  At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“EIP”); elected six incumbent director nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors for one year terms; approved the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware; approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to

 

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increase the authorized number of common shares from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000; and ratified the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.

 

Significant accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 remain applicable at June 30, 2008, with the exception of the following:

 

Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tower Tech, RBA, Brad Foote, EMS, and Badger. RBA and Brad Foote were acquired by the Company on October 1, 2007 and October 19, 2007, respectively. EMS and Badger were acquired by the Company on January 16, 2008 and June 4, 2008, respectively.  The financial position and results of operations of these subsidiaries are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, transfer of title has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured, and delivery has occurred per the contract terms. Customer deposits and other receipts are deferred and recognized when earned.

 

Segment reporting

 

As of June 30, 2008, Broadwind operates and manages two reporting segments:  Products and Components; and Service, Transportation and Maintenance. Initially, the Company created a Service and Maintenance segment in January 2008 when it acquired EMS.  In connection with the June 2008 acquisition of Badger, a transportation services company, we added a transportation component to this segment and created the Service, Transportation and Maintenance segment.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company operated as a single segment, Towers & Fabrication, as the Company’s only subsidiary in existence as of June 30, 2007 was its Tower Tech subsidiary.  The Towers & Fabrication segment is now part of the Products and Components segment, which also includes the Company’s previously reported Gearing Systems segment.  Refer to Note 18 for summarized financial information of the Company’s segments.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior periods financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

 

Effect of recently issued accounting standards

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect to measure any of our financial assets or liabilities using the fair value option of SFAS 159. The Company will assess at each measurement date whether to use the fair value option on any future financial assets or liabilities as permitted pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 159.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Additionally, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), which delayed the effective date by which companies must adopt the provisions of SFAS 157. FSP 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”), which establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS 141R also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted.  SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the first reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of SFAS 160, but does not presently anticipate it will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations, as all subsidiaries are 100% owned.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). This statement is intended to enhance required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adoption of SFAS 161, but does not presently believe that it will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Note 2 — Inventories

 

The components of inventories as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

Raw materials

 

$

11,538

 

$

4,230

 

Work-in-process

 

8,195

 

8,976

 

Finished goods

 

595

 

873

 

 

 

20,328

 

14,079

 

Less: Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories

 

(1,096

)

(1,096

)

Net inventories

 

$

19,232

 

$

12,983

 

 

Note 3 — Acquisitions

 

Badger Transport, Inc.

 

On June 4, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Badger for aggregate purchase price of $11,811 exclusive of $125 of transaction-related acquisition costs.  The purchase price consisted of $5,811 of cash and 581,959 unregistered shares of Broadwind common stock at a price per share of $10.31.  The Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the former owner of Badger that provides the former owner with limited piggyback registration rights.  The Company financed the cash portion of the acquisition with cash on hand.

 

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The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Badger assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the date of the acquisition:

 

Current assets

 

$

1,387

 

Property and equipment

 

6,619

 

Other assets

 

299

 

Trade name

 

310

 

Non-compete agreement

 

1,370

 

Customer relationships

 

3,440

 

Goodwill

 

8,201

 

Total assets acquired

 

21,626

 

Current liabilities

 

(1,640

)

Capital lease obligations

 

(4,281

)

Long-term debt

 

(568

)

Deferred tax liability

 

(3,201

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

(9,690

)

Net assets acquired

 

$

11,936

 

 

The Company may adjust goodwill as necessary as it finalizes purchase price allocations for acquisitions.  Typical adjustments include outstanding professional fees and fixed asset valuations.  None of the goodwill associated with the purchase of Badger is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

In connection with the Badger acquisition, the Company was required to fund approximately $4,500 of equipment purchases that Badger had on order for expansion.  The Company has funded $3,933 of this commitment as of August 11, 2008.

 

Energy Maintenance Service, LLC

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, on January 16, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding membership interests in EMS, a South Dakota based company engaged in the sale, installation, and repair of wind-powered electric generators. The aggregate consideration paid was $32,772, which included 1,629,834 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of $8.48 and $522 of transaction-related acquisition costs.  The cash portion of the purchase price was financed by a private placement of Company common stock, as described in Note 10 below.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the EMS assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the date of the acquisition:

 

Current assets

 

$

4,712

 

Property and equipment

 

1,549

 

Trade name

 

1,790

 

Customer relationships

 

24,700

 

Goodwill

 

4,547

 

Total assets acquired

 

37,298

 

Current liabilities

 

(3,556

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(970

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

(4,526

)

Net assets acquired

 

$

32,772

 

 

The Company may adjust goodwill as necessary as it finalizes purchase price allocations for acquisitions. Typical adjustments include outstanding professional fees and fixed asset valuations. Goodwill of $4,025, and other intangibles of $26,490 are expected to be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.

 

The Company does not have any contingent payments or commitments in relation to the acquisition of EMS, with the exception of certain stock options that were awarded as a result of the acquisition. Stock options are a share-based compensation expense and are subject to accounting treatment under SFAS No. 123(R) as discussed in Note 11.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Brad Foote Gear Works, Inc.

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, on October 19, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Brad Foote, an Illinois-based manufacturer of gearing systems for the wind turbine, oil and gas and energy-related industries. The aggregate consideration paid in connection with the Brad Foote acquisition, which included cash and unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock, was $133,179.

 

Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The following table represents the consolidated financial information for the Company on a pro forma basis, assuming the acquisitions of EMS, Brad Foote, and Badger had each occurred as of January 1, 2007. The Company is not including the pro-forma effect of RBA because the impact is not material to its results of operations for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 or 2007. The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to pro forma items that are directly attributable to the acquisitions and expected to have a continuing impact on the consolidated results. These items include adjustments to increase depreciation related to the stepped-up basis in machinery and equipment, adjust inventory to fair market value, record amortization of intangible assets, increase interest expense for certain long-term notes payable, and reclassify certain items to conform to the Company’s financial reporting presentation.

 

The table sets forth unaudited financial information, and has been compiled from historical financial statements and other information, but is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have been achieved had the transaction occurred on the dates indicated or that may be achieved in the future.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

Pro-forma

 

 

 

 

 

Pro-forma

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

adjustments

 

Pro-forma

 

As reported

 

adjustments

 

Pro-forma

 

Revenues

 

$

75,994

 

$

4,646

(1)

$

80,640

 

$

4,862

 

$

53,495

(3)

$

58,357

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(5,416

)

(1,060

)(2)

$

(6,476

)

$

660

 

$

6,052

(4)

$

6,712

 

Earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.08

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.15

 


(1)                   Represents revenue of EMS and Badger for the period from January 1, 2008 through the respective acquisition dates.

(2)                   Represents net loss of EMS and Badger for the period from January 1, 2008 through the respective acquisition dates. Adjustments to net loss include increases to depreciation related to the increase in fair market value of machinery and equipment to fair value, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and adjustments to interest income and interest expense relating to the Company’s assumption of certain short and long-term borrowings of EMS and Badger.

(3)                   Represents revenue of EMS, Brad Foote, and Badger for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

(4)                   Represents net income of EMS, Brad Foote, and Badger for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007. Adjustments to net income include increases to depreciation related to the stepped up basis in machinery and equipment to fair value, increases in cost of goods sold due to increasing inventory to fair market value, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and adjustments to interest income and interest expense relating to the Company’s assumption of certain short- and long-term borrowings of EMS, Brad Foote and Badger.

 

Pro-forma tables illustrate results which are unaudited and are based on an acquired company’s history.  As a result, pro-forma results shown above are subject to adjustment upon audits and other financially qualitative studies done by the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 4 — Goodwill and intangible assets

 

The changes in the gross carrying amount of intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

 

 

Trade names

 

Customer
relationships

 

Non-Compete

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2007

 

$

8,119

 

$

77,558

 

$

 

$

85,677

 

EMS acquisition

 

1,790

 

24,700

 

 

26,490

 

Badger acquisition

 

310

 

3,440

 

1,370

 

5,120

 

Adjustments

 

10

 

9

 

 

19

 

Balance as of June 30, 2008

 

$

10,229

 

$

105,707

 

$

1,370

 

$

117,306

 

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows as of June 30, 2008:

 

Intangible

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Amortization
Period (Years)

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

Trade names

 

19.37

 

$

10,229

 

$

(409

)

$

9,820

 

Customer relationships

 

9.84

 

105,707

 

(6,549

)

99,158

 

Noncompete Agreements

 

2.92

 

1,370

 

(14

)

1,356

 

Total

 

 

 

$

117,306

 

$

(6,972

)

$

110,334

 

 

Amortization expense on trademarks, customer relationships and non-compete agreements, which is being recorded ratably over the estimated life of the related intangible assets, was $2,738 and $5,317, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. There was no such amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 as the underlying intangible assets were acquired subsequent to June 30, 2007.

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2008, were as follows:

 

Balance as of December 31, 2007

 

$

27,611

 

EMS acquisition

 

4,547

 

Badger acquisition

 

8,201

 

Adjustments (1)

 

(2,540

)

Balance as of June 30, 2008

 

$

37,819

 


(1) Comprised of purchase price allocation adjustments recorded in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Brad Foote in the fourth quarter of 2007. The adjustments were to adjust certain machinery and equipment to fair value and record additional acquisition-related costs. The Company may adjust goodwill as necessary as it finalizes purchase price allocations for acquisitions.  Typical adjustments include outstanding professional fees and fixed asset valuations

 

The Company will review goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that the assets’ carrying amount may not be recovered. As of June 30, 2008, no such circumstances existed, and, accordingly, no impairment expense was recorded.

 

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Note 5 — Accrued liabilities

 

Accrued liabilities at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

Accrued operating expenditures

 

$

5,357

 

$

4,217

 

Reimbursements due under Brad Foote purchase agreement

 

1,519

 

5,171

 

Accrued payroll, employee benefits, and related taxes

 

2,524

 

1,894

 

Accrued rent

 

440

 

492

 

Accrued interest

 

23

 

560

 

Other

 

125

 

123

 

Total accrued liabilities

 

$

9,988

 

$

12,457

 

 

Note 6 — Lines of credit and notes payable

 

Lines of credit and notes payable at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

Third party

 

 

 

 

 

Line of credit (Libor + 1.75%)

 

$

6,125

 

$

 

Line of credit (8.50%)

 

468

 

 

Note payable (Prime + 0.50%)

 

84

 

 

Note payable (7.49%)

 

251

 

 

 

Bank note (6.85%)

 

 

440

 

Total third party lines of credit and notes payable

 

6,928

 

440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related party

 

 

 

 

 

9.5% related party note, subject to conversion

 

 

25,000

 

Total related party notes payable

 

 

25,000

 

Total lines of credit and notes payable

 

$

6,928

 

$

25,440

 

 

On April 24, 2008, TMF, TP, and TOF each converted the full original principal amount of their respective 9.5% related party notes into shares of Company common stock. Upon conversion, an aggregate of 3,333,332 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to TMF, TP and TOF.  Interest that had accumulated in the aggregate amount of $1,223 on the notes as of the conversation date was paid by the Company to TMF, TP, and TOF with cash.

 

In connection with its acquisition of EMS, on January 16, 2008 the Company issued a related-party note to Joseph A. Kolbach, a former member of EMS who remains employed by the Company as the president of EMS. The note was in the amount of $1,365 and related to a limited liability company tax payment.  In May 2008, the Company paid the note in full.

 

Note 7 — Long-term debt

 

Long-term debt at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

2007 equipment line note, due 2013

 

$

8,877

 

$

5,947

 

Revolving note, due 2008

 

8,500

 

7,887

 

2006 equipment line note, due 2012

 

8,433

 

9,533

 

2006 term note, due 2011

 

4,081

 

4,871

 

2008 term note, due 2013

 

1,902

 

2,075

 

5.65% fixed rate loan, due 2013

 

1,573

 

 

Fixed rate notes 4.75% to 17.00%, due 2008 to 2012

 

3,415

 

 

Variable rate loan (prime plus 1.50%), due 2008

 

1,491

 

 

Variable rate loan (prime plus 1.50%), due 2013

 

425

 

 

6.85% fixed rate loan, due 2012

 

400

 

 

Total long-term debt

 

39,097

 

30,313

 

Less current maturities

 

(17,176

)

(12,693

)

Total long-term debt, less current maturities

 

$

21,921

 

$

17,620

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following June 30, 2008 are as follows:

 

Period

 

Principal amount of
long-term debt

 

2008 (remaining 6 months)

 

$

13,587

 

2009

 

7,193

 

2010

 

7,235

 

2011

 

5,631

 

2012

 

3,459

 

2013

 

1,693

 

Thereafter

 

299

 

Total

 

$

39,097

 

 

The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2008, with the exception of a debt coverage ratio related to an EMS note in the amount of $1,491 at June 30, 2008.  On August 8, 2008, the Company refinanced the note and received notice and a one-time waiver for the covenant violation from its lender.

 

Note 8 — Interest rate swaps

 

In 2007, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements to minimize the impact of interest rate fluctuations on its debt. Interest rate swap agreements involve exchanges of fixed or floating rate interest payments periodically over the life of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 133, all derivatives are measured at fair value and recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative is dependent upon the use of the derivative and its resulting designation. Unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met, changes in fair value must be recognized currently in earnings. The Company’s interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133. Therefore, the Company is required to recognize the swap at its fair market value and record the fluctuations in the fair value of the swap in current earnings. The unrealized gain related to these fluctuations was approximately $241 and $11 for the three and six-month ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and is recognized within interest expense, net. The fair market value of the interest rate swaps of $377 and $388 is recorded as a long-term liability as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

Note 9 — Capital leases

 

The Company leases equipment from various financing companies under capital leases with terms that extend to 2012. The economic substance of the leases is that the Company is financing the acquisition of the assets through the leases, and accordingly, they are recorded in the Company’s assets and liabilities. Amortization of the capital leases has been included in depreciation expense. The following is an analysis of the leased assets included in property and equipment as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

Machinery and equipment

 

$

3,732

 

$

1,589

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(150

)

(25

)

Net machinery and equipment

 

$

3,582

 

$

1,564

 

 

Gross capital lease assets obtained through the acquisition of Badger was $5,769.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Future minimum rental payments due under capitalized leases:

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

2008 (remaining 6 months)

 

$

656

 

2009

 

1,122

 

2010

 

453

 

2011

 

360

 

2012

 

194

 

2013

 

75

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

 

2,860

 

Less: amounts representing interest

 

(400

)

Present value of future minimum lease payments

 

2,460

 

Less: current portion

 

(295

)

Capital lease obligation, noncurrent

 

$

2,165

 

 

Note 10 — Stockholders’ equity

 

On January 16, 2008, to finance the cash portion of the EMS acquisition, the Company sold an aggregate of 2,031,250 shares of unregistered common stock in a private placement to TP and T25 at $8.48 per share for a total purchase price of $17,225, pursuant to a previously disclosed Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement with TCP, TP and T25.

