PROSPECTUS | Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) |
Registration No. 333-248684
5,060,000 Ordinary Shares
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC.
This is the initial public offering of the ordinary shares of Intelligent Living Application Group Inc., a Cayman Islands company (the “ordinary shares”). We are offering 5,060,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, on a firm commitment basis. The initial public offering price of the ordinary shares is $4.00 per share. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. Our ordinary shares have been approved to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ILAG.”
We are an “emerging growth company,” as that term is used in the Jumpstarts Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our ordinary shares is highly speculative and involves a significant degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered before making a decision to purchase our ordinary shares.
We are a Cayman Islands holding company without any operation and our operations are conducted by our wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and China and this structure involves unique risks to investors. See “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Doing Business in China —Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations; — Uncertainties and quick change in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations with little advance notice could result in a material and negative impact our business operation, decrease the value of our ordinary shares and limit the legal protections available to us, and — Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong — The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could negatively affect our listing on Nasdaq and limit the legal protections available to you and us.”
There are legal and operational risks associated with being based in and having all our operations in Hong Kong and China. The Chinese government recently took regulatory actions on certain U.S. listed Chinese companies and made statement that it will exert more oversight and control over offerings and listings by Chinese companies that are conducted overseas, such as those related to the use of variable interest entities and data security or anti-monopoly concerns. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued an announcement to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. On December 28, 2021, Cybersecurity Review Measures was published by Cyberspace Administration of China or the CAC, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Bank of China, State Administration of Radio and Television, China Securities Regulatory Commission, State Secrecy Administration and State Cryptography Administration, became effective on February 15, 2022, which provides that, Critical Information Infrastructure Operators (“CIIOs”) that purchase internet products and services and Data Processing Operators (“DPOs”) engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to the cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office. On November 14, 2021, CAC published the Administration Measures for Cyber Data Security (Draft for Public Comments), or the “Cyber Data Security Measure (Draft)”, which requires cyberspace operators with personal information of more than 1 million users who want to list abroad to file a cybersecurity review with the Office of Cybersecurity Review. As of the date of this prospectus, these new laws and guidelines have not impacted the Company’s ability to conduct its business, accept foreign investments, or list and trade on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. The Company owns 100% equity interest of all its subsidiaries including the manufacturing subsidiary in China and does not have a VIE structure, and it manufactures and sells locksets and believes the new data security or anti-monopoly laws and regulations in China do not apply to the Company or its subsidiaries. However, any change in foreign investment regulations, and other policies in China or related enforcement actions by China government could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our ordinary shares and could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors or cause the value of our ordinary shares to significantly decline or be worthless.
Our manufacturing facility is located in China, and is subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face regulatory risks relating to listings in the U.S., oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. Uncertainties in the PRC legal system and the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protection available to you and us, hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our ordinary shares, result in a material adverse effect on our business operations, and damage our reputation, which might further cause our ordinary shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless. Our auditor, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm headquartered in the United States, was not included in the determinations made by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, on December 16, 2021. Our auditor is currently subject to PCAOB inspections and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis. Although we believe that the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the related regulations do not currently affect us, we cannot assure you that there will not be any further implementations and interpretations of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act or the related regulations, which might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in mainland China. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”
The Company, we, us, our company, and our are referred to Intelligent Living Application Group Inc., a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its subsidiaries. We currently conduct our business through Intelligent Living Application Group Limited, a holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“ILAG BVI”) and its subsidiaries: (i) Kambo Locksets Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“Kambo Locksets”) which is a trading company focusing on marketing and sales of our products in North America market; (ii) Kambo Hardware Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“Kambo Hardware”) which mainly sells our products to the markets outside of the North America; (iii) Bamberg (HK) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“Bamberg”), which mainly markets our products under our own brand “Bamberg” to establish and focus on the internet sales channels, such as Amazon.com; (iv) Hing Fat Industrial Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“Hing Fat”) which is a holding company of Xingfa to manage the door lockset manufacturing activities of Xingfa and to conduct research and development; and (v) Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co. Ltd. (“Xingfa”) a company incorporated under the laws of China, which is the manufacturing facility for our lockset products. Our operations are conducted by our subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong which we control through direct equity ownership.
We mainly conduct our marketing and sales, research and development and design activities through our wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and manufacturing activities through our wholly owned subsidiary in China, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Limited. As a result, almost all of our sales revenues are received by our Hong Kong subsidiaries which make payment to Xingfa for the cost of products and reasonable markups. Transfers of funds among our Hong Kong subsidiaries or from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to the holding company are free of restrictions. Remittances of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to Xingfa are subject to review and conversion of HK$ or US$ to Renminbi Yuan (“RMB”) through Xingfa’s bank in China, which represents the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) to monitor foreign exchange activities. Under the existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements with the banks. Currently, we don’t have any intentions to distribute earnings or settle amounts owed to our agreements other than the agreements entered under normal business operation as discussed hereof. Please also refer to “Dividend Policy” on page 47. As of the date of this prospectus, none of our subsidiaries has made any dividend payment or distribution to the holding company and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has made any dividends or distributions to U.S. investors. The cash transfer among the holding company and its subsidiaries is typically transferred through payment for intercompany product sales and services or intercompany loans between holding company and subsidiaries. As of the date of this prospectus, no cash generated from one subsidiary is used to fund another subsidiary’s operations and we do not anticipate any difficulties or limitations on our ability to transfer cash between subsidiaries, except for the transfer from or to Xingfa, which is subject to review and procedures according to the requirements of the SAFE. Other than discussed above, we don’t have any cash management policies that dictate the amount of such funding among our subsidiaries.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | 4.00 | $ | 20,240,000 | ||||
Underwriting discount | $ | 0.3 | $ | 1,518,000 | ||||
Proceeds to us, before expenses | $ | 3.7 | $ | 18,722,000 |
(1) | The underwriter will receive compensation in addition to such discount and commissions as set forth under “Underwriting.” |
This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. The underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the shares if any such shares are taken. The total underwriting discounts and commissions payable will be $1,518,000 based on an offering price of $4.00 per share, and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $18,722,000. If we complete this offering, net proceeds will be delivered to our company on the closing date.
The underwriter expects to deliver the ordinary shares against payment as set forth under “Underwriting”, on or about July 15, 2022.
The date of this prospectus is July 12, 2022
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the ordinary shares only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the ordinary shares.
This summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including our financial statements and related notes and the risks described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16. We note that our actual results and future events may differ significantly based upon a number of factors. The reader should not put undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this document, which speak only as of the date on the cover of this prospectus.
All references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “Company”, “Registrant” or similar terms used in this prospectus refer to Intelligent Living Application Group Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Intelligent Living” or “ILAG”), including its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates. We currently conduct our business through Intelligent Living Application Group Limited, a holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“ILAG BVI”) and its subsidiaries Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co. Ltd. (“Xingfa”), Kambo Locksets Limited (“Kambo Locksets”), Kambo Hardware Limited (“Kambo Hardware”), Bamberg (HK) Limited (“Bamberg”), and Hing Fat Industrial Limited (“Hing Fat”) our operating entities in China and Hong Kong.
“PRC” or “China” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. “RMB” or “Renminbi” refers to the legal currency of China and “$”, “US$”, “USD” or “U.S. Dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make life safer and smarter by designing and producing affordable, high-quality locksets and smart security systems.
Our Business
Headquartered in Hong Kong, we manufacture and sell high quality mechanical locksets to customers mainly in the United States (US) and Canada and have continued to diversify and refine our product offerings in the past 40 years to meet our customers’ needs. We believe our wholly owned subsidiary Xingfa is one of the pioneers of mechanical lockset manufacturing in China. Since inception, to cope with our development and increase customer satisfaction in quality, we keep investing in self-designed automated product lines, new craftsmanship and developing new products including smart locks. In order to obtain the confidence of our customers, Xingfa has obtained the ISO9001quality assurance certificate.
Starting in 2000, we offer products that comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards that are developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus in producing mechanical locksets - including locksets for outdoors (such as main entrances and gates) and indoors - has resulted in sustainable growth in our business and raised our competitiveness. To maintain our growth, our products are beyond a simple lockset for security purposes, we offer a wide range of Original Design Manufacturer (“ODM”) door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors.
To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, Hing Fat has been researching and developing smart locks in the past couple years. Hing Fat has been working on smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and have internally worked out a general solution plan including mechanical and electronic parts but still need to further develop the software related parts for such locks which we need external help. Most of our research and development on smart locks have been done internally by our technician and engineers, except that Hing Fat hired outside services for approximately $25,000 in 2017. Because of tariff war and outbreak of COVID-19, we haven’t made further progress on the software for our smart locks to save more working capital for our core operation. However, once we are able to raise sufficient funds from this public offering or are able to generate additional cash flows from our ongoing operations, we will acquire new equipment, systems and recruit information technology talents to develop software applications for our smart locks.
Our wholly owned subsidiary Xingfa is incorporated and operating in mainland China. Xingfa has received all permission required to obtain from Chinese authorities to operate its current business in China or issue the ordinary shares of the Company to foreign investors, including Business license, Customs Registration Certificate, Bank Account Open Permit and Approval regarding Environmental Protection. Currently, the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations in China or this offering at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and our ordinary shares could decline in value or become worthless.
We manufacture and sell mechanical locksets to our customers mainly in U.S. and Canada and we are not a Critical Information Infrastructure Operator (“CIIO”) or a Data Processing Operator (“DPO”) as defined in Cybersecurity Review Measures published by Cyberspace Administration of China or the CAC, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Bank of China, State Administration of Radio and Television, China Securities Regulatory Commission, State Secrecy Administration and State Cryptography Administration on December 28, 2021 and took effect on February 15, 2022. We also don’t process personal data for more than one million individuals under Administration Measures for Cyber Data Security (Draft for Public Comments) published by CAC on November 14, 2021. ILAG owns 100% equity interest of all its subsidiaries including the manufacturing subsidiary in China and does not have a VIE structure. Therefore, we are currently not covered by the permission and requirements from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), CAC or any other entity that is required to approve of the VIE’s operations, and we have received all requisite permissions to operate our business in China and no permission has been denied.
We manufacture and sell lockset products. As of the date of this prospectus, we (1) are not required to obtain permissions from any PRC authorities to issue our ordinary shares to foreign investors, (2) are not subject to permission requirements from CSRC, CAC or any other entity that is required to approve of our operations in China, and (3) have not received or were denied such permissions by any PRC authorities. We are headquartered in Hong Kong with our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and all members of the board of directors based in Hong Kong who are not Chinese citizens and most of our revenues and profits are generated by our subsidiaries in Hong Kong. Although we don’t believe we are a Chinese domestic entity as defined in the Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Public Comments) published by CSRC on December 24, 2021, it is not certain whether we might be determined as a Chinese entity under Measures, which will require us to file the offering related documents with CSRC. Also, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions, which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Given the current PRC regulatory environment, it is uncertain when and whether our PRC subsidiary, will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government in connection with our listing on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is headquartered in New York City, and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis with the last inspection in 2020 and is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our offering and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach, or experience as it relates to our audit. If it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction or any other reasons, the lack of inspection could cause the trading in our securities to be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and as a result Nasdaq may delist our securities. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our securities when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ordinary shares. Further, new laws and regulations or changes in laws and regulations in both the United States and China could affect our ability to list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq, which could materially impair the market for and market price for our securities.
Currently, approximately 97.5% of our revenues are from products sold to the US market, and the remaining products are sold to Canada, Macau and China markets. We build our distribution network by working together with our large and small business partners in different geographic areas to sell our products.
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Our current products are mechanical locks. The following images are some of our products, more product information will be illustrated in “Our Products of OUR BUSINESS”:
We are not operating in an industry that prohibits or limits foreign investment and we believe that we are currently not required to obtain any approvals from Chinese government to offer our ordinary shares to foreign investors and list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq Stock Market, however, if we inadvertently conclude that such approvals are not required, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change in China that require us to obtain such approval, it could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Our Strengths
We have four decades of experience in mechanical lockset manufacturing. This gave us the ability to design our own automated production lines to meet our customers’ needs effectively and efficiently. We are few of manufacturers who is able to finish complicated stamping and casting with few machineries by optimizing production progresses. Up to date of this prospectus, we are offering 108 basic designs of various locksets in our product catalogue (see “Our Products” for sample images) and we also have many other designs stored in the library of engineering department of Hing Fat, all of which enable us to provide our customers with products of many varieties with different functions, outlooks and colors. We have accumulated extensive design and production know-hows of our lock core in the past thirty years. Our experience and expertise in the design of mechanical locksets helps us expand our product lines and quickly respond to the changes of market trends and demands of our customers.
To comply with stringent requirements of U.S. standards, Xingfa has obtained ISO9000 certificate, and its manufacturing facility has been reviewed and audited by U.S. customers from time to time for compliance of social responsibility about labor welfare and safety, environmental protection and other requirements from such customers. To serve our customers better, Xingfa has equipped with professional keying machineries which is a very niche service being provided by lockset manufacturers in China and Asia Pacific region. In Asia, we only have a few peer competitors in China and South-east Asia due to high capital expense requirement for the manufacturing facility and professional know-hows of the products and industry.
We have launched internal research in smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and suppliers of electronic parts in the market as a part of our R & D process of smart lock products. Our in-depth knowledge in lockset mechanics makes it easier for us to enter into smart locks market by incorporating relevant electronic parts into our locksets after we develop the software system. In additional, our long relationship with our customers makes it quicker for us to introduce new products including future smart locks to the market.
With our years of operation history, we have built a loyal and experienced work force and manufacturing management, which can drive manufacturing facility expansion without additional talent. Along with long-term relationships with reputable customers and recent access to e-commerce channels, we believe we are able to attract customers with our new products.
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Our Strategy
Our principal objective is to sustain continuous growth in our business and maintain our competitive advantages such that we can be positioned as a leading provider in the lockset industry. We plan to implement the following strategies and leverage our strengths to growth and develop our existing lockset business and maintain our reputation:
· | Our insistence in delivering high quality products has hurt our profit margin in light of cut-throat price competition. We constantly adjust our procurements based upon our updated production requirements and protocols that are designed to reduce our manufacturing costs and overhead, and to improve our profit margin. By designing our own automated production lines and controlling our raw material waste, we have managed to lower our labor cost and cost of raw materials. We plan to implement an enterprise resources planning system (“ERP”) to further improve our manufacturing controls and enhance the efficiency of our production processes. We maintain this procurement philosophy to enhance our profit margin. Nevertheless, even as we try to save costs, we will also be socially responsible to maintain low turnover of labor and environmental and worker safety and health protection. | |
· | We are currently selling our products in accordance with US standards. In order to expand market segment coverage, we will conduct trial marketing of our self-branded products in Asia Pacific, especially South-east Asia. Also, we have commenced direct sales. We believe we can make some minor alternations for molds to fit the standards of the different markets. | |
· | To cope with limited production space in Xingfa’s factory in China and the potential need for relocation of production facilities due to the rapid urbanization of China, and to cope with effects of the economic downturn in the world economy and tariff disputes between US and China, we will seek to further develop the markets in south east Asia as well as to increase sales to Chinese mass consumers such as builders and developers of office buildings, residential housing, apartments and hotels. We will also seek to mitigate the potential risks of production delays by establishing more efficient production procedures, such as increasing the level of automation, using new production methods and expanding production facilities outside China. |
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· | To cope with cut-throat pricing by domestic manufacturers in China, we seek to maintain high quality, fine craftsmanship and efficient procurement. We are committed to designing and making affordable high-quality locksets. In order to better achieve customer satisfaction and meet customer demands, Hing Fat will continue to utilize its R&D and design abilities to introduce new products and achieve and maintain lean production practices to decrease our products’ cost and increase competitiveness. | |
· | We will seek to strengthen cooperation plans with our strategic partners and e-commerce channels for further growth. We will expand our resources to focus on new product launches with changes in lock designs and materials. Through the strategic cooperation with regional distribution channels, we aim at expanding our product offerings and entering untapped markets. We also plan to establish strategic relationships with local market players and make acquisitions at a global level. | |
· | To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, we will leverage our four decades of experience, customer relationship and reputation in the mechanical lockset industry, launch smart locks and smart security as upcoming product diversification. A smart security system is a security system that can monitor door sensors, remote CCTV and control door locks from an authorized device using a wireless protocol and a cryptographic key, or eventually, as a part of Internet of Things (IoT), the network of physical objects that feature an IP address for internet connectivity, and the communication that occurs between these objects and other internet-enabled devices and systems, which will alert the users based upon pre-set conditions. |
Summary of Risks Associated with Our Business
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects that you should consider before making a decision to invest in our ordinary shares, including risks and uncertainties, among others, the following:
Risks Related to Our Business
· | The recent global coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions to our business, which we expect will continue to have material negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition (see page 16 of this prospectus). |
· | The Chinese government's recent enforcement of “dual control of energy consumption” policy has caused disruptions to Xingfa manufacturing and our business and might continue to have negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition (see page 16 of this prospectus). |
· | We may not be successfully introducing smart lock products that are currently under research and development (see page 17 of this prospectus). |
· | We incurred net losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the past two years and may not be able to generate sufficient operating cash flows and working capital to continue as a going concern over the next 12 months. Failure to manage our liquidity and cash flows may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. As a result, we may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all (see page 18 of this prospectus). |
· | Fluctuations in the price, availability or quality of raw materials used in our products could cause manufacturing delays, adversely affecting our ability to provide goods to our customers or increase costs, any of which could decrease our sales or earnings (see page 19 of this prospectus). |
· | Xingfa may experience material disruptions to its manufacturing operations in China that could result in material delays, quality control issues, increased costs and loss of business opportunities, which may negatively impact our sales and financial results (see page 19 of this prospectus). |
· | Changes in U.S. trade policies could significantly reduce the volume of export goods into the United States, which may materially reduce our profit margin and our sales in the United States (see page 20 of this prospectus). |
· | Environmental regulations impose substantial costs and limitations on our operations and violation of environmental regulations might subject us to fines, penalties or suspension of production which could have material negative impact on our financial results (see page 26 of this prospectus). |
· | If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may be unable to accurately report our operating results, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud (see page 27 of this prospectus). |
· | We do not have any business insurance coverage (see page 27 of this prospectus). |
See “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our Business” on page 16 for more detailed disclosures on these risks and uncertainties.
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Risks Related to Doing Business in China
· | Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations (see page 28 of this prospectus). |
· | Uncertainties and quick change in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations with little advance notice could result in a material and negative impact on our business operation, decrease the value of our ordinary shares and limit the legal protections available to us (see page 29 of this prospectus). |
· | Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions (see page 33 of this prospectus). |
· | If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders (see page 34 of this prospectus). |
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Regulatory bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China (see page 34 of this prospectus).
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, and the related regulations are evolving quickly. Further implementations and interpretations of or amendments to the HFCA Act or the related regulations, or a PCOAB’s determination of its lack of sufficient access to inspect our auditor, might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in mainland China. A potential consequence is that our ordinary shares may be delisted by the exchange. The delisting of our ordinary shares, or the threat of our ordinary shares being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of our auditor deprives our investors of the benefits of such inspections. (see page 35 of this prospectus). |
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Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business operations and financial results (see page 37 of this prospectus).
Any change of regulations and rules by Chinese government, including the limitations on usage of power, additional environmental protection requirements, moving technology in and out of the PRC or restriction on cash transfer out of PRC, may intervene or influence our operations in China at any time and any additional control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in issuers with Chinese operations could result in a material change in our business operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares and could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless (see page 37 of this prospectus) |
See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” on page 28 for more detailed disclosures on these risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong
· | It will be difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against us, our officers, directors and assets based in Hong Kong and China. (see page 38 of this prospectus). |
· | The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could negatively affect our listing on Nasdaq and limit the legal protections available to you and us (see page 38 of this prospectus). |
See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong” on page 38 for more detailed disclosures on these risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering
· | There has been no public market for our shares prior to this offering, and if an active trading market does not develop you may not be able to resell our shares at or above the price you paid, or at all (see page 39 of this prospectus). |
· | You may face difficulties in protecting your interests as a shareholder, as Cayman Islands law provides substantially less protection when compared to the laws of the United States and it may be difficult for a shareholder of ours to effect service of process or to enforce judgements obtained in the United States courts (see page 41 of this prospectus). |
See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering” on page 39 for more detailed disclosures on these risks and uncertainties.
In addition, please see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 of this prospectus, and other information included in this prospectus, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that we face.
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Our Challenges
Until 2018, we have maintained a profitable business with steady growth in our revenues and earnings. In 2018, we experienced the sudden impact caused by the tariff war between the US and China that resulted in a decrease in or suspension of orders in late 2018 and 2019. To cope with the potential impact of an economic downturn of China and tariff disputes between China and US, we plan to further expand our market in south-east Asia and Chinese wholesales clients such as residential and commercial developers and hotel developers.
To expand our market into South-east Asia, we may face intensive competition on price. To get orders from mass scale customers such as property developers and hotel/service apartment developers, we must leverage our quality products and professional keying services. Our near-term strategy is to continue marketing and selling to wholesale customers as we believe that it is easier and more cost-efficient way to sell our products than to mass amount of small end users.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden halt in economic activities and our Company had to close our office in Hong Kong and manufacturing facility in China from late January 2020 until early March 2020. Our office in Hong Kong and our manufacturing in China has resumed since mid-March 2020. While it is difficult to estimate the future financial impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations, management believes that COVID-19 could have a material impact on the Company’s financial results for the year 2022 and could cause possible impairment of certain assets.
In 2021, COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact our operations. From May 21, 2021 to Jun 24, 2021, Yantian Port in Shenzhen was closed for sudden COVID-19 outbreak in the port area. The finished goods delivered by Xingfa to the port for ocean shipment, with sales value amounting approximately US$1.4 million, were delayed and eventually shipped out in August 2021. In addition, the supplies of our raw materials were negatively affected by the logistic disruption and their prices went up in 2021. Our customers have also been hampered by congested ports in the U.S., which in turn have caused delay of shipment, increase of inventory and disruption of our production schedule. In additional, Chinese government's enforcement of “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency has caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production schedule. Also, local government required mandatory COVID-19 tests on our employees of Xingfa factory from time to time in 2021, which has caused certain disruption in our production schedule. All these factors had pushed up Xingfa’s cost of production.
In 2022, there have been outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in Hong Kong where our headquarters are located and other cities in China, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taiyuan, Changchun as well as Dongguan city where Xingfa is located, and travel restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests, quarantine requirements and/or temporary closure of office buildings and facilities have been imposed by local governments. Although our operations have not been materially and negatively impacted by such outbreaks in Hong Kong and Dongguan in 2022, the government authorities may issue new orders of office closure, travel and transportation restrictions in China due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 and outbreak of new variants, which will have material negative impact to our business and financial conditions.
We need additional capital to develop new products, enter into new markets and drive our future growth. However, we have difficulty obtaining sufficient financing from commercial banks in China and Hong Kong as these traditional commercial banks prefer having real assets as collaterals for their loans. We have also studied the capital market of Hong Kong and we believe that it is tough for industrial company to seek for financing in Hong Kong.
To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, Hing Fat has been researching and developing smart locks in the past couple years. Hing Fat has been working on smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and have internally worked out a general solution plan including mechanical and electronic parts but still need to further develop the software related parts for such locks which we need external expertise. Most of our research and development on smart locks have been done internally by our technician and engineers, except that Hing Fat hired outside services for approximately $25,000 in 2017. Because of tariff war and outbreak of COVID-19, we haven’t made further progress on the software for our smart locks to save more working capital for our core operation. However, once we are able to raise sufficient funds from this public offering or are able to generate additional cash flows from our ongoing operations, we will acquire new equipment, systems and recruit information technology talents to develop software applications for our smart locks.
6 |
Our Competition
We are facing competition from worldwide brands such as Kwiksets, Schlage, and other domestic manufacturers in Hong Kong and China. The Company positions its products as affordable high-quality mechanical Grade 2 and Grade 3 locksets. In Asia, there are only a few manufacturers in China and South-east Asia that are capable of competing with us on such products.
Mechanical lockset companies have been consolidating in the last decade (see table: Competitive Landscaping, below). Sizable multinational companies keep expanding by acquiring or merging with other lockset companies. Currently, the major player in the world is ASSA Abloy AB (ASSA B: STO), a Swedish conglomerate that sells cover products and services ranging from locks, doors, gates and entrance automation, which owns brands such as Abloy, Yale Mul-T-Lock and Medeco. Other well-known brands including Kwikset by Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB), Schlage by Allegion PLC (NYSE: ALLE), Defiant by Home Depot (NYSE: HD), and Delaney Hardware in Cumming, USA. The PRC market is fragmented because various international lockset standards are all applicable in China. Thus, various brands of locksets all compete in PRC which makes the Chinese lockset market highly competitive.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPING: GLOBAL MECHANICAL LOCKS MARKET, BY DEVELOPMENT (2013–2021)
Company | Acquisition | Expansion | Product Launch | ||||||
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Allegion PLC | 4 | 1 | - | ||||||
ASSA Abloy | 6 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
DOM Security | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
Codelocks Inc. | - | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Serrature Meroni SpA | - | - | 3 |
*Source: Market Research Future - Global Mechanical Locks Market Research Report: Forecast to 2025 and Company Websites
We mostly compete with manufacturing subsidiaries and factories of those worldwide brands on product quality as well as the manufacturers in China on price. The key for our sustainability is to maintain high quality, fine craftsmanship and procurement at affordable prices. In additional, high capital expense for building a new locket manufacturing facility and our longtime created reputation set up barriers of entry by new players.