 

In connection with the acquisition of EMS, on January 16, 2008, the Company issued 1,629,834 shares of unregistered common stock to the members of EMS, calculated at $8.48 per share, for total stock consideration of $13,821.  Upon consummation of the Company’s acquisition of EMS, 7,500 shares of restricted stock previously granted to certain Company executives vested; another 7,500 restricted shares remain unvested, and have a vesting date of January 16, 2009.

 

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company completed transactions resulting in the sale of an aggregate of $100,500 worth of its unregistered common stock, of which $500, or 62,814 shares, was purchased by a member of the Company’s Board of Directors at a price of $7.96 per share and an aggregate of $100,000 worth, or 12,562,814 shares, was purchased by TCP, TP, TOF, and T25 at a price of $7.96 per share.  Thomas Weisel Partners issued a fairness opinion in connection with the Tontine parties’ investment.

 

On April 24, 2008, TMF, TP, and TOF each converted the full original principal amount of their respective 9.5% related party notes into shares of Company common stock.  Upon conversion, an aggregate of 3,333,332 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to TMF, TP and TOF.

 

On June 4, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Badger for total purchase price of $11,881, exclusive of transaction-related acquisition costs.  A portion of the purchase price consisted of 581,959 unregistered shares of Broadwind’s common stock at a price per share of $10.31.

 

Note 11 — Stock-based compensation

 

The Company grants incentive stock options and other equity awards pursuant to the EIP which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in October 2007 and by the Company’s stockholders in June of 2008. On August 8, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved certain non-material amendments to the EIP that clarify the terms and conditions of restricted stock grants under the EIP and provide that the administrator of the EIP has the authority to effect future amendments to the plan. The EIP reserves 3,500,000 shares of common stock for grants to officers, directors, and other key employees.  Total stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 is $403 and $784, respectively. There was no stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.  There were 2,042,000 shares available for grant under the EIP as of June 30, 2008.

 

Stock Options

 

Compensation expense for incentive stock option grants is recognized over the requisite service period for vesting of the award, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date, if earlier and applicable. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had $7,340 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.75 years.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The resulting compensation expense is amortized on a straight line basis over the vesting period of the grant. The expected term of stock options granted is determined utilizing a public company proxy with similar grants because the Company does not have sufficient stock option exercise history from its employees. Likewise, as the Company has only limited public trading history, the expected volatility rate used is also determined from a public company proxy in the same industry and business operations as the Company. The risk-free interest rate is based on US Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. A summary of these assumptions is included in the table below.

 

 

 

Six months ended
June 30, 2008

 

Dividend yield

 

0.00

%

Expected volatility

 

60.00

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.20% - 4.24

%

Expected term (in years)

 

3 - 5 years

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

 

$

5.61

 

Forfeiture rate

 

0

%

 

A summary of stock option activity as of June 30, 2008, and changes during the period then ended is presented below:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)

 

Options Outstanding at January 1, 2008

 

950,000

 

$

7.92

 

9.56

 

Options Granted

 

533,000

 

$

15.00

 

9.67

 

Options Exercised

 

 

$

 

 

Options Forfeited

 

(40,000

)

$

10.90

 

10.00

 

Options Outstanding at June 30, 2008

 

1,443,000

 

$

10.45

 

9.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Exercisable at June 30, 2008

 

 

$

 

 

 

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense related to share-based awards subject to SFAS No. 123(R) recognized during the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Share-based compensation expense included in consolidated statement of operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative

 

$

784

 

$

 

Income tax benefit (1)

 

 

 

Net effect of share-based compensation expense on net income (loss)

 

$

(784

)

$

 

Decrease in basic income (loss) per share

 

$

 

$

 

Decrease in diluted income (loss) per share

 

$

 

$

 

 

Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of June 30, 2008 was $12,823.

 


(1)           Income tax benefit is not illustrated because the Company is currently operating at a loss and actual income tax benefit will not be realized in the six month period ended June 30, 2008.  The result of the loss situation creates a timing difference, resulting in a deferred tax asset.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The EIP permits the Company to award restricted stock and restricted stock units subject to risks of forfeiture or vesting.  In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company granted restricted stock units to three executives, with vesting of half of the shares based on completion of the Company’s EMS acquisition and time-based vesting for the remaining half of the shares. The Company fully recognizes compensation expense on vested restricted shares that have been granted and recognizes compensation expense pro-rata on unvested shares over the life of the vesting period.  The fair value of the vested and unvested shares is

 

15



Table of Contents

 

calculated by multiplying the number of shares by the weighted average price on the grant date.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company had $37 of stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested awards.

 

Restricted stock activity is summarized for the six months ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

Number of Shares
Underlying Restricted
Stock Units

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Restricted Stock Units Outstanding, December 31, 2007

 

15,000

    

$

10.90

 

Restricted Stock Units Granted

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units Vested

 

7,500

 

10.90

 

Restricted Stock Units Cancelled

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Units Outstanding June 30, 2008

 

7,500

 

10.90

 

 

Total fair value of vested shares was $82 as of June 30, 2008.

 

Note 12 — Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes , which provides for an asset and liability approach to accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities versus the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Under this method, deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The impact of the tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the year that the change is enacted.

 

The Company adopted the provision of Financial Standards Accounting Board Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized no material adjustments in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits.  There have been no significant changes in unrecognized income tax benefits during the first two quarters of 2008.

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax position in income tax expense.  As of June 30, 2008, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions.  As of June 30, 2008, open tax years in the federal and some state jurisdictions date back to 1996 due to the taxing authorities’ ability to adjust operating loss carry forwards.  No changes in settled tax years have occurred through June, 2008.  The Company does not anticipate there will be a material change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

 

$

(1,961

)

$

479

 

$

(5,216

)

$

660

 

Provision for income taxes

 

12

 

 

200

 

 

Net Income

 

$

(1,973

)

$

479

 

$

(5,416

)

$

660

 

 

Effective tax rates differ from federal statutory income tax rates primarily due to change in valuation allowance and provisions for state and local income taxes.  Consistent with 2006 and 2007, the Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets exclusive of deferred tax liabilities associated with indefinite-lived assets.  As of June 30, 2008, after valuation allowance, the Company has a net deferred tax liability of $3,542 related entirely to temporary differences in indefinite-lived assets. These indefinite-lived assets consist of tax deductible goodwill from recent business acquisitions.  The income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 of $12 and $200, respectively relates to the current quarter temporary differences in these indefinite-lived assets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Note 13 — Employee benefit plans

 

On October 19, 2007, the Company began sponsoring a defined contribution savings plan for Brad Foote and Tower Tech that allows substantially all Brad Foote and Tower Tech employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or after-tax income up to statutory limits. The plan requires the Company to match 50% of the participants’ contributions up to 4% of the participants’ compensation.  The Company recognized $85 of matching expense during the six months ended June 30, 2008 related to the Brad Foote and Tower Tech plans.

 

Effective as of the date of the acquisition of RBA, the Company sponsors a defined contribution savings plan that allows RBA employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or after-tax income up to statutory limits. The plan requires the Company to match 100% of the participants’ contributions up to 3% of the participants’ compensation.  RBA recognized $18 of matching expense during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

Effective as of the date of the acquisition of EMS, the Company sponsors a defined contribution savings plan covering substantially all EMS employees. The Company can provide a discretionary match and/or profit sharing contribution each year.  EMS recognized $0 of matching expense during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 

Effective as of the date of the acquisition of Badger, the Company sponsors a defined contribution savings plan covering substantially all Badger employees. The plan requires the Company to match 100% of the participants’ contributions up to 3% and an additional 50% up to 5% of the participants’ compensation.  Badger recognized $4 of matching expense since the acquisition date.

 

On October 24, 2007, the Company adopted its 2007 Deferred Compensation Plan, which provides incentives and rewards to certain key employees and non-employee directors of the Company who are selected by the Board of Directors to participate. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had accrued $141 and $0, respectively, for amounts due under this plan.

 

As part of the collective bargaining agreement at Brad Foote, the Company maintains a life insurance policy for each member of the collective bargaining group who has retired.  For 2008, the collective premiums on the policy were less than $1.

 

In addition to the plans described, the Company participates in certain customary employee benefit plans, including those which provide health and life insurance benefits to employees.

 

Note 14 — Operating leases — related party

 

During 2007, the Company amended one of the operating leases under which the Company leases manufacturing and office space for its Products and Components segment from City Centre, LLC. In addition, the Company assumed a lease between RBA and City Centre, LLC upon its acquisition of RBA. City Centre, LLC is a limited liability company owned in part by two former directors of the Company, one of whom was also the Company’s former president, and each of whom were affiliates during 2007 and a portion of 2008. Neither of these individuals currently hold any position within the Company. The leases call for monthly rents of $42 and $8, and expire on December 31, 2014 and July 31, 2017, respectively. The lease ending December 31, 2014 grants the Company five options to renew, each for a five-year renewal term that begins at the end of the lease period just ended. The lease ending July 31, 2017 grants the Company two options to renew, each for a five-year renewal term that begins at the end of the lease period just ended.

 

In 2007, the Company entered into a 15-year lease with City Centre, LLC for a third building utilized for its Tower Tech and RBA operating facilities.  The lease period commenced in June 2008 with a monthly payment due of $19.

 

The Company’s Service, Transportation and Maintenance segment leases its primary administrative offices, a machine shop, a residential property, and storage facilities from a former member of EMS, who remains employed by the Company as the president of EMS. The agreement contains a one year lease term expiring on December 31, 2008 and requires a monthly payment of $10.

 

The president of EMS, through a separate entity, owns residential real estate for investment purposes, which is typically rented to third parties. Occasionally, the Company will enter into short-term lease agreements to rent apartments from this entity for use by Company personnel.  Rents approximate market rates and are recorded as rent expense in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

In April 2008, EMS purchased its Howard West facility from the former majority owner of EMS and its current president, and concurrently terminated its lease agreement, which required a monthly payment of $5. The future minimum lease payments associated with this lease have been excluded from the following table due to this subsequent purchase.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under the related-party leases as of June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Minimum payments on

 

Period Ending:

 

operating lease obligations

 

2008 (remaining 6 months)

 

$

477

 

2009

 

831

 

2010

 

831

 

2011

 

831

 

2012

 

831

 

2013

 

831

 

Thereafter

 

2,964

 

Total minimum required lease payments

 

$

7,596

 

 

Related party rent expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $196 and $100, respectively, versus $379 and $200, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2007.

 

Note 15 — Operating leases — third party

 

The Company leases various property, equipment and buildings under lease agreements of varying terms extending to 2012. Rental expense attributed to third party operating leases for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 was $326 and $674, respectively.

 

Following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under the leases as of June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Minimum payments on

 

Period Ending:

 

operating lease obligations

 

2008 (remaining 6 months)

 

$

660

 

2009

 

1,295

 

2010

 

1,306

 

2011

 

1,323

 

2012

 

1,340

 

2013

 

1,223

 

Thereafter

 

4,493

 

Total minimum required lease payments

 

$

11,640

 

 

Note 16 — Other related party transactions

 

Interest expense of $592 and $754 was incurred and paid on stockholder and related party notes during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007, $282 and $282, respectively, relating to amounts due from stockholders is included within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts were paid by the Company on behalf of four stockholders in connection with the March 2007 sale of stock by each of the stockholders.

 

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company completed transactions resulting in the sale of an aggregate of $100,500 worth of its unregistered common stock, of which $500, or 62,814 shares, was purchased by a member of the Company’s Board of Directors at a price of $7.96 per share and an aggregate of $100,000 worth, or 12,562,814 shares, were purchased by TP, TCP, TOF, and T25 at a price of $7.96 per share.  Thomas Weisel Partners issued a fairness opinion in connection with the Tontine parties’ investment.

 

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Note 17 — Commitments and contingencies

 

Customer disputes

 

The Company is involved in a pricing dispute with one of its customers with total disputed amounts approximating $1,760 as of June 30, 2008.  The Company has provided in its allowance for uncollectible accounts the portion of the disputed amounts due that management estimates may be uncollectible.

 

Purchase commitments

 

The Company’s Brad Foote subsidiary has a purchase contract with a foreign vendor with total commitments outstanding of $19,367 with expected shipment through 2009.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded net foreign currency losses in the statement of operations of $127 and $317, respectively, due to the decline in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro.  This commitment price was converted from Euros to U.S. dollars during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and no further foreign currency exposure exists with regard to this commitment.  Below is a summary of the estimated future amounts due on this commitment.

 

Period

 

 

 

 

 

For the remaining six months of the year ended:

 

2008

 

$

14,388

 

For the year ended:

 

2009

 

4,979

 

 

 

Total commitment

 

$

19,367

 

 

Tower Tech has issued commitments for land, buildings, raw steel, and equipment associated with the expansion of the subsidiary’s operations to South Dakota and Texas.  As of June 30, 2008, Tower Tech had issued $29,458 worth of purchase commitment to vendors.

 

  Other

 

The Company is also subject to legal proceedings in the normal course of business. Management believes these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company does not have any contingent payments or commitments in relation to the acquisition of EMS, with the exception of certain stock options that were awarded as a result of the acquisition.  Stock options are a share-based compensation expense and are subject to accounting treatment under SFAS No. 123(R).

 

In connection with the Badger acquisition, the Company was required to fund approximately $4,500 of equipment purchases that Badger had on order for expansion.  The Company has funded $3,933 of this commitment as of August 11, 2008.

 

Note 18 — Segment information

 

During the second quarter of 2008, management changed the Company’s reportable segments to reflect changes in the management reporting structure of the organization and the manner in which the chief operating decision maker regularly assesses information for decision-making purposes, including the allocation of resources. The revised reporting structure includes two segments: “Products and Components” and “Service, Transportation and Maintenance.” The Company’s segments and their product and service offerings are summarized below:

 

Products and Components

 

This segment’s products include the manufacturing of components for the wind industry, including: tower support structures; mining and other heavy equipment; and gearing systems.  The Products and Components segment combines previously reported segments of Towers and Fabrication and Gearing Systems.

 

Service, Transportation and Maintenance

 

The Service, Transportation and Maintenance segment was established upon acquisition of EMS in January 2008 and was supplemented by the Badger acquisition during the second quarter of 2008.  This segment includes construction, operations, support, maintenance, and component repairs for wind turbines and transportation services.

 

Other

 

The Company applies the provisions of EITF 04-10 for segment reporting. Under the provisions of EITF 04-10, any operating segments that do not individually meet the aggregation criteria or quantitative thresholds described in SFAS 131 may be combined with other operating segments that do not individually meet the aggregation criteria or quantitative thresholds to form a separate reportable segment. The Company has combined all operating segments that do not individually meet the aggregation criteria established in SFAS 131 to form the “Other” segment for segment reporting. The Other segment is comprised of activities of corporate and company administration activities. 

 

 

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Below is a summary of segment operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For the three and six months ended June, 2007, the Company operated as a single segment as the Company’s only subsidiary in existence as of June 30, 2007 was its Tower Tech subsidiary.

 

 

 

 

 

Service,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products &

 

Transportation &

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components

 

Maintenance

 

Other

 

Total

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

34,042

 

$

6,788

 

$

 

$

40,830

 

Cost of sales

 

27,228

 

3,511

 

 

30,739

 

Gross profit

 

6,814

 

3,277

 

 

10,091

 

Net income (loss)

 

1,914

 

(508

)

(3,379

)

(1,973

)

 

 

 

 

 

Service,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products &

 

Transportation &

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components

 

Maintenance

 

Other

 

Total

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

64,290

 

$

11,704

 

$

 

$

75,994

 

Cost of sales

 

51,748

 

6,145

 

 

57,893

 

Gross profit

 

12,542

 

5,559

 

--

 

18,101

 

Net income (loss)

 

1,776

 

(824

)

(6,368

)

(5,416

)

 

Note 19 — Earnings per share

 

The Company computes earnings per share in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS 128”).  SFAS 128 requires companies to compute earnings per share under two different methods, basic and diluted, and present per share data for all periods in which statements of operations are presented.  Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Basic earnings per share calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) to common stockholders

 

$

(1,973

)

$

479

 

$

(5,416

)

$

660

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding

 

86,821,984

 

47,724,464

 

83,255,004

 

43,584,476

 

Basic net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.01

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) to common stockholders

 

$

(1,973

)

$

479

 

$

(5,416

)

$

660

 

Weighted average of common shares outstanding

 

86,821,984

 

47,724,464

 

83,255,004

 

43,584,476

 

Stock options (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average of common shares outstanding

 

86,821,984

 

47,724,464

 

83,255,004

 

43,584,476

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.01

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.02

 


(1)           The options granted and outstanding have not vested as of June 30, 2008 and would be anti-dilutive given the Company’s net loss. The options have therefore been excluded from diluted earnings per share.

 

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Note 20 — Disclosures about fair values of financial instruments

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows for the dates indicated:

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Fair

 

 

 

Estimated Fair

 

 

 

Carrying Value

 

Value

 

Carrying Value

 

Value

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

81,869

 

$

81,869

 

$

5,782

 

$

5,782

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

533

 

533

 

1,946

 

1,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease obligations, including current maturities

 

2,460

 

2,620

 

986

 

1,028

 

Long-term debt, including current maturities

 

46,025

 

43,951

 

55,754

 

56,731

 

Interest rate swaps

 

377

 

377

 

388

 

388

 

 

Trade receivables and payables have an estimated market value equal to their carrying value. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on approximate borrowing rates currently available to Broadwind Energy for debt equal to the existing debt maturities.

 

Note 21 — Subsequent events

 

On July 18, 2008, the Company executed an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its existing Registration Rights Agreement with Tontine, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to register Tontine’s shares of Broadwind common stock for resale. The Amendment extends the deadline for the Company’s obligation to file a registration statement to September 15, 2008.

 

On August 8, 2008, EMS refinanced its Commercial Loan Agreement (the “CLA”) and a secured revolving demand note, each dated as of May 31, 2007, with DNB National Bank (“DNB”).   The refinancing increases the amount available under the CLA from $1,500 to $2,000 and extends the maturity date to May 31, 2009.  In connection with the refinancing, DNB notified EMS that as of June 30, 2008, it was in breach of the minimum Debt Coverage Ratio (as defined in the CLA) and provided a one-time waiver of this breach.  As of June 30, 2008, approximately $1,491 of principal was outstanding on the CLA.

 

On August 13, 2008, Tower Tech acquired real estate in the amount of $1,839 in connection with the expansion of wind tower manufacturing operations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances including, but not limited to, those identified in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of this Item 2.  Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to inaccurate assumptions and known or unknown risks and uncertainties.

 

(Unless otherwise stated, numerical figures are in thousands, except share and per share data.)

 

Executive Overview

 

The following discussion relates to the financial condition and results of operations for Broadwind Energy, Inc. (“Broadwind”) and its subsidiaries, (also referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”).  We became a public company in February 2006, after a reverse shell transaction with Blackfoot Enterprises, Inc. which was incorporated in Nevada in 1996.  From the time following the reverse shell transaction through February 2008, we were known as Tower Tech Holdings Inc.  On February 28, 2008 we changed our name to Broadwind Energy, Inc. and on June 20, 2008 we changed our state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware.  Our principal executive office is located at 47 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 332, Naperville, IL 60540. Our phone number is (630) 637-0315 and our website address is www.broadwindenergy.com.

 

Our business is dedicated to the production and servicing of components for energy and infrastructure-related industries. We are primarily focused on the manufacture of components for the wind industry, including: tower support structures through our Tower Tech Systems, Inc. (“Tower Tech”) subsidiary; mining and other heavy equipment through our R.B.A. Inc. (“RBA”) subsidiary; gearing systems through our Brad Foote Gear Works, Inc. (“Brad Foote”) subsidiary; construction, operations support, maintenance, and component repairs for wind turbines through our Energy Maintenance Service, LLC (“EMS”) subsidiary; and transportation services through our Badger Transport, Inc. (“Badger”) subsidiary.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Manitowoc, Wisconsin serves as the main location of the manufacturing facilities for our Tower Tech and RBA subsidiaries.  RBA also operates in a second facility located in Clintonville, Wisconsin which was established during the second quarter of 2008.  Our Brad Foote subsidiary has manufacturing and administrative facilities in Cicero, Illinois and Neville Island, Pennsylvania. Our EMS subsidiary is headquartered in Gary, South Dakota and established a service hub facility in Abilene, Texas during the second quarter of 2008.  Badger is headquartered in Clintonville, Wisconsin with equipment frequently dispatched throughout the United States.

 

During the first quarter of 2008, we completed our acquisition of EMS, and on April 8, 2008, we announced the establishment of a comprehensive wind energy maintenance and service center in Abilene, Texas. The new center has the potential to create more than 80 new jobs in the region and is intended to support EMS satellite operations across Texas and the surrounding states.  Additionally, we announced the expansion of the Tower Tech operations to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Abilene, Texas.  These facilities are expected to be in full operation by first quarter of 2009.

 

On April 24, 2008, we entered into an agreement to acquire Badger, a heavy haul specialized trucking company based in Clintonville, Wisconsin for approximately $11,811.  The purchase price consisted of both cash and Broadwind common stock.  The cash portion of the purchase price was approximately $5,811 and was financed with cash on hand. The common stock portion of the purchase price consisted of 581,959 unregistered shares, which was calculated based on a price per share of $10.31, representing the average closing sale price of our common stock for the thirty trading days preceding the execution of the acquisition agreement.  We closed our acquisition of Badger on June 4, 2008.  Badger has been in the transportation industry as a full-load and less-than-truckload carrier for more than 20 years. Badger transports oversized and overweight loads throughout the United States and Canada, including wind towers, wind turbine blades and other over-sized equipment for large industrial applications. It also has expertise with shipments that require specialized equipment.

 

Management believes the following accounting policies to be critical to our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow, and to require management’s most subjective and complex judgments in estimating the effect of inherent uncertainties.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, transfer of title has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured, and delivery has occurred per the contract terms. Customer deposits and other receipts are deferred and recognized when earned.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market by comparing the cost of each item in inventory to its most recent sales price or sales order price. Any excess of cost over the net realizable value of inventory components is included in the Company’s inventory allowance. Market value of inventory, and management’s judgment of the need for reserves, encompasses consideration of other business factors including physical condition, inventory holding period, contract terms, and usefulness. Inventories are valued based on an average cost method that approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

We account for our goodwill and other intangible assets under Statement of Financial Accounting Statements (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). Under SFAS 142, goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually. Other intangible assets subject to amortization over their respective useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually.

 

Long-lived assets

 

We account for long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets . The carrying values of long-lived assets, including, but not limited to, capital assets and intangible assets, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and are periodically evaluated for impairment when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the expected undiscounted future cash flows from such asset is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined

 

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in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. The Company performs impairment testing of long-lived assets on annual basis.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Affecting this Report

 

SFAS 159

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008. We did not elect to measure any of our financial assets or liabilities using the fair value option of SFAS 159. We will assess at each measurement date whether to use the fair value option on any future financial assets or liabilities as permitted pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 159.

 

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted in this Report

 

SFAS 157

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). This standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Additionally, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions.  This statement became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of SFAS 157.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), which delayed the effective date by which companies must adopt certain provisions of SFAS 157. FSP 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard is not anticipated to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

SFAS 141(R)

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”), which establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS 141R also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted. SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date in on or after the first reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.

 

SFAS 160

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We have evaluated the effect of the adoption of SFAS 160, but do not presently anticipate it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, as all subsidiaries are 100% owned.

 

SFAS 161

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). This statement is intended to enhance required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect

 

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an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of SFAS 161, but do not presently believe that it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Results of Operations - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

(in thousands, except share data)

 

The following table sets forth selected, condensed, unaudited consolidated financial data for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2008

 

%

 

2007 (1)

 

%

 

$

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

40,830

 

100

%

$

2,643

 

100

%

$

38,187

 

Cost of sales

 

30,739

 

75

%

1,527

 

58

%

29,212

 

Gross profit

 

10,091

 

25

%

1,116

 

42

%

8,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

8,995

 

22

%

751

 

28

%

8,244

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

2,738

 

7

%

 

0

%

2,738

 

Total operating expenses

 

11,733

 

29

%

751

 

28

%

10,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,642

)

-4

%

365

 

14

%

(2,007

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(794

)

-2

%

114

 

4

%

(908

)

Other, net

 

475

 

1

%

 

0

%

475

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(319

)

-1

%

114

 

4

%

(433

)

Net loss before provision for income taxes

 

(1,961

)

-5

%

479

 

18

%

(2,440

)

Provision for income taxes

 

12

 

0

%

 

0

%

12

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,973

)

-5

%

$

479

 

18

%

$

(2,452

)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2008

 

%

 

2007 (1)

 

%

 

$

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

75,994

 

100

%

$

4,862

 

100

%

$

71,132

 

Cost of sales

 

57,893

 

76

%

3,050

 

63

%

54,843

 

Gross profit

 

18,101

 

24

%

1,812

 

37

%

16,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

16,365

 

22

%

1,211

 

25

%

15,154

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

5,317

 

7

%

 

0

%

5,317

 

Total operating expenses

 

21,682

 

29

%

1,211

 

25

%

20,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(3,581

)

-5

%

601

 

12

%

(4,182

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(2,011

)

-3

%

59

 

1

%

(2,070

)

Other, net

 

376

 

0

%

 

0

%

376

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(1,635

)

-2

%

59

 

1

%

(1,694

)

Net loss before provision for income taxes

 

(5,216

)

-7

%

660

 

14

%

(5,876

)

Provision for income taxes

 

200

 

0

%

 

0

%

200

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(5,416

)

-7

%

$

660

 

14

%

$

(6,076

)


(1)            The data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 does not reflect the results of RBA, Brad Foote, EMS or Badger, which were acquired on October 1, 2007, October 19, 2007, January 16, 2008, and June 4, 2008, respectively.

 

Our results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 include our Tower Tech subsidiary only. We believe the table below is helpful in analyzing the consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The table below presents 2008 results of operations by segment. Please refer to the Results of Operations by Business Segment for further discussion on the financial performance of our business segments.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Service,

 

 

 

 

 

Products &

 

Transportation &

 

 

 

 

 

Components

 

Maintenance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

34,042

 

$

6,788

 

$

40,830

 

Cost of sales

 

27,228

 

3,511

 

30,739

 

Gross profit

 

$

6,814

 

$

3,277

 

$

10,091

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Service,

 

 

 

 

 

Products &

 

Transportation &

 

 

 

 

 

Components

 

Maintenance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

64,290

 

$

11,704

 

$

75,994

 

Cost of sales

 

51,748

 

6,145

 

57,893

 

Gross profit

 

$

12,542

 

$

5,559

 

$

18,101

 

 

Sales  and Cost of Sales.   For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, consolidated net sales were $40,830 and $75,994, respectively, with related cost of sales during that period of $30,739 and $57,893 respectively, for a gross profit of $10,091 and $18,101, respectively. In comparison, during the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, we generated sales of $2,643 and $4,862 respectively, with related cost of sales of $1,527 and $3,050, respectively, for a gross profit of $1,116 and $1,813, respectively. The increase in consolidated sales of $38,187 and $71,132 for the 2008 three and six-month periods, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2007, was primarily due to the acquisition of Brad Foote and RBA during the fourth quarter of 2007 and the acquisition of EMS during the first quarter of 2008.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.   Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $8,995 and $16,365 for the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2008 from $751 and $1,211 for the same respective periods in 2007. The overall increase to SG&A is largely due to inclusion of the SG&A expenses related to operating the companies acquired during the fourth quarter of 2007 and first six months of 2008, and is also attributable to increased professional fees and expenses related to the costs associated with being a public company, including SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance. We continued integrating new members of our management team and several other accounting and administrative professionals who joined Broadwind over the past several quarters. In the three and six-months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred, respectively, $403 and $784 of stock-based compensation expense in connection with stock option grants made under the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by our Board of Directors in August 2007 and approved by our stockholders at our 2008 Annual Meeting. There was no such plan or related expense during the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2007. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 22.0% and 21.5% for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to 28.4% and 24.9% for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

Amortization of Intangible Assets.   Amortization expense of $2,738 and $5,317 for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2008, respectively is due entirely to our acquisitions and the amortization of intangible assets related to the purchases of RBA, Brad Foote, EMS, and Badger.