Corporate History and Structure
For 40 years, we have manufactured and sold high quality mechanical locksets through our subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong to customers in the United States and we continue to diversify and refine our product offerings to meet our customers’ needs. The predecessor of Hing Fat commenced our business of selling door locksets in 1981. In 1983, we started a small manufacturing workshop in China to produce door locksets with imported materials to fulfill for our customer orders which becomes our current manufacturing subsidiary, Xingfa. Our mission was “dedicated to manufacture high quality lockset products at affordable prices.”
Since 2000, we have offered our products with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards, which are developed by Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus is producing mechanical locksets, including locksets for outdoor uses, such as main entrances and gates, and indoor uses, to promote sustainable growth in our business and competitiveness in the market. To continue driving growth, we have designed our products to go beyond a basic lockset for security purposes; we offer a wide range of ODM door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors. Currently, our products are sold mainly in the US, and some in Canada, Macau and China.
7 |
We sell our products mainly to the US and Canada (“North America”) through one of our Hong Kong incorporated subsidiaries Kambo Locksets. Kambo Hardware, another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, targets and distributes locksets and related hardware to countries other than the North America market; and serves our customers in the Asian countries including Thailand and Australia.
In 1993, as the laws and regulations for processing with imported materials entity had changed in China, we established our wholly foreign owned entity (WFOE) subsidiary, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Limited (“Xingfa”) located in Shatian County, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province of PRC. Xingfa is equipped with various types of machines such as die casting machines, furnace, polishing machines and other machines for metal processing in a 17,560 m2 manufacturing facility. Currently, we are not in fully utilizing our capacity as compared to normal economic conditions in past years.
· | We restructured our corporate organization in 2009 because of changes in local laws in China as mentioned above. On March 23, 2009, we incorporated Hing Fat Industrial Limited under Hong Kong law (“Hing Fat”), as the holding company of Xingfa to manage the door lockset manufacturing activities of Xingfa and to conduct research and development. | |
· | On March 26, 2014, Kambo Locksets Limited (formerly known as Nice Gateway Limited) was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Kambo Locksets is a trading company focusing on marketing and sales of our products in North America market and became our subsidiary as a result of reorganization. | |
· | On February 25, 2015, Kambo Hardware Limited was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Its primary business is to sell our products to markets outside of the North America. | |
· | Bamberg (HK) Limited (“Bamberg”) was incorporated on June 24, 2016 under Hong Kong law. Through Bamberg, we started marketing our products under our own brand “Bamberg” to establish and focus on internet sales channels, such as Amazon.com. | |
· | On July 17, 2019, Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. was established as a holding company and it is a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares and were incorporated as an offshore holding company for listing purposes and for further expansion flexibility. Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. owns 100% of the equity interest in Intelligent Living Application Group Limited, which was incorporated on March 19, 2014 under the laws of British Virgin Islands. | |
· | On July 17, 2019, the Company issued 500,000,000 ordinary shares to its shareholders. On August 14, 2019, these shareholders surrendered an aggregate of 499,990,000 ordinary shares to the Company at no consideration. The transaction is considered as a recapitalization prior to the Company’s initial public offering. | |
· | A reorganization of the Company’s legal entity structure was completed in April 2020. The reorganization involved the incorporation of ILAG in July 2019 and execution of the Share Exchange Agreement between ILAG and ILA BVI in April 2020 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) whereby ILAG took control of ILA BVI and its wholly owned subsidiaries by acquiring all the outstanding shares of ILA BVI with ordinary shares of ILAG. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, ILAG and ILA BVI exchanged 2,550,000 shares of ILA BVI for 12,990,000 ordinary shares of ILAG. This transaction was treated as a recapitalization of the Company and the financial statements give retroactive effect to this transaction. | |
· | On July 16, 2021, the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and our authorized share capital currently is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 450,000,000 ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 each; and (ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value of US$0.0001 each. | |
· | Through Intelligent Living Application Group Limited in BVI, we own 100% of the equity interest in Hing Fat, Kambo Locksets, Kambo Hardware and Bamberg, and through Hing Fat, we own 100% of the equity interest in Xingfa. |
8 |
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities:
Intelligent
Living Application Group Inc. (incorporated in Cayman Islands) |
|||||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
Intelligent Living Application Group Limited (incorporated in BVI) |
|||||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||||
Kambo Hardware Limited (incorporated in Hong Kong) | Kambo Locksets Limited (incorporated in Hong Kong) | Bamberg (HK) Limited (incorporated in Hong Kong) |
Hing Fat Industrial Limited (incorporated in Hong Kong) | ||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
(Mainland China) | |||||||||||
Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Ltd. (incorporated in Dongguan, PRC) |
Transfer of Cash To and From Our Subsidiaries
We mainly conduct our marketing and sales, research and development and design activities through our wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and manufacturing activities through our wholly owned subsidiary in China, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Limited (“Xingfa”). As a result, almost all of our sales revenues are received by our Hong Kong subsidiaries which make payment to Xingfa for the cost of products and reasonable markups. Transfers of funds among our Hong Kong subsidiaries or from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to the holding company are free of restrictions. Remittances of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to Xingfa are subject to review and conversion of HK$ or US$ to Renminbi Yuan (“RMB”) through Xingfa’s bank in China, which represents the SAFE to monitor foreign exchange activities. Under the existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements with the banks. Currently, we don’t have any intentions to distribute earnings or settle amounts owed under our operating structure other than the agreements entered under normal business operation as discussed above.
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Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. (“ILAG”) is incorporated in Cayman Islands as a holding company with no actual operations and it currently conducts its business through its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and China. There has been no cash flows and transfers of other assets between the holding company and its subsidiaries, other than that as of December 31, 2021, Kabmo Locksets and Intelligent Living Application Group Limited (BVI), both wholly owned subsidiaries of ILAG have paid approximately $1,190,000 for expenses related to this public offering of ILAG as intercompany loans and not as the dividend payment or distribution. None of our subsidiaries has made any dividend payment or distribution to our holding company as of the date this prospectus and they have no plans to make any distribution or dividend payment to the holding company in the near future. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has made any dividends or distributions to U.S. investors as of the date of this prospectus.
At operational level, Xingfa has sold products with markups to Hing Fat, in the amount of approximately $11.67 million and $10.70 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Hing Fat has sold products with markups to Kambo Locksets in the amount of approximately $11.35 million and $10.10 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Hing Fat has made payment to Xingfa approximately $11.65 million and $10.74 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Kambo Locksets has made payment to Hing Fat for approximately $11.72 million and $10.80 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
All transfers of cash are related to the operations of the subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. For our Hong Kong subsidiaries, our subsidiary in British Virgin Islands and the holding company (“Non-PRC Entities”), there is no restrictions on foreign exchange for such entities and they are able to transfer cash among these entities, across borders and to US investors. Also, there is no restrictions and limitations on the abilities of Non-PRC Entities to distribute earnings from their businesses, including from subsidiaries to the parent company or from the holding company to the U.S. investors as well as the abilities to settle amounts owed. However, PRC may impose greater restrictions on our Hong Kong subsidiaries' abilities to transfer cash out of Hong Kong and to the holding company, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regarding cash transfer to and from Xingfa, we are able to have such transfer through banks in China under current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, which can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements with the banks. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. PRC laws and regulations allow an offshore holding company to provide funding to our wholly owned subsidiary in China only through loans or capital contributions, subject to the filing or approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. Subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements, we may extend inter-company loans to our wholly owned subsidiary in China or make additional capital contributions to fund Xingfa’s capital expenditures or working capital. For an increase of its registered capital, Xingfa needs to file such change of registered capital with the MOFCOM or its local counterparts. If the holding company provide funding to Xingfa through loans, the total amount of such loans may not exceed the difference between the entity’s total investment as approved by the foreign investment authorities and its registered capital. Such loans must be registered with SAFE or its local branches. Under PRC law, Xingfa is also required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital.
10 |
Recent Developments
A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019, which has spread rapidly to many parts of the world, including the US. The epidemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of offices and business facilities in mainland China and Hong Kong for the past few months from January to March 2020. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because all of our manufacturing operations are in China and the majority of our sales are generated by customers in the US, both of which have been significantly negatively impacted by the outbreak, our business, results of operations, and financial condition have been and will continue to be adversely affected.
The impacts of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
· | Temporary Closure of Office, Factory and Travel Restrictions. In compliance with the government health emergency rules in place and in observation of the Chinese New Year national holiday, we temporarily closed our office and factory since January 24, 2020. Our office staff has worked from home until both our office and factory resumed operations on March 16, 2020. Due to the nature of our business, the closure of our factory had delayed production and product delivery. Our business and operation was negatively impacted during the first half of 2020, however, our overall revenues for 2020 was similar to the same period of 2019 and our overall revenues for 2021 increased slightly from 2020 as COVID-19 in Hong Kong and China was mostly under control in 2021. In February 2022, there was an outbreak of Omicron variant in Hong Kong and the government imposed certain restriction and quarantine requirements, however, our offices remained open and our business was not impacted. The COVID-19 outbreak is mostly under control in Hong Kong now. In March 2022, the government of Dongguan City imposed certain restrictions and quarantine requirements due to the outbreak of Omicron variant, which caused logistic disruption for raw materials and finished goods for about 15 days. However, our Xingfa factory remained open during that period of time and its production was not significantly impacted although employees in Dongguan were required to be tested and follow the COVID-19 related protocols. |
· | Delay in Customer Delivery. Our customers in the US have been and are continuously being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for product delivery has been delayed. We have maintained similar revenue for 2021 to that for 2020. However, temporary closure of Yantian Port in Shenzhen from May 21, 2021 to Jun 24, 2021 caused delay of delivery of products to our customers. Our customers have also been hampered by congested ports in the U.S. due to COVID-19, which in turn have caused delay of shipment, increase of inventory and disruption of our production schedule. As of the date of this prospectus, we have received customer orders with scheduled deliveries through September 2022. We believe the negative impact on our business by the COVID-19 pandemic has been generally under control and recent outbreaks in China have not materially impacted our business operations in Hong Kong and Dongguan. |
· | Temporary shortage of labor. Due to the travel restrictions imposed by the local governments, some of our employees were not able to get back to work since the Chinese New Year holiday in early 2020. However, the impact of such shortage is not significant to the Company because customer order deliveries have been delayed due the COVID-19 pandemic and our existing employees worked overtime to mitigate this temporary labor shortage. Since June 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic in China has been mostly under control, we have seen supply of labor slightly recovering and we currently do not have shortage of labor for our Xingfa factory. Also, it is our new strategy now to employ more skilled labor, and we do not plan to hire any unskilled labor in the near future. |
· | Temporary shortage of power. The Chinese government's recent enforcement of “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency has caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production progress and increased cost of goods sold due to lower utilization of labor and slightly higher cost for wastage metal raw materials. This policy might continue to have negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
The future impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of the pandemic, new variants of the COVID-19, the efficacy and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain COVID-19 and mitigate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control. Nonetheless, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will assess its potential impact to our business. On a year-to-date basis, we have not noted a significant decline in orders as of December 31, 2021, compared to the same period of 2020. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic such as outbreak in Hong Kong and China in 2022, the possible business disruption and the related financial impact related to the potential further outbreak of and response to COVID-19 cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. For a detailed description of the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business — The recent global coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions in our business, which we expect will continue to have material negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition”.
11 |
Foreign Private Issuer Status
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. For example:
· | we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company; |
· | for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies; |
· | we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation; |
· | we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; |
· | we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and |
· | our insiders are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring such individuals and entities to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction. |
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and financial disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, (1) presenting only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations in this prospectus, (2) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these exemptions. As a result, investors may find investing in our ordinary shares less attractive.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of such extended transition period.
We could remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (2) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months, or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 2, 5/F, Block A, Profit Industrial Building, 1-15 Kwai Fung Crescent, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong. Our telephone number at this address is +852 2481 7938. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency, located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, United States. Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number (852) 2481-7938 of our principal executive offices.
Our website is www.i-l-a-g.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
12 |
The Offering | ||
Securities being offered: | 5,060,000 ordinary shares on a firm commitment basis. | |
Initial offering price: | The purchase price for the shares will be $4.00 per ordinary share. | |
Number of ordinary shares outstanding before the offering: | 13,000,000 of our ordinary shares are outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. | |
Number of ordinary shares outstanding after the offering: | 18,060,000 ordinary shares. | |
Gross proceeds to us, net of underwriting discount but before expenses: | $18,722,000, based on an offering price at $4.00. | |
Use of proceeds: | We plan to use the net proceeds from this offering after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us as follows: (i) approximately $5 million of the proceeds to set up our new subsidiary or representative office in the United States to enhance sales and service support for our customers and future expansion in marketing and internet sales of self-branded products; (ii) approximately $4 million of the proceeds will be applied to establishment of production facility(ies) outside China in order to mitigate the effects of additional tariffs that may be levied due to the trade war between U.S. and China and to leverage lower labor costs in southeast Asia counties; (iii) approximately $6 million of the proceeds for working capital purposes in our Hong Kong operation, including but not limited to sales and marketing expenses, and research and development expenses of smart locks, smart security and internet of things (IoT) products; (iv) the remaining of the proceeds will be used to increase the registered capital of our manufacturing facility in China for capital expenses and working capital. For more information on the use of proceeds, see “Use of Proceeds” on page 46. | |
Lock-up | All of our directors and officers and all existing shareholders have agreed with the underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares for a period of 6 months after the date of this prospectus. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting” for more information. | |
Nasdaq Symbol: | ILAG | |
Underwriter’s warrants: | We have agreed to issue, on the closing date of this offering, warrants (the “underwriter’s warrants”) to the Underwriter, in an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold by us in this offering. The exercise price of the underwriter’s warrants is equal to 125% of the price of our ordinary shares offered hereby. The underwriter’s warrants are exercisable for a period of five years from the closing date of this offering and will terminate on the fifth anniversary of the date of the commencement of sales of this offering. | |
Risk factors: | Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. As an investor you should not buy our ordinary shares unless you are able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 16. |
13 |
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following selected consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss data and selected consolidated statements of cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Data: | ||||||||
Revenues | $ | 12,543,556 | $ | 11,219,559 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | (11,231,253 | ) | (9,641,408 | ) | ||||
Gross profit | 1,312,303 | 1,578,151 | ||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (150,152 | ) | (169,111 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses | (2,902,040 | ) | (2,417,289 | ) | ||||
Finance costs | (57,774 | ) | (29,109 | ) | ||||
Loss from operations | (1,797,663 | ) | (1,037,358 | ) | ||||
Total other income, net | 411,148 | 22,010 | ||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | (1,386,515 | ) | (1,015,348 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
Loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) |
14 |
As of December 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
USD | USD | |||||||||
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 131,129 | $ | 302,440 | ||||||
Total current assets | 7,127,138 | 6,059,235 | ||||||||
Total non-current assets | 2,181,831 | 2,393,834 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 9,308,969 | $ | 8,453,069 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 4,913,615 | 3,478,988 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 5,828,683 | $ | 4,356,505 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 4,096,564 |
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data: | ||||||||
Net cash (used in) operating activities | $ | (1,038,967 | ) | $ | (1,598,979 | ) | ||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | (9,758 | ) | (221,760 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 876,334 | 1,049,390 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 1,080 | 3,910 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash | (171,311 | ) | (767,439 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 302,440 | 1,069,879 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 131,129 | $ | 302,440 |
15 |
An investment in our ordinary shares involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in our ordinary shares. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In any such case, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
The recent global coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions to our business, which we expect will continue to materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition
The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, especially in China, the United States and Europe. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic. Many businesses and social activities in China, Hong Kong, the U.S. and other countries and regions have been severely disrupted, including those of our suppliers, customers and distributors. Such disruption and the potential slowdown of the world’s economy could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our suppliers and our customers have experienced significant business disruptions and suspension of operations due to quarantine measures to contain the spread of the pandemic, which have caused and may continue to have a negative impact on our business and operations, such as shortage in the supply of raw materials, suspend or reduce our production capacity, shortage of transportation or logistic services, delay of our products delivery, delay or cancellation of orders from our customers, and delay or default in payments from our customers. Our customers or end-users of our products that are negatively impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 may reduce their budgets to purchase our products, which may materially adversely impact our revenue and results of operations. Our business operations could also be disrupted if any of our employees are suspected of being or is infected by COVID-19, since it could require other employees to be quarantined or our offices and production site to be closed down and disinfected.
COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect global logistics. Between May 21 and June 24, 2021, Yantian Port of Shenzhen, a major port for shipment of Xingfa, was temporary closed for a sudden COVID-19 outbreak which caused delay of delivering and shipment of our products to customers. In additional, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 in other ports in China and caused temporary closure of such ports, which interrupted and decreased supply of raw materials for Xingfa’s production and driving raw material prices up. Our customers have also been hampered by congested ports in the U.S., which in turn have caused delay of shipment, increase of inventory and disruption of our production schedule. The local government required mandatory COVID-19 tests on our employees of Xingfa factory from time to time, which has caused and might continue to cause certain disruption in our production schedule.
As part of global supply chain interruption due to COVID-19, coal and other supplies for power generation plants have been negatively impacted. As a result, Chinese government started to enforce the “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency which had caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production schedule and increase of the cost of production. All of these would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition in the near term. In 2022, there have been outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in Hong Kong where our headquarters are located and other cities in China, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taiyuan, Changchun as well as Dongguan city where Xingfa is located, and travel restrictions, mandatory COVID-19 tests, quarantine requirements and/or temporary closure of office buildings and facilities have been imposed by local governments. Although our operations have not been materially and negatively impacted by such outbreaks in Hong Kong and Dongguan in 2022, the government authorities may issue new orders of office closure, travel and transportation restrictions in China due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 and outbreak of new variants, which will have material negative impact to our business and financial conditions.
The growth of our business depends on our ability to accurately predict consumer trends and demand and successfully introduce new products and product line extensions and improve existing products.
Our growth depends, in part, on our ability to successfully introduce new products and product line extensions and improve and reposition our existing products to meet the requirements of property owners and builders. This, in turn, depends on our ability to predict and respond to evolving consumer trends, demands and preferences. The development and introduction of innovative new products and product line extensions involve considerable costs. In addition, it may be difficult to establish new supplier relationships and determine appropriate product selections when developing a new product or product line extension. Any new product or product line extension may not generate sufficient customer interest and sales to become a profitable product or to cover the costs of its development and promotion and may negatively affect our operating results and damage our reputation. If we are not able to anticipate, identify or develop and market products to respond to the changes in the requirements and preferences of property owners and builders, or if our new product introductions or repositioned products fail to gain consumer acceptance, we may not grow our business as anticipated, our sales may decline and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
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We may not be able to successfully in introducing smart lock products that are current in research and development.
We have invested our efforts, time and resources in the research and development of smart locks in the past couple years and the outcome is uncertain whether such development will be successful. We will continue to invest in the development of the software of smart locks and equipment and machineries to manufacture parts and assembly line to produce smart locks. We will also incur costs to recruit information technology talents to develop software application and support functions of such new products. In additional, we will incur marketing costs to generate customer interest and sales of such products in enough volume to make it a profitable product. If we fail to design and develop appropriate functions for our smart locks to attract enough customers and establish commercial manufacturing capabilities or if our smart lock products can’t meet the regulatory requirements, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. If we fail to obtain and maintain patent, trade secret and other intellectual property protection and regulatory exclusivity for our new smart locks or if we are unable to ensure that we do not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the valid patent, trade secret or other intellectual property rights of third parties regarding smart locks on the market, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy on a timely basis or at all.
Our future success depends, in large part, on our ability to implement our growth strategy, including expanding distribution and improving placement of our products in the stores of our retail customers, attracting new consumers to our brands, introducing new products and product line extensions and expanding into new markets. Our ability to implement this growth strategy depends, among other things, on our ability to:
· | enter into distribution and other strategic arrangements with current and new retailers and other potential distributors of our products; |
· | continue to effectively compete in our distribution channels; |
· | increase our brand recognition by effectively implementing our marketing strategy and advertising initiatives; |
· | create and maintain brand loyalty; |
· | develop new products and product line extensions that appeal to consumers; |
· | maintain and, to the extent necessary, improve our high standards for product quality, safety and integrity; |
· | maintain sources for the required supply of quality raw materials and ingredients to meet our growing demand; and |
· | identify and successfully enter and market our products in new geographic areas and market segments. |
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We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy and may need to change our strategy from time to time. If we fail to implement our growth strategy or if we invest resources in a growth strategy that ultimately proves unsuccessful, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We incurred net losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the past two years and may not be able to generate sufficient operating cash flows and working capital to continue as a going concern. Failure to manage our liquidity and cash flows may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. As a result, we may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We also incurred net losses of $1,386,515 and $1,015,348 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As a result, we have generated negative cash flows from operating activities of approximately $1.0 million and $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. We can offer no assurance that we will operate profitably or that we will generate positive cash flows in the next twelve months, given our substantial expenses in relation to our revenue at this stage of our Company. Inability to collect our accounts receivable in a timely and sufficient manner, or the inability to offset our expenses with adequate revenue, may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe that our cash on hand and anticipated cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business for the next 12 months, we cannot assure you this will be the case.
If and when we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet our working capital requirements and various operating needs, we may need to raise additional funds for our operations and such funds may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to execute our business plan, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. This may seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to achieve or maintain profitability, the market price of our shares may significantly decrease. In the event that the Company requires additional funding to finance its operations, the Company’s major shareholders have indicated their intent and ability to provide such financial support, however, there is no assurance such funding will be available when the Company needs it in the future.
Any damage to our reputation or our brand may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have long business relationships with our customers by maintaining high quality and quick service response. Maintaining our strong reputation with consumers and our suppliers is critical to our success. Our brands may suffer if our marketing plans or product initiatives are not successful. The importance of our brands may increase if competitors offer products with designs and functions similar to ours. Further, our brands may be negatively impacted due to real or perceived quality issues or if consumers perceive us as being untruthful in our marketing and advertising, even if such perceptions are not accurate. The failure to maintain high standards for product quality and integrity, including raw materials obtained from suppliers, or allegations of product quality issues, even if untrue or caused by our raw material suppliers, may reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions. We maintain guidelines and procedures to ensure the quality and integrity of our products. However, we may be unable to detect or prevent product quality issues, particularly in instances of the attempts to cover up or obscure deviations from our guidelines and procedures. If any of our products become unfit for use or cause injury, we may have to engage in a product recall and/or be subject to liability. In addition, if our products have quality issues, we could incur significant expenses related to the replacement of our products. Damage to our reputation or our brands or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and increased costs and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
To the extent our customers purchase products in excess of consumer demand in any period, our sales in a subsequent period may be adversely affected as our customers seek to reduce their inventory levels.
From time to time, our customers may purchase more products than they expect to sell during a particular time period. Our customers may grow their inventory in anticipation of, or during, our promotional events, which typically provide for reduced prices during a specified time or other customer incentives. Our customers may also grow inventory in anticipation of a price increase for our products, or otherwise over-order our products as a result of overestimating demand for our products. If a customer increases its inventory during a particular reporting period as a result of a promotional event, anticipated price increases or otherwise, then sales during the subsequent reporting period may be adversely impacted as our customers seek to reduce their inventory to customary levels. This effect may be particularly pronounced when the promotional event, price increase or other event occurs near the end or beginning of a reporting period or when there are changes in the timing of a promotional event, price increase or similar event, as compared to the prior year. To the extent our customers seek to reduce their usual or customary inventory levels or change their practices regarding purchases in excess of consumer demand, our net sales and results of operations may be materially adversely affected in that period.
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We operate in a highly competitive industry and may lose market share or experience margin erosion if we are unable to compete effectively.
We compete on the basis of product quality, design and performance, brand awareness and loyalty, product variety, reputation, price and promotional efforts. We compete with a significant number of companies of varying sizes, including divisions or subsidiaries of larger companies who may have greater financial resources and larger customer bases than we have. As a result, these competitors may be able to identify and adapt to changes in consumer preferences more quickly than us due to their resources and scale. They may also be more successful in marketing and selling their products, better able to increase prices to reflect cost pressures and better able to increase their promotional activity, which may impact us and the entire lockset manufacturing industry. If these competitive pressures cause our products to lose market share or experience margin erosion, our business, financial conditions and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Fluctuations in the price, availability or quality of raw materials used in our products could cause manufacturing delays, adversely affect our ability to provide goods to our customers or increase costs, any of which could decrease our sales or earnings.
Our major raw material purchases include copper, iron, zinc alloy and packaging materials comprised of paper and plastic. We depend on outside suppliers for these raw materials and must obtain sufficient quantities of quality raw materials from these suppliers at acceptable prices and in a timely manner. We do not maintain fixed supply contracts with our suppliers. Unfavorable fluctuations in the price, quality or availability of required raw materials could negatively affect our ability to meet the demands of our customers. Our inability to meet customers’ demands could result in the loss of future sales.