 

Other Income (Expense), Net.   Other income and expense consists primarily of interest income and expense. Net interest expense was $794 and $2,011 for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to $6 and $103 for the same respective periods in 2007.  Other income (expense), net consists of losses from foreign currency transactions and income from insurance refunds. These other components totaled a net expense of approximately $475 and $376 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and $0 and $0 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

 

The following provides a discussion of our operating results by business segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

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Results of Operations by Business Segment - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

(in thousands, except share data)

 

At the close of the second quarter of 2008, we were managing and reporting operating results through two business segments:  Products and Components; and Service, Transportation and Maintenance. As discussed in Note 18 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, “Segment Information,” our management uses revenue and gross margin to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources among segments. Operations data for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008 is summarized by segment below:

 

Products and Components Segment

 

The table below presents the results of operations of our Products and Components segment for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2008 (1)

 

%

 

2007

 

%

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

34,042

 

100.0

%

$

2,643

 

100.0

%

$

31,399

 

1188.0

%

Cost of sales

 

27,228

 

80.0

%

1,527

 

57.8

%

25,701

 

1683.1

%

Gross profit

 

$

6,814

 

20.0

%

$

1,116

 

42.2

%

$

5,698

 

510.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2008 (1)

 

%

 

2007

 

%

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

64,290

 

100.0

%

$

4,862

 

100.0

%

$

59,428

 

1222.3

%

Cost of sales

 

51,748

 

80.5

%

3,050

 

62.7

%

48,698

 

1596.6

%

Gross profit

 

$

12,542

 

19.5

%

$

1,812

 

37.3

%

$

10,730

 

592.2

%


(1)            The data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 does not include the results of operations of RBA and Brad Foote, each of which were acquired during the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

Sales and Cost of Sales.   For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, net sales were $34,042 and $64,290, respectively, with related cost of sales during the periods of $27,228 and $51,748, respectively, for a gross profit of $6,814 and $12,542 respectively, or 20.0% and 19.5%, respectively. During the comparable periods of 2007, we generated sales of $2,643 and $4,862, respectively, with related cost of sales of $1,527 and $3,050, respectively, for a gross profit of $1,116 and $1,812 respectively or 42.2% and 37.3%, respectively.   The increases in profitability between 2007 and 2008 generally relate to increased volumes and production efficiencies at Tower Tech and the addition of Brad Foote.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Service, Transportation and Maintenance Segment

 

The table below presents the results of operations of our Service, Transportation and Maintenance segment for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008 (1)

 

%

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

6,788

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

3,511

 

51.7

%

Gross profit

 

$

3,277

 

48.3

%

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008 (1)

 

%

 

 

 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Net sales

 

$

11,704

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

6,145

 

52.5

%

Gross profit

 

$

5,559

 

47.5

%


(1)        The results presented include our Service, Transportation and Maintenance segment from the date of the EMS acquisition, January 16, 2008, through June 30, 2008, and Badger from the date of acquisition, June 4, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

 

Sales and Cost of Sales.   Net sales for the period from January 16, 2008 through June 30, 2008 were $6,788. Related costs of sales were $3,511, which resulted in a gross profit of $3,277 or 48.3%.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources
(in thousands, except share data)

 

Our primary operational liquidity and capital requirements have been for expenses associated with the purchase and maintenance of property and equipment that will improve our manufacturing efficiency, costs related to our acquisitions and related integration, as well as expenses and investments related to our general business needs. Our main sources of liquidity and capital have been cash from operations and cash from financing activities.

 

In addition, during the 2007 fiscal year and the first two fiscal quarters of 2008, we made significant investments in growing our business through the acquisitions of Brad Foote, RBA, EMS and Badger. The acquisitions required significant amounts of capital, which were provided by our existing cash balance, private placements of our common stock, and borrowings from various third parties.

 

At June 30, 2008, we had cash of $81,869 and working capital of $72,510 compared to cash of $5,782 and a working capital deficit of $27,697 at December 31, 2007. The increase in cash was due primarily to the equity financing completed during the second fiscal quarter of 2008, described below under the heading “Financing Cash Flows.”

 

Operating Cash Flows

 

Net cash used by operations was $6,434 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $1,504 used during the six months ended June 30, 2007.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, our net loss was $5,416 compared to net income of $660 for the comparable period in 2007. The increase in working capital needs driven by raw material purchases at our Tower Tech subsidiary contributed to the negative cash flow from operations for the period.  The accounts receivable allowance was reduced from $2,983 at March 31, 2008 to $1,275 at June 30, 2008 due to aged invoices written-off during the quarter and a resulting re-evaluation of the allowance requirements.

 

Investing Cash Flows

 

Cash used in investing activities totaled $45,920 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to $2,312 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Purchases of property and equipment related to the expansion of our Brad Foote and Tower Tech subsidiaries as well as our acquisition activity during the period were the primary factors for the cash used in investing activities.  The Company paid $5,811 for the acquisition of Badger and $18,429 for the acquisition of EMS, excluding related acquisition costs, during the six month period ended June 30, 2008.

 

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Financing Cash Flows

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash provided by financing activities was $128,441, which consisted primarily of the $100,000 private placement, funded in April and June 2008, to Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”), Tontine Partners, L.P. (“TP”), Tontine Overseas Fund Ltd., (“TOF”) and Tontine 25 Overseas Master Fund L.P. (“T25” and collectively with Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P. (“TMF”), TCP, TP, TOF and their affiliates, “Tontine”).  In addition, our short- and long-term borrowings increased by $4,627 and $8,823, respectively, which was offset by related payments on long- and short-term borrowings and capital leases in the amount of $1,365 and $1,488, respectively.  In addition, on January 16, 2008, to finance the cash portion of the EMS acquisition, the Company sold an aggregate of 2,031,250 shares of unregistered common stock in a private placement to TP and T25 at $8.48 per share for a total purchase price of $17,225, pursuant to a previously disclosed Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement with TCP, TP and T25.

 

Second Quarter Activity

 

On April 22, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain Tontine parties, which provided for the purchase of an aggregate of 12,562,814 shares of Company common stock by Tontine at a price of $7.96 per share for a total purchase price of approximately $100,000. We received the first tranche of proceeds in the amount of $40,000 on April 24, 2008. The second tranche of proceeds in the amount of $60,000 was received on June 5, 2008. Thomas Weisel Partners issued a fairness opinion in connection with the Tontine parties’ investment.

 

On April 22, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, which provided for the purchase of 62,814 shares of Company common stock at a price of $7.96 per share for a total purchase price of approximately $500.  The funding for this investment was provided on April 24, 2008.

 

The Company expects to use the proceeds from the private placements for general working capital requirements, capital expansion projects and to undertake certain acquisitions.

 

Previous Activity

 

In March and October 2007, we made private placements of our common stock in amounts equal to $15,400 and $50,000, respectively, to certain Tontine parties. In connection with our acquisition of Brad Foote in October 2007 and the above referenced $50,000 private placement to certain Tontine parties, TP, TMF and TOF provided us with senior subordinated convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000 (the “Notes”). Pursuant to their terms, the Notes were to accrue interest at 9.5% per annum until July 19, 2008 and 13.5% thereafter and were to mature on October 19, 2010.  Under the terms of the Notes, Broadwind was required to pay 10% of the original principal amount on the first anniversary of issuance, 40% of the original principal amount on the second anniversary of issuance and the remaining outstanding balance on the third anniversary of issuance. Pursuant to the respective notes, each Note holder had the right to convert the outstanding principal of its Note into newly issued shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of $7.50 per share (the “Conversion Rights”). The Conversion Rights became effective January 19, 2008, and were fully exercised on April 24, 2008 by TP, TOF, and TMF, who received an aggregate of 3,333,332 shares of Broadwind common stock, which represented $25,000 in outstanding principal as of the conversion date. At that time Broadwind also paid $1,223 worth of related accrued interest on the Notes with cash.

 

In connection with our acquisition of Brad Foote, we assumed approximately $25,500 of outstanding senior debt, which is comprised of the following loans that Brad Foote had obtained from Bank of America, formerly known as LaSalle Bank National Association (“BOA”) pursuant to a Loan and Security Agreement dated as of January 17, 1997, as amended (the “Loan Agreement”): (i) a $7,000 revolving line of credit loan (the “Revolving Loan”); (ii) a consolidated term loan in the original principal sum of approximately $7,800 (the “Term Loan”); (iii) an $11,000 non-revolving equipment line of credit (the “Equipment Loan”); and (iv) a $9,000 non-revolving equipment line of credit with a term conversion feature (the “Equipment Loan No. 2”).

 

The Revolving Loan, which was scheduled to mature on June 30, 2008, had approximately $5,700 outstanding at closing of the Brad Foote acquisition, with $8,500 outstanding at June 30, 2008.  The revolving loan was extended on June 30, 2008 to a maturity date of August 31, 2008.  Interest is payable monthly and accrues on Revolving Loan advances at a variable rate of Prime minus 1% (the “base rate”). The Term Loan, which matures on January 31, 2011, had approximately

 

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$5,300 outstanding at closing of the Brad Foote acquisition, with $4,081 outstanding at June 30, 2008, and requires monthly principal and interest payments. The monthly amount of principal due is $132 and interest accrues on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan at the Base Rate. The Equipment Loan had approximately $10,100 outstanding at closing of the Brad Foote acquisition with $8,433 outstanding at June 30, 2008. The equipment loan included an option to convert the obligation to a term note on April 29, 2007. This conversion was effected, making the outstanding principal balance payable in monthly principal installments of $183 commencing on May 31, 2007, maturing on April 30, 2012. Interest accrues on the outstanding balance of the converted term loan at the base rate.  The Equipment Loan No. 2, which matures on June 30, 2013, had approximately $4,500 outstanding at closing of the Brad Foote acquisition with $8,877 outstanding at June 30, 2008.  The Equipment Loan No. 2 includes an option to convert the obligation to a term note. Interest is payable monthly at the base rate until June 30, 2008, at which point Brad Foote began making monthly principal payments of $150 plus interest, which accrues at the Base Rate on the outstanding balance of the Equipment Loan No. 2.

 

The Loan Agreement states that the Revolving Loan, Term Loan, Equipment Loan and Equipment Loan No. 2 are secured by all of the assets of Brad Foote and that Brad Foote must maintain insurance on the collateral. The Loan Agreement requires Brad Foote to comply with standard covenants, including financial covenants relating to ratios of cash flow coverage and senior debt to EBITDA, and to submit our annual audited financial statements to BOA at the close of each fiscal year. In addition, Brad Foote must maintain a $1,000 key man life insurance policy upon the life of J. Cameron Drecoll, who served as Brad Foote’s president prior to the acquisition and became our chief executive officer when the acquisition was completed. Each of the Revolving Loan, Term Loan, Equipment Loan and Equipment Loan No. 2 become immediately due and payable upon breach of any covenants or representations made by Brad Foote in the Loan Agreement and upon other customary events of default.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company was in violation of certain financial convenants with BOA.  We secured an amendement to the Loan Agreement, including waivers related to these loans through March 31, 2008. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Loan Agreement on June 30, 2008 and does not anticipate an inability to comply with these covenants in the future. In addition, the covenants contained in the Loan Agreement include restrictions on Brad Foote’s ability to make distributions or dividends and incur indebtedness, which could ultimately affect our ability to undertake additional debt or equity financing. If these covenants prevent us from securing additional financing when necessary, we plan to evaluate alternate sources of funding.

 

On October 4, 2007, our Tower Tech subsidiary obtained a secured line of credit from Investors Community Bank in the amount of $2,500, which was increased to $5,500 on March 21, 2008. All advances to Tower Tech under the line of credit are guaranteed in full by Broadwind and RBA.

 

On January 16, 2008, we assumed approximately $2,500 of outstanding short- and long-term debt in connection with our acquisition of EMS. The debt is comprised of various loans, which mature on dates ranging from 2008 to 2013.

 

During the remainder of 2008, we plan to finance operations, including equipment purchases and other capital expenditures with working capital and external financing. We believe that we will need to raise additional funding in the near term to finance operations and meet revenue, profitability and strategic goals for the foreseeable future. In addition, we continue to evaluate and assess potential strategic acquisition targets. Cash requirements from any future acquisitions may be substantial; however, we cannot estimate the cash or other consideration that may be required to finance such transactions. We expect to be able to procure financing upon reasonable terms in order to finance operations and acquisition activity. However, if we are unable to do so, or if we do not meet our anticipated future revenue levels, management is committed to taking actions necessary to ensure the conservation of adequate cash to continue to finance our operations.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company hedges certain of its variable interest debt with fixed rate interest rate swaps. These swaps resulted in a benefit of $241and $11 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, which is reported within interest expense.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of June 30, 2008, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The preceding discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part 1 of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.  Portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the discussion and analysis in this Item 2, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Any statements contained herein

 

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that are not historical fact, may be deemed forward-looking statements.  In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “potential,” “continue,” “intend” or similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statements made herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Our forward-looking statements include or relate to the following: (i) our plans to continue to grow our business through acquisitions and integration of previous and future acquisitions; (ii) our beliefs with respect to the sufficiency of our working capital and our plans to evaluate alternate sources of funding if necessary; (iii) our ability to comply with loan covenants; (iv) our expectations relating to construction of new facilities and expansion of existing facilities; (v) our plans with respect to the use of proceeds from financing activities; and (vi) the anticipated benefits of our remediation efforts on the strength of our internal control processes and our plans with respect to future remediation efforts.  Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially due to the uncertainties and risks, known and unknown, associated with such statements. We caution investors that many important factors have affected, and in the future could affect our actual results of operations and cause such results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements made in this release and elsewhere by us or on our behalf. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully identify strategic acquisition targets and consummate acquisitions on terms favorable to us; the successful integration of acquired businesses; our need for and ability to obtain additional capital; the continued availability of capital and financing on terms favorable to us; our ability to hire and retain management and other employees; delays in completing facility expansions; our ability to successfully remediate internal control deficiencies; other general business and economic conditions; and those risks described from time to time in our reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (including in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB). It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. As such, investors should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all of the risks, uncertainties or potentially inaccurate assumptions that investors should take into account when making investment decisions. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not intend to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

Item 4T.     Controls and Procedures

 

Material Weaknesses Previously Disclosed

 

As discussed in Item 8A of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as of December 31, 2007, we identified certain material weaknesses relating to our accounting policies and procedures, IT environment, general ledger system, financial close and reporting, internal financial expertise, application access, segregation of duties, user developed applications and process level controls. In addition, although we were not required to, and did not, perform a complete assessment of the internal controls of Brad Foote as of December 31, 2007, we identified certain material weaknesses at Brad Foote relating to inventory, cost accounting, accounts receivable, billing and sales, capital expenditures, internal financial expertise and accounting policies and procedures. As also disclosed in our 2007 Annual Report, we are designing and implementing actions to remediate the identified material weaknesses.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covering in this report. In light of the material weaknesses previously disclosed, which have not been completely remediated as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and did not ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As a result of this conclusion, the financial statements for the period covered by this report were prepared with particular attention to the material weaknesses previously disclosed.

 

We anticipate the actions to be taken to remediate the material weaknesses and the resulting improvement in controls will generally strengthen our disclosure controls and procedures, as well as our internal control over financial reporting, and will, over time, address the material weaknesses that we identified in our internal control over financial

 

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reporting as of December 31, 2007. However, because many of the remediation actions we have undertaken are recent and because some of our remediation actions will be designed to improve our internal control over annual measures, management will not be able to conclude that the material weaknesses have been eliminated until such time as it is able to complete its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.  While management is exercising its best efforts to remediate material weaknesses and significant deficiencies identified and described above, it cannot provide any assurance as to when such material weaknesses and significant deficiencies will be remediated.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

We are undertaking efforts to remediate the material weaknesses identified in our 2007 Annual Report.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we continued to use outside experts to supplement the expertise in our internal staff and hired additional experienced and qualified financial professionals. In addition, we have relied on compensating measures including: enhanced communication and involvement of outside legal counsel in reporting and disclosure matters, and the continued involvement of our Audit Committee, the chair of which is a financial expert with extensive accounting and auditing experience.  Further to these efforts, during the second quarter we hired an internal General Counsel and a Director of Compliance to assist in leading efforts surrounding public reporting and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Beginning in 2007, we engaged outside consultants to aid in the development of detailed process-level policies and procedures.  We have continued the use of outside consultants to assist in the improvement of our policies and procedures, testing and remediation where necessary to meet the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

During the second quarter of 2008, we implemented a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system at Tower Tech and RBA, as well as at our corporate headquarters.