The profitability of our products depends in part upon the margin between the cost to us of certain raw materials and our fabrication costs associated with converting such raw materials into assembled products, as compared to the selling price of our products. We intend to continue to base the selling prices of our products in part upon their associated raw material costs. However, we may not be able to pass all increases in raw material costs or increases in the costs associated with taking possession of raw materials through to our customers in the future. The inability to offset price increases of raw materials by sufficient product price increases could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We do not engage in hedging transactions to protect against raw material fluctuations but attempt to mitigate the short-term risks of price swings by purchasing raw materials in advance based on production needs or reaching agreements with some of our suppliers to keep the cost of raw materials stable. We also attempt to lower consumption of raw materials by lowing waste rate and recycled materials without compromising product quality.
Xingfa may experience material disruptions to its manufacturing operations in China that could result in material delays, quality control issues, increased costs and loss of business opportunities, which may negatively impact our sales and financial results.
We rely primarily upon our manufacturing facilities of Xingfa, which is located in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, to produce our products. While we seek to operate our facilities in compliance with applicable rules and regulations and take measures to minimize the risks of disruption at our facilities, a material disruption at our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, reduce our sales and negatively impact our financial results. Our manufacturing facilities, or any of our machines, could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including: prolonged power failures; equipment failures; disruptions in the transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges, railroad tracks; fires, floods, earthquakes, health epidemics, acts of war, or other catastrophes, which could also pose a risk to injury or damage to personnel, the property of others, which in turn could lead to considerable financial costs and may also have negative legal consequences. Our future growth strategy may include an expansion of our manufacturing capacity to meet increasing demand for our existing products. Any projects undertaken by us to increase such capacity may not be constructed on the anticipated timetable or within budget. We may also experience quality control issues as we implement these manufacturing upgrades and ramp up production. Any such material disruption may prevent us from shipping our products on a timely basis, reduce our sales and market share and negatively impact our financial results.
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We face risks associated with managing operations in China, any of which could decrease our sales or earnings and could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
All of our manufacturing operations currently are conducted in China. There are a number of risks inherent in doing business in China, including the following: unfavorable political or economic factors; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; potentially adverse tax consequences; unexpected legal or regulatory changes; lack of sufficient protection for intellectual property rights; difficulties in recruiting and retaining personnel, and managing international operations; and less developed infrastructure. Furthermore, changes in the political, economic and social conditions in China from which these risks are derived could make it more difficult to provide products to our customers. Our inability to manage these risks successfully could adversely affect our business and manufacturing operations and could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Changes in U.S. trade policies could significantly reduce the volume of export goods into the United States, which may materially reduce our profit margin and our sales in the United States.
The U.S. administration and members of Congress have made public statements indicating possible significant changes in U.S. trade policy and have taken certain actions that have impacted the U.S. and China trade relationship, including imposing tariffs on certain goods imported into the United States from China. The increase of tariffs for products made in China has triggered retaliatory actions from China, resulting in “trade wars” and increased costs for goods imported into the United States, which have and may reduce customer demand for our products if the importers who pay for those tariffs add such tariff amounts to their selling prices. We have reduced our sales price and profit margin to absorb some of the tariffs, however, importers may still reduce their orders. Such reductions have caused and may continue to materially and adversely affect our sales, profit margin and our business. Although the U.S. has started to review and remove the increased tariff previously imposed on certain items importing from China, it has not impacted our products sold to the U.S. and if we can’t establish new manufacturing facilities outside of China, continue to reduce our production costs and/or develop new products to attract customers who are willing to pay higher prices, our business and profits will be materially and adversely affected.
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We have a substantial customer concentration, with a limited number of customers accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from a few major customers. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, three and two customers accounted for 77.7% and 80.8% of our revenues, respectively. In addition, our five largest customers in aggregate accounted for approximately 91% and 93% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of customers. It is not possible for us to predict the future level of demand for our products that will be generated by these customers or the future demand for our products by these customers in the end-user marketplace. If any of these customers experience declining or delayed sales due to market, economic or competitive conditions, we could be pressured to reduce our prices or they could decrease the purchase quantity of our products, which could have an adverse effect on our margins and financial position, and could negatively affect our revenues and results of operations. If any of our three largest customers terminates the purchase of our products, such termination would materially negatively affect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our operating results, including the levels of our net revenues, expenses, net (loss)/income and other key metrics, may vary significantly in the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control, and period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. Accordingly, the results for any one period are not necessarily an indication of future performance. Fluctuations in results may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our financial results include:
· | our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers; |
· | changes in our mix of products and introduction of new products; |
· | the amount and timing of operating expenses related to the maintenance and expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure; |
· | Increase the cost of raw materials and/or labor; |
· | our decision to manage order volume growth during the period; |
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· | the impact of competitors or competitive products; |
· | increases in our costs and expenses that we may incur to grow and expand our operations and to remain competitive; |
· | changes in the legal or regulatory environment or proceedings, including enforcement by government regulators, fines, orders or consent decrees; |
· | increase of tariffs, general economic, industry and market conditions, including changes in Chinese, U.S. or global business or macroeconomic conditions; |
· | the timing of expenses related to the development or acquisition of technologies or businesses; and |
· | the additional costs related to being a public company |
Despite our marketing efforts, we may not be able to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way and our business and results of operations may be harmed accordingly.
We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting new and retaining existing customers. Successful promotion of our brand and our ability to attract quality customers depends largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and the success of the channels we use to promote our products. Our efforts to promote our sales and to build our brand have caused us to incur selling and marketing expenses in the amount of approximately $150,000 and $169,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Despite our marketing efforts, it is likely that our future marketing efforts will require us to incur significant additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased revenues in the immediate future or at all and, even if they do, any increases in revenues may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand while incurring substantial expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, which may impair our ability to grow our business.
If we fail to manage our inventory effectively, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially and adversely affected.
Our inventories are mostly raw materials, such as copper, iron, zinc alloy and packaging materials comprised of paper and plastic, which require us to manage our inventory effectively. We depend on our demand forecasts for various kinds of raw materials and pre-made products to make purchase decisions and to manage our inventory. Such demand, however, can change significantly between the time inventory is ordered and the date by which we hope to sell it. Demand may be affected by seasonality, the economy, new product launches, pricing and discounts, product defects, changes in customer spending patterns, changes in customer tastes and other factors, and our customers may not order products in the quantities that we expect. The acquisition of certain types of inventory may require significant lead time and prepayment.
Furthermore, as we plan to continue expanding our product offerings, we expect to include a wider variety of products and raw materials in our inventory, which will make it more challenging for us to manage our inventory and logistics effectively. We cannot guarantee that our inventory levels will be able to meet the demands of customers, which may adversely affect our sales. If we fail to manage our inventory effectively, we may be subject to a heightened risk of inventory obsolescence resulting in a decline in inventory value, and significant inventory write-downs or write-offs. Any of the above may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. On the other hand, if we underestimate demand for our products, or if our suppliers fail to supply quality raw materials and pre-made products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which might result in diminished brand loyalty and lost revenues, any of which could harm our business and reputation.
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We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We regard our trademarks, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on a combination of intellectual property laws and contractual arrangements, including confidentiality and non-compete agreements with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. See “Business—Intellectual Property” and “Regulation—Regulation on Intellectual Property Rights.” Thus, we cannot assure you that any of our intellectual property rights would not be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, or such intellectual property will be sufficient to provide us with competitive advantages. In addition, because of the rapid pace of technological change, parts of our business rely on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the network of physical objects that feature an IP address for internet connectivity, and the communication that occurs between these objects and other Internet-enabled devices and systems which will alert the users under pre-set conditions, developed or licensed by third parties, and we may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses and technologies from these third parties on reasonable terms, or at all.
It is often difficult to register, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights in China. Statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China. Preventing any unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly and the steps we take may be inadequate to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property. In the event that we resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managerial and financial resources. We can provide no assurance that we will prevail in such litigation. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. To the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related know-how and inventions. Any failure in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may be from time to time in the future be subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, there may be third-party trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights that are infringed by our products, services or other aspects of our business without our awareness. Holders of such intellectual property rights may seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us in China, the United States or other jurisdictions. If any third-party infringement claims are brought against us, we may be forced to divert management’s time and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these claims, regardless of their merits.
Additionally, the application and interpretation of China’s intellectual property right laws and the procedures and standards for granting trademarks, patents, copyrights, know-how or other intellectual property rights in China are still evolving and are uncertain, and we cannot assure you that PRC courts or regulatory authorities would agree with our analysis. If we were found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to liability for our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives of our own. As a result, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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From time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate strategic investments or acquisitions, which could require significant management attention, disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial results.
We may evaluate and consider strategic investments, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to further increase the value of our marketplace and better serve our customers. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated. If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even if we do consummate such a transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such transaction.
Strategic investments or acquisitions will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
· | difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business; |
· | inability of the acquired technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits; |
· | difficulties in retaining, training, motivating and integrating key personnel; |
· | diversion of management’s time and resources from our normal daily operations; |
· | difficulties in successfully incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our product offerings; |
· | difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies within the combined organizations; |
· | difficulties in retaining relationships with customers, employees and suppliers of the acquired business; |
· | risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience; |
· | regulatory risks, including remaining in good standing with existing regulatory bodies or receiving any necessary pre-closing or post-closing approvals, as well as being subject to new regulators with oversight over an acquired business; |
· | assumption of contractual obligations that contain terms that are not beneficial to us, require us to license or waive intellectual property rights or increase our risk for liability; |
· | failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology; |
· | liability for activities of the acquired business before the acquisition, including intellectual property infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; |
· | potential disruptions to our ongoing businesses; and |
· | unexpected costs and unknown risks and liabilities associated with strategic investments or acquisitions. |
We may not make any investments or acquisitions, or any future investments or acquisitions may not be successful, may not benefit our business strategy, may not generate sufficient revenues to offset the associated acquisition costs or may not otherwise result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any future investment in or acquisition of new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced products or that any new or enhanced products, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
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Our business depends on the continued efforts of our senior management. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our business operations depend on the continued services of our senior management, particularly the executive officers named in this prospectus. While we have the ability to provide different incentives to our management, we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be constrained, our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality and non-competition agreements with our management, there is no assurance that any member of our management team will not join our competitors or form a competing business. If any dispute arises between our current or former officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce them at all.
The relative lack of public company experience of our management team may put us at a competitive disadvantage.
Our management team lacks public company experience, which could impair our ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (“Sarbanes-Oxley”). Our senior management does not have much experience managing a publicly traded company. Such responsibilities include complying with federal securities laws and making required disclosures on a timely basis. Our senior management may be unable to implement programs and policies in an effective and timely manner or that adequately respond to the increased legal, regulatory and reporting requirements associated with being a publicly traded company. Our failure to comply with all applicable requirements could lead to the imposition of fines and penalties, distract our management from attending to the management and growth of our business, result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on our business and stock price.
We lease our facilities from third parties and there is no assurance that we will be able to renew our leased facilities on favorable terms, or at all.
We currently lease all of the properties we use to operate our business. Our headquarters are located in Hong Kong comprising office premises of approximately 300 m2. Our production facilities are located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China, where Xingfa leases a total floor area of approximately 17,560 m2. The lease terms on these premises expire on February 28, 2024. If we are unable to renew these leases on favorable terms, or at all, we would be required to find new leased space, which space may be more expensive to lease than our current facilities. Also, the lease may be terminated early due to unexpected change of land usage by the local government.
Moreover, the lessor of Xingfa has not provided us with a real estate ownership certificate for the manufacturing facility. Under the relevant PRC laws and regulations, if the lessor is unable to obtain certificate of title, such lease contract may be recognized as void and as a result, Xingfa may be required to vacate the relevant properties. Although the lessor agreed to compensate Xingfa’s loss or provide Xingfa with other properties for its current business operation, we might not be able to recover all the losses and our business might be negatively impacted.
Competition for employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified and skilled employees needed to support our business.
We believe our success depends on the efforts and talent of our employees, including engineering, risk management, information technology, financial and marketing personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled marketing, engineering, information technology, risk management and financial personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Some of the companies with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment.
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In addition, we invest significant time and expenses in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and the quality of our products could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect to our business.
Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The economy in China has experienced increases in inflation and labor costs in recent years. As a result, average wages in the PRC are expected to continue to increase. In addition, Xingfa is required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments to the statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to our customers or end users by increasing the prices of our products, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If we cannot maintain our corporate culture as we grow, we could lose the innovation, collaboration and focus that contribute to our business.
We believe that a critical component of our success is our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, encourages teamwork and cultivates creativity. As we develop the infrastructure of a public company and continue to grow, we may find it difficult to maintain these valuable aspects of our corporate culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively impact our future success, including our ability to attract and retain employees, encourage innovation and teamwork and effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives.
Environmental regulations impose substantial costs and limitations on our operations and violation of environmental regulations might subject us to fines, penalties or suspension of production which could have material negative impact on our financial results.
Xingfa uses a variety of chemicals and produce significant emissions and powder dust in our lockset manufacturing operations. The stamping and casting machines in the manufacturing facility create high decibel noise. As such, Xingfa is subject to various national and local environmental laws, occupational safety and health (“OSH”) laws and regulations in China concerning issues such as air emissions, wastewater discharge, and solid waste management and disposal. These laws and regulations can restrict or limit our operations and expose us to liability and penalties for non-compliance. For example, in April 2018, Xingfa was ordered by Dongguan Environmental Protection Bureau to pay a fine of RMB100,000 (approximately $15,000) for failure to meet the air emission requirement, which Xingfa has paid and corrected the non-compliance emission. While we believe that Xingfa’s facilities are in material compliance with all applicable environmental and OSH laws and regulations, the risks of substantial unanticipated costs and liabilities related to compliance with these laws and regulations are an inherent part of our business. It is possible that future conditions may develop, arise or be discovered that create new environmental compliance or remediation liabilities and costs. While we believe that we can comply with existing environmental legislation and regulatory requirements and that the costs of compliance have been included within budgeted cost estimates, compliance may prove to be more limiting and costly than anticipated. If Xingfa fails to comply with the environmental regulations, it could face fines, penalties and our production facility(ies) operations might be suspended until we comply, which could have material negative impact on our operation and financial results.
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If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may be unable to accurately report our operating results, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.
Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. Our management has not completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which requires that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined under the JOBS Act, and if the value of our non-affiliated float of our common stock exceeds certain amounts, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Generally, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets and harm our results of operations. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.
We do not have any business insurance coverage.
Insurance companies in China currently do not offer as extensive an array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies. Currently, we and our subsidiaries do not have any business liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
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Risks Related to Doing Business in China.
Changes in China’s economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
All of our manufacturing operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies and change of enforcement practice of such rules and policies can change quickly with little advance notice. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past four decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. Since 2012, China’s economic growth has slowed down. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
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Uncertainties and quick change in the interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations with little advance notice could result in a material and negative impact our business operation, decrease the value of our ordinary shares and limit the legal protections available to us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions have limited value as precedents. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. The enforcement of laws and that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice and the risk that the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China- based issuers, could result in a material change in our operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares.
We cannot rule out the possibility that the PRC government will institute a licensing regime or pre-approval requirement covering our industry at some point in the future. If such a licensing regime or approval requirement were introduced, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain any newly required license in a timely manner, or at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company, and we rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiary, as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China, may pay dividends only out of its respective accumulated after-tax profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of its registered capital.
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Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. See also “If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.”
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Under PRC laws and regulations, we are permitted to utilize the proceeds from this offering to fund our PRC subsidiary by making loans to or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, subject to applicable government registration and approval requirements.
Any loans to our PRC subsidiary, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC laws, are subject to PRC regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to our PRC subsidiary to finance its activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. The statutory limit for the total amount of foreign debts of a foreign-invested company is the difference between the amount of total investment as approved by China’s Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) or its local counterpart and the amount of registered capital of such foreign-invested company.
We may also decide to finance our PRC subsidiary by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions must be filed with the MOFCOM or its local counterpart. In addition, SAFE issued a circular in September 2008, SAFE Circular 142, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into RMB by restricting how the converted RMB may be used. SAFE Circular 142 provides that the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable government authority and unless otherwise provided by law, may not be used for equity investments within the PRC. Although on July 4, 2014, SAFE issued the Circular of the SAFE on Relevant Issues Concerning the Pilot Reform in Certain Areas of the Administrative Method of the Conversion of Foreign Exchange Funds by Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 36, which launched a pilot reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of foreign-invested enterprises in certain designated areas from August 4, 2014 and some of the restrictions under SAFE Circular 142 will not apply to the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of the foreign-invested enterprises established within the designate areas and such enterprises mainly engaging in investment are allowed to use its RMB capital converted from foreign exchange capitals to make equity investment, our PRC subsidiary is not established within the designated areas. On March 30, 2015, SAFE promulgated Circular 19, to expand the reform nationwide. Circular 19 came into force and replaced both Circular 142 and Circular 36 on June 1, 2015. Circular 19 allows foreign-invested enterprises to make equity investments by using RMB funds converted from foreign exchange capital. However, Circular 19 continues to prohibit foreign-invested enterprises from, among other things, using RMB fund converted from its foreign exchange capitals for expenditure beyond its business scope, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between non-financial enterprises. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such RMB capital may not be altered without SAFE’s approval, and such RMB capital may not in any case be used to repay RMB loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of these Circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. These circulars may significantly limit our ability to use RMB converted from the net proceeds of this offering to fund the establishment of new entities in China by our PRC subsidiary, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiary, or to establish variable interest entities in the PRC.
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In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiary or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds we expect to receive from this offering to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.
SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, in July 2014 that requires PRC residents or entities to register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. In addition, such PRC residents or entities must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose vehicle undergoes material events relating to any change of basic information (including change of such PRC citizens or residents, name and operation term), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 was issued to replace the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing.
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration as required, our PRC subsidiary may be prohibited from distributing its profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
Currently, all our shareholders are not PRC citizens or residents, however, we cannot assure you whether our shareholders or beneficial owners will include the PRC residents or entities in the future and whether they will comply with, and make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiary, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
Substantially all of our manufacturing and expenditures are denominated in RMB, whereas our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and RMB will affect the relative purchasing power in RMB terms of our U.S. dollar assets and the proceeds from this offering. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar while the functional currency for our PRC subsidiary is RMB. Gains and losses from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities that are receivable or payable in RMB are included in our consolidated statements of operations. The remeasurement has caused the U.S. dollar value of our results of operations to vary with exchange rate fluctuations, and the U.S. dollar value of our results of operations will continue to vary with exchange rate fluctuations. A fluctuation in the value of RMB relative to the U.S. dollar could reduce our profits from operations and the translated value of our net assets when reported in U.S. dollars in our financial statements. This could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations as reported in U.S. dollars. If we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. In addition, fluctuations in currencies relative to the periods in which the earnings are generated may make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of our reported results of operations.
There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a flexible currency policy. Any significant appreciation or depreciation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ordinary shares in U.S. dollars. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this initial public offering into RMB to pay our operating expenses, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
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Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. Under our current corporate structure, our company in the Cayman Islands may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our PRC subsidiary is able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE, subject to the condition that the remittance of such dividends outside of the PRC complies with certain procedures under PRC foreign exchange regulation, such as the overseas investment registrations by the beneficial owners of our Company who are PRC residents. But approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders.
Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.
Xingfa is required under PRC laws and regulations to participate in various government sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of its employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where Xingfa operate its businesses. The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. As of the date of this prospectus, we believe that Xingfa has made employee benefit payments in material aspects. If Xingfa fails to make adequate payments in the future, it may be required by the social security premium collection agency to make or supplement contributions within a stipulated period, and shall be subject to a late payment fine computed from the due date at the rate of 0.05% per day; where payment is not made within the stipulated period, the relevant administrative authorities shall impose a fine ranging from one to three times the amount of the amount in arrears. If Xingfa is subject to fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
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Non-compliance with labor-related laws and regulations of the PRC may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operation.
Xingfa has been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with its employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of its employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, that became effective in January 2008 and was amended in December 2012 and became effective on July 1, 2013, and its implementing rules that became effective in September 2008, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that Xingfa decides to terminate some of its employees or otherwise change its employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We believe Xingfa’s current practice complies with the Labor Contract Law and its amendments. However, the relevant governmental authorities may take a different view and impose fines on us.
As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, our employment practices could violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. If Xingfa is deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, Xingfa could be required to provide additional compensation to its employees and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, replacing earlier rules promulgated in March 2007. Pursuant to these rules, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year who participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. We and our executive officers and other employees who are PRC citizens or who have resided in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted options or other awards will be subject to these regulations when our Company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of this offering. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiary and limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors, executive officers and employees under PRC law. See “Regulations— Regulations of People’s Republic of China --Employee Stock Incentive Plan.”
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If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. See “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” As some of our management members are based in or frequently travel to China, it remains unclear how the tax residency rule will apply to our case. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we or any of our subsidiaries outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, then we or such subsidiary could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on its world-wide income, which could materially reduce our net income. In addition, we will also be subject to PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Furthermore, if the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our Company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our ordinary shares.
Regulatory bodies of the United States may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.
From time to time, the Company may receive requests from certain US agencies to investigate or inspect the Company’s operations, or to otherwise provide information. While the Company will be compliant with these requests from these regulators, there is no guarantee that such requests will be honored by those entities who provide services to us or with whom we associate, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, an on-site inspection of our facilities in China by any of these regulators may be limited or entirely prohibited. Such inspections, though permitted by the Company and its affiliates, are subject to the unpredictability of the Chinese enforcers, and may therefore be impossible to facilitate. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020, the securities regulatory authority of the State Council may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region, to implement cross-border supervision and administration and no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct an investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide the documents and materials relating to securities business activities to overseas parties.
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The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, and the related regulations are evolving quickly. Further implementations and interpretations of or amendments to the HFCA Act or the related regulations, or a PCOAB’s determination of its lack of sufficient access to inspect our auditor, might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in mainland China. A potential consequence is that our ordinary shares may be delisted by the exchange. The delisting of our ordinary shares, or the threat of our ordinary shares being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of our auditor deprives our investors of the benefits of such inspections
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. In accordance with the HFCA Act, trading in securities of any registrant on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States may be prohibited if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate the registrant’s auditor for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist the securities of such registrant. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, if enacted, would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period before our securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted if our auditor is unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement.
On November 5, 2021, the SEC adopted the PCAOB rule to implement HFCA Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to determine whether it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On December 2, 2021, SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate (the “Commission-Identified Issuers”). A Commission-Identified Issuer will be required to comply with the submission and disclosure requirements in the annual report for each year in which it was identified. If a registrant is identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer based on its annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the registrant will be required to comply with the submission or disclosure requirements in its annual report filing covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued its determinations (the “Determination”) that they are unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong. The Determination includes lists of public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely.
On February 4, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022 (the “America COMPETES Act”). If the America COMPETES Act is enacted into law, it would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three.
The enactment of the HFCA Act and any additional actions, proceedings, or new rules resulting from these efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investors uncertainty for affected issuers and the market price of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected, and we could be delisted if our auditor is unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement.
The lack of access to PCAOB inspections prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China and Hong Kong. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China and Hong Kong makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firm’s audit procedures and quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections.
Our auditor, Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that is headquartered in the United States, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis with the last inspection in 2020 and it is not included in the PCAOB Determinations. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our offering and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach, or experience as it relates to our audit. If it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction or any other reasons, the lack of inspection could cause the trading in our securities to be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and as a result Nasdaq may delist our securities. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our securities when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ordinary shares. Further, new laws and regulations or changes in laws and regulations in both the United States and China could affect our ability to list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq, which could materially impair the market for and market price for our securities.
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Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.
The PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of certain taxable assets, including, in particular, equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by a non-resident enterprise by promulgating and implementing SAT Circular 59 and Circular 698, which became effective in January 2008, and Circular 698 was abolished and void as of December 1, 2017.
Under Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the equity interests of a PRC “resident enterprise” indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, if the indirect transfer is considered to be an abusive use of company structure without reasonable commercial purposes. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.
In February 2015, the SAT issued Circular 7 to replace the rules relating to indirect transfers in Circular 698. Circular 7 has introduced a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, Circular 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. Circular 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise.
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We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on future private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our Company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation and request our PRC subsidiary to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject to filing obligations or being taxed, under Circular 59 and Circular 7, and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 59 and Circular 7 or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The PRC tax authorities have the discretion under SAT Circular 59, and Circular 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. Although we currently have no specific plans to pursue any acquisitions in China or elsewhere in the world, we may pursue acquisitions in the future that may involve complex corporate structures. If we are considered a non-resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and if the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income of the transactions under SAT Circular 59 and Circular 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance, business operations and financial results.
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate governance and business operations in China and financial results of the Company.
Any change of regulations and rules by Chinese government including the limitations on usage of power, additional environmental protection requirements, moving technology in and out of the PRC or restriction on cash transfer out of PRC may intervene or influence our operations in China at any time and any additional control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in issuers with Chinese operations could result in a material change in our business operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares and could also significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Our manufacturing facility and operation in China may be intervened or influenced by the new regulations and policies by Chinese government. For example, between July 2 and July 6, 2021, Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, announced cybersecurity investigations of the business operations of certain U.S.-listed Chinese companies. On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued “The Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law”, or “the Opinions”. The Opinions emphasized the needs to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. According to the Opinions, Measures, including promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, will be taken to control the risks and manage the incidents from overseas listed Chinese companies.
On December 24, 2021, China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, announced Provisions of State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Public Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”) and Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Public Comments) (the “Measures”) which were open for public comment until January 23, 2022, pursuant to which, any direct or indirect offshore listing of PRC domestic enterprises shall be filed with the CSRC. The Measures provide that the determination as to whether a domestic company is indirectly offering and listing securities on an overseas market shall be made on a substance over form basis, and if the issuer meets the following conditions, the offering and listing shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a Chinese domestic company: (i) the revenue, profit, total assets or net assets of the Chinese domestic entity is more than 50% of the related financials in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year; (ii) the senior managers in charge of business operation and management of the issuer are mostly Chinese citizens or with regular domicile in China, the main locations of its business operations are in China or main business activities are conducted in China. Although we are headquartered in Hong Kong with all our executive officers and directors based in Hong Kong who are not Chinese citizens and most of our revenues and profits are generated by our subsidiaries in Hong Kong, it is not certain whether we might be determined as a Chinese entity under Measures which will require us to file the offering related documents with CSRC. Also, it is not clear when the Administration Provisions and the Measures will take effect and if they will take effect as currently drafted.
On December 28, 2021, Cybersecurity Review Measures published by Cyberspace Administration of China or the CAC, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Bank of China, State Administration of Radio and Television, China Securities Regulatory Commission, State Secrecy Administration and State Cryptography Administration, effective on February 15, 2022, which provides that, Critical Information Infrastructure Operators (“CIIOs”) that intend to purchase internet products and services and Data Processing Operators (“DPOs”) engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to the cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office. In addition, CIIOs and DPOs that possess personal data of at least one (1) million users must apply for a review by the Cybersecurity Review Office, if they plan to conduct listings in foreign countries. On November 14, 2021, CAC published the Administration Measures for Cyber Data Security (Draft for Public Comments), or the “Cyber Data Security Measure (Draft)”. Cyber Data Security Measure (Draft) provides that data processors shall apply for Cybersecurity Review for certain events, such as the merger, restructuring, division of an internet platform operator that holds a large amount of data relating to national security, economic development or public interests which affects or may affect the national security; overseas listing of a data processor that processes personal data for more than one million individuals; Hong Kong listing of a data processor that affects or may affect national security; other data processing activities that affect or may affect the national security. Although we are not an CIIO or DPO as defined in the Review Measures and do not process personal data for more than one million individuals under Cyber Data Security Measure (Draft), it is not certain whether any future regulations will impose restrictions on the business that we are currently engaging in China, which is manufacturing lockset. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any notice from any authorities identifying us as a CIIO, DPO or requiring us to undertake a cybersecurity review by the CAC.
On July 23, 2021, General Office of the State Council promulgated “Opinions on Further Reducing Students' Homework Burden and After-school Tutoring Burden at the Stage of Compulsory Education”, pursuant to which the institutions that offer tutoring of school curriculum shall be registered as non-profit organizations and are not allowed to make profits and raise capital. The new regulation also disallows foreign investment in these institutions through acquisitions, franchise or contractual agreements. Although we only manufacture lockset products in China and do not engage in CIIO, DPO or any education or tutoring related business, our offering and listing on Nasdaq may be negatively affected by these new regulations as they have materially negatively affected stock prices of the U.S listed Chinese companies which are the CIIOs, DPOs or in the tutoring business. Any additional restriction, scrutiny or negative publicity of the U.S.-listed Chinese companies could cause the U.S. investors less interested in our ordinary shares, or completely hinder our ability to offer our ordinary shares to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Furthermore, the PRC government authorities may adopt new rules and regulations and impose additional limitations or restrictions on us based on the industry that we operate in, for example, the “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency which has caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production schedule, or more stringent environmental protection requirements for air emissions, wastewater treatment and solid waste management and disposal which could restrict or limit our operations and expose us to liability and penalties for non-compliance. The new rules or regulations may also impose additional restrictions on us for moving technology in and out of the PRC or restriction on our cash transfer out of PRC from current accounts. Such new rules or actions taken by the PRC government authorities may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which may adversely affect our operations and significantly limit or hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to you and reduce the value of our securities.
Uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and the fact that rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice, along with the risk that the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could result in a material change in our operations, financial performance and/or the value of our ordinary shares or impair our ability to raise money.
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If we become subject to additional scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed China-based companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, this offering and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our ordinary shares, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.
Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantial operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in some cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S.-listed China-based companies has decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Some of these companies have been subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and have conducted internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us, our business and this offering. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our business operations will be severely hindered and your investment in our ordinary shares could be rendered worthless.
Risks Related to Doing Business in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong legal system embodies uncertainties which could negatively affect our listing on Nasdaq and limit the legal protections available to you and us.
As one of the conditions for the handover of the sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, China had to accept some conditions such as Hong Kong’s Basic Law before its return. The Basic Law ensured Hong Kong will retain its own currency (the Hong Kong Dollar), legal system, parliamentary system and people’s rights and freedom for fifty years from 1997. This agreement has given Hong Kong the freedom to function in a high degree of autonomy. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong is responsible for its own domestic affairs including, but not limited to, the judiciary and courts of last resort, immigration and customs, public finance, currencies and extradition. Hong Kong continues using the English common law system.
However, if the PRC reneges on its agreement to allow Hong Kong to function autonomously, this could potentially impact Hong Kong’s common law legal system and may in turn bring about uncertainty in, for example, listing our ordinary shares on Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
This also could materially and adversely affect our business and operation. Additionally, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in Hong Kong may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries. Accordingly, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Hong Kong legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us, including our ability to enforce our agreements with our customers.
Recent unrest in Hong Kong may affect our business and financial results.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the PRC with its own government. Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy from the PRC under the principle of “one country, two systems.” However, there can be no assurance that our financial condition and results of operations will not be adversely affected as a consequence of the exercise of PRC sovereignty over Hong Kong. In particular, in recent months there has been a series of large demonstrations in Hong Kong that has adversely affected the business volume and operations of local businesses, airports and public transportation systems. On July 14, 2020, the President of U.S. signed an executive order to end the special status enjoyed by Hong Kong under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. Hong Kong’s position and reputation as an international financial and trade center may be further damaged, and our business may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be affected by the currency peg system in Hong Kong.
Since 1983, Hong Kong dollars have been pegged to the US dollars at the rate of approximately HK$7.80 to US$1.00. We cannot assure you that this policy will not be changed in the future. If the pegging system collapses and Hong Kong dollars suffer devaluation, the Hong Kong dollar cost of our expenditures denominated in foreign currency may increase. This would in turn adversely affect the operations and profitability of our business.
It will be difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against us, our officers, directors and assets based in Hong Kong and China.
Almost all of our assets are located in Hong Kong and China and our officers and directors currently reside outside of the United States and most of them are in Hong Kong. There are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the United States. In a common law action for enforcement of a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, the enforcement is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, that the foreign judgment is a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, the judgment is for a liquidated amount in a civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. See Enforceability of Civil Liabilities – Hong Kong. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. See Enforceability of Civil Liabilities – China. As a result, it may be difficult or not possible for United States investors to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon us, our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of us, our directors and officers under federal securities laws.
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Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering
There has been no public market for our shares prior to this offering, and if an active trading market does not develop you may not be able to resell our shares at or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this public offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. We have been approved to have our ordinary shares listed on NASDAQ. If an active trading market for our ordinary shares does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ordinary shares will be materially adversely affected. The public offering price for our ordinary shares has been determined by negotiations between us and the underwriter and may bear little or no relationship to the market price for our ordinary shares after the public offering. You may not be able to sell any ordinary shares that you purchase in the offering at or above the public offering price. Accordingly, investors should be prepared to face a complete loss of their investment.
Our ordinary shares may be thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
After our ordinary shares begin trading on NASDAQ, our ordinary shares may be “thinly-traded,” meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our ordinary shares at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. A broad or active public trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop or be sustained.
The market price for our ordinary shares may be volatile.
The market price for our ordinary shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors such as:
· | the perception of U.S. investors and regulators of U.S. listed Chinese companies; |
· | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; |
· | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
· | negative publicity, studies or reports; |
· | conditions in the international lockset, hardware and real estate markets; |
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· | our capability to catch up with the technology innovations in the industry; |
· | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other lockset and hardware companies; |
· | announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
· | addition or departure of key personnel; |
· | fluctuations of exchange rates among RMB, HK dollar and the U.S. dollar; and |
· | general economic, health or political conditions in Hong Kong, China and worldwide. |
In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Volatility in our ordinary shares price may subject us to securities litigation.
The market for our ordinary shares may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility and we expect that our share price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management’s attention and resources.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business.
In order to raise sufficient funds to enhance operations, we may have to issue additional securities at prices which may result in substantial dilution to our shareholders.
If we raise additional funds through the sale of equity or convertible debt, our current shareholders’ percentage ownership will be reduced. In addition, these transactions may dilute the value of ordinary shares outstanding. We may have to issue securities that may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to our ordinary shares. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If future financing is not available or is not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to fund our future needs, which would have a material adverse effect on our business plans, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
We are not likely to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future but will review this policy as circumstances dictate. Should we determine to pay dividends in the future, our ability to do so will depend upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including restrictions on the conversion of RMB into US dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions.
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You may face difficulties in protecting your interests as a shareholder, as Cayman Islands law provides substantially less protection when compared to the laws of the United States and it may be difficult for a shareholder of ours to effect service of process or to enforce judgements obtained in the United States courts.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and by the Cayman Islands Companies Act (2022 Revision) (“Companies Act”) and common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law. Decisions of the Privy Council (which is the final court of appeal for British Overseas Territories such as the Cayman Islands) are binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. Decisions of the English courts, and particularly the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Court of Appeal are generally of persuasive authority but are not binding on the courts of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and provide significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the United States federal courts. The Cayman Islands courts are also unlikely to impose liabilities against us in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of United States securities laws.
Currently, all of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. All of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
As a result of all of the above, our shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us or our officers, directors or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. For example:
· | we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company; |
· | for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies; |
· | we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation; |
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· | we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; |
· | we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and |
· | we are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction. |
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we will file reports on Form 6-K as a foreign private issuer. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
As an “emerging growth company” under applicable law, we will be subject to reduced disclosure requirements. Such reduced disclosure may make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.
For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, we will elect to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies”, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Because of these lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.
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We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”
Upon consummation of this offering, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ Capital Market, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act and will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
Compliance with these rules and regulations increases our legal and financial compliance costs and makes some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” or until five years following the completion of our initial public offering, whichever is earlier, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a public company, we are required to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We will incur additional costs in obtaining director and officer liability insurance. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We expect that we will incur additional professional fees and other expenses as a result of being a public company.
Four members of our management team will have substantial influence over our Company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.
Mr. Bong Lau, our Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the Board and his brother Mr. Bun Lau, our Chief Operating Officer, currently own 36% of our outstanding ordinary shares and will beneficially own 25.92% of our outstanding ordinary shares upon completion of our initial public offering. Mr. Wynn Hui, our Chief Technical Officer and executive director of the Board and his son Mr. Errol Hui, our Vice President of Engineering, currently own 36% of our outstanding ordinary shares and will beneficially own 25.92% of our outstanding ordinary shares upon completion of our initial public offering. As a result of their significant shareholding, Mr. Bong Lau, Mr. Bun Lau, Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Errol Hui have, and will continue to have, substantial influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. They may take actions that are not in the best interests of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the market price of our ordinary shares. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see “Principal Shareholders.”
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Following this offering, we may be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
We do not believe we are a “controlled company” as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. However, in the event that four of our principal shareholders, Mr. Bong Lau, Mr. Bun Lau, Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Errol Hui, who will beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares following this offering, decide to act as a group, we may be deemed to be a “controlled company”. For so long as we are a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including:
· | an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors; an exemption from the rule that the compensation of our chief executive officer must be determined or recommended solely by independent directors; and |
· | an exemption from the rule that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors. |
As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.
If a limited number of participants in this offering purchase a significant percentage of the offering, the effective public float may be smaller than anticipated and the price of our ordinary shares may be volatile, which could subject us to securities litigation and make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.
As a Company conducting a relatively small public offering, we are subject to the risk that a small number of investors will purchase a high percentage of the offering. While the underwriter is required to sell shares in this offering to at least 300 round lot shareholders (a round lot shareholder is a shareholder who purchases at least 100 shares) and at least 50% the minimum required number of round lot holders must each hold unrestricted shares with a minimum market value of $2,500 in order to ensure that we meet the Nasdaq initial listing standards, we have not otherwise imposed any obligations on the underwriter as to the maximum number of shares they may place with individual investors. If, in the course of marketing the offering, the underwrites was to determine that demand for our shares was concentrated in a limited number of investors and such investors determined to hold their shares after the offering rather than trade them in the market, other shareholders could find the trading and price of our shares affected (positively or negatively) by the limited availability of our shares. If this were to happen, investors could find our shares to be more volatile than they might otherwise anticipate. Companies that experience such volatility in their stock price may be more likely to be the subject of securities litigation. In addition, if a large portion of our public float were to be held by a few investors, smaller investors may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
Cayman Islands economic substance requirements may have an effect on our business and operations.
Pursuant to the International Tax Cooperation (Economic Substance) Law, 2018 of the Cayman Islands, or the ES Law, that came into force on January 1, 2019, a “relevant entity” is required to satisfy the economic substance test set out in the ES Law. A “relevant entity” includes an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as is our Company. Based on the current interpretation of the ES Law, we believe that our Company, Intelligent Living Applicant Group Inc., is a pure equity holding company since it only holds equity participation in other entities and only earns dividends and capital gains. Accordingly, for so long as our Company, Intelligent Living Applicant Group Inc., is a “pure equity holding company”, it is only subject to the minimum substance requirements, which require us to (i) comply with all applicable filing requirements under the Companies Act; and (ii) has adequate human resources and adequate premises in the Cayman Islands for holding and managing equity participations in other entities. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to more requirements under the ES Law. Uncertainties over the interpretation and implementation of the ES Law may have an adverse impact on our business and operations.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors,” may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
· | our goals and strategies; |
· | our future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; |
· | fluctuations in interest rates; |
· | our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; |
· | projections of revenue, earnings, capital structure and other financial items; |
· | competition in our industry; and |
· | relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry. |
· | general economic and business conditions in the markets in which we operate |
These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business,” “Regulation” and other sections in this prospectus. You should thoroughly read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. Our industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the lockset and hardware marketplace industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
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We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $16.86 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us based upon an initial offering price of $4.00 per ordinary share.
We plan to use approximately $5.0 million of the proceeds to set up our new subsidiary or representative office in the United States to enhance sales and service support for our customers and future expansion in marketing and internet sales of self-branded products.
Approximately $4.0 million of the proceeds will be applied to establishment of production facility(ies) outside China in order to mitigate the effects of additional tariffs that may be levied due to the trade war between U.S. and China and to leverage lower labor costs in southeast Asia countries.
Approximately $6.0 million of the proceeds will be used for working capital of our Hong Kong operations, including but not limited to sale and marketing expenses, and research and development expenses for our smart locks, smart security and internet of things (IoT) products.
All of the remaining of the proceeds will be immediately remitted to China following the completion of this offering to increase the registered capital of our manufacturing facility in China for capital expenses and working capital; provided, however, that in using the proceeds of this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China only through loans or capital contributions, subject to the filing or approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. Subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements, we may extend inter-company loans to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China or make additional capital contributions to our wholly-foreign-owned subsidiary to fund its capital expenditures or working capital. For an increase of registered capital of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary, we need to file such change of registered capital with the MOFCOM or its local counterparts. If we provide funding to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiary through loans, the total amount of such loans may not exceed the difference between the entity’s total investment as approved by the foreign investment authorities and its registered capital. Such loans must be registered with SAFE or its local branches. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”
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Pending use of the net proceeds as discussed above, we intend to hold our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, financial instruments or demand deposits.
The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and This Offering—We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.”
We currently have no plans to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our ordinary shares. We are a holding company incorporated in Cayman Islands. We are reliant on dividends from our subsidiaries, principally, for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. Our subsidiaries are subject to the laws and regulations applicable to them and their articles of association in declaring and paying dividends to us. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us. See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business - We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.” We currently are subject to restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Were we able to declare dividends, such dividends could only be paid by us out of our distributable profits (that is, our accumulated realized profits less our accumulated realized losses) or other distributable reserves, as permitted under Cayman Islands law. Dividends cannot be paid out of our share capital. To the extent profits are distributed as dividends, such portion of profits will not be available to be reinvested in our operations. See “Description of Share Capital.” Dividends must be paid in accordance with the procedures and requirements specified in our Articles of Association. When recommending dividends, our directors must act in the general interest of all classes of shareholders and must not favor any one class at the expense of another in accordance with Cayman Islands law. The payment and the amount, form and frequency of any future dividends will depend on our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, statutory, regulatory and contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by us, future prospects and other factors that our directors may consider relevant. Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends and determine new dividend policies, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. Holders of our ordinary shares will be entitled to receive dividends pro rata according to the amounts of the ordinary shares they own.
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The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2021:
· on an actual basis;
· on an adjusted basis to reflect the sale of 5,060,000 ordinary shares in this offering, at an initial public offering price of $4.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The adjustments reflected below are subject to change and are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable. You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||
(USD) | (USD) | |||||
Equity: | ||||||
Preferred shares*, par value $0.0001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; nil issued and outstanding | $ | - | $ | - | ||
Ordinary shares*, par value $0.0001 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized, 13,000,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and 18,060,000 ordinary shares outstanding on an as adjusted post-offering basis | 1,300 | 1,806 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 5,089,671 | 21,857,565 | ||||
(Deficit) | (1,985,988 | ) | (1,985,988 | ) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 375,303 | 375,303 | ||||
Total equity | 3,480,286 | 20,248,686 | ||||
Total capitalization | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 20,248,686 |
* On July 16, 2021, the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company to divide its authorized share capital into: (i) 450,000,000 Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) 50,000,000 Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
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If you invest in our ordinary shares, you will incur immediate dilution since the public offering price per share you will pay in this offering is more than the net tangible book value per ordinary share immediately after this offering.
The net tangible book value of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $3.5 million, or $0.27 per share based upon 13,000,000 ordinary shares outstanding. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets reduced by the amount of our total liabilities, divided by the total number of ordinary shares outstanding. Tangible assets equal our total assets less goodwill and intangible assets.
The dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors, represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after completion of this offering. After giving effect to the sale of the 5,060,000 shares being sold pursuant to this offering at $4.00 per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses payable by us in the amount of approximately $2.0 million, and estimated other offering expenses in the amount of approximately $1.4 million, our pro forma net tangible book value would be approximately $20.2 million or $1.12 per share of ordinary shares. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.85 per share to existing shareholders and an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of $2.88 per share to new investors purchasing the shares in this offering.
The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||
Public offering price per share | $ | 4.00 | ||
Net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2021 | 0.27 | |||
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to existing shareholders | 0.85 | |||
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering | 1.12 | |||
Dilution per share to new investors | $ | 2.88 |
The following table sets forth, on an as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2021, the difference between the number of ordinary shares purchased from us, the total cash consideration paid, and the average price per share paid by our existing shareholders and by new public investors before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, using a public offering price of $4.00 per ordinary share:
Shares Purchased | Total Cash Consideration | |||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | Average Price Per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders | 13,000,000 | 71.98 | % | $ | 5,090,971 | 20.10 | % | $ | 0.39 | |||||||||||
New investors from public offering | 5,060,000 | 28.02 | % | $ | 20,240,000 | 79.90 | % | $ | 4.00 | |||||||||||
Total | 18,060,000 | 100.00 | % | $ | 25,330,971 | 100.00 | % | $ | 1.40 |
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Our business is primarily conducted in Hong Kong and our production is primarily conducted in China. All of our revenues are received and denominated in USD. All our production costs are paid and denominated in RMB and general administration costs are paid and denominated in both HKD and RMB. Capital accounts of our condensed financial statements are translated into United States dollars from HKD and RMB at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Income and expenditures are translated at the average exchange rate of the period. The HKD and USD exchange rate is linked and freely convertible. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at the rates used in translation.
For the purpose in this prospectus, unless it indicates otherwise, the translation of US dollar amounts from HKD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Translation of amounts from HKD into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts | ||
December 31, 2020 | HKD 7.80 to $1 | |
December 31, 2019 | HKD 7.80 to $1 | |
Statements of operations and cash flow items | ||
For the year ended December 31, 2020 | HKD 7.76 to $1 | |
For the year ended December 31, 2019 | HKD 7.76 to $1 |
Translation of amounts from RMB into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Balance sheet items, except for equity accounts | ||
December 31, 2021 | RMB 6.3757 to $1 | |
December 31, 2020 | RMB 6.5249 to $1 | |
Statements of operations and cash flow items | ||
For the year ended December 31, 2021 | RMB 6.4533 to $1 | |
For the year ended December 31, 2020 | RMB 6.9004 to $1 |
The following table sets forth reference information concerning exchange rates between the RMB and the United States dollar for the periods indicated.
Noon Buying Rate | ||||||||||||||||
Period | Period End | Average(1) | Low | High | ||||||||||||
(RMB per US$1.00) | ||||||||||||||||
2017 | 6.5063 | 6.7569 | 6.9575 | 6.4773 | ||||||||||||
2018 | 6.8755 | 6.6090 | 6.9737 | 6.2649 | ||||||||||||
2019 | 6.9680 | 6.9082 | 6.9601 | 6.8574 | ||||||||||||
2020 | 6.5250 | 6.9042 | 7.1681 | 6.5208 | ||||||||||||
2021 | 6.3726 | 6.4382 | 6.5716 | 6.3435 | ||||||||||||
2022 | ||||||||||||||||
January | 6.3610 | 6.3566 | 6.3822 | 6.3206 | ||||||||||||
February | 6.3084 | 6.3436 | 6.3660 | 6.3084 | ||||||||||||
March | 6.3393 | 6.3446 | 6.3720 | 6.3116 | ||||||||||||
April | 6.6080 | 6.4310 | 6.6243 | 6.3590 | ||||||||||||
May | 6.6715 | 6.6990 | 6.6788 | 6.6079 | ||||||||||||
June | 6.6981 | 6.6952 | 6.7530 | 6.6534 |
Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release
(1) | Annual averages were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated by using the average of the daily rates during the relevant month. |
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands in order to enjoy the following benefits:
· | political and economic stability; |
· | an effective judicial system; |
· | a favorable tax system; |
· | the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and |
· | the availability of professional and support services. |
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and
Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated. Currently, all of our operations are conducted in Hong Kong and China, and substantially all of our assets are located in Hong Kong and China. All of our officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions in Hong Kong and China and a substantial portion of their assets are located in Hong Kong and China. As a result, it may make it more difficult for a shareholder or an investor to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or our officers or directors with the judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States in connection with this offering under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any State in the United States.
Conyers Dill & Pearman, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, Stevenson, Wong & Co., our counsel as to Hong Kong law and Allbright Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and China, respectively, would:
· | recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
· | entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
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Cayman Islands
Conyers Dill & Pearman has informed us that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such a determination is made, the courts of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Conyers Dill & Pearman has further advised us that the courts of the Cayman Islands would recognize as a valid judgment a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal or state courts in the United States under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) or, in certain circumstances, an in personam judgment for non-monetary relief, and would give a judgment based thereon provided that: (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment; (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands; (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud; (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands; (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands; and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
PRC
Allbright Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are subject to compliance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law and relevant civil procedure requirements in the PRC. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands.
Hong Kong
Stevenson, Wong & Co., our counsel with respect to Hong Kong law, has advised us that judgment of United States courts will not be directly enforced in Hong Kong. There are currently no treaties or other arrangements providing for reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments between Hong Kong and the United States. However, the common law permits an action to be brought upon a foreign judgment. That is to say, a foreign judgment itself may form the basis of a cause of action since the judgment may be regarded as creating a debt between the parties to it. In a common law action for enforcement of a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, the enforcement is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to, that the foreign judgment is a final judgment conclusive upon the merits of the claim, the judgment is for a liquidated amount in a civil matter and not in respect of taxes, fines, penalties, or similar charges, the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice, and the enforcement of the judgment is not contrary to public policy of Hong Kong. Such a judgment must be for a fixed sum and must also come from a "competent" court as determined by the private international law rules applied by the Hong Kong courts. The defenses that are available to a defendant in a common law action brought on the basis of a foreign judgment include lack of jurisdiction, breach of natural justice, fraud, and contrary to public policy. However, a separate legal action for debt must be commenced in Hong Kong in order to recover such debt from the judgment debtor.