 

As part of the new system implementation, access controls will be limited and will also be supplemented by other compensating controls where necessary. Where possible, we have established compensating controls to mitigate the risk presented by inadequate segregation of duties. In addition, we have begun to realign certain personnel and security access rights to help remediate the control deficiency.

 

In 2008, we began the process of identifying all of our user developed applications and intend to remediate the control deficiencies through controls in the user developed applications themselves or to implement compensating controls.  These efforts, along with the implementation of the new ERP system, which eliminate the user developed applications in critical processes, will continue throughout 2008.  We believe that with the passage of sufficient financial close and reporting cycles to evidence operation on these compensating controls, the control deficiencies will be remediated.

 

We have engaged outside consultants to help in the documentation of our policies and procedures.  This, along with the addition of sufficient qualified accounting personnel at the corporate and operating levels to spearhead this effort, will help to mitigate the control deficiency related to documentation.

 

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

 

Occasionally, we are a defendant in litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business, including claims arising from personal injuries, contract claims, customer disputes and employment-related claims. To date, none of these types of litigation, most of which are typically covered by insurance, has had a material effect on us. We have insured and continue to insure against most of these types of claims. A judgment significantly in excess of our insurance coverage or involving punitive damages, which may not be covered by insurance, could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 

All unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 have been previously disclosed on Form 8-K.

 

Item 3.        Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 

None.

 

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Item 4.        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 20, 2008, we submitted to a vote of our stockholders the following matters, which received the indicated votes.

 

1.             Election of Directors:

 

 

 

FOR

 

WITHHELD

 

J. Cameron Drecoll

 

66,822,144

 

16,870

 

James M. Lindstrom

 

66,821,750

 

17,264

 

Charles H. Beynon

 

66,822,144

 

16,870

 

Terence P. Fox

 

66,780,197

 

58,817

 

William M. Barrett

 

66,822,144

 

16,870

 

David P. Reiland

 

66,821,750

 

17,264

 

 

2.             To approve the reincorporation of the Company to the State of Delaware:

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER NON-VOTE

 

66,821,271

 

6,524

 

219

 

0

 

 

3.             To approve an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation  to increase the authorized common shares from   100,000,000 to 150,000,000:

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER NON-VOTE

 

66,799,723

 

39,283

 

8

 

0

 

 

4.             To approve the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan:

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER NON-VOTE

 

66,569,919

 

261,272

 

7,823

 

0

 

 

5.             To ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for      2008:

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER NON-VOTE

 

66,812,977

 

22,730

 

3,307

 

0

 

 

Item 5.        Other Information
 

None.

 

Item 6.        Exhibits
 

See the Exhibit Index following the signature page to this report.

 

33



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES
 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

August 14, 2008

By:

/s/ J. Cameron Drecoll

 

 

J. Cameron Drecoll

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

August 14, 2008

By:

/s/ Matthew J. Gadow

 

 

Matthew J. Gadow

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

34



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit

2.1

 

Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 24, 2008 among Broadwind Energy, Inc., Badger Transport, Inc. and the shareholders of Badger Transport, Inc.—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 30, 2008.

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation*

3.2

 

Bylaws*

4.1

 

Form of Specimen Stock Certificate*

10.1

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Lars Moller, dated effective as of October 22, 2007 — incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2008.

10.2

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Matt Gadow, dated effective as of October 22, 2007 — incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2008.

10.3

 

Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended*

10.4

 

Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 22, 2008 between Broadwind Energy, Inc., Tontine Capital Partners, L.P., Tontine Partners, L.P., Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd., and Tontine 25 Overseas Master Fun, L.P. — incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 28, 2008.

10.5

 

Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 22, 2008 between Broadwind Energy, Inc. and Charles H. Beynon—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 28, 2008.

10.6

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated April 24, 2008 between Broadwind Energy, Inc. and Charles H. Beynon—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 28, 2008.

10.7

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated June 4, 2008 between Broadwind Energy, Inc. and the shareholders of Badger Transport, Inc.—incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 10, 2008.

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer*

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer*

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer*

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer*


*                          Filed herewith.

 

35


 

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.
a Delaware corporation

 

I, the undersigned, being of full age and named the original incorporator herein, for the purpose of forming a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), as amended, to do business both within and without the State of Delaware, do make and file this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true:

 

ARTICLE I
NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Broadwind Energy, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II
RESIDENT AGENT & REGISTERED OFFICE

 

Section 2.01.  Resident Agent .  The name and address of the Resident Agent for service of process is National Registered Agents, Inc., 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, in the City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19904.

 

Section 2.02.  Registered Office .  The address of its Registered Office is 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, in the City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19904.

 

Section 2.03.  Other Offices .  The corporation may also maintain offices for the transaction of any business at such other places within or without the State of Delaware as it may from time to time determine.  Corporate business of every kind and nature may be conducted, and meetings of directors and stockholders held outside the State of Delaware with the same effect as if in the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE III
PURPOSE

 

The corporation is organized for the purpose of engaging in any lawful activity, within or without the State of Delaware.  The corporation is being incorporated in connection with the conversion of a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”), and this Certificate of Incorporation is being filed simultaneously with the Certificate of Conversion to Corporation from a Non-Delaware Corporation to a Delaware Corporation (the “Certificate of Conversion”) pursuant to Section 265 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV
SHARES OF STOCK

 

Section 4.01 Number and Class .  The total number of shares of authorized capital stock of the corporation shall consist of one hundred and sixty million (160,000,000), of which one hundred and fifty million (150,000,000) shall be shares of common stock with a par value of

 



 

$0.001 per share and ten million (10,000,000) shares of undesignated stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Conversion and this Certificate of Incorporation (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be deemed to be one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the corporation, without any action required on the part of the corporation or the former holders of such limited liability company interests.  To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended or supplemented, the Board of Directors has the express authority, without first obtaining approval of the stockholders of the corporation or any class thereof, to establish from the undesignated shares, by resolution adopted and filed in the manner provided by law, one or more series of preferred stock with each such series to consist of such number of shares and to have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

Section 4.02.  No Preemptive Rights .  Holders of the Common Stock of the corporation shall not have any preference, preemptive right, or right of subscription to acquire any shares of the corporation authorized, issued or sold, or to be authorized, issued or sold, and convertible into shares of the corporation, nor to any Right of subscription thereto, other than to the extent, if any, the Board of Directors may determine from time to time.

 

Section 4.03.  Non-Assessability of Shares .  The Common Stock of the corporation, after the amount of the subscription price has been paid, in money, property or services, as the directors shall determine, shall not be subject to assessment to pay the debts of the corporation, nor for any other purpose, and no stock issued as fully paid shall ever be assessable or assessed, and the Certificate of Incorporation shall not be amended in this particular.

 

Section 4.04.  No Cumulative Voting .  No cumulative voting, on any matter to which Stockholders shall be entitled to vote, shall be allowed for any purpose.

 

ARTICLE V
DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.01.  Governing Board .  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by and under the direction of a Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.02.  Change in Number of Directors .  The authorized number of directors may be increased or decreased as set forth in the Bylaws of the corporation.

 

Section 5.03. Election of Directors . Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the corporation need not be by written ballot.

 

 

2



 

 

ARTICLE VI
INCORPORATOR

 

The name and address of the incorporator is:

 

Daniel A. Yarano

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

 

200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000

 

Minneapolis, MN 55402-1425

 

ARTICLE VII
PERIOD OF DURATION

 

The corporation is to have a perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE VIII
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY

 

A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to this corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.  Any repeal or modification of this Article by the stockholders of the corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the corporation for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE IX
INDEMNITY

 

Every person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, or a person of whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under the laws of the State of Delaware from time to time against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him in connection therewith.  Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right which may be enforced in any manner desired by such person.  The expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.  Such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right which such directors, officers or representatives may have or hereafter acquire, and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well as their rights under this Article.

 

 

3



 

Without limiting the application of the foregoing, the stockholders or Board of Directors may adopt bylaws from time to time with respect to indemnification, to provide at all times the fullest indemnification permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, and may cause the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprises against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person.

 

The indemnification provided in this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.  Any repeal or modification of this Article by the stockholders of the corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the indemnification of such person for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE X
BYLAWS

 

                In furtherance of and not in limitation of the power conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI
SECTION 203 OPT OUT

 

                The corporation hereby elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL as from time to time in effect or any successor provision thereto.

 

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS

 

The Board of Directors may adopt a resolution proposing to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or to adopt any provision in this Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

4



 

THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, does make this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is his act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly has hereunto set his hand this 20th day of June, 2008.

 

 

/s/ Daniel A. Yarano

 

Daniel A. Yarano

 

Incorporator

 

 

 

5


 

Exhibit 3.2

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 



 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

BYLAWS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I Offices

 

1

1.1

Registered Office

 

1

1.2

Principal Office

 

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II Stockholders

 

1

2.1

Annual Meeting

 

1

2.2

Special Meetings

 

1

2.3

Place of Meeting

 

1

2.4

Notice of Meeting

 

1

2.5

Adjournment

 

1

2.6

Organization

 

2

2.7

Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date

 

2

2.8

Quorum

 

2

2.9

Proxies

 

2

2.10

Voting of Shares

 

2

2.11

Action Taken Without a Meeting

 

3

2.12

Meetings by Remote Communication

 

3

2.13

Voting by Class or Series

 

3

2.14

Order of Business

 

3

 

 

 

ARTICLE III Directors

 

4

3.1

Board of Directors; Number; Qualifications; Election

 

4

3.2

Powers of the Board of Directors: Generally

 

4

3.3

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

4

3.4

Resignation

 

4

3.5

Removal

 

5

3.6

Vacancies

 

5

3.7

Board Meeting; Place and Notice

 

5

3.8

Quorum

 

5

3.9

Manner of Acting

 

5

3.10

Compensation

 

5

3.11

Action Taken Without a Meeting

 

5

3.12

Meetings by Remote Communication

 

6

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV Officers and Agents

 

6

4.1

Officers of the Corporation

 

6

4.2

Election and Term of Office

 

6

4.3

Removal

 

6

4.4

Vacancies

 

6

4.5

Chief Executive Officer

 

6

 

i



 

4.6

Vice Presidents

 

7

4.7

Secretary

 

7

4.8

Treasurer

 

7

4.9

Salaries

 

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE V Stock

 

8

5.1

Certificated or Uncertificated Stock

 

8

5.2

Record

 

9

5.3

Consideration for Shares

 

9

5.4

Cancellation of Certificates

 

9

5.5

Lost Certificates

 

9

5.6

Transfer of Shares

 

9

5.7

Transfer Agents, Registrars, and Paying Agents

 

10

5.8

Treasury Stock

 

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI Execution of Instruments; Loans, Checks and Endorsements; Deposits; Proxies

 

10

6.1

Execution of Instruments

 

10

6.2

Loans

 

10

6.3

Checks and Endorsements

 

10

6.4

Deposits

 

10

6.5

Proxies

 

11

6.6

Contracts

 

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII Miscellaneous

 

11

7.1

Dividends

 

11

7.2

Surplus and Reserves

 

11

7.3

Waivers of Notice

 

11

7.4

Corporate Seal

 

12

7.5

Fiscal Year

 

12

7.6

Amendment of Bylaws

 

12

7.7

Uniformity of Interpretation and Severability

 

12

7.8

Emergency Bylaws

 

12

7.9

Electronic Transmission

 

12

 

ii



 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 

ARTICLE I
Offices

 

1.1                               Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation shall be located at 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, in the City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19904.

 

1.2                               Principal Office . The Corporation may have such other office or offices either within or outside of the State of Delaware as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time if so designated by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE II
Stockholders

 

2.1                               Annual Meeting . Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the first annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within 18 months after the date on which the Corporation first has stockholders, and each successive annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within 18 months after the preceding annual meeting.

 

2.2                               Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, for any purpose, may be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board, president, or any two members of the Board of Directors. At a special meeting no business shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

2.3                               Place of Meeting . The annual meeting and all special meetings of stockholders may be held at such time and place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. If no designation is made, or if a meeting shall be called otherwise than by the Board, the place of meeting shall be the Company’s principal offices.

 

2.4                               Notice of Meeting . Written notice of the place, date and hour of any annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be given personally or by mail to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

2.5                               Adjournment . When a meeting is for any reason adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which

 

1



 

might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

2.6                               Organization . The Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board or president shall call meetings of stockholders to order and act as chairman of such meetings. In the absence of said officers, any stockholder entitled to vote at that meeting, or any proxy of any such stockholder, may call the meeting to order and a chairman shall be elected by a majority of the stockholders entitled to vote at that meeting. In the absence of the Secretary or any assistant secretary of the Corporation, any person appointed by the Chairman of the Board shall act as secretary of such meeting. An appropriate number of inspectors for any meeting of stockholders may be appointed by the chairman of such meeting. Inspectors so appointed will open and close the polls, will receive and take charge of proxies and ballots, and will decide all questions as to the qualifications of voters, validity of proxies and ballots, and the number of votes properly cast.

 

2.7                               Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date . The directors may prescribe a period not exceeding 60 days before any meeting of the stockholders during which no transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation may be made. In order to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of a dividend or other distribution, the directors may fix a day not more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date of such meeting or a day not more than sixty (60) days preceding a distribution. If a record date is not fixed, the record date for meetings is at the close of business on the day before the day on which the first notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the meeting is held. For distributions, in the absence of action by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive a distribution shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors authorizes such distribution.

 

2.8                               Quorum . Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the voting power that is present, in person or by proxy, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. If less than a majority of the voting power is represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting without further notice for a period not to exceed 60 days at any one adjournment. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of stockholders so that less than a quorum remains.

 

2.9                               Proxies . At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy, as prescribed by law. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after 6 months from the date of its creation, unless it is coupled with an interest, or unless the stockholder specifies in it the length of time for which it is to continue in force, which may not exceed 7 years from the date of its creation.

 

2.10                        Voting of Shares . At each meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder of record shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock having voting power standing in his name on the books of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or Section 3.1 of these

 

2



 

Bylaws, all matters shall be determined by vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote on such questions.

 

2.11                        Action Taken Without a Meeting . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto is signed by stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power, except that if a different proportion of voting power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents is required. The written consent must be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.

 

2.12                        Meetings by Remote Communication . The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that stockholder meetings shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication; provided, that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders  and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters  submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

2.13                        Voting by Class or Series . Unless otherwise provided in the Delaware General Corporation Act, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, if voting by a class or series of stockholders is permitted or required, a majority of the voting power of the class or series that is present in person or by proxy, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. An act by the stockholders of each class or series is approved if a majority of the voting power of a quorum of the class or series votes for the action.