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Corporate History and Structure
For 40 years, we have manufactured and sold high quality mechanical locksets to customers mainly in the United States and Canada, and we continue to diversify and refine our product offerings to meet our customers’ needs. The predecessor of Hing Fat commenced our business of selling door locksets in 1981. In 1983, we started a small manufacturing workshop in China to produce door locksets with imported materials to fulfill for our customer orders, which becomes our current manufacturing subsidiary, Xingfa. Our mission was “dedicated to manufacture high quality lockset products at affordable prices.”
Since 2000, we have offered our products with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards, which are developed by Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus is producing mechanical locksets, including locksets for outdoor uses, such as main entrances and gates, and indoor uses, to promote sustainable growth in our business and competitiveness in the market. To continue driving growth, we have designed our products to go beyond a basic lockset for security purposes; we offer a wide range of ODM door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors. Currently, our products are sold mainly in the USA, and some in Canada, Macau and China.
We sell our products mainly to the US and Canada (“North America”) through one of our Hong Kong registered subsidiaries Kambo Locksets. Another Hong Kong registered subsidiary, Kambo Hardware, targets and distributes locksets and related hardware to countries other than the North America market; and serves our customers in the Asian countries including Thailand and Australia.
In 1993, as the laws and regulations for processing with imported materials entity had changed in China, we established our wholly foreign owned entity (WFOE) subsidiary, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Limited (“Xingfa”) located in Shatian County, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province of PRC. Xingfa is equipped with various types of machines such as die casting machines, furnace, polishing machines and other machines for metal processing in a 17,560 m2 manufacturing facility. In light of excess production capacity due to current economic conditions, Xingfa has subleased one plant building of approximately 4,300 m2 to reduce our operating costs.
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· | We restructured our corporate organization in 2009 because of changes in local laws in China as mentioned above. On March 23, 2009, we incorporated Hing Fat Industrial Limited under Hong Kong law (“Hing Fat”), as the holding company of Xingfa to manage the door lockset manufacturing activities of Xingfa and to conduct research and development. | |
· | On March 26, 2014, Kambo Locksets Limited (formerly known as Nice Gateway Limited) (“Kambo Locksets”) was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Kambo Locksets is a trading company focusing on marketing and sales of our products in North America market and became our subsidiary as a result of reorganization. | |
· | On February 25, 2015, Kambo Hardware Limited (“Kambo Hardware”) was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Its primary business is to sell our products to markets outside of the North America. | |
· | Bamberg (HK) Limited (“Bamberg”) was incorporated on June 24, 2016 under Hong Kong law. Through Bamberg, we started marketing our products under our own brand “Bamberg” to establish and focus on internet sales channels, such as Amazon.com. | |
· | On July 17, 2019, the Company issued 500,000,000 ordinary shares to its shareholders. On August 14, 2019, these shareholders surrendered an aggregate of 499,990,000 ordinary shares to the Company at no consideration. The transaction is considered as a recapitalization prior to the Company’s initial public offering. | |
· | A reorganization of the Company’s legal entity structure was completed in April 2020. The reorganization involved the incorporation of ILAG in July 2019 and execution of the Share Exchange Agreement between ILAG and ILA BVI in April 2020 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) whereby ILAG took control of ILA BVI and its wholly owned subsidiaries by acquiring all the outstanding shares of ILA BVI with ordinary shares of ILAG. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, ILAG and ILA BVI exchanged 2,550,000 shares of ILA BVI for 12,990,000 ordinary shares of ILAG. This transaction was treated as a recapitalization of the Company and the financial statements give retroactive effect to this transaction. | |
· | On July 16, 2021, the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and our authorized share capital currently is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 450,000,000 ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 each; and (ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value of US$0.0001 each. | |
· | On July 17, 2019, Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. was established as a holding company and it is a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares and were incorporated as an offshore holding company for listing purposes and for further expansion flexibility. Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. owns 100% of the equity interest in Intelligent Living Application Group Limited, which was incorporated on March 19, 2014 under the laws of British Virgin Islands. | |
· | Through Intelligent Living Application Group Limited in BVI, we own 100% of the equity interest in Hing Fat, Kambo Locksets, Kambo Hardware and Bamberg, and through Hing Fat, we own 100% of the equity interest in Xingfa. |
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities:
Intelligent
Living Application Group Inc. (incorporated in Cayman Islands) |
|||||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
Intelligent Living Application Group Limited (incorporate in BVI) |
|||||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | ||||||||
Kambo Hardware Limited (incorporate in Hong Kong) | Kambo Locksets Limited (incorporate in Hong Kong) | Bamberg (HK) Limited (incorporated in Hong Kong) |
Hing Fat Industrial Limited (incorporate in Hong Kong) | ||||||||
100% | |||||||||||
(Mainland China) | |||||||||||
Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Ltd. (registered in Dongguan, PRC) |
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Transfer of Cash To and From Our Subsidiaries
We mainly conduct our marketing and sales, research and development and design activities through our wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and manufacturing activities through our wholly owned subsidiary in China, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Limited (“Xingfa”). As a result, almost all of our sales revenues are received by our Hong Kong subsidiaries which make payment to Xingfa for the cost of products and reasonable markups. Transfers of funds among our Hong Kong subsidiaries or from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to the holding company are free of restrictions. Remittances of funds from our Hong Kong subsidiaries to Xingfa are subject to review and conversion of HK$ or US$ to Renminbi Yuan (“RMB”) through Xingfa’s bank in China, which represents the SAFE to monitor foreign exchange activities. Under the existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements with the banks. Currently, we don’t have any intentions to distribute earnings or settle amounts owed under our operating structure other than the agreements entered under normal business operation as discussed above.
Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. (“ILAG”) is incorporated in Cayman Islands as a holding company with no actual operations and it currently conducts its business through its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and China. There has been no cash flows and transfers of assets between the holding company and its subsidiaries, other than that as of December 31, 2021, Kabmo Locksets and Intelligent Living Application Group Limited (BVI), both wholly owned subsidiaries of ILAG, have paid approximately $1,190,000 for expenses related to this public offering of ILAG as intercompany loans and not as the dividend payment or distribution. None of our subsidiaries has made any dividend payment or distribution to our holding company as of the date this prospectus and they have no plans to make any distribution or dividend payment to the holding company in the near future. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has made any dividends or distributions to U.S. investors as of the date of this prospectus.
At operational level, Xingfa has sold products with markups to Hing Fat, in the amount of approximately $11.67 million and $10.70 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Hing Fat has sold products with markups to Kambo Locksets in the amount of approximately $11.35 million and $10.10 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Hing Fat has made payment to Xingfa for approximately $11.65 million and $10.74 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Kambo Locksets has made payment to Hing Fat for approximately $11.72 million and $10.80 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
All transfers of cash are related to the operations of the subsidiaries in ordinary course of business. For our Hong Kong subsidiaries, our subsidiary in British Virgin Islands and the holding company (“Non-PRC Entities”), there is no restrictions on foreign exchange for such entities and they are able to transfer cash among these entities, across borders and to US investors. Also, there is no restrictions and limitations on the abilities of Non-PRC Entities to distribute earnings from their businesses, including from subsidiaries to the parent company or from the holding company to the U.S. investors as well as the abilities to settle amounts owed. However, PRC may impose greater restrictions on our Hong Kong subsidiaries' abilities to transfer cash out of Hong Kong and to the holding company, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regarding cash transfer to and from Xingfa, we are able to have such transfer through banks in China under current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, which can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements with the banks. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. PRC laws and regulations allow an offshore holding company to provide funding to our wholly owned subsidiary in China only through loans or capital contributions, subject to the filing or approval of government authorities and limits on the amount of capital contributions and loans. Subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements, we may extend inter-company loans to our wholly owned subsidiary in China or make additional capital contributions to fund Xingfa’s capital expenditures or working capital. For an increase of its registered capital, Xingfa needs to file such change of registered capital with the MOFCOM or its local counterparts. If the holding company provide funding to Xingfa through loans, the total amount of such loans may not exceed the difference between the entity’s total investment as approved by the foreign investment authorities and its registered capital. Such loans must be registered with SAFE or its local branches. Under PRC law, Xingfa is also required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of its registered capital.
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Recent Developments
A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019, which has spread rapidly to many parts of the world, including the US. The epidemic has resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of offices and business facilities in mainland China and Hong Kong from January to March 2020. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Given the rapidly expanding nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because all of our manufacturing operations are in China and the majority of our sales are generated by customers in the US, both of which have been significantly negatively impacted by the outbreak, our business, results of operations, and financial condition have been and will continue to be adversely affected.
The impacts of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
· | Temporary Closure of Office, Factory and Travel Restrictions. In compliance with the government health emergency rules in place and in observation of the Chinese New Year national holiday, we temporarily closed our office and factory since January 24, 2020. Our office staff has worked from home until both our office and factory resumed operations on March 16, 2020. Due to the nature of our business, the closure of our factory had delayed production and product delivery. Our business and operation were negatively impacted during the first half of 2020, however, our overall revenues for 2020 was similar to the same period of 2019 and our overall revenues for 2021 increased slightly from 2020 as COVID-19 in Hong Kong and China was mostly under control in 2021. In February 2022, there was an outbreak of Omicron variant in Hong Kong and the government imposed certain restriction, mandatory COVID-19 tests and quarantine requirements, however, our offices remained open and our business was not impacted in Hong Kong. The COVID-19 outbreak is mostly under control in Hong Kong now. In March 2022, the government of Dongguan City imposed certain restrictions and quarantine requirements due to the outbreak of Omicron variant, which caused logistic disruption for raw materials and finished goods for about 15 days. However, our Xingfa factory remained open during that period of time and its production weas not significantly impacted although our employees in Dongguan were required to be tested and follow the COVID-19 related protocols. | |
· | Delay in Customer Delivery. Our customers in the US have been and are continuously being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for product delivery has been delayed. We have maintained similar revenue for 2021 to that for 2020. However, temporary closure of Yantian Port in Shenzhen from May 21, 2021 to Jun 24, 2021 caused delay of delivery of products to our customers. Our customers have also been hampered by congested ports in the U.S. due to COVID-19, which in turn have caused delay of shipment, increase of inventory and disruption of our production schedule. As of the date of this prospectus, we have accepted customer orders with scheduled deliveries through September 2022. We believe the negative impact on our business by the COVID-19 pandemic has been generally under control and recent outbreaks in China have not materially impacted our business operations in Hong Kong and Dongguan. |
· | Temporary shortage of labor. Due to the travel restrictions imposed by the local governments, some of our employees were not able to get back to work since the Chinese New Year holiday in early 2020. However, the impact of such shortage is not significant to the Company because customer order deliveries have been delayed due the COVID-19 pandemic and our existing employees worked overtime to mitigate this temporary labor shortage. Since June 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic in China has been mostly under control, we have seen supply of labor slightly recovering and we currently do not have shortage of labor for our Xingfa factory. Also, it is our new strategy now to employ more skilled labor, and we do not plan to hire any unskilled labor in the near future. |
• | Temporary shortage of power. Chinese government's recent enforcement of “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency has caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production progress and increased cost of goods sold due to lower utilization of labor and higher cost for wastage of metal raw materials. This policy might continue to have negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
The future impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the COVID-19, the efficacy and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and actions taken by government authorities and other entities to contain COVID-19 and mitigate its impact, almost all of which are beyond our control. Nonetheless, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will assess its potential impact to our business. On a year-to-date basis, we have not noted a significant decline in orders as of December 31, 2021, compared to the same period of 2020. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the possible business disruption and the related financial impact related to the potential further outbreak of and response to COVID-19 cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. For a detailed description of the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business — The recent global coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions in our business, which we expect will continue to have material negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition”.
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Foreign Private Issuer Status
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies. For example:
· | we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company; |
· | for interim reporting, we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies; |
· | we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation; |
· | we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information; |
· | we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and |
· | our insiders are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring such individuals and entities to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction. |
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and financial disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, (1) presenting only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations in this prospectus, (2) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these exemptions. As a result, investors may find investing in our ordinary shares less attractive.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of such extended transition period.
We could remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (1) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (2) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months, or (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Unit 2, 5/F, Block A, Profit Industrial Building, 1-15 Kwai Fung Crescent, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong. Our telephone number at this address is +852 2481 7938. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency, located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, United States. Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number (852) 2481-7938 of our principal executive offices.
Our website is www.i-l-a-g.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following selected consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss data and selected consolidated statements of cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Operating Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Data: | ||||||||
Revenues | $ | 12,543,556 | $ | 11,219,559 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | (11,231,253 | ) | (9,641,408 | ) | ||||
Gross profit | 1,312,303 | 1,578,151 | ||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (150,152 | ) | (169,111 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses | (2,902,040 | ) | (2,417,289 | ) | ||||
Finance costs | (57,774 | ) | (29,109 | ) | ||||
Loss from operations | (1,797,663 | ) | (1,037,358 | ) | ||||
Total other income, net | 411,148 | 22,010 | ||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | (1,386,515 | ) | (1,015,348 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
Loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) |
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As of December 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
USD | USD | |||||||||
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 131,129 | $ | 302,440 | ||||||
Total current assets | 7,127,138 | 6,059,235 | ||||||||
Total non-current assets | 2,181,831 | 2,393,834 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 9,308,969 | $ | 8,453,069 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 4,913,615 | 3,478,988 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 5,828,683 | $ | 4,356,505 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 4,096,564 |
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data: | ||||||||
Net cash (used in) operating activities | $ | (1,038,967 | ) | $ | (1,598,979 | ) | ||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | (9,758 | ) | (221,760 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 876,334 | 1,049,390 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 1,080 | 3,910 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash | (171,311 | ) | (767,439 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 302,440 | 1,069,879 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 131,129 | $ | 302,440 |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the risk factors. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
Headquartered in Hong Kong, we manufacture and sell high quality mechanical locksets to customers mainly in the United States (US) and Canada and have continued to diversify and refine our product offerings in the past 40 years to meet our customers’ needs. We believe our wholly owned subsidiary Xingfa is one of the pioneers of mechanical lockset manufacturing in China. Since inception, to cope with our development and increase customer satisfaction in quality, we keep investing in self-designed automated product lines, new craftsmanship and developing new products including smart locks. In order to obtain the confidence of our customers, Xingfa has obtained the ISO9001quality assurance certificate.
Starting in 2000, we offer products that comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards that are developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus in producing mechanical locksets - including locksets for outdoors (such as main entrances and gates) and indoors - has resulted in sustainable growth in our business and raised our competitiveness. To maintain our growth, our products are beyond a simple lockset for security purposes, we offer a wide range of Original Design Manufacturer (“ODM”) door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors.
Currently, approximately 97.5% of our revenues are from products sold to the US market, and the remaining products are sold to Canada, Macau and China markets. We build our distribution network by working together with our large and small business partners in different geographic areas to sell our products. More information about geographical penetration of our revenues can be found in “Segment reporting in Note 3 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements”.
For 40 years, we manufacture and sell high quality mechanical locksets and continue to grow and increase our product offerings. The predecessor of Hing Fat commenced our business of selling door locksets in 1981. In 1983, we started processing door locksets to fulfill orders from US customers with imported materials at a small manufacturing workshop in China which becomes our current manufacturing subsidiary, Xingfa. Since then, our mission is to “produce high quality lockset products at affordable prices.”
Our products comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards, which were developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus is to offer a variety of mechanical locksets for outdoor (such as main entrances, gates) and indoor that we believe promotes sustainable growth and our competitiveness. To maintain our growth driver, our products are beyond a simple lockset for security purposes, as we offer a wide range of ODM (original design manufacturer) door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors.
We sell our products mainly to the US and Canada (“North America”) through one of our Hong Kong registered subsidiaries, Kambo Locksets. Another Hong Kong registered subsidiary, Kambo Hardware, targets and distributes locksets and related hardware to countries other than the US and Canada. And it mainly serves our customers in Asian countries. We will further illustrate our development and group structure in the following paragraphs.
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In 1993, as the laws and regulations for processing with imported materials entity had changed in China, we established our wholly foreign owned entity (WFOE) subsidiary, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Limited (“Xingfa”) located in Shatian County, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province of PRC. Xingfa is equipped with various types of machines such as die casting machines, furnace, polishing machines and other machines for metal processing in a 17,560 m2 manufacturing facility. In light of excess production capacity due to current economic conditions, Xingfa has subleased one plant building of approximately 4,300 m2 to reduce our operating costs.
· | We restructured our corporate organization in 2009 because of changes in local laws in China as mentioned above. On March 23, 2009, we incorporated Hing Fat Industrial Limited under Hong Kong law (“Hing Fat”), as the holding company of Xingfa to manage the door lockset manufacturing activities of Xingfa and to conduct research and development. | |
· | On March 26, 2014, Kambo Locksets Limited (formerly known as Nice Gateway Limited) was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Kambo Locksets is a trading company focusing on marketing and sales of our products in North America market and became our subsidiary as a result of reorganization. | |
· | On February 25, 2015, Kambo Hardware Limited was incorporated under Hong Kong law. Its primary business is to sell our products to markets outside of the North America. | |
· | Bamberg (HK) Limited (“Bamberg”) was incorporated on June 24, 2016 under Hong Kong law. Through Bamberg, we started marketing our products under our own brand “Bamberg” to establish and focus on internet sales channels, such as Amazon.com | |
· | On July 17, 2019, Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. was established as a holding company and it is a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares and were incorporated as an offshore holding company for listing purposes and for further expansion flexibility. Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. owns 100% of the equity interest in Intelligent Living Application Group Limited, which was incorporated on March 19, 2014 under the laws of British Virgin Islands. | |
· | On July 17, 2019, the Company issued 500,000,000 ordinary shares to its shareholders. On August 14, 2019, these shareholders surrendered an aggregate of 499,990,000 ordinary shares to the Company at no consideration. The transaction is considered as a recapitalization prior to the Company’s initial public offering. | |
· | A reorganization of the Company’s legal entity structure was completed in April 2020. The reorganization involved the incorporation of ILAG in July 2019 and execution of the Share Exchange Agreement between ILAG and ILA BVI in April 2020 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) whereby ILAG took control of ILA BVI and its wholly owned subsidiaries by acquiring all the outstanding shares of ILA BVI with ordinary shares of ILAG. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, ILAG and ILA BVI exchanged 2,550,000 shares of ILA BVI for 12,990,000 ordinary shares of ILAG. This transaction was treated as a recapitalization of the Company and the financial statements give retroactive effect to this transaction. | |
· | On July 16, 2021, the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and our authorized share capital currently is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 450,000,000 ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 each; and (ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value of US$0.0001 each. The Company originally issued 500,000,000 ordinary shares on July 17, 2019. On August 14, 2019, all of existing shareholders of the Company agreed to surrender an aggregate of 499,990,000 ordinary shares to the Company at no consideration. | |
· | Through Intelligent Living Application Group Limited in BVI, we own 100% of the equity interest in Hing Fat, Kambo Locksets, Kambo Hardware and Bamberg, and through Hing Fat, we own 100% of the equity interest in Xingfa. |
Until 2018, we have maintained a profitable business with steady growth in our revenues and earnings. In 2018, we experienced the sudden impact caused by the tariff war between the US and China that resulted in a decrease in or suspension of orders in late 2018 and first half of 2019. Our sales orders from our customers in the US have stabilized and recovered since the middle of 2019 as the market digested information about the tariff war. However, our factory was temporarily closed in early 2020 and the supply chain and logistic for raw materials and delivery of finished products have been disrupted because of COVID-19. As a result, the recovery of sales was slowed down in 2020 and 2021. Even so, our revenues were approximately $12.5 million and $11.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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To continually mitigate the related financial impact, we deployed alternative pricing strategies to alleviate the overall negative impact of higher tariffs and raised our unit product selling price from July 2021. Our revenues increased by approximately $1.3 million or 11.8% for the year ended December 31, 2021 comparing to the same period of 2020. However, our gross margin decreased to 10.5% for the year ended December 31, 2021 from 14.1% of the same period in 2020. The decrease in margin during 2021 was mainly due to expiration of certain employees’ social security contribution exemptions by Chinese government for assisting enterprises to ease financial pressures caused by COVID-19 in January 2021. In addition, the increase in raw materials costs due to the disruption of supply chain due to COVID-19 and Chinese government's enforcement of “dual control of energy consumption” policy to control the total power consumption and efficiency have caused disruptions to Xingfa’s production and increased cost of goods sold due to lower utilization of labor and higher cost for wastage of metal raw materials.
During 2021, three major shareholders and executive directors of the Company forgave and waived their receivable owed by the subsidiaries of the Company for $717,949 ($153,846 in 2020) which have been recognized as shareholders contribution. We renegotiated bank borrowings with lower interest rate to sustain our operation cash needs. Our bank borrowing outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $1.3 million as compared to approximately $1.1 million as of December 31, 2020. Finance costs were increased to $57,774 for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $29,109 for the same period in 2020. Our general and administrative expenses increased to approximately $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from approximately $2.4 million for the same period of 2020 because of increase in compensation to directors and executive officers. The combination of all above factors have resulted in an increase of our net loss of $37,116 to $1,386,515 for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $1,015,348 for the same period in 2020.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden halt in economic activities and our Company had to close our office in Hong Kong and manufacturing facility in China since January 2020. Our office in Hong Kong and our manufacturing in China have resumed since the mid-March 2020. Although there are still outbreaks in China recently, we believe that our operations and business activities are normalized, after the market has fully digested the tariff war and economic activity resumes after the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. which is our largest market, demand of mechanical locksets should return to normal and our customers in the U.S. will refill their inventory to meet the demands.
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Currently, our customer and geographical market concentration are high. To mitigate the issues of concentration of customers and geographical markets, we are contacting property developers and hotel/service apartment developers in China and South-east Asia in an attempt to diversify our customer base and reduce our market concentration. The following table shows revenues from customers that accounted for more than 10% of our total operating revenues:
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customer A | $ | 6,833,866 | 54.5 | % | $ | 6,008,167 | 53.6 | % | ||||||||
Customer B | 1,588,156 | 12.7 | % | 3,055,958 | 27.2 | % | ||||||||||
Customer C | 1,310,376 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||||||
$ | 9,732,398 | 77.7 | % | $ | 9,064,125 | 80.8 | % |
The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues from customers by geographical areas based on the location of the customers:
For the years ended | |||||||||
December 31, | |||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
US | $ | 12,222,574 | $ | 10,957,047 | |||||
Canada | 310,174 | 225,857 | |||||||
Others | - | 36,655 | |||||||
Total | $ | 12,532,748 | $ | 11,219,559 |
Our gross margin was approximately 6.8% due to the tariff war between US and China in 2018. To mitigate the impact of tariff war, we have launched a series of procurement actions to reduce the costs, and we managed to gradually improve our gross margins, which was 10.5% for 2021 and 14.1% of 2020. In addition, once market demands resume to normal along with our continuous efforts in expanding product selections and varieties, better procurement of raw materials, ability to improve production efficiency, attracting new customers and initiatives to reduce our overhead costs, we hope to return to profitability.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
We believe the key factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations include the followings:
· | Our Relationship with Customers. We rely heavily on customers’ demand to sell our products. Our three and two largest customers accounted for 77.7% and 80.8% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, our five largest customers in aggregate accounted for approximately 91% and 93% in each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our strategy is to attempt to strengthen our direct relationships with these customers to secure and expand the sales orders from these customers in the future. |
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· | Cost of Goods Sold. Our products are produced in our manufacturing plant Xingfa in Dongguan, Guangdong Province in the PRC. Cost of raw materials, labor costs and manufacturing overhead incurred will affect our product cost, and we generally do not have long-term contractual arrangements with our suppliers. We typically maintain good relationships with our suppliers. Increases to raw material prices, minimum wage requirements of our staff in the PRC and consumables could negatively affect our gross profit margins and results of operations to the extent that we are unable to pass these costs on to our customers. If we experience shortages in the supply of certain raw materials or if we get inferior quality raw materials, we may not be able to find or develop alternative supply sources, which could result in delays, reductions in manufacturing and product shipments and could adversely impact the quality of our products, all of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We have not experienced significant shortages of raw materials in the past, and we will continue to monitor the fluctuation of our costs and our relationship with our suppliers. | |
· | More Stringent Environmental and OSH Protection Requirements in the PRC. Environmental and OSH protection authorities impose various administrative penalties on persons or enterprises in violation of the Environmental Protection Law and Occupational Safety and Health Law of the PRC and Xingfa is subject to such laws and regulations. Such penalties include warnings, fines, orders to rectify within the prescribed period, orders to cease construction, orders to restrict or suspend production, orders to make recovery, orders to disclose relevant information or make an announcement, imposition of administrative action against relevant responsible persons, and orders to shut down facility. Any person or entity that pollutes the environment resulting in damage could also be held liable under the Tort Law of the PRC. In addition, environmental organizations may also bring lawsuits against any entity that discharges pollutants detrimental to the public welfare. We engaged an independent laboratory to conduct review of the compliance with environmental laws and regulations by Xingfa. We believe Xingfa has established sufficient measures and systems to implement and comply with the requirements of such laws and regulations. We and Xingfa may incur additional costs to ensure compliance with environmental and worker safety and health protection requirements in the PRC. | |
· | Relations Between the US and China. At various times during recent years, the US and China have had significant disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries. These controversies also could make it more difficult for us to provide our products to our customers in the US. The international trade policies of China and the US could adversely affect our business, and the imposition of trade sanctions and tariffs relating to imports, taxes, import duties and other charges on imports from China, including those applied specifically to our products, or the imposition of taxes, import duties or other charges on exports to the U.S. could increase our costs and affect our operating results negatively. The U.S. government currently has suspended the increases of tariffs from 7.5% to 25%, pending the results of US and China trade negotiations. Although the U.S. has started to review and remove the increased tariff previously imposed on certain items importing from China, it has not impacted our products sold to the U.S. yet. | |
· | Competition: In order to continue to compete effectively, we must maintain our reputation for innovation and high quality products and be flexible and innovative in responding to rapidly changing market demands. The number of our direct competitors and the intensity of competition may increase as we expand into other product lines such as smart locksets. Our competitors may enter into business combinations or alliances that strengthen their competitive positions or prevent us from taking advantage of such combinations or alliances. Our competitors also may be able to respond more quickly and effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, standards or consumer preferences. Our results of operations and market position may be adversely impacted by our competitors and the competitive pressures in the lockset industries. |
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Key Operating Metrics
Our management regularly reviews a number of metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions. The main metrics we consider are the results for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, as set forth in the table below.