 

2.14                        Order of Business . The suggested order of business at the annual meeting and, to the extent appropriate, at all other meetings of the stockholders shall, unless modified by the presiding chairman, be:

 

(a)                Call of roll

(b)               Proof of due notice of meeting or waiver of notice

 

3



 

(c)                Determination of existence of quorum

(d)               Reading and disposal of any unapproved minutes

(e)                Annual reports of officers and committees

(f)                  Election of directors

(g)               Unfinished business

(h)               New business

(i)                   Adjournment.

 

ARTICLE III
Directors

 

3.1                               Board of Directors; Number; Qualifications; Election . The Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors, all of whom must be natural persons at least 18 years of age. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware or stockholders of the Corporation. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than one nor more than nine. Subject to such limitations, the number of directors may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the provisions of Article V of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor has been elected and qualified. Directors of the Corporation shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present or represented by proxy at such election and entitled to vote thereon.

 

3.2                               Powers of the Board of Directors:  Generally . Subject only to such limitations as may be provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have full control over the affairs of the Corporation.

 

3.3                               Committees of the Board of Directors . The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each to consist of one or more of the directors, each of which, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise the authority of the Board in the management of the business of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers on which the Corporation desires to place on a seal. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws provide otherwise, the Board of Directors may appoint natural persons who are not directors to serve on committees. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

3.4                               Resignation . Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board, president or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a

 

4



 

majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

3.5                               Removal . Directors may be removed with or without cause, except as otherwise required by law, by the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Except as required by law or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, all vacancies on the Board of Directors and newly-created directorships shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his or her predecessor.

 

3.6                               Vacancies . All vacancies, including those caused by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, unless it is otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. A director elected to fill a vacancy caused by an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been elected and has qualified.

 

3.7                               Board Meeting; Place and Notice . Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held from time to time at any place within or without the State of Delaware that the Board of Directors may designate. In the absence of designation by the Board of Directors, Board meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. Any director may call a Board meeting by giving notice to all directors of the date and time of the meeting, which notice shall be given in sufficient time for the convenient assembly of the directors thereat. The notice need not state the purpose of the meeting, and may be given by mail, telephone, email or other electronic transmission or in person. If a meeting schedule is adopted by the Board, or if the date and time of a Board meeting has been announced at a previous meeting, no notice is required.

 

3.8                               Quorum . A majority of the number of directors elected and qualified at the time of the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any such meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

 

3.9                               Manner of Acting . If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at the meeting and entitled to vote on that particular matter shall be the act of the Board, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

3.10                        Compensation . By resolution of the Board of Directors, any director may be paid any one or more of the following:  his expenses, if any, of attendance at meetings; a fixed sum for attendance at such meeting; a stated salary as director; or any other form and amount of compensation approved by the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

3.11                        Action Taken Without a Meeting . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the

 

5



 

action, a written consent thereto is signed by all the members of the Board or of the committee. The written consent must be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

3.12                        Meetings by Remote Communication . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by means of a telephone conference or other method of electronic communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV
Officers and Agents

 

4.1                               Officers of the Corporation . The Corporation shall have a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint a president or one or more vice presidents and such other officers, assistant officers, committees, and agents, including a Chairman of the Board, assistant secretaries, and assistant treasurers, as they may consider necessary, who shall be chosen in such manner and hold their offices for such terms and have such authority and duties as from time to time may be determined by the Board of Directors. One person may hold any two or more offices. The officers of the Corporation shall be natural persons 18 years of age or older. In all cases where the duties of any officer, agent, or employee are not prescribed by the Bylaws or by the Board of Directors, such officer, agent, or employee shall follow the orders and instructions of (a) the Chief Executive Officer, and if a Chairman of the Board has been elected, then (b) the Chairman of the Board.

 

4.2                               Election and Term of Office . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors annually at the first meeting of the Board held after each annual meeting of the stockholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. Each officer shall hold office until the first of the following occurs:  until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified; or until his death; or until he shall resign; or until he shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

 

4.3                               Removal . Any officer or agent may be removed by the Board of Directors, at the discretion of the Board. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.

 

4.4                               Vacancies . A vacancy in any office, however occurring, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

 

4.5                               Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors, be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall have general and active control of its affairs and business and general supervision of its officers, agents, and employees. The Chief Executive Officer shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, attend in person or by substitute appointed by him/her, or shall execute, on behalf of the Corporation, written instruments appointing a proxy or

 

6



 

proxies to represent the Corporation, at all meetings of the stockholders of any other corporation in which the Corporation shall hold any stock. The Chief Executive Officer may, on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by substitute or by proxy, execute written waivers of notice and consents with respect to any such meetings. At all such meetings and otherwise, the Chief Executive Officer, in person or by substitute or proxy as aforesaid, may vote the stock so held by the Corporation and may execute written consents and other instruments with respect to such stock and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of said stock, subject however to the instructions, if any, of the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall have custody of the treasurer’s bond, if any. If a Chairman of the Board has been elected, the Chairman of the Board shall have, subject to the direction and modification of the Board of Directors, all the same responsibilities, rights, and obligations as described in these Bylaws for the Chief Executive Officer.

 

4.6                               Vice Presidents . The vice presidents, if any, shall assist the Chief Executive Officer and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the vice president designated by the Board of Directors or (if there be no such designation) the vice president designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer. If no such designation shall be made, all vice presidents may exercise such powers and perform such duties.

 

4.7                               Secretary . The Secretary shall perform the following:  (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, executive committee, and the Board of Directors; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation and affix the seal to all documents when authorized by the Board of Directors; (d) keep, at the Corporation’s registered office or principal place of business within or outside Delaware, a record containing the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of shares held by each, unless such a record shall be kept at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar; (e) if designated by the Board, sign with the Chief Executive Officer or a vice president, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation, unless the Corporation has a transfer agent; and (g) in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or by the Board of Directors. Assistant secretaries, if any, shall have the same duties and powers, subject to supervision by the Secretary.

 

4.8                               Treasurer . The Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the Corporation and shall have the care and custody of all funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness, and other personal property of the Corporation, and shall deposit the same in accordance with the instructions of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts and acquittances for monies paid in or on account of the Corporation, and shall pay out of the funds on hand all bills, payrolls, and other just debts of the Corporation of whatever nature upon maturity. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and, upon request of the Board, shall make such reports to it as may be required at any time. The Treasurer shall, if required by the Board, give the Corporation a bond in such sums and with such sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his/her duties and

 

7



 

for the restoration to the Corporation of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his/her possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation. If designated by the Board, the Treasurer also has power to sign with the Chief Executive Officer or a vice president, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. The assistant treasurers, if any, shall have the same powers and duties, subject to the supervision of the Treasurer.

 

The Treasurer shall also be the principal accounting officer of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall prescribe and maintain the methods and systems of accounting to be followed, keep complete books and records of account, prepare and file all local, state, and federal tax returns, prescribe and maintain an adequate system of internal audit, and prepare and furnish to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors statements of account showing the financial position of the Corporation and the results of its operations.

 

The Treasurer also has power to execute, on behalf of the Corporation, written instruments appointing a proxy or proxies to represent the Corporation, at all meetings of the stockholders of any other corporation in which the Corporation shall hold any stock. The Treasurer may, on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by substitute or by proxy, execute written waivers of notice and consents with respect to any such meetings. At all such meetings and otherwise, the Treasurer, in person or by substitute or proxy as aforesaid, may vote the stock so held by the Corporation and may execute written consents and other instruments with respect to such stock and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of said stock, subject however to the instructions, if any, of the Board of Directors.

 

4.9                               Salaries . Officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, emoluments, compensation, or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V
Stock

 

5.1                               Certificated or Uncertificated Stock . Shares of the Corporation may be certificated, uncertificated, or a combination thereof. Certificates representing shares shall be consecutively numbered and signed in the name of the Corporation by its Chief Executive Officer or a vice president and by the Treasurer or an assistant treasurer or by the Secretary or an assistant secretary.

 

Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman or a vice-chairman of the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer, president or vice-president, and by the Treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the Secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or

 

8



 

registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or  registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Each certificate representing shares shall state the following upon the face thereof:  the name of the state of the Corporation’s organization; the name of the person to whom issued; the number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, which such certificate represents; the par value of each share represented by such certificate or a statement that the shares are without par value. Certificates of stock shall be in such form consistent with law as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

 

5.2                               Record . As used in these Bylaws, the term “stockholder” shall mean the person or other entity in whose name outstanding shares of the Corporation are currently registered on the stock record books of the Corporation. The Corporation shall keep a share register containing the names of the stockholders and the number of shares held by each stockholder. The Corporation shall also keep a record of the dates on which certificates representing shares or transaction statements representing shares were issued and, in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation. The person or other entity in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof, and thus a holder of record of such shares of stock, for all purposes as regards the Corporation.

 

5.3                               Consideration for Shares . Shares shall be issued for such consideration, expressed in dollars (but not less than the par value thereof) as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. That part of the surplus of the Corporation which is transferred to stated capital upon the issuance of shares as a share dividend shall be deemed the consideration for the issuance of such dividend shares. Such consideration may consist, in whole or in part, of money, promissory notes, other property, tangible or intangible, or in labor or services actually performed for the Corporation, contracts for services to be performed or other securities of the Corporation.

 

5.4                               Cancellation of Certificates . All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except as herein provided with respect to lost, stolen, or destroyed certificates.

 

5.5                               Lost Certificates . In case of the alleged loss, destruction, or mutilation of a certificate of stock, the Board of Directors may direct the issuance of a new certificate or uncertificated shares in lieu thereof upon such terms and conditions in conformity with law as it may prescribe. The Board of Directors may in its discretion require a bond, in such form and amount and with such surety as it may determine, before issuing a new certificate.

 

5.6                               Transfer of Shares . Transfer of shares on the books of the Corporation may be authorized only by the registered holder of such shares (or the stockholder’s legal representative or duly authorized attorney in fact). In the case of shares represented by a certificate, transfer of such shares shall only occur upon surrender of the certificate duly endorsed, while transfer of uncertificated shares shall only occur upon a stockholder’s compliance with such procedures the Corporation or its transfer agent may require. Every such transfer of stock shall be entered on the stock book of the Corporation which shall be kept at its principal office or by its registrar duly appointed.

 

9



 

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as may be required by the laws of Delaware.

 

5.7                               Transfer Agents, Registrars, and Paying Agents. The Board may at its discretion appoint one or more transfer agents, registrars, and agents for making payment upon any class of stock, bond, debenture, or other security of the Corporation. Such agents and registrars may be located either within or outside Delaware. They shall have such rights and duties and shall be entitled to such compensation as may be agreed.

 

5.8                               Treasury Stock. Treasury stock, if any, shall be held by the Corporation subject to disposal by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, and shall not have voting rights nor participate in dividends.

 

ARTICLE VI
Execution of Instruments; Loans, Checks and Endorsements;
Deposits; Proxies

 

6.1                               Execution of Instruments . The Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer, president or any vice president shall have the power to execute and deliver on behalf of and in the name of the Corporation any instrument requiring the signature of an officer of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or where the execution and delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. Unless authorized to do so by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation in any way, to pledge its credit, or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or in any amount.

 

6.2                               Loans . The Corporation may lend money to, guarantee the obligations of, and otherwise assist directors, officers, and employees of the Corporation, or directors of another corporation of which the Corporation owns a majority of the voting stock, only upon compliance with the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

6.3                               Checks and Endorsements . All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, obligations, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, bills of lading, warehouse receipts, trade acceptances, and other such instruments shall be signed or endorsed by such officers or agents of the Corporation as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, which resolution may provide for the use of facsimile signatures.

 

6.4                               Deposits . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the Corporation’s credit in such banks or other depositories as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, which resolution may specify the

 

10



 

officers or agents of the Corporation who shall have the power, and the manner in which such power shall be exercised, to make such deposits and to endorse, assign, and deliver for collection and deposit checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money payable to the Corporation or its order.

 

6.5                               Proxies . Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer, president or any vice president may from time to time appoint one or more agents or attorneys-in-fact of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, association, or other entity any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation, association, or other entity or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation, association, or other entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he may deem necessary or proper in the premises.

 

6.6                               Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous

 

7.1                               Dividends . Subject to the provisions of law and of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may declare dividends from the surplus or, if there is no surplus, the net profits of the Corporation whenever and in such amounts as, in its opinion, the condition of the affairs of the Corporation shall render it advisable. The record date for determining stockholders entitled to a distribution shall be set in accordance with Section 2.7 of these Bylaws.

 

7.2                               Surplus and Reserves . Subject to the provisions of law, the Board of Directors in its discretion may use and apply any of the capital or surplus of the Corporation to purchase or acquire any of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with law, or any of its bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or evidences of indebtedness, or from time to time may set aside from its surplus or net profits such sums as it, in its absolute discretion, may think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, for the purpose of maintaining or increasing the property or business of the Corporation, or for any other purpose it may think conducive to the best interests of the Corporation.

 

7.3                               Waivers of Notice . Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or any of the laws of the State of Delaware, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the actual required notice. Attendance by a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any person so

 

11



 

waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

7.4                               Corporate Seal . The Board of Directors may adopt a seal circular in form and bearing the name of the Corporation, the state of its incorporation, and the word “Seal” which, when adopted, shall constitute the seal of the Corporation. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile of it to be impressed, affixed, manually reproduced, or rubber-stamped with indelible ink.

 

7.5                               Fiscal Year . The Board of Directors may, by resolution, adopt a fiscal year for the Corporation.

 

7.6                               Amendment of Bylaws . The provisions of these Bylaws may at any time, and from time to time, be amended, supplemented or repealed by the Board of Directors.

 

7.7                               Uniformity of Interpretation and Severability . The Bylaws shall be so interpreted and construed as to conform to the Certificate of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which conformity may become necessary by reason of the qualification of the Corporation to do business in such state or any other applicable law or regulation, and where conflict between these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of such a state has arisen or shall arise, these Bylaws shall be considered to be modified to the extent, but only to the extent, conformity shall require. If any provision hereof or the application thereof shall be deemed to be invalid by reason of the foregoing sentence, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remainder of these Bylaws without the invalid provision or the application thereof, and the provisions of these Bylaws are declared to be severable.

 

7.8                               Emergency Bylaws . Subject to repeal or change by action of the stockholders, the Board of Directors may adopt emergency bylaws in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

7.9                               Electronic Transmission. When used in these Bylaws, the terms “written” and  “in writing” shall include any “electronic transmission,” as  defined in  Section  232(c)  of  the  Delaware General  Corporation  Law, including without limitation any telegram, cablegram, facsimile transmission and communication by electronic mail.

 

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SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATION

 

The undersigned Secretary of Broadwind Energy, Inc. (or the “Corporation”) hereby certifies that the foregoing Bylaws are the Bylaws of the Corporation adopted by the Board of Directors as of the 20th day of June, 2008.

 

 

 

By

/s/ Terence P. Fox

 

 

       Terence P. Fox, Secretary

 

13


Exhibit 4.1

 




THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE
IN SOUTH SAINT PAUL, MN.