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 12,543,556 | $ | 11,219,559 | ||||
Gross margin | 10.5 | % | 14.1 | % | ||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
Inventory turnover (in days) | 153 | 148 | ||||||
Accounts receivable turnover (in days) | 27 | 22 |
We project our revenue based on purchase orders from our customers, the current principal driver of our business. Then, we will estimate the expected gross profit based on our in-house standard material and cost table in order to determine what our gross profit percentage should be. If there will be a downtrend trend of revenue, we will try to lower our costs such as direct labor. However, raw materials and packaging consumables will be kept at a safe level that may sustain potential production needs for about two months. Potential production needs include quantities from purchase orders received and projected sales. Taking into account production time, inventory turnover and accounts receivable turnover and our cash position, we then project our working capital needs and also identify potential sales sources.
When we see declining trends from purchase orders received, we will start reviewing our material costs and expenses in order to mitigate the impact to our gross margin. Starting in 2018, we saw the number of purchase orders from customers declined because of the US-China tariff war. Before getting the final determination of the tariffs, we suffered a decrease of gross profit margin to 6.8% in 2018. In order to maintain product quality, we do not pay our labor based on production quantity. As a socially responsible organization, we did not lay off employees before the expiration of their employment contacts, but we reduced recruiting of unskilled labor since the beginning of 2019. Also, we reviewed the production processes of Xingfa and were able to decrease our raw material waste to the extent that product quality could be maintained. In 2021, outbreaks of various variants of COVID-19 further created negative impacts on global logistics. The number of purchase orders from our customers for both 2021 and 2020 were similar. Units of product shipped during 2021were approximately 2.8 million units (including approximately 0.2 million units of spare parts) comparing to approximately 2.5 million units (including approximately 0.1million units of spare parts). Because of product mix shifted and lower priced of parts, our gross margin was down to 10.5% in 2021 from 14.1% in 2020. In order to enhance gross margin, the management raised product unit sales price since the second half of 2021. In addition, we have decided that we would not absorb certain increased tariff cost for our customers starting in January 2022.
Our inventory turnover days increased from approximately 148 days for year ended December 31, 2020 to 153 days for the year ended December 31, 2021. This was caused mainly by impact by COVID-19 related logistic disruption that delayed deliveries of raw materials, spare parts and finished products throughout 2021.
Starting in 2020, we are studying and hope to improve our sales mix, namely more ODM and more self-branded products, geographic market mix, namely the US, South-east Asia and China, cost structure and procurement options in order to further optimize our profit performance. We continue to promote higher value products to our customers in 2021. Despite our efforts to optimize our product mix and cost structure, ports congestion in the U.S. and outbreaks of COVID-19 in China have impacted supply chain of our raw materials, products delivery and costs. As a result, our gross margin was negatively affected even we were able to gradually reduce our costs and shift some of these cost increases to our customers. We believe that we can further reduce our cost of raw materials as we negotiate for volume rebates and enhance our gross margin as we optimize our product-mix to focus our marketing efforts on higher margin products. To better manage our gross margin in light of rising cost of raw materials, we leverage extensive product quality testing to identify alternative raw materials mix that is designed to lower our production costs. During the second half of 2021, we started to use stainless steel to partially substitute brass.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The operating results in any period are not necessarily of the results that may be expected for any future period.
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For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
USD | USD | USD | ||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 12,543,556 | $ | 11,219,559 | $ | 1,323,997 | 11.8 | % | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | (11,231,253 | ) | (9,641,408 | ) | 1,589,845 | 16.5 | % | |||||||||
Gross profit | 1,312,303 | 1,578,151 | (265,848 | ) | -16.8 | % | ||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (150,152 | ) | (169,111 | ) | (18,959 | ) | -11.2 | % | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (2,902,040 | ) | (2,417,289 | ) | 484,751 | 20.1 | % | |||||||||
Finance costs | (57,774 | ) | (29,109 | ) | 28,665 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||
Loss from operations | (1,797,663 | ) | (1,037,358 | ) | 760,305 | 73.3 | % | |||||||||
Total other income, net | 411,148 | 22,010 | 389,138 | 1,768.0 | % | |||||||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | (1,386,515 | ) | (1,015,348 | ) | 371,167 | 36.6 | % | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | - | - | % | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | $ | (263,293 | ) | -36.6 | % | |||||
Loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 0.03 | 37.5 | % |
Revenues
Our revenues from sales of door locksets increased by $1,323,997, or 11.8% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $12,543,556 from $11,129,943 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was mainly due to increase in quantity of products sold and sales price raises since July 2021. Our total number of products sold was approximately 2.8 million units (including approximately 0.2 million units of spare parts) for the year ended December 31, 2021 comparing to approximately 2.5 million units (including approximately 0.1million units of spare parts) for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Our cost of goods sold include cost of raw materials (such as copper, iron and zinc alloy), direct labor (including wages and social security contributions), manufacturing overhead (such as packing materials, direct rental expense and utilities) and other taxes. As a small business with limited resources, we currently don’t have the ability to hedge our raw materials position, and we must monitor raw material price trends closely to manage our production needs.
Cost of goods sold was 89.5% and 85.9% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively. The 3.6% increase was mainly caused by inflation and increased price of raw materials in the 2nd half of 2021.
In additional, our product sold in 2021 included increased quantity of spare parts which contributed low profit margin. As a result for the reasons discussed above, our gross margin decreased to 10.5% in 2021 from 14.1% in 2020. The management’s actions taken to lower our cost of goods sold were offset by external factors that caused increase of costs which were mainly due to COVID-19.
Our gross margin has been significantly impacted by the trade war that started in 2018. We believe that we can further reduce our cost of raw materials as we negotiate for volume rebates and enhance our gross margin as we optimize our product-mix to focus our marketing efforts on higher margin products and COVID-19 is gradually under control in the U.S. and globally. In order to enhance gross margin level, the management raised product unit sales price since second half of 2021. In addition, we have decided that we would not absorb certain increased tariff cost for our customers starting in January 2022.
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Selling and marketing expenses
Major components of selling and marketing expenses are transportation, custom declarations, sales commissions. Selling and marketing expenses decreased by $18,959, or 11.2% to $150,152 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $169,111 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was due mainly to reduction in sale commissions.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs for our accounting and administrative support personnel and executives as well as legal and professional fees, depreciation and amortization of non-production property and equipment. General and administrative expenses increased by $484,751, or 20.1%, to $2,902,040 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $2,417,751 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was due mainly to additional professional fees for our public offering.
Finance Costs
Finance costs increased $2,8,665, or 98.5%, to $57,774 for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $29,109 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due mainly to increased bank borrowings. The increased was insignificant because increased bank borrowing was charged at lower interest rate. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, interest expense related to bank borrowings was $48,910 and $19,632, respectively.
Loss before Provision for Income Taxes and Loss per Share
Loss before provision for income taxes increased $371,167 to $1,386,515 for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $1,015,348 for the years ended December 31, 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cost structure is relatively fixed and our working capital requirements are generally influenced by our order backlog. We need substantial operating funds to pay for raw materials; maintain an appropriate level of work-in-process inventory; and keep the production facility open. To support our working capital needs, we maintain a credit facility with the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited for approximately $897,000 in 2021 compared to approximately $769,000 in 2020, which is guaranteed by our directors and their personal properties. In 2021, a shareholder and director forgave an advance of $717,948 ($153,846 in 2020) to the Company and treated as a shareholder contribution.
Our working capital was $2,213,523 as on December 31, 2021 as compared to $2,580,247 as on December 31, 2020. Our cash and cash equivalents were $131,129 as on December 31, 2021 as compared to $302,440 as on December 31, 2020. While our business has been negatively impacted by the tariffs and COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, we believe we are able to obtain sufficient operating funds from our existing shareholders, potential investors or extend Hong Kong government guaranteed low interest bank borrowing to operate our business as a going concern over the next 12 months. However, we may need additional cash resources in the future for business development or general corporate purposes. If it is determined that the cash needs exceed our cash on hand and our available resources, we may seek to issue debt or equity securities.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes the key components of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data: | ||||||||
Net cash (used in) operating activities | $ | (1,038,967 | ) | $ | (1,598,979 | ) | ||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | (9,758 | ) | (221,760 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 876,334 | 1,049,390 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | 1,080 | 3,910 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash | (171,311 | ) | (767,439 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 302,440 | 1,069,879 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 131,129 | $ | 302,440 |
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Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $1,038,967 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and was primarily attributable to (i) the net loss of $1,386,515; (ii) non-cash item of $259,122 of depreciation and amortization; (iii) an increase in accounts receivable of $199,392; (iv) an increase in inventory of $712,854; (v) an increase in prepayment of $140,151; (vi) an increase in other receivables of $134,161; (vii) an increase in accounts payable of $530,221; (viii) an increase in other payables and accruals of $545,903; (ix) an increase of the advance from customers of $222,633, and (x) a decrease in cash flow by other elements of $157,947.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $9,758 for the year ended December 31, 2021, comparing to $221,760 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change was primarily attributable to purchase of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $876,334 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and was primarily attributable to (i) payments of finance lease liability of $32,954, offset by an increase of bank borrowings of $191,339 and (ii) cash proceeds from shareholder capital contribution of $717,949.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $876,334 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $1,049,390 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease of $173,056, or 16.5% was primarily due to increase of bank borrowings of $191,339 and increase of the shareholder contribution of $717,949.
Capital Expenditures
We had capital expenditures of $9,758 and $221,760 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our capital expenditures were mainly used for purchases of production equipment and office equipment. We intend to fund our future capital expenditures with lease financing, proceeds from this offering and other financing alternatives. We will continue to make capital expenditures to support the growth of our business.
Bank Facility
On November 3, 2017, Kambo Locksets Limited obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited pursuant to which it may borrow up to HK$ 6.0 million (approximately $0.8 million) for working capital purposes. On June 24, 2021, this banking facilities was increased to HK$ 7.0 million (approximately $0.9 million). The credit facility bears interest at 5.5% and it is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Bong Lau (both major shareholders and directors of the Company). The credit facility does not have an expiration date and is collateralized by a property owned by Kambo Security Products Limited, a related party.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders’ equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
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Critical Accounting Policies
We are an emerging growth company as defined by JOBS Act. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of extended transition periods for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows us to delay adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We elected to take advantage of the extended transition periods.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All subsidiaries are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial assets and financial liabilities which have been measured at fair value. The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“USD”).
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the useful lives and residual value of property and equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign currency translation
The Company’s reporting currency is the USD. The functional currency of its Hong Kong subsidiaries is the Hong Kong dollar (the “HKD”), and the functional currency of its PRC subsidiary is the Renminbi (the “RMB”). Results of operations and cash flows are translated at the average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss). Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.
Translation of amounts from HKD into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Translation of amounts from RMB into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
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Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and at banks, which are not restricted as to use; and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash, which have a short maturity of generally within three months when acquired. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any cash equivalents. The Company maintains bank accounts in the PRC and Hong Kong.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable represents trade receivables from customers. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to determine if the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. An estimate for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Delinquent account balances are written-off after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable and known bad debts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when identified. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods. They are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as determined using the weighted average cost method. Management compares the cost of inventories with the related net realizable value and will set up an allowance to write down the cost of inventories to its net realizable value, if it is lower than cost. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Other receivables
Other receivables primarily include receivables from employees related to social security benefits and VAT receivable. Management reviews the composition of other receivables and determines if an allowance for doubtful accounts is needed. A provision for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Prepayments and deposits
Prepayments consisted mainly of prepaid taxes, prepaid insurance, and prepaid software license. Deposits, a non-current asset, are related to long term office rental. These amounts are refundable and bear no interest. Prepayments and deposits are classified as either current or non-current based on the terms of the respective agreements. These advances are unsecured and are reviewed periodically to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, management believes that the Company’s prepayments and deposits are not impaired.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment, if necessary. Depreciation and amortization are provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method from the time the assets are placed in service. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Category | Estimated useful life | |
Office equipment | 5-10 years | |
Production equipment | 5-10 years | |
Motor vehicles | 5 years | |
Leasehold improvements | Over the shorter of remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets |
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the costs of betterments that extend the useful life of property and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
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Fair value measurements
The Company applies the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Section 820-Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires disclosures to be provided on fair value measurement.
ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Inputs, other than those in Level 1, that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
ASC 820 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach; and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset or transfer a liability.
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets included in current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities approximate their fair values since they bear an interest rate which approximates market interest rates.
Revenue recognition
The Company follows FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers in accounting for its revenues. The core principle of the revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
Step 5: Recognize the allocated revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation
The Company derives substantially all of its revenue from product sales, specifically sale of door locksets, locksets and related hardware to customers. Revenue from product sales is recognized when control passes to the customer, which generally occurs at a point in time when products are delivered FOB (freight on board). Revenue is recorded net of tariffs, VAT and discounts.
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Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold consists primarily of the cost of raw materials (mainly brass, iron and zinc alloy), direct and indirect labor and related benefits, and manufacturing overhead that is directly attributable to the production process, and related production costs from molding of raw materials to production of door locksets such as handles, panels and spindles, product assembly, quality control and packaging and shipping. Write-down of inventory, export tax rebates, if any, are also recorded in cost of goods sold. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company received export tax rebates of approximately RMB 5,414,000 (approximately $839,000) and RMB 5,394,000 (approximately $782,000), respectively.
Other Income
Other income consists primarily of proceeds from sale of raw materials waste (mainly iron), and rental income from sublease of extra factory space.
Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842), and elected the practical expedients that do not require it to reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. The Company also adopted the practical expedient that allows lessees to treat the lease and non-lease components of a lease as a single lease component.
The Company measures the lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments discounted by the relevant borrowing rate and reduces the carrying value of the lease liability for lease payments made.
The Company accounts for all significant leases as either operating or finance leases. At lease inception, if the lease meets any of the following five criteria, the Company will classify it as a finance lease: (i) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term, (ii) the lease grants the Company an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, (iii) the lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset, (iv) the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all (90% or more) of the fair value of the underlying asset, or (v) the underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term. Otherwise, the lease will be treated as an operating lease.
The Company’s accounting for finance leases, previously referred to as “capital leases” under prior guidance, remained substantially unchanged with the adoption of ASC 842. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net and as current and non-current financing lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
For leases with a term of 12 months or less, the Company is permitted to and did make an accounting policy election by class of underlying assets not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized lease expense for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance FASB ASC Section 740. The Company is subject to the tax laws of the PRC and Hong Kong (a special administrative region of PRC). The charge for taxation is based on actual results for the year as adjusted for items that are non-assessable or disallowed; and it is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. The Company is not currently subject to tax in the Cayman Islands or the British Virgin Islands.
Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit of loss. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income can be utilized with deferred tax liabilities and/or net operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized, or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the statement of operations, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Net 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 net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.
An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to uncertain tax positions are classified in income tax expense in the period incurred. Tax returns filed for the years ended December 31, 2018 to 2021 in the PRC and Hong Kong are subject to examination by the applicable tax authorities.
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Value added tax
The Company is subject to value added tax (“VAT”) in the PRC. Revenue generated and purchases within the PRC from domestic suppliers are generally subject to VAT at the rate of 13% starting in April 2019, at the rate of 16% starting from May 2018 to March 2019 and at the rate of 17% before May 2018. Certain VAT is refundable after filing rebate applications. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company is entitled to receive a refund of approximately $495,000 and $353,000, respectively, which amounts are recorded in other receivables on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Related parties
Parties are considered to be related to the Company if they, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its separate interests.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the increase or decrease in equity of the Company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Amongst other disclosures, ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, requires that all items that are required to be recognized under current accounting standards as components of comprehensive income (loss) be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. For each of the periods presented, the Company’s comprehensive loss included the net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments that are presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Segment reporting
The Company follows ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer as the chief operating decision-maker reviews the consolidated financial results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing the performance of the Company as a whole and has determined that the Company has only one reportable segment. The Company operates and manages its business as a single segment.
The following table sets forth the Company’s revenue from customers by geographical areas based on the location of the customers:
For the years ended | |||||||||
December 31, | |||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
US | $ | 12,222,574 | $ | 10,957,047 | |||||
Canada | 310,174 | 225,857 | |||||||
Others | - | 36,655 | |||||||
Total | $ | 12,532,748 | $ | 11,219,559 |
The following table sets forth the Company’s property and equipment, for the purpose of geographical information:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
PRC | $ | 1,300,009 | $ | 1,454,053 | ||||
Hong Kong | 65,027 | 129,158 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,365,036 | $ | 1,583,211 |
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Earnings (loss) per share
In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted income per share as their effects would be anti-dilutive.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this Update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amendments broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss, which will be more decision useful to users of the consolidated financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for issuers and December 15, 2020 for non-issuers. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief. This ASU adds optional transition relief for entities to elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis to increase comparability of similar financial assets. The ASUs should be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified retrospective approach). On November 19, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 to amend the effective date for ASU 2016-13 to be fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods therein. The Company believes that the adoption will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of credit risk
Details of the customers accounting for 10% or more of total operating revenue are as follows:
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customer A | $ | 6,833,866 | 54.5 | % | $ | 6,008,167 | 53.6 | % | ||||||||
Customer B | 1,588,156 | 12.7 | % | 3,055,958 | 27.2 | % | ||||||||||
Customer C | 1,310,376 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||||||
$ | 9,732,398 | 77.7 | % | $ | 9,064,125 | 80.8 | % |
Details of the customers which accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customer A | $ | 695,263 | 64.7 | % | $ | 545,914 | 69.1 | % | ||||||||
Customer B | 193,935 | 18.1 | % | 146,128 | 18.5 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 889,198 | 82.8 | % | $ | 692,042 | 87.6 | % |
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Supplier risk
The Company’s operations are dependent on a limited number of suppliers for its major raw materials. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the raw materials supply from these suppliers. Any termination or suspension of the supply arrangements, any change in cooperation terms, or the deterioration of cooperation relationships with these suppliers may materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
Details of the suppliers accounting for 10% or more of total purchases are as follows:
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Supplier A | $ | 1,701,515 | 19.9 | % | $ | 1,440,512 | 20.4 | % | ||||||||
Supplier B | 1,407,690 | 16.5 | % | 1,126,932 | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 3,109,205 | 36.4 | % | $ | 2,567,444 | 36.4 | % |
Details of the suppliers which accounted for 10% or more of accounts payable are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Supplier A | $ | 504,393 | 30.2 | % | $ | 440,444 | 32.7 | % | ||||||||
Supplier B | 290,997 | 17.4 | % | 272,888 | 20.3 | % | ||||||||||
Supplier C | 196,760 | 11.8 | % | 191,759 | 14.2 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 992,149 | 59.4 | % | $ | 905,091 | 67.2 | % |
Foreign currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and international economic and political developments that affect supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company had $27,036 and $68,053 of cash and cash equivalents denominated in RMB as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Certain transactions of the Company are denominated in HKD which is different from the functional currency of the Company, and therefore the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk. As the HKD is currently pegged to the USD, management considers that there is no significant foreign currency risk arising from the Company’s monetary assets denominated in USD.
The Company currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy. However, management monitors the Company’s foreign exchange exposure periodically and will consider hedging significant foreign exchange exposure should the need arise.
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JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As a Company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of such exemptions.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of Renminbi into other currencies. The value of Renminbi is subject to changes in central government policies, international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. Our cash and cash equivalents denominated in Renminbi amounted to $27,036, $68,053 and $18,914 as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the United States dollar (“USD”). The functional currency of its Hong Kong subsidiaries is the Hong Kong dollar (the “HKD”), and the functional currency of its PRC subsidiary is the Renminbi (the “RMB”). Results of operations and cash flows are translated at the average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss). Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.
Translation of amounts from HKD into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Translation of amounts from RMB into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Substantially all of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars, and most of our purchases and expenditures are denominated in RMB. Changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi will affect the value of the proceeds from this offering in Renminbi terms. We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $16.86 million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, based on an initial offering price of $4.00 per share. For example, if we convert US$1.5 million of the net proceeds from this offering into Renminbi, a 10% appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, from a rate of RMB 7.1348 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB 6.4213 to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB 1,070,250 (US$166,672) of the net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, from a rate of RMB 7.1348 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB 7.8483 to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB 1,070,250 (US$136,367) of the net proceeds from this offering.
Interest rate risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk on our interest-bearing assets and liabilities. As part of our asset and liability risk management, we review and take appropriate steps to manage our interest rate exposures on our interest-bearing assets and liabilities. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in market interest rates, and not used any derivative financial instruments to manage the interest risk exposure during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Mechanical Locks Market
According to Global Mechanical Locks Market Research Report: Forecast to 2025, by Market Research Future, the global mechanical lock market is projected to have a Compound Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”) of 4.95% for the period from 2016-2025. The North America market is projected to have a CAGR of 4.71% and the Asia Pacific market is projected to be a CAGR of 5.52% for the same period. It is projected that the market will reach a size of $9,425.95 million in 2025 globally (North America and Asia Pacific market size is projected to be $2,435.98 million and $2,493.51 million, about 25.8% and 26.5% of such global market, respectively). Our products currently consist of Grade 2 and Grade 3 locks and mainly sell to the U.S.
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Smart Locks Market Research
According to Global Smart Locks Market Research Report by Technavio Global Smart Lock, the global smart lock market was valued at $8,829.04 million in 2018 and is expected to grow to $17,450.10 million by 2023. For market players, this will create an incremental growth opportunity worth $8,621.06 million by 2023, which translates to around 98% of the market size in 2018. North America & APAC market is projected a CAGR of 19.45% & 54.08% in 2023.
*Source: TECHNAVIO- Global Smart Lock Market
Global Smart Lock Market & Mechanical Locks Market
*Source: TECHNAVIO-Global Smart Lock Market & Market Research Future-Global Mechanical Locks Market Research Report
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Standard of ANSI/BHMA
BHMA works with the ANSI to develop and publish performance standards for Builders Hardware. These standards have cycle, functional strength, security, dimension and finish requirements.
Residential Grade locks are considered Grade 2 and Grade 3. Standard ANSI/BHMA A156.2-2003 establishes requirements for bored and preassembled locks and latches. The Standard includes general information, definitions, dimensional criteria, tests (procedures and required equipment) and their required results to meet grade standards.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to make life safer and smarter by designing and producing affordable, high-quality locksets and smart security systems.
Overview
Headquartered in Hong Kong, we manufacture and sell high quality mechanical locksets to customers mainly in the United States (US) and Canada and have continued to diversify and refine our product offerings in the past 40 years to meet our customers’ needs. We believe Xingfa is one of the pioneers of mechanical lockset manufacturing in China. Since inception, to cope with our development and increase customer satisfaction in quality, we keep investing in self-designed automated product lines, new craftsmanship and developing new products including smart locks. In order to obtain the confidence of our customers, Xingfa has obtained the ISO9001quality assurance certificate.
Starting in 2000, we offer products that comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 2 and Grade 3 standards that are developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturing Association (BHMA) for ANSI. Our focus in producing mechanical locksets - including locksets for outdoors (such as main entrances and gates) and indoors - has resulted in sustainable growth in our business and raised our competitiveness. To maintain our growth, our products are beyond a simple lockset for security purposes, we offer a wide range of Original Design Manufacturer (“ODM”) door locksets to various customer segments from “Premium Series” to “Economy-oriented Series” with classic to contemporary looks, functions and colors.
To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, Hing Fat been researching and developing smart locks in the past couple years. Hing Fat has been working on smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and have internally worked out a general solution plan including mechanical and electronic parts but still need to further develop the software related parts for such locks which we need external help. Most of our research and development on smart locks have been done internally by our technician and engineers, except that Hing Fat hired outside services for approximately $25,000 in 2017. Because of tariff war and outbreak of COVID-19, we haven’t made further progress on the software for our smart locks to save more working capital for our core operation. However, once we are able to raise sufficient funds from this public offering or are able to generate additional cash flows from our ongoing operations, we will acquire new equipment, systems and recruit information technology talents to develop software applications for our smart locks.
Currently, approximately 97.5% of our revenues are from products sold to the US market, and the remaining products are sold to Canada, Macau and China markets. We build our distribution network by working together with our large and small business partners in different geographic areas to sell our products. More information about geographical penetration of our revenues can be found in “Segment reporting in Note 3 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements”.
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Our Strategy
Our principal objective is to sustain continuous growth in our business and maintain our competitive advantages such that we can be positioned as a leading provider in the lockset industry. We plan to implement the following strategies and leverage our strengths to growth and develop our existing lockset business and maintain our reputation:
· | Our insistence in delivering high quality products has hurt our profit margin in light of cut-throat price competition. We constantly adjust our procurements based upon our updated production requirements and protocols that are designed to reduce our manufacturing costs and overhead, and to improve our profit margin. By designing our own automated production lines and controlling our raw material waste, we have managed to lower our labor cost and cost of raw materials. We plan to implement an enterprise resources planning system (“ERP”) to further improve our manufacturing controls and enhance the efficiency of our production processes. We maintain this procurement philosophy to enhance our profit margin. Nevertheless, even as we try to save costs, we will also be socially responsible to maintain low turnover of labor and environmental and worker safety and health protection. | |
· | We are currently selling products in accordance with US standards. In order to expand market segment coverage, we will conduct trial marketing of our self-branded products in Asia Pacific, especially South-east Asia. Also, we have commenced direct sales. We believe we can make some minor alternations for molds to fit the standards of the different markets. | |
· | To cope with limited production space in Xingfa’s factory in China and the potential need for relocation of production facilities due to the rapid urbanization of China, and to cope with effects of the economic downturn in the world economy and tariff disputes between US and China, we will seek to further develop the markets in south east Asia as well as to increase sales to Chinese mass consumers such as builders and developers of office buildings, residential housing, apartments and hotels. We will also seek to mitigate the potential risks of production delays by establishing more efficient production procedures, such as increasing the level of automation, using new production methods and expanding production facilities outside China. |
· | To cope with cut-throat pricing by domestic manufacturers in China, we seek to maintain high quality, fine craftsmanship and efficient procurement. We are committed to designing and making affordable high-quality locksets. In order to better achieve customer satisfaction and meet customer demands, Hing Fat will continue to utilize its R&D and design abilities to introduce new products and achieve and maintain lean production practices to decrease our products’ cost and increase competitiveness. | |
· | We will seek to strengthen cooperation plans with our strategic partners and e-commerce channels for further growth. We will expand our resources to focus on new product launches with changes in lock designs and materials. Through the strategic cooperation with regional distribution channels, we aim at expanding our product offerings and entering untapped markets. We also plan to establish strategic relationships with local market players and make acquisitions at a global level. | |
· | To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, we will leverage our four decades of experience, customer relationship and reputation in the mechanical lockset industry, launch smart locks and smart security as upcoming product diversification. A smart security systems is a security system that can monitor door sensors, remote CCTV and control door locks from an authorized device using a wireless protocol and a cryptographic key, or eventually, as a part of Internet of Things (IoT), the network of physical objects that feature an IP address for internet connectivity, and the communication that occurs between these objects and other internet-enabled devices and systems, which will alert the users based upon pre-set conditions. |
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SWOT Analysis
Our management continually analyzes our own Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) for better strategic planning and execution of our strategies. We have summarized our SWOT analysis as follows:
Strengths
- Four decades of lock manufacturing industry experiences
- Sophisticated production know-how
- Internal lockset design ability to quickly respond to market needs and trends
- Internal research and development of smart lock functions and designs
- Talent and dedicated skilled manufacturing workers
- Long term customer relationship and long-standing industry reputation for new products launch and quick access to existing customers and markets
- Ability and knowledge to design automated production lines with fewer machines
- Internationally accredited quality and safety certificates
- ISO9000 certified
- Broad mechanical lock products portfolio
- Only a few peer competitors in China and South-east Asia because of high CAPEX and professional know-hows
Weaknesses
-Limited production capacity with a single facility in China
Opportunities
- Increasing demand of smart locks in global lock markets and development in South-east Asia countries
- Distribution through e-commerce channels
Our Challenges (Threats)
-US-China trade tariff war
-COVID-19 pandemic causes significant negative impact on U.S., China and world economy and supply chain
-Intense competition in the market
-Difficult to obtain commercial loans without collateral in China and Hong Kong
-Cash flow for CAPEX and expenses for development, manufacturing and launching of smart lock products
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Our Strengths
We have four decades of experience in mechanical lockset manufacturing. This gave us the ability to design our own automated production lines to meet our customers’ needs effectively and efficiently. Xingfa is few of manufacturers who is able to finish complicated stamping and casting with few machineries by optimizing production progresses. Up to date of this prospectus, we are offering 108 basic designs of various locksets in our product catalogue (see “Our Products” for sample images) and we also have many other designs stored in the library of engineering department of Hing Fat, all of which enable us to provide our customers with products of many varieties with different functions, outlooks and colors. We have accumulated extensive design and production know-hows of our lock core in the past thirty years. Our experience and expertise in the design of mechanical locksets helps us expand our product lines and quickly respond to the changes of market trends and demands of our customers.
To comply with stringent requirements of U.S. standards, Xingfa has obtained ISO9000 certificate, and its manufacturing facility has been reviewed and audited by U.S. customers from time to time for compliance of social responsibility about labor welfare and safety, environmental protection and other requirements from such customers. To serve our customers better, Xingfa has equipped with professional keying machineries which is a very niche service being provided by lockset manufacturers in China and Asia Pacific region. In Asia, we only have a few peer competitors in China and South-east Asia due to high capital expense requirement for the manufacturing facility and professional know-hows of the products and industry.
We have launched internal research in smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and suppliers of electronic parts in the market as a part of our R & D process of smart lock products. Our in-depth knowledge in lockset mechanics makes it easier for us to enter into smart locks market by incorporating relevant electronic parts into our locksets after we develop the software system. In additional, our long relationship with our customers makes it quicker for us to introduce new products including future smart locks to the market.
With our years of operational history, Xingfa has built a loyal and experienced work force and manufacturing management, which can drive manufacturing facility expansion without additional talent. Along with long-term relationships with reputable customers and recent access to e-commerce channels, we believe we are able to attract customers with our new products.
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Our Weakness
Currently, we have only one production facility that is located in China. In recent years, the tariff war between U.S. and China as well as the increase labor and raw material costs have adversely affected our gross profit. We plan to expand our production facility outside China as well develop new markets in addition to our traditional North America market.
Opportunities
The management keeps collecting market information from our customers and other public sources to decide future development of the Company. Our currently primary market, the US and Canada, has always been one of the largest markets in the world. However, we would like to mitigate the risk of customer concertation and seek additional growth by exploring other markets. We plan to explore South-east Asia customers because of fragmented industrial standards of locksets in various countries, and our U.S. standards complied locksets can be sold with almost no change in production process.
Facing the increasing demand of smart living, we have done a wide range of studies in smart security system products to formulate our future growth direction. We are seeking suitable small smart lock manufacturers as potential acquisition targets although we don’t have definitive targets to acquire at this moment. In addition, we are studying certain smart security application developers for future business strategic partners in smart security systems or Internet of Things (IoT), the network of physical objects that feature an IP address for internet connectivity, and the communication that occurs between these objects and other Internet-enabled devices and systems which will alert the users under pre-set conditions.
We have also started selling our products under our own brand “Bamberg” on internet sales channels, such as Amazon.com through our wholly owned subsidiary Bamberg (HK) Limited, which we believe will expand our customer basis and let more people to get a chance to try our high quality products at an affordable price and build our brand name.
Our Challenges (Threats)
Until 2018, we have maintained a profitable business with steady growth in our revenues and earnings. In 2018, we experienced the sudden impact caused by the tariff war between the US and China that resulted in a decrease in or suspension of orders in late 2018 and 2019. To cope with the potential impact of an economic downturn of China and tariff disputes between China and US, we plan to further expand our market in south-east Asia and Chinese wholesales clients such as residential and commercial developers and hotel developers.
To expand our market in South-east Asia, we may face intensive competition in pricing. We will leverage with our quality and our professional keying services that we will explore majorly mass scale customers such as property developers and hotel/service apartment developers. We believe marketing and selling to wholesale customers is easier and more cost efficiency than to mass end users.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 virus caused a sudden halt in economic activities and our Company had to close our office in Hong Kong and manufacturing facility in China since late January 2020 until early March 2020. Our office in Hong Kong and our manufacturing in China has resumed since mid-March 2020. In 2021, COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact our operations. From May 21, 2021 to Jun 24, 2021, Yantian Port in Shenzhen was closed for sudden COVID-19 outbreak in the port area, which has caused delay of delivery of products to our customers. Our customers have also been hampered by congested ports in the U.S., which in turn have caused delay of shipment, increase of inventory and disruption of our production schedule. In 2022, there have been outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in Hong Kong where our headquarters are located and other cities in China, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taiyuan, Changchun as well as Dongguan city where Xingfa is located, and travel restrictions, mandatory COVID tests, quarantine requirements and/or temporary closure of office buildings and facilities have been imposed by local governments. Although our operations have not been materially and negatively impacted by such outbreaks in Hong Kong and Dongguan in 2022, the government authorities may issue new orders of office closure, travel and transportation restrictions in China due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 and outbreak of new variants, which will have material negative impact to our business and financial conditions. While it is difficult to estimate the future financial impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations, management believes that COVID-19 could have a material impact on its financial results for the year 2022 and could cause the potential impairment of certain assets.
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Because preference in real estate collaterals for the loans by traditional commercial banks, we have difficulty to obtain sufficient financing from commercial banks in China and Hong Kong to develop new products and markets and drive our future growth. We have also studied the capital market of Hong Kong and we believe that it is tough for industrial company to seek for financing.
To meet increasing consumer needs for smart locks and smart home products, Hing Fat has been researching and developing smart locks in the past couple years. Hing Fat has been working on smart locks functions, communication protocols, available designs and have internally worked out a general solution plan including mechanical and electronic parts but still need to further develop the software related parts for such locks which we need external help. Most of our research and development on smart locks have been done internally by our technician and engineers, except that Hing Fat hired outside services for approximately $25,000 in 2017. Because of tariff war and outbreak of COVID-19, we haven’t made further progress on the software for our smart locks to save more working capital for our core operation. However, once we are able to raise sufficient funds from this public offering or are able to generate additional cash flows from our ongoing operations, we will acquire new equipment, systems and recruit information technology talents to develop software applications for our smart locks.
Our Competition
We are facing competition from worldwide brands such as Kwiksets, Schlage, and other domestic manufacturers in Hong Kong and China. The Company positions its products as affordable high-quality mechanical Grade 2 and Grade 3 locksets. In Asia, there are only a few manufacturers in China and South-east Asia that are capable of competing with us on such products.
Mechanical lockset companies have been consolidating in the last decade (see table: Competitive Landscaping, below). Sizable multinational companies keep expanding by acquiring or merging with other lockset companies. Currently, the major player in the world is ASSA Abloy AB (ASSA B: STO), a Swedish conglomerate that sells cover products and services ranging from locks, doors, gates and entrance automation, which owns brands such as Abloy, Yale Mul-T-Lock and Medeco. Other well-known brands including Kwikset by Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB), Schlage by Allegion PLC (NYSE: ALLE), Defiant by Home Depot (NYSE: HD), and Delaney Hardware in Cumming, USA. The PRC market is fragmented because various international lockset standards are all applicable in China. Thus, various brands of locksets all compete in PRC which makes the Chinese lockset market highly competitive.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPING: GLOBAL MECHANICAL LOCKS MARKET, BY DEVELOPMENT (2013–2021)
Company | Acquisition | Expansion | Product Launch | ||||||
Spectrum Brands, Inc. | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Allegion PLC | 4 | 1 | - | ||||||
ASSA Abloy | 6 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
DOM Security | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
Codelocks Inc. | - | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Serrature Meroni SpA | - | - | 3 |
*Source: Market Research Future – Global Mechanical Locks Market Research Report: Forecast to 2025 and Company Websites
We mostly compete with manufacturing subsidiaries and factories of those worldwide brands on product quality as well as the manufacturers in China on price. The key for our sustainability is to maintain high quality, fine craftsmanship and procurement at affordable prices. In additional, high capital expense for building a new locket manufacturing facility and our longtime created reputation set up barriers of entry by new players.
Our Products
We produce various ODM indoor and outdoor locksets mainly for importers, builders and the construction market in the USA. Since 2016, we market our self-branded products, Bamberg, in South-east Asia. In addition, we are selling our self-branded products through reputable online shops.
· | Locksets functions |
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Mechanical locksets are mechanical devices which secure an opening by keeping a door closed until a release mechanism is activated. It can be a lever, knob, key, thumb-turn or button. Mechanical locksets are very common on exterior/interior doors in residential and multi-family applications. There are several types of mechanical locksets, and the most common functions for mechanical locksets are as follows:
· | Deadbolts – are used for front doors and doors which may require an additional security from a deadbolt, combined in a lockset with one of the functions above. It can be locked by a thumb-turn from the inside or by a key from the outside. |
· | Entry locksets – are used for bedrooms, front doors, and back doors. It can be locked by a thumb-turn from the inside or by a key from the outside. |
· | Privacy locksets – are used for restrooms or dressing rooms. It can be locked from the inside with a thumb turn for privacy, and it can be unlocked from the outside using a tool, a screwdriver for example, rather than a key. |
· | Passage locksets – are used where doors do not need to lock. There is no key and no lock function. |
· | Storeroom locks – are used for storerooms. It should always be locked from the outside and a key is used to open the door. When the key is removed, the door is locked from the outside again. There is no lock/unlock the door from the inside. |
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Our Customized Keying Options
One of our value propositions is the ability to customize the keys for our door locksets based on specific customer requests. Below is a summary of our various professional custom-made keying options applicable to our products:
· | Types of Keying Options |
The term “keying” refers to the way keys will be used to operate the cylinders that are installed in the door locksets. Keys can be assigned to different groups that will and will not open the cylinders. Keying determines which keys work at each opening. A cylinder will contain a certain number of pins generally ranging from 5 pins or more. The pins vary in height. This variation in height and the cuts on the key can generate different keying combinations. It can provide access to the cylinder to lock or unlock the locksets
· | Keyed Different (KD) |
Each cylinder is keyed different. It means that each lock is operated by a unique key. A key used at one door cannot be used to open other doors.
· | Keyed Alike (KA) |
Each cylinder is keyed alike. It means that every lock can be opened by the same key. This is useful in an area where a limited number of keys is required, such as a residential unit area with storage closets or common rooms that only need one key combination.
· | Master Keyed (MK) |
Each cylinder has its own individual key which cannot open other locksets in the system and all locksets in the system can be opened by one master key. A master keyed system is useful where someone requires a higher level of access authority, such as the building owner.
· | Construction Keyed (CK) |
A construction key is needed when contractors need entry to a building during construction. When new homes are under construction, a contractor will provide a general key to carpenters, painters, and other contractors. This allows easy access to several homes without requiring different keys, and prevents duplication and later entry into the homes once a homeowner moves in. Once construction is complete, the owner’s keys will block further access by the contractors. The following diagram shows how it works.
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Our Suppliers
Our primary raw materials are brass, iron and zinc alloy. We started to use stainless steel to partially substitute brass from second half of 2021. Raw materials by weight of our locksets basing on bill of materials and actual weighting, approximately 50% are iron, approximately 38% are zinc alloy, approximately 10% are brass and 2% are stainless steel for the year ended December 31, 2021, while approximately 48% are iron, approximately 34% are zinc alloy and approximately 18% are brass for the same period of 2020. We don’t have long term purchase contracts with our suppliers but only purchase via orders. For procurement purpose, management will get master quote from at least two suppliers for every three (3) months. Management will bargain purchase price by taking into account price trends of brass, iron and zinc alloy commodity and quantity volume discount. Xingfa has purchased approximately 185 tonnes brass, 914 tonnes iron, 716 tonnes zinc alloy and 45 tonnes stainless steel for the year ended December 31,2021, while 256 tonnes brass, 1,035 tonnes iron and 742 tonnes zinc alloy for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Xingfa purchased iron from two Chinese suppliers in Guangdong province in year 2021 and 2020.
Xingfa purchased zinc alloy from two suppliers. One supplier ships zinc alloy from Shanghai and Dongguan while one Hong Kong supplier ships from Shenzhen.
Xingfa purchased brass from various subsidiaries of two suppliers in Dongguan and Shanghai. Xingfa started to purchase small quantity of stainless steel from a supplier in Guangdong from second half of 2021 as a new material partially substituting for brass.
We have business relationships with our iron, zinc alloy and brass suppliers for over 5 years. Some of them are public companies or subsidiaries of public companies listed on Shanghai, Shenzhen or Hong Kong Stock Exchanges and the supplies and availabilities of our raw materials have never been an issued in the past. Also, all of our primary raw materials are general commercial commodities. For 2020, total global production of: (i) brass is approximately 20 million tonnes; (ii) iron is approximately 2.4 billion tonnes and (iii) zinc alloy is approximately 13.7 million tonnes. (source: statista.com) There are numbers of suppliers in China of our raw materials. Therefore, even our existing suppliers may be temporarily short in inventory, we can place purchase order to other suppliers without difficulty and price premium.
Employees
As of July 1, 2022, we have a total of 375 employees. We had a total of 374 employees as of December 31, 2021. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our employees including appointed directors and officers as of July 1, 2022 by function:
Department | Headcount | Hong Kong Headquarter | PRC Production |
Management | 11 | 7 | 4 |
Finance and accounting | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Sales and Marketing | 3 | 3 | - |
Purchasing | 2 | - | 2 |
Warehouse | 15 | - | 15 |
Production | 315 | - | 315 |
Quality Control | 2 | - | 2 |
Administration | 15 | 4 | 11 |
Technical | 4 | - | 4 |
Total | 375 | 19* | 356 |
*one vice president of finance based in Beijing.
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As of July 1, 2022, 19 employees are based in Hong Kong, where our principal executive offices are located, one vice president of finance was based in Beijing, and the remaining employees were located in Dongguan, China.
As required by PRC regulations, Xingfa participates in various government statutory employee benefit plans, including social insurance funds, namely a pension contribution plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a work-related injury insurance plan and a maternity insurance plan, and a housing provident fund. Xingfa is required under PRC law to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of its employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time. As of the date of this prospectus, we believe Xingfa has made employee benefit payments in material aspects. However, if Xingfa were found by the relevant authorities that it failed to make adequate payments, it may be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans as required by PRC regulations may subject us to penalties.”
We enter into standard labor and confidentiality agreements with our employees. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any major labor disputes.
Our Facilities
Our headquarter and sales office in Hong Kong are operating in an approximately 300m2 office located in an industrial building. The office is leased from a related company, Kambo Security Products Limited. Kambo Security Products Limited is owned by Mr. Yu Bong Lau (Bong), Mr. Bun Lau, Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Po Ching Hui, brother of Mr. Wynn Hui. The rent paid to Kambo Security Products Limited is determined according to the market value of similar property quotes from a Hong Kong property agent. We most recently renewed the lease of the property starting from January 1, 2021 for a term of one year, with annual rent of HK$420,000 (approximately US$53,800).
Our manufacturing facility is operated under our WFOE named Dongguan Xingfa Metal Products Co., Ltd. (“Xingfa”), which is equipped with different types of machines in a 17,560 m2 production facility which is able to produce about 6,000,000 locksets per annum. Xingfa leases 15,810 m2 of land use rights for our factory from March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2024 from Dongguan Shatian Town Hengliu Equity Economic Union, a third party, with annual rent of approximately RMB 2,606,000 (approximately US$372,000). In April 2021, the landlord and Xingfa entered into a supplemental agreement to revise the annual rental to approximately RMB3,272,000 (approximately US$510,000).
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Intellectual Property
We regard our trademarks, domain names, know-how, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark and trade secret law and confidentiality and invention assignment with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights.
We mostly rely on our know-how for production processes and our patents have expired. Currently, Bamberg (HK) Limited has one registered trademark for Bamberg in the U.S. and one registered trademark for Bamberg in Hong Kong, which are utilized for our self-branded products, and the Company has one trademark of ILAG in Hong Kong as our group holding company logo for our general company image and marketing purpose. In addition, we and our subsidiaries have three registered domain names in Hong Kong, namely i-l-a-g.com, kambo.com.hk and bamberggroup.com.
Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual properties. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual properties is difficult and costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual properties. From time to time, we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.
In addition, third parties may initiate litigation against us alleging infringement of their proprietary rights or declaring their non-infringement of our intellectual property rights. In the event of a successful claim of infringement and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. Moreover, even if we are able to license the infringed or similar technology, license fees could be substantial and may adversely affect our results of operations.
See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.” and “—We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.”
Insurance
We provide social security insurance including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and medical insurance for our employees. We and our subsidiaries do not maintain business interruption insurance or general third-party liability and property insurance, nor do we maintain key-man insurance. We are self-insured for our business operations based on commercial practice in China.
Legal Proceedings
We and our subsidiaries are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention.
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Regulations of People’s Republic of China
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in China through our wholly owned subsidiary Xingfa.
Regulations Relating to Foreign Investment
Negative List of Industries for Foreign Investment
Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors were principally governed by the Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Guidance Catalog, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, and the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC. The Guidance Catalog lays out the basic framework for foreign investment in China, classifying businesses into three categories with regard to foreign investment: “encouraged,” “restricted” and “prohibited.” Industries not listed in the catalog are generally deemed as falling into a fourth category “permitted” unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws. The NDRC and the MOFCOM promulgated the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Edition) (the “2021 National Negative List”) and the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in Pilot Free Trade Zones (2021 Edition) (the “2021 FTZ Negative List”) (collectively the “2021 Negative Lists”) on December 27, 2021, which took effect on January 1, 2022. Industries listed on the 2021 Negative Lists are divided into two categories: restricted and prohibited. Industries not listed on the 2021 Negative Lists are generally deemed as constituting a third “permitted” category. The establishment of wholly foreign-owned enterprises is generally allowed in permitted industries. Some restricted industries are limited to equity or contractual joint ventures, while in some cases, Chinese partners are required to hold the majority interests in such joint ventures. In addition, projects falling under the restricted category are subject to higher-level government approvals. Foreign investors are not allowed to invest in industries in the prohibited category. Industries not listed in the Negative List are generally open to foreign investment unless specifically restricted by other PRC regulations. Any domestic enterprise engaging in businesses prohibited by the 2021 Negative Lists that lists, issues securities and trades shares overseas must obtain pre-approval consent from relevant competent regulator; overseas investors must not engage in the operation and management of the enterprise, and the percentage of foreign shareholding is subject to the relevant provisions in the administrative measures for domestic securities investments by foreign investors.
To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we rely on equity investment with our WFOE subsidiary to operate our business in China. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.”
Foreign Investment Law
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 1, 2020 and replace three existing laws on foreign investments in China, namely, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law, the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. Furthermore, the Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the Implementing Regulations of FIL, was promulgated on December 26, 2019 and became effective on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic invested enterprises in China. The Foreign Investment Law establishes the basic framework for the access to, and the promotion, protection and administration of foreign investments in view of investment protection and fair competition.
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According to the Foreign Investment Law and the Implement the Implementing Regulations of FIL, “foreign investment” refers to investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by one or more natural persons, business entities, or otherwise organizations of a foreign country (collectively referred to as “foreign investor”) within China, and the investment activities include the following situations: (i) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within China; (ii) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, shares in assets, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within China; (iii) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within China; and (iv) investments in other means as provided by laws, administrative regulations, or the State Council.
The NDRC and the MOFCOM promulgated the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Edition) (the “2021 National Negative List”) and the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in Pilot Free Trade Zones (2021 Edition) (the “2021 FTZ Negative List”) (collectively the “2021 Negative Lists”) on December 27, 2021, which took effect on January 1, 2022. Compared to the last Special Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) promulgated by the NDRC and the MOFCOM in June 2020, the 2021 Negative Lists cuts down the number of items restricted or prohibited to foreign investors from 33 to 31, widening access to more industries and fields. However, the 2021 Negative Lists prescribe that any domestic enterprise engaging in businesses prohibited by the Negative Lists that lists, issues securities and trades shares overseas must obtain pre-approval consent from relevant competent regulator; overseas investors must not engage in the operation and management of the enterprise, and the percentage of foreign shareholding is subject to the relevant provisions in the administrative measures for domestic securities investments by foreign investors. The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign invested entities operating in foreign restricted or prohibited industries will require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC governmental authorities. The current industry entry clearance requirements governing investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are set out in 2021 Negative Lists.
Furthermore, the Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign invested enterprises established according to the existing laws regulating foreign investment may maintain their structure and corporate governance within five years after the implementing of the Foreign Investment Law.
In addition, the Foreign Investment Law also provides several protective rules and principles for foreign investors and their investments in the PRC, including, among other things, that local governments shall abide by their commitments to the foreign investors; foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to issue stocks and corporate bonds; except for special circumstances, in which case statutory procedures shall be followed and fair and reasonable compensation shall be made in a timely manner, expropriation or requisition of the investment of foreign investors is prohibited; mandatory technology transfer is prohibited; and the capital contributions, profits, capital gains, proceeds out of asset disposal, licensing fees of intellectual property rights, indemnity or compensation legally obtained, or proceeds received upon settlement by foreign investors within China, may be freely remitted inward and outward in RMB or a foreign currency. Also, foreign investors or the foreign investment enterprise should be subject to legal liabilities for failing to report investment information in accordance with the requirements.
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Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights
The PRC has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents, trademarks and domain names.
Copyright. Copyright in the PRC, including copyrighted software, is principally protected under the Copyright Law of the PRC promulgated in February 2010 which took effect in April 2010 (the “Copyright Law”) which has been amended by SCNPC on November 11, 2020 and became effective on June 1, 2021, and related rules and regulations. Under the Copyright Law, the term of protection for copyrighted software of legal persons is 50 years and ends on December 31 of the 50th year from the date of first publishing of the software.
Patent. The Patent Law of the PRC promulgated in December 2008, which became effective in October 2009 and recently has been amended by SCNPC on October 17, 2020 and became effective on June 1, 2021, provides for patentable inventions, utility models and designs. An invention or utility model for which patents may be granted shall have novelty, creativity and practical applicability. The State Intellectual Property Office under the State Council is responsible for examining and approving patent applications. The protection period is 20 years for inventions and 10 years for utility models and designs, all of which commence from the date of application of patent rights under current Patent Law of the PRC. The protection period has been slightly amended in recent amendment which became effective on June 1, 2021. The terms of protection for invention and utility patents will still be 20 years and 10 years, respectively, in general. The term of protection for a design patent will be extended from 10 years to 15 years. In addition, for invention patents, in case it is only granted after 4 years or more from its filing date or 3 years or more after a request for substantive examination date, the applicant can request for an extension of protection term for any unreasonable delay.
Trademark. The Trademark Law of the PRC promulgated in August 2013 which took effect in May 2014 (the “Trademark Law”) and it was last amended on April 23, 2019 and the amendments became effective on November 11, 2019. Its implementation rules protect registered trademarks. The Trademark Office of National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC, formerly the PRC Trademark Office of the State Administration of Market Regulation is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks throughout the PRC. The Trademark Law has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to trademark registration. The validity period of registered trademarks is 10 years from the date of approval of trademark application, and may be renewed for another 10 years provided relevant application procedures have been completed within 12 months before the end of the validity period.
Domain Name. Domain names are protected under the Administrative Measures for the Internet Domain Names of the PRC promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the PRC effective on December 20, 2004 and the Administrative Measures for Internet Domain Names promulgated by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology(“MIIT”), effective on November 1, 2017 (the “Domain Name Measures”). MIIT is the major regulatory body responsible for the administration of the PRC internet domain names. The Domain Names Measures has adopted a “first-to-file” principle with respect to the registration of domain names.
Regulations on Environmental Protection and Work Safety
Regulations on Environmental Protection
Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law of the PRC promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (“SCNPC”) on December 26, 1989, amended on April 24, 2014 and effective on January 1, 2015, any entity which discharges or will discharge pollutants during the course of its operations or other activities must implement effective environmental protection safeguards and procedures to control and properly treat waste gas, waste water, waste residue, dust, malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise vibrations, electromagnetic radiation and other hazards produced during such activities. The preparation of relevant development and utilization plans and the construction of the projects having impact on environment shall be subject to environmental impact assessment in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the enterprises and business operators on which the management system for the pollutants discharge permit and registration is implemented shall discharge pollutants according to their respective pollutants discharge permits or registrations and shall not discharge pollutants without obtaining a pollutants discharge permit or registration.
Environmental protection authorities impose various administrative penalties on persons or enterprises in violation of the Environmental Protection Law. Such penalties include warnings, fines, orders to rectify within the prescribed period, orders to cease construction, orders to restrict or suspend production, orders to make recovery, orders to disclose relevant information or make an announcement, imposition of administrative action against relevant responsible persons, and orders to shut down enterprises. Any person or entity that pollutes the environment resulting in damage could also be held liable under the Civil Code of PRC. In addition, environmental organizations may also bring lawsuits against any entity that discharges pollutants detrimental to the public welfare. In addition, on May 28, 2020, National People’s Congress promulgated the Civil Code of PRC, which took effective on January 1, 2021, to replace the PRC Inheritance Law, Adoption Law, PRC Contract Law, the General Principles of the Civil Law of the PRC, the PRC Marriage Law, the PRC Guarantee Law, the PRC Property Law and the PRC Tort Liability Law. Seven parts are introduced in the Civil Code of PRC, including General Part, Right in Rem, Contracts, Personality Rights, Marriage and Family, Inheritance, Tort Liability.
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The Law of the PRC on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases, or the Occupational Diseases Prevention Law, promulgated by the SCNPC on October 27, 2001, became effective on May 1, 2002, and latest amended on December 29, 2018 is applicable to activities for the prevention and control of diseases contracted by the workers due to their exposure in the course of work to dust, radioactive substances and other toxic and harmful substances. Pursuant to the Occupational Diseases Prevention Law, the employer shall strictly abide by the national occupational health standards and implement the measures for occupational disease prevention and control in accordance with laws and regulations. Violation of the Occupational Diseases Prevention Law may result in the imposition of fines and penalties, the suspension of operation, an order to cease operation, and/or criminal liability in severe cases.
Regulations on Work Safety
Under relevant construction safety laws and regulations, including the Work Safety Law of the PRC which was promulgated by the SCNPC on June 29, 2002, amended on August 27, 2009, August 31, 2014 and June 10, 2021, and effective as of September 1, 2021, production and operating business entities must establish objectives and measures for work safety and improve the working environment and conditions for workers in a planned and systematic way. A work safety protection scheme must also be set up to implement the work safety job responsibility system. In addition, production and operating business entities must arrange work safety training and provide their employees with protective equipment that meets the national standards or industrial standards. Automobile and components manufacturers are subject to the aforementioned environment protection and work safety requirements.
Regulations Relating to Labor Protection
Labor Contract Law
The PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on December 28, 2012 and became effected on July 1, 2013, is primarily aimed at regulating rights and obligations of employer and employee relationships, including the establishment, performance and termination of labor contracts. Pursuant to the Labor Contract Law, labor contracts shall be concluded in writing if labor relationships are to be or have been established between employers and the employees. Employers are prohibited from forcing employees to work above certain time limits, and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance to national regulations. In addition, employee wages shall be no lower than local standards on minimum wages and must be paid to employees in a timely manner.
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Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch
Pursuant to the Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch, or the Labor Dispatch Provisions, promulgated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on January 24, 2014, which became effective on March 1, 2014, dispatched workers are entitled to equal pay with full-time employees for equal work. Employers are allowed to use dispatched workers for temporary, auxiliary or substitutive positions, and the number of dispatched workers may not exceed 10% of the total number of employees.
Social Insurance and Housing Fund
Pursuant to the Social Insurance Law of the PRC implemented on July 1, 2011, amended on December 29, 2018 and became effective on the same day, employers are required to provide their employees in the PRC with welfare benefits covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, labor injury insurance and medical insurance. These payments are made to local administrative authorities. Any employer that fails to make social insurance contributions may be ordered to rectify the non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a prescribed time limit and be subject to a late fee. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure to make the relevant contributions within the prescribed time, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times the amount overdue. In accordance with the Regulations on the Management of Housing Fund which was promulgated by the State Council in 1999 and last amended on March 24, 2019 and became effective on the same day, employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for depositing employees’ housing funds. Employers and employees are also required to pay and deposit housing funds, which shall be the product of employees’ average monthly salaries of the previous year multiplied by the contribution rate of the housing provident fund of the employer. Where, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, an employer is overdue in the contribution of, or underpays, the housing provident fund, the housing provident fund management center shall order it to make the contribution within a prescribed time limit; where the contribution has not been made after the expiration of the time limit, an application may be made to a people’s court for compulsory enforcement.
Employee Stock Incentive Plan
Pursuant to the Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or Circular 7, which was issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, employees, directors, supervisors, and other senior management who participate in any stock incentive plan of a publicly-listed overseas company and who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of no less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a qualified domestic agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, the SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in the PRC who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of an overseas listed company are required to file documents related to employee stock options and restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of employees who exercise their stock option or purchase restricted shares. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold income tax in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.
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Regulations Relating to Taxes
Income Tax
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, imposes a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% on all PRC resident enterprises, including foreign-invested enterprises, unless they qualify for certain exceptions. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the PRC resident enterprise’s global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards. If a non-resident enterprise sets up an organization or establishment in the PRC, it will be subject to enterprise income tax for the income derived from such organization or establishment in the PRC and for the income derived from outside the PRC but with an actual connection with such organization or establishment in the PRC. The EIT Law and its implementation rules permit certain “high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” that independently own core intellectual property and meet statutory criteria, to enjoy a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate. In January 2016, the SAT, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the MOF jointly issued the Administrative Rules for the Certification of High and New Technology Enterprises specifying the criteria and procedures for the certification of High and New Technology Enterprises.
On April 22, 2009, the SAT issued the Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Relating to Identification of PRC-Controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in Accordance With the De Facto Standards of Organizational Management, or the SAT Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to the SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC. Further to SAT Circular 82, on July 27, 2011, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Printing and Distributing the Administrative Measures for Income Tax on PRC-controlled Resident Enterprises Incorporated Overseas (Trial Implementation), or the SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details for determination of resident status and administration on post-determination matters.
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Value-added Tax
The Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax, the VAT Regulation, were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993 and came into effect on January 1, 1994 which were subsequently amended from time to time. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax (Revised in 2011) was promulgated by the MOF on December 25, 1993 and subsequently amended on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011, or collectively, the VAT Law. On November 19, 2017, the State Council promulgated the Decisions on Abolishing the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Business Tax and Amending the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax, or the Order 691. On April 4, 2018, MOF and SAT jointly promulgated the Circular on Adjustment of Value-Added Tax Rates, or Circular 32. According to the VAT Law, the Order 691 and the Circular 32, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of the PRC are the taxpayers of VAT. The VAT tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 16%, 10%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 5, 2019 announced that the VAT of 16% and 10% that apply to the supply of certain goods and services would be reduced to 13% and 9%, respectively. These measures left three rates in place: 13%; 9%; and 6%, effective from April 1, 2019.
Dividend Withholding Tax
The EIT Law provides that since January 1, 2008, an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends declared to non-PRC resident investors which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Incomes, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, or the SAT Circular 81, issued on February 20, 2009 by the SAT, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretions, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to the Circular on Several Questions regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which was issued on February 3, 2018 by the SAT and took effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in twelve months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove his or her status of the “beneficial owner” shall submit the relevant documents to the relevant tax bureau according to the Announcement on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements.
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On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Enterprise Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Public Notice 7. The SAT Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to cover not only where a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly by disposition of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, or an Indirect Transfer, but also to transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. The SAT Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise transfers a taxable asset indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an Indirect Transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Public Notice on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or the SAT Public Notice 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. According to SAT Public Notice 37, where the non-resident enterprise fails to declare its tax payable pursuant to Article 39 of the EIT Law, the tax authority may order it to pay its tax due within required time limits, and the non-resident enterprise shall declare and pay its tax payable within such time limits specified by the tax authority. If the non-resident enterprise voluntarily declares and pays its tax payable before the tax authority orders it to do so, it shall be deemed that such enterprise has paid its tax payable in time.
Regulations relating to Foreign Exchange
General Administration of Foreign Exchange
Under the PRC Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated on January 29, 1996 and most recently amended on August 5, 2008 and various regulations issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or the SAFE and other relevant PRC government authorities, Renminbi is convertible into other currencies for current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments and payment of interest and dividends. The conversion of Renminbi into other currencies and remittance of the converted foreign currency outside the PRC for of capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, requires the prior approval from the SAFE or its local office.
Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in Renminbi. Unless otherwise approved, PRC companies may not repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad or retain the same abroad. Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks under the current account items subject to a cap set by the SAFE or its local office. Foreign exchange proceeds under the current accounts may be either retained or sold to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange pursuant to relevant SAFE rules and regulations. For foreign exchange proceeds under the capital accounts, approval from the SAFE is generally required for the retention or sale of such proceeds to a financial institution engaged in settlement and sale of foreign exchange.
Pursuant to the Circular of the SAFE on Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies for Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 59, promulgated by SAFE on November 19, 2012, which became effective on December 17, 2012 and subsequently amended from time to time, approval of SAFE is not required for opening a foreign exchange account and depositing foreign exchange into the accounts relating to the direct investments. The SAFE Circular 59 also simplified foreign exchange-related registration required for the foreign investors to acquire the equity interests of Chinese companies and further improve the administration on foreign exchange settlement for foreign-invested enterprises.
The Circular on Further Simplifying and Improving the Foreign Currency Management Policy on Direct Investment, or the SAFE Circular 13, effective from June 1, 2015, cancels the administrative approvals of foreign exchange registration of direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment and simplifies the procedure of foreign exchange-related registration. Pursuant to the SAFE Circular 13, the investors shall register with banks for direct domestic investment and direct overseas investment.
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The Circular on Reforming the Management Approach regarding the Settlement of Foreign Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprise, or the SAFE Circular 19, which was promulgated by the SAFE on March 30, 2015 and became effective on June 1, 2015, provides that a foreign-invested enterprise may, according to its actual business needs, settle with a bank the portion of the foreign exchange capital in its capital account for which the relevant foreign exchange administration has confirmed monetary capital contribution rights and interests (or for which the bank has registered the injection of the monetary capital contribution into the account). Pursuant to the SAFE Circular 19, for the time being, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their foreign exchange capital on a discretionary basis; a foreign-invested enterprise shall truthfully use its capital for its own operational purposes within the scope of business; where an ordinary foreign-invested enterprise makes domestic equity investment with the amount of foreign exchanges settled, the invested enterprise must first go through domestic re-investment registration and open a corresponding account for foreign exchange settlement pending payment with the foreign exchange administration or the bank at the place where it is registered.
The Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or the SAFE Circular 16, which was promulgated by the SAFE and became effective on June 9, 2016, provides that enterprises registered in the PRC may also convert their foreign debts from foreign currency into Renminbi on self-discretionary basis. The SAFE Circular 16 also provides an integrated standard for conversion of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on self-discretionary basis, which applies to all enterprises registered in the PRC.
In January 2017, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profits from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) banks must check whether the transaction is genuine by reviewing board resolutions regarding profit distribution, original copies of tax filing records and audited financial statements, and (ii) domestic entities must retain income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting any profits. Moreover, pursuant to Circular 3, domestic entities must explain in detail the sources of capital and how the capital will be used, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof as a part of the registration procedure for outbound investment.
On October 23, 2019, SAFE issued Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the Circular 28, which took effect on the same day. Circular 28 allows non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to use their capital funds to make equity investments in China, provided that such investments do not violate the effective special entry management measures for foreign investment (negative list) and the target investment projects are genuine and in compliance with laws. Since Circular 28 was issued only recently, its interpretation and implementation in practice are still subject to substantial uncertainties.
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Pursuant to the SAFE Circular 13 and other laws and regulations relating to foreign exchange, when setting up a new foreign invested enterprise, the foreign invested enterprise shall register with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining the business license, and if there is any change in capital or other changes relating to the basic information of the foreign-invested enterprise, including without limitation any increase in its registered capital or total investment, the foreign invested enterprise must register such changes with the bank located at its registered place after obtaining approval from or completing the filing with competent authorities. Pursuant to the relevant foreign exchange laws and regulations, the above-mentioned foreign exchange registration with the banks will typically take less than four weeks upon the acceptance of the registration application.
According to the Foreign Investment Law, Measures for Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment, promulgated by MOFCOM, and State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR on December 30, 2019 and became effective on January 1, 2020, the Administrative Rules on the Company Registration, which was promulgated by the State Council on June 24, 1994, became effective on July 1, 1994 and latest amended on February 6, 2016, and other laws and regulations governing the foreign invested enterprises and company registrations, the establishment of a foreign invested enterprise and any capital increase and other major changes in a foreign invested enterprise shall be registered with the SAMR, or its local counterparts, and investment information shall be submitted to the competent commerce authorities through the enterprise registration system and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, if such foreign invested enterprise does not involve special access administrative measures prescribed by the PRC government.
Based on the forgoing, if we intend to provide funding to our wholly foreign owned subsidiaries through a capital injection at or after their establishment, we must register the establishment thereof and any follow-on capital increase in our wholly foreign owned subsidiaries with the SAMR or its local counterparts, submit such information via the enterprise registration system and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System and register such with the local banks for the foreign exchange related matters.
Offshore Investment
Under the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or the SAFE Circular 37, issued by the SAFE and effective on July 4, 2014, PRC residents are required to register with the local SAFE branch prior to contributing assets or equity interests in an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, which is defined as offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by PRC residents for investment and financing purposes, with the enterprise assets or interests they hold in China or overseas. The term “control” means obtain the operation rights, right to proceeds or decision-making power of a SPV through acquisition, trust, holding shares on behalf of others, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other means. An amendment to registration or subsequent filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required if there is any change in basic information of the offshore company or any material change with respect to the capital of the offshore company. At the same time, the SAFE has issued the Operation Guidance for the Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over Round-trip Investment regarding the procedures for SAFE registration under the SAFE Circular 37, which became effective on July 4, 2014 as an attachment of Circular 37.
Under the relevant rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in the SAFE Circular 37 may result in bans on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant onshore company, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliates, and may also subject relevant PRC residents to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration regulations.
Regulations on Dividend Distribution
The principal laws and regulations regulating the dividend distribution of dividends by foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC include the PRC Company Law, as amended in 1999, 2004, 2005, 2013 and 2018, and Foreign Investment Law and the Implementing Regulations of FIL which replaced the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law promulgated in 1986 and amended in 2000 and 2016 and its implementation regulations promulgated in 1990 and subsequently amended in 2001 and 2014, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law promulgated in 1979 and subsequently amended in 1990, 2001 and 2016 and its implementation regulations promulgated in 1983 and subsequently amended in 1986, 1987, 2001, 2011 and 2014, and the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law promulgated in 1988 and amended in 2000, 2016 and 2017 and its implementation regulations promulgated in 1995 and amended in 2014 and 2017. Under the current regulatory regime in the PRC, foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. A PRC company is required to set aside as statutory reserve funds of at least 10% of its after-tax profit, until the cumulative amount of such reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital unless laws regarding foreign investment provide otherwise. A PRC company shall not distribute any profits until any losses from prior fiscal years have been offset. Profits retained from prior fiscal years may be distributed together with distributable profits from the current fiscal year.
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Regulations Relating to M&A Rule and Overseas Listing in the PRC
On August 8, 2006, six PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including MOFCOM and CSRC, promulgated the Rules on Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, governing the mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors that became effective on September 8, 2006 and was revised on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, require that if an overseas company established or controlled by PRC companies or individuals, or PRC Citizens, intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other PRC domestic company affiliated with the PRC Citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to MOFCOM for approval. The M&A Rules also requires that an offshore SPV that is controlled directly or indirectly by the PRC companies or individuals and that has been formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic interest held by such PRC companies or individuals, shall obtain the approval of CSRC prior to overseas listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange.
Hong Kong Regulations
As we conduct business in Hong Kong through our wholly subsidiaries Kambo Locksets, Kambo Hardware, Bamberg and Hing Fat, our business operations are subject to various regulations and rules promulgated by the Hong Kong government. The following is a brief summary of the Hong Kong laws and regulations that currently and materially affect our business. This section does not purport to be a comprehensive summary of all present and proposed regulations and legislation relating to the industries in which we operate.
Hong Kong Laws and Regulations relating to Trade Description
Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Chapter 362 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“TDO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on 1 April 1981 aims to prohibit false or misleading trade description and statements to goods and services provided to the customers during or after a commercial transaction. Pursuant to the TDO, any person in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods or supply or offers to supply them commits an offence and a person also commits the same offence if he/she is in possession for sale or for any purpose of trade or manufacture of any goods with a false description. The TDO also provides that traders may commit an offence if they engage in a commercial practice that has a misleading omission of material information of the goods, an aggressive commercial practice, involves bait advertising, bait and switch or wrong acceptance of payment.
Hong Kong Laws and Regulations relating to Sales of Goods
Pursuant to Sale of Goods Ordinance (Chapter 26 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“SOGO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on August 1, 1896, in every contract of sale, there is an implied warranty that the goods are free, and will remain free until the time when the property is to pass, from any charge or encumbrance not disclosed or known to the buyer before the contract is made and that the buyer will enjoy quiet possession of the goods except so far as it may be disturbed by the owner or other person entitled to the benefit of any charge or encumbrance so disclosed or known. The SOGO provides that there is an implied condition that the goods shall correspond with the description where there is a contract for the sale of goods by description, and there is any implied condition or warranty as to the quality or fitness for any particular purpose of goods supplied under a contract of sale. Where the seller sells goods in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the goods supplied under the contract are of merchantable quality.
Hong Kong Laws and Regulations relating to Intellectual Properties Rights
Trade Marks Ordinance (Chapter 559 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“TMO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on 4 April 2003 provides the framework for the Hong Kong’s system of registration of trademarks and sets out the rights attached to a registered trade mark, including logo and a brand name. The TMO restricts unauthorized use of a sign which is identical or similar to the registered mark for identical and/or similar goods and/or services for which the mark was registered, where such use is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public. The TMO provides that a person may also commit a criminal offence if that person fraudulently uses a trade mark, including selling and importing goods bearing a forged trade mar, or possessing or using equipment for the purpose of forging a trade mark.
Patents Ordinance (Chapter 514 of the Laws of Hong Kong), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on June 27, 1997 provides the framework for “re-registration” system of Chinese, UK and European patents in Hong Kong. Pursuant to Patents (Amendment) Ordinance 2016, which came into full effect in Hong Kong on 19 December 2019 provide a new framework for a new patent system - an “original grant patent” system, running in parallel with the “re-registration” system.
Copyright Ordinance (Chapter 528 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“CO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on June 27 1997 provides comprehensive protection for recognized categories of underlying works such as literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. The CO restricts unauthorized acts such as copying and/or making available copies to the public of a copy right work.
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Hong Kong Laws and Regulations relating to Competition
Competition Ordinance (Chapter 619 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“Competition Ordinance”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on December 14, 2015 prohibits and deters undertakings in all sectors from adopting anti-competitive conduct which has the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in Hong Kong. The key prohibitions include (i) prohibition of agreements between businesses which have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in Hong Kong; and (ii) prohibiting companies with a substantial degree of market power from abusing their power by engaging in conduct that has the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in Hong Kong. The penalties for breaches of the Competition Ordinance include, but are not limited to, financial penalties of up to 10% of the total gross revenues obtained in Hong Kong for each year of infringement, up to a maximum of three years in which the contravention occurs.
Hong Kong Laws and Regulations relating to Employment
Pursuant to Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“EO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on September 27, 1968, all employees covered by the EO are entitled to basic protection under the EO including but not limited to payment of wages, restrictions on wages deductions and the granting of statutory holidays.
Pursuant to Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Chapter 485 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“MPFSO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on December 1, 2000, every employer must take all practicable steps to ensure that the employee becomes a member of a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme. An employer who fails to comply with such a requirement may face a fine and imprisonment. The MPFSO provides that an employer who is employing a relevant employee must, for each contribution period, from the employer’s own funds, contribute to the relevant MPF scheme the amount determined in accordance with the MPFSO.
Pursuant to Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 282 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“ECO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on December 1, 1953, all employers are required to take out insurance policies to cover their liabilities under the ECO and at common law for injuries at work in respect of all of their employees. An employer failing to do so may be liable to a fine and imprisonment.
Pursuant to Minimum Wage Ordinance (Chapter 608 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“MWO”), which came into full effect in Hong Kong on May 1, 2011, an employee is entitled to be paid wages no less than the statutory minimum wage rate during the wage period. With effect from May 1, 2019, the statutory minimum hourly wage rate is HK$37.5. Failure to comply with MWO constitutes an offence under EO.
Cayman Islands Data Protection
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands, or the DPA, based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment into us you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA, or personal data.
Investor Data
We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities of on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.
In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.
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Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation your investment in us, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.
How We May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data
We may, as the data controller, collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular: (i) where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any agreements; (ii) where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are or may be subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or (iii) where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.
Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.
We anticipate disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the US, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.
The Data Protection Measures We Take
Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA.
We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.
Contacting the Company
For further information on the collection, use, disclosure, transfer or processing of your personal data or the exercise of any of the rights listed above, please contact us through our website at www. i-l-a-g.com or through phone number +852 2481 7938.
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Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.
Directors and Executive Officers | Age | Position/Title | ||
Bong Lau (Yu Bong Lau) |
44 | Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director | ||
Frederick Wong (Ching Wan Wong) |
55 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Bun Lau (Yu Bun Lau) |
41 | Chief Operations Officer | ||
Wynn Hui (Po Wang Hui) |
70 | Chief Technical Officer and Director | ||
Errol Hui (Shun Hong Hui) |
33 | Vice President of Engineering | ||
Tony Zhong