 

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE




SEE REVERSE SIDE

FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

CUSIP 11161T 10 8

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT

 

 

is the owner of

 

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE COMMON SHARES, $0.001 PAR VALUE, OF

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

 

transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by Attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid until countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECRETARY

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

BY

 

TRANSFER AGENT
AND REGISTRAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

 

AMERICAN FINANCIAL PRINTING INCORPORATED – MINNEAPOLIS

 



 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM

as tenants in common

UTMA   –

 

Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

(Cust)

 

(Minor)

TEN ENT

as tenants by entireties

 

under Uniform Transfers to Minors

 

 

 

 

 

JT TEN

as joint tenants with right of survivorship

 

Act

 

 

 

and not as tenants in common

 

 

(State)

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in above list.

 

For value received                                                                            hereby sell, assign, and transfer unto

 

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER

 

IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE)

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

 

 

Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power

of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED

 

 

 

ALL GUARANTEES MUST BE MADE BY A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (SUCH   AS A BANK OR BROKER) WHICH IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE SECURITIES   TRANSFER AGENTS MEDALLION PROGRAM (“STAMP”), THE NEW YORK   STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. MEDALLION SIGNATURE PROGRAM (“MSP”), OR   THE STOCK EXCHANGES MEDALLION PROGRAM (“SEMP”) AND MUST NOT   BE DATED. GUARANTEES BY A NOTARY PUBLIC ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

 

 


Exhibit 10.3

 

BROADWIND ENERGY, INC.

2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

( AS AMENDED THROUGH AUGUST 8, 2008)

 

SECTION 1.

DEFINITIONS

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

(a)                                   “Administrator” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company (herein after referred to as the “Board”), or one or more Committees appointed by the Board, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                  “Affiliate(s)” shall mean a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(c)                                   “Award” shall mean any grant of an Option, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, Stock Appreciation Right or Performance Award.

 

(d)                                  “Committee” shall mean a Committee of two or more directors who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. To the extent necessary for compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, each of the members of the Committee shall be a “non-employee director.”  Solely for purposes of this Section 1(d), “non-employee director” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(e)                                   The “Company” shall mean Broadwind Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(f)                                     “Fair Market Value” as of any date shall mean (i) if such stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, Nasdaq Capital Market, or an established stock exchange, the price of such stock at the close of the regular trading session of such market or exchange on such date, as reported by The Wall Street Journal or a comparable reporting service, or, if no sale of such stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next date on which there was a sale of stock; (ii) if such stock is not so listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, Nasdaq Capital Market, or an established stock exchange, the average of the closing “bid” and “asked” prices quoted by the OTC Bulletin Board, the National Quotation Bureau, or any comparable reporting service on such date or, if there are no quoted “bid” and “asked” prices on such date, on the next date for which there are such quotes; or (iii) if such stock is not publicly traded as of such date, the per share value as determined by the Board, or the Committee, in its sole discretion by applying principles of valuation with respect to the Company’s Common Stock.

 

(g)                                  The “Internal Revenue Code” or “Code” is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

(h)                                  “Option” means an incentive stock option or nonqualified stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 



 

(i)                                      “Parent” shall mean any corporation which owns, directly or indirectly in an unbroken chain, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding stock.

 

(j)                                      The “Participant” means (i) a key employee or officer of the Company or any Affiliate to whom an incentive stock option has been granted pursuant to Section 9; (ii) a consultant or advisor to, or director, key employee or officer, of the Company or any Affiliate to whom a nonqualified stock option has been granted pursuant to Section 10; (iii) a consultant or advisor to, or director, key employee or officer, of the Company or any Affiliate to whom a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award has been granted pursuant to Section 11; (iv) a consultant or advisor to, or director, key employee or officer, of the Company or any Affiliate to whom a Performance Award has been granted pursuant to Section 12; or (v) a consultant or advisor to, or director, key employee or officer, of the Company or any Affiliate to whom a Stock Appreciation Right has been granted pursuant to Section 13.

 

(k)                                   “Performance Award” shall mean any Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Section 12 hereof.

 

(l)                                      “Performance Objective(s)” shall mean one or more performance objectives established by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, for Awards granted under this Plan. Performance Objectives may include, but shall not be limited to, any one, or a combination of, (i) revenue, (ii) net income, (iii) earnings per share, (iv) return on equity, (v) return on assets, (vi) increase in revenue, (vii) increase in share price or earnings, (viii) return on investment, or (ix) increase in market share, in all cases including, if selected by the Administrator, threshold, target and maximum levels.

 

(m)                                “Performance Period” shall mean the period, established at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter, during which any Performance Objectives specified by the Administrator with respect to such Performance Award are to be measured.

 

(n)                                  “Performance Share” shall mean any grant pursuant to Section 12 hereof of an Award, which value, if any, shall be paid to a Participant by delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company upon achievement of such Performance Objectives during the Performance Period as the Administrator shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.

 

(o)                                  “Performance Unit” shall mean any grant pursuant to Section 12 hereof of an Award, which value, if any, shall be paid to a Participant by delivery of cash upon achievement of such Performance Objectives during the Performance Period as the Administrator shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.

 

(p)                                  The “Plan” means the Broadwind Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended hereafter from time to time, including the form of Agreements as they may be modified by the Administrator from time to time.

 

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(q)                                  “Restricted Stock Award” shall mean any grant of restricted shares of Stock of the Company pursuant to Section 11 hereof.

 

(r)                                     “Restricted Stock Unit Award” shall mean any grant of restricted stock units pursuant to Section 11 hereof.

 

(s)                                   “Stock,” “Option Stock” or “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, $0.001 par value of the Company reserved for Options and Awards pursuant to this Plan.

 

(t)                                     “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a grant pursuant to Section 13 hereof.

 

(u)                                  A “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding Stock is owned, directly or indirectly in an unbroken chain, by the Company.

 

SECTION 2.

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success of the Company and its Affiliates by facilitating the employment and retention of competent personnel and by furnishing incentive to officers, directors, employees, consultants, and advisors upon whose efforts the success of the Company and its Affiliates will depend to a large degree.

 

It is the intention of the Company to carry out the Plan through the granting of Options which will qualify as “incentive stock options” under the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision, pursuant to Section 9 of this Plan; through the granting of “nonqualified stock options” pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan; through the granting of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan; through the granting of Performance Awards pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan; and through the granting of Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to Section 13 of this Plan. Adoption of this Plan shall be and is expressly subject to the condition of approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the adoption of the Plan by the Board. Any incentive stock options granted after adoption of the Plan by the Board shall be treated as nonqualified stock options if stockholder approval is not obtained within such twelve-month period.

 

SECTION 3.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall be effective as of the date of adoption by the Board, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company as required in Section 2.

 

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SECTION 4.

ADMINISTRATION

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a Committee which may be appointed by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Administrator”). Except as otherwise provided herein, the Administrator shall have all of the powers vested in it under the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to exclusive authority to determine, in its sole discretion, whether an Award shall be granted; the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted; the number of shares subject to each Award; the option price, if any; and the performance criteria, if any, and any other terms and conditions of each Award. The Administrator shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make and amend rules, regulations and guidelines for administering the Plan, to prescribe the form and conditions of the respective agreements evidencing each Award (which may vary from Participant to Participant), and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Administrator pursuant to the power vested in it hereunder, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties concerned.

 

No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith in connection with the administration of the Plan. In the event the Board appoints a Committee as provided hereunder, any action of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken pursuant to a majority vote of the Committee members or pursuant to the written resolution of all Committee members.

 

SECTION 5.

PARTICIPANTS

 

The Administrator shall from time to time, at its discretion and without approval of the stockholders, designate those employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company or of any Affiliate to whom Awards shall be granted under this Plan; provided, however, that consultants or advisors shall not be eligible to receive Awards hereunder unless such consultant or advisor renders bona fide services to the Company or any Affiliate and such 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 Company’s securities. The Administrator may grant additional Awards under this Plan to some or all Participants then holding Awards, or may grant Awards solely or partially to new Participants. In designating Participants, the Administrator shall also determine the number of shares to be optioned or awarded to each such Participant and the performance criteria applicable to each Performance Award. The Administrator may from time to time designate individuals as being ineligible to participate in the Plan.

 

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SECTION 6.

STOCK

 

The Stock to be issued under this Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Three million five hundred thousand (3,500,000) shares of Common Stock shall be reserved and available for Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that the total number of shares reserved for Awards under this Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14 of the Plan; and provided, further, that all shares reserved and available under the Plan shall constitute the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued through incentive stock options. The following shares of Stock shall continue to be reserved and available for Awards granted pursuant to the Plan: (i) any outstanding Award that expires for any reason, (ii) any portion of an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is terminated prior to exercise, (iii) any portion of an Award that is terminated prior to the lapsing of the risks of forfeiture on such Award, (iv) shares of Common Stock used to pay the exercise price under any Award, (v) shares of Common Stock used to satisfy any tax withholding obligation attributable to any Award, whether such shares are withheld by the Company or tendered by the Participant, and (vi) shares of Stock covered by an Award to the extent the Award is settled in cash.

 

SECTION 7.

DURATION OF PLAN

 

Incentive stock options may be granted pursuant to the Plan from time to time during a period of ten (10) years from the effective date as defined in Section 3. Other Awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan from time to time after the effective date of the Plan and until the Plan is discontinued or terminated by the Administrator.

 

SECTION 8.

PAYMENT

 

Participants may pay for shares upon exercise of Options granted pursuant to this Plan with cash, personal check, certified check or, if approved by the Administrator in its sole discretion, previously-owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock, or any combination thereof. Any stock so tendered as part of such payment shall be valued at such stock’s then Fair Market Value, or such other form of payment as may be authorized by the Administrator. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, limit the forms of payment available to the Participant and may exercise such discretion any time prior to the termination of the Option granted to the Participant or upon any exercise of the Option by the Participant. “Previously-owned shares” means shares of the Company’s Common Stock which the Participant has owned for at least six (6) months prior to the exercise of the Option, or for such other period of time as may be required by generally accepted accounting principles.

 

With respect to payment in the form of Common Stock of the Company, the Administrator may require advance approval or adopt such rules as it deems necessary to assure

 

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compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

SECTION 9.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

 

Each incentive stock option granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be evidenced by a written incentive stock option agreement (the “Option Agreement”). The Option Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Option Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                   Number of Shares and Option Price . The Option Agreement shall state the total number of shares covered by the incentive stock option. Except as permitted by Code Section 424(a), or any successor provision, the option price per share shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the per share Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Administrator grants the Option; provided, however, that if a Participant owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or any Subsidiary, the option price per share of an incentive stock option granted to such Participant shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the per share Fair Market Value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the grant of the Option. The Administrator shall have full authority and discretion in establishing the option price and shall be fully protected in so doing.

 

(b)                                  Term and Exercisability of Incentive Stock Option . The term during which any incentive stock option granted under the Plan may be exercised shall be established in each case by the Administrator. Except as permitted by Code Section 424(a), in no event shall any incentive stock option be exercisable during a term of more than ten (10) years after the date on which it is granted; provided, however, that if a Participant owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or any Subsidiary, the incentive stock option granted to such Participant shall be exercisable during a term of not more than five (5) years after the date on which it is granted.

 

The Option Agreement shall state when the incentive stock option becomes exercisable and shall also state the maximum term during which the Option may be exercised. In the event an incentive stock option is exercisable immediately, the manner of exercise of the Option in the event it is not exercised in full immediately shall be specified in the Option Agreement. The Administrator may accelerate the exercisability of any incentive stock option granted hereunder which is not immediately exercisable as of the date of grant.

 

(c)                                   Nontransferability . No incentive stock option shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the Participant’s lifetime, the incentive stock option may be exercised only by the Participant. If the Participant shall attempt any transfer of any incentive stock option granted under the Plan during

 

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the Participant’s lifetime, such transfer shall be void and the incentive stock option, to the extent not fully exercised, shall terminate.

 

(d)                                  No Rights as Stockholder . A Participant (or the Participant’s successor or successors) shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an incentive stock option until the date the Participant is recorded on the stock transfer books of the Company as the owner of the Stock. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such transfer is actually recorded (except as otherwise provided in Section 14 of the Plan).

 

(e)                                   Withholding . The Company or its Affiliate shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s exercise of an incentive stock option or a “disqualifying disposition” of shares acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option as defined in Code Section 421(b). In the event the Participant is required under the Option Agreement to pay the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, require the Participant to satisfy such obligation, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of the Company’s Common Stock or by electing to have the Company withhold Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise of the incentive stock option. Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from such exercise. In no event may the Company or any Affiliate withhold shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding. The Participant’s election to deliver shares or to have shares withheld for this purpose shall be made on or before the date the incentive stock option is exercised or, if later, the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law. Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

(f)                                     Other Provisions . The Option Agreement authorized under this Section 9 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable. Any such Option Agreement shall contain such limitations and restrictions upon the exercise of the Option as shall be necessary to ensure that such Option will be considered an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or to conform to any change therein.

 

SECTION 10.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

 

Each nonqualified stock option granted pursuant to this Section 10 shall be evidenced by a written nonqualified stock option agreement (the “Option Agreement”). The Option

 

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Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Option Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                   Number of Shares and Option Price . The Option Agreement shall state the total number of shares covered by the nonqualified stock option. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the option price per share shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the per share Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Administrator grants the Option.

 

(b)                                  Term and Exercisability of Nonqualified Stock Option . The term during which any nonqualified stock option granted under the Plan may be exercised shall be established in each case by the Administrator. The Option Agreement shall state when the nonqualified stock option becomes exercisable and shall also state the maximum term during which the Option may be exercised. In the event a nonqualified stock option is exercisable immediately, the manner of exercise of the Option in the event it is not exercised in full immediately shall be specified in the Option Agreement. The Administrator may accelerate the exercisability of any nonqualified stock option granted hereunder which is not immediately exercisable as of the date of grant.

 

(c)                                   Transferability . A nonqualified stock option shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In addition, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit the Participant to transfer any or all nonqualified stock options to any member of the Participant’s “immediate family” as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provision, or to one or more trusts whose beneficiaries are members of such Participant’s “immediate family” or partnerships in which such family members are the only partners; provided, however, that the Participant cannot receive any consideration for the transfer and such transferred nonqualified stock option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such nonqualified stock option immediately prior to its transfer.

 

(d)                                  No Rights as Stockholder . A Participant (or the Participant’s successor or successors) shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by a nonqualified stock option until the date the Participant is recorded on the stock transfer books of the Company as the owner of the Stock. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such transfer is actually recorded (except as otherwise provided in Section 14 of the Plan).

 

(e)                                   Withholding . The Company or its Affiliate shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s exercise of a nonqualified stock option. In the event the Participant is required under the Option Agreement to pay the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, require the Participant to satisfy such obligation, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of the Company’s Common Stock or by electing to have the Company withhold Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the

 

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exercise of the nonqualified stock option. Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from such exercise. In no event may the Company or any Affiliate withhold shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding. The Participant’s election to deliver shares or to have shares withheld for this purpose shall be made on or before the date the nonqualified stock option is exercised or, if later, the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law. Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

(f)                                     Other Provisions . The Option Agreement authorized under this Section 10 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.

 

SECTION 11.

RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS

 

Each Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by a written restricted stock/restricted stock unit agreement (the “Restricted Stock Agreement” or “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement,” as the case may be). The Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                   Number of Shares . The Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall state the total number of shares of Stock covered by the Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

(b)                                  Risks of Forfeiture . The Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the risks of forfeiture or vesting conditions, if any, including risks of forfeiture or vesting conditions based on Performance Objectives, which shall apply to the shares of Stock covered by the Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award, and shall specify the manner in which such risks of forfeiture shall lapse or vesting conditions shall vest. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable tax and securities laws and regulations, accelerate the date on which the risks of forfeiture shall lapse or vesting conditions shall vest, but only with respect to those shares of Stock which are restricted as of the effective date of the acceleration.

 

(c)                                   Issuance of Shares; Rights as Stockholder .

 

(i)                                      With respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Company shall cause to be issued a stock certificate representing such shares of Stock in the

 

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Participant’s name, and shall deliver such certificate to the Participant; provided, however, that the Company shall place a legend on such certificate describing the risks of forfeiture and other transfer restrictions set forth in the Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement and providing for the cancellation and return of such certificate if the shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award are forfeited. Until the risks of forfeiture have lapsed or the shares subject to such Restricted Stock Award have been forfeited, the Participant shall be entitled to vote the shares of Stock represented by such stock certificate and shall receive all dividends attributable to such shares, but the Participant shall not have any other rights as a stockholder with respect to such shares.

 

(ii)                                   With respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as the vesting conditions on the Restricted Stock Units are satisfied, the Administrator shall cause to be issued one or more stock certificates in the Participant’s name and shall deliver such certificates to the Participant in satisfaction of such Restricted Stock Units. Until the vesting conditions on the Restricted Stock Units are satisfied, the Participant shall not be entitled to vote any shares of stock which may be acquired through the Restricted Stock Units, shall not receive any dividends attributable to such shares, and shall not have any other rights as a stockholder with respect to such shares.

 

(d)                                  Withholding Taxes . The Company or its Affiliate shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award. In the event the Participant is required under the Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement to pay the Company or its Affiliate, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or its Affiliate respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, permit the Participant to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of Common Stock, including shares of Stock received pursuant to the Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award on which the risks of forfeiture have lapsed. Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to the supplemental income resulting from the lapsing of the risks of forfeiture on such Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit. In no event may the Participant deliver shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding. The Participant’s election to deliver shares of Common Stock for this purpose shall be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law. Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

(e)                                   Nontransferability . No Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, prior to the date the risks of forfeiture described in the Restricted Stock

 

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Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement have lapsed. If the Participant shall attempt any transfer of any Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan prior to such date, such transfer shall be void and the Restricted Stock/Restricted Stock Unit Award shall terminate.

 

(f)                                     Other Provisions . The Restricted Stock Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement authorized under this Section 11 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.

 

SECTION 12.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

Each Performance Award granted pursuant to this Section 12 shall be evidenced by a written performance award agreement (the “Performance Award Agreement”). The Performance Award Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Performance Award Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                   Awards . Performance Awards in the form of Performance Units or Performance Shares may be granted to any Participant in the Plan. Performance Units shall consist of monetary awards which may be earned or become vested in whole or in part if the Company or the Participant achieves certain Performance Objectives established by the Administrator over a specified Performance Period. Performance Shares shall consist of shares of Stock or other Awards denominated in shares of Stock that may be earned or become vested in whole or in part if the Company or the Participant achieves certain Performance Objectives established by the Administrator over a specified Performance Period.

 

(b)                                  Performance Objectives, Performance Period and Payment . The Performance Award Agreement shall set forth:

 

(i)                                      the number of Performance Units or Performance Shares subject to the Performance Award, and the dollar value of each Performance Unit;

 

(ii)                                   one or more Performance Objectives established by the Administrator;

 

(iii)                                the Performance Period over which Performance Units or Performance Shares may be earned or may become vested;

 

(iv)                               the extent to which partial achievement of the Performance Objectives may result in a payment or vesting of the Performance Award, as determined by the Administrator; and

 

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(v)                                  the date upon which payment of Performance Units will be made or Performance Shares will be issued, as the case may be, and the extent to which such payment or the receipt of such Performance Shares may be deferred.

 

(c)                                   Withholding Taxes . The Company or its Affiliates shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s Performance Award. In the event the Participant is required under the Performance Award Agreement to pay the Company or its Affiliates, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or its Affiliates respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, require the Participant to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of the Company’s Common Stock or by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to Participant as a result of the grant of Performance Shares. Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes. In no event may the Participant deliver shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding. The Participant’s election to deliver shares or to have shares withheld for this purpose shall be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law. Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

(d)                                  Nontransferability . No Performance Award shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. If the Participant shall attempt any transfer of any Performance Award granted under the Plan, such transfer shall be void and the Performance Award shall terminate.

 

(e)                                   No Rights as Stockholder . A Participant (or the Participant’s successor or successors) shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by a Performance Award until the date Participant is recorded on the stock transfer books of the Company as the owners of the shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such transfer is actually recorded (except as otherwise provided in Section 14 of the Plan).

 

(f)                                     Other Provisions . The Performance Award Agreement authorized under this Section 12 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable.

 

SECTION 13.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

Each Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to this Section 13 shall be evidenced by a written stock appreciation right agreement (the “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement”). The

 

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Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator and may vary from Participant to Participant; provided, however, that each Participant and each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                   Awards . A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant to receive, upon exercise, cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof, having a value equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Stock on the date of such exercise, over (ii) a specified exercise price. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the specified exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such shares of Stock on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted independent of or in tandem with a previously or contemporaneously granted Option.

 

(b)                                  Term and Exercisability . The term during which any Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan may be exercised shall be established in each case by the Administrator. The Stock Appreciation Right Agreement shall state when the Stock Appreciation Right becomes exercisable and shall also state the maximum term during which such Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised. In the event a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable immediately, the manner of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right in the event it is not exercised in full immediately shall be specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. The Administrator may accelerate the exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder which is not immediately exercisable as of the date of grant.

 

(c)                                   Withholding Taxes . The Company or its Affiliate shall be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all withholding and employment-related taxes attributable to the Participant’s Stock Appreciation Right. In the event the Participant is required under the Stock Appreciation Right to pay the Company or its Affiliate, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or its Affiliate respecting payment of, such withholding and employment-related taxes, the Administrator may, in its discretion and pursuant to such rules as it may adopt, permit the Participant to satisfy such obligations, in whole or in part, by delivering shares of Common Stock or by electing to have the Company withhold Common Stock issuable to Participant as a result of the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right. Such shares shall have a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required tax withholding, based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes. In no event may the Participant deliver shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of such statutory minimum required tax withholding. The Participant’s election to deliver shares of Common Stock for this purpose shall be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined under applicable tax law. Such election shall be approved by the Administrator and otherwise comply with such rules as the Administrator may adopt to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3, or any successor provision, as then in effect, of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if applicable.

 

(d)                                  Nontransferability . No Stock Appreciation Right shall be transferable, in whole or in part, by the Participant, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. If the

 

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Participant shall attempt any transfer of any Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, such transfer shall be void and the Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate.

 

(e)                                   No Rights as Stockholder . A Participant (or the Participant’s successor or successors) shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by a Stock Appreciation Right until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate evidencing such shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is actually issued (except as otherwise provided in Section 14 of the Plan).

 

(f)                                     Other Provisions . The Stock Appreciation Right Agreement authorized under this Section 13 shall contain such other provisions as the Administrator shall deem advisable, including but not limited to any restrictions on the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right which may be necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SECTION 14.

RECAPITALIZATION, SALE, MERGER, EXCHANGE

OR LIQUIDATION

 

In the event of an increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock dividend, stock split, reverse split, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, adjust the number of shares of Stock reserved under Section 6 hereof, the number of shares of Stock covered by each outstanding Award, and, if applicable, the price per share thereof to reflect such change. Additional shares which may become covered by the Award pursuant to such adjustment shall be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to the shares with respect to which the adjustment relates.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the agreement evidencing an Award, in the event of an acquisition of the Company through: the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets and the consequent discontinuance of its business; an acquisition of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities of the Company; or a merger, consolidation, exchange, reorganization, reclassification, extraordinary dividend, divestiture (including a spin-off), liquidation, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend or otherwise (collectively referred to as a “transaction”), the Administrator may provide for one or more of the following:

 

(a)                                   the equitable acceleration of the exercisability of any outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, the vesting and payment of any Performance Awards, or the lapsing of the risks of forfeiture on any Restricted Stock Awards;

 

(b)                                  the complete termination of this Plan, the cancellation of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights not exercised prior to a date specified by the Board (which date shall give Participants a reasonable period of time in which to exercise such Option or Stock

 

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Appreciation Right prior to the effectiveness of such transaction), the cancellation of any Performance Award and the cancellation of any Restricted Stock Awards for which the risks of forfeiture have not lapsed;

 

(c)                                   that Participants holding outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall receive, with respect to each share of Stock subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as of the effective date of any such transaction, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the date immediately preceding the effective date of such transaction over the price per share of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; provided that the Board may, in lieu of such cash payment, distribute to such Participants shares of Common Stock of the Company or shares of stock of any corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction, such shares having a value equal to the cash payment herein;

 

(d)                                  that Participants holding outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards shall receive, with respect to each share of Stock subject to such Awards, as of the effective date of any such transaction, cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the date immediately preceding the effective date of such transaction; provided that the Board may, in lieu of such cash payment, distribute to such Participants shares of Common Stock of the Company or shares of stock of any corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction, such shares having a value equal to the cash payment herein;

 

(e)                                   the continuance of the Plan with respect to the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights which were outstanding as of the date of adoption by the Board of such plan for such transaction and the right to exercise such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights as to an equivalent number of shares of stock of the corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction;

 

(f)                                     the continuance of the Plan with respect to Restricted Stock Awards for which the risks of forfeiture have not lapsed as of the date of adoption by the Board of such plan for such transaction and the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of stock of the corporation succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction; and

 

(g)                                  the continuance of the Plan with respect to Performance Awards and, to the extent applicable, the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of stock of the corporation succeeding the Company by reason for such transaction.

 

The Administrator may condition any acceleration of exercisability or other right to which Participant is not entitled upon any additional agreements from Participant, including, without limitation, a Participant agreeing to additional restrictive covenants (e.g., confidentiality, noncompetition, non-solicitation, non-circumvention, etc.) and Participant agreeing to continue to perform services for the Company, a successor or purchaser of all or any portion of the Company’s business or related assets for substantially the same base salary for a period of up to six months.

 

The Administrator may restrict the rights of or the applicability of this Section 14 to the extent necessary to comply with Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Internal

 

15



 

Revenue Code or any other applicable law or regulation. The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, exchange or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

SECTION 15.

INVESTMENT PURPOSE

 

No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to the Plan unless and until there has been compliance, in the opinion of Company’s counsel, with all applicable legal requirements, including without limitation, those relating to securities laws and stock exchange listing requirements. As a condition to the issuance of Stock to Participant, the Administrator may require Participant to (a) represent that the shares of Stock are being acquired for investment and not resale and to make such other representations as the Administrator shall deem necessary or appropriate to qualify the issuance of the shares as exempt from the Securities Act of 1933 and any other applicable securities laws, and (b) represent that Participant shall not dispose of the shares of Stock in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 or any other applicable securities laws.

 

As a further condition to the grant of any Option or the issuance of Stock to Participant, Participant agrees to the following:

 

(a)                                   In the event the Company advises Participant that it plans an underwritten public offering of its Common Stock in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the underwriter(s) seek to impose restrictions under which certain stockholders may not sell or contract to sell or grant any option to buy or otherwise dispose of part or all of their stock purchase rights of the Common Stock underlying Awards, Participant will not, for a period not to exceed 180 days from the prospectus, sell or contract to sell or grant an option to buy or otherwise dispose of any Option granted to Participant pursuant to the Plan or any of the underlying shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the underwriter(s) or its representative(s).

 

(b)                                  In the event the Company makes any public offering of its securities and determines in its sole discretion that it is necessary to reduce the number of issued but unexercised stock purchase rights so as to comply with any state’s securities or Blue Sky law limitations with respect thereto, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the right (i) to accelerate the exercisability of any Option and the date on which such Option must be exercised, provided that the Company gives Participant prior written notice of such acceleration, and (ii) to cancel any Options or portions thereof which Participant does not exercise prior to or contemporaneously with such public offering.

 

(c)                                   In the event of a transaction (as defined in Section 14 of the Plan), Participant will comply with Rule 145 of the Securities Act of 1933 and any other restrictions imposed under other applicable legal or accounting principles if Participant is an “affiliate” (as defined in such

 

16



 

applicable legal and accounting principles) at the time of the transaction, and Participant will execute any documents necessary to ensure compliance with such rules.

 

The Company reserves the right to place a legend on any stock certificate issued in connection with an Award pursuant to the Plan to assure compliance with this Section 15.

 

SECTION 16.

AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

 

The Administrator may from time to time, insofar as permitted by law, suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect; provided, however, that no such revision or amendment, except as is authorized in Section 14, shall impair the terms and conditions of any Award which is outstanding on the date of such revision or amendment to the material detriment of the Participant without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such revision or amendment shall (i) materially increase the number of shares subject to the Plan except as provided in Section 14 hereof, (ii) change the designation of the class of employees eligible to receive Awards, (iii) decrease the price at which Options may be granted, or (iv) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan without the approval of the stockholders of the Company if such approval is required for compliance with the requirements of any applicable law or regulation. Furthermore, the Plan may not, without the approval of the stockholders, be amended in any manner that will cause incentive stock options to fail to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

SECTION 17.

NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION

 

The granting of an Option shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise such Option. Further, the granting of an Award hereunder shall not impose upon the Company or any Affiliate any obligation to retain the Participant in its employ for any period.

 

17


 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, J. Cameron Drecoll, certify that:

 

1.                I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Broadwind Energy, Inc.;

 

2.                Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)               designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)              designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)               evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)              disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)               all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)              any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:

August 14, 2008

/s/ J. Cameron Drecoll

 

 

J. Cameron Drecoll

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Matthew J. Gadow, certify that:

 

1.                I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Broadwind Energy, Inc.;

 

2.                Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)               designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)              designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)               evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)              disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)               all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)              any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:

August 14, 2008

/s/ Matthew J. Gadow

 

 

Matthew J. Gadow

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 


 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Broadwind Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, J. Cameron Drecoll, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)                                   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)                                   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ J. Cameron Drecoll

 

J. Cameron Drecoll

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date: August 14, 2008

 

 

 


 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Broadwind Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Matthew J. Gadow, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)                                   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)                                   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Matthew J. Gadow

 

Matthew J. Gadow

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Date: August 14, 2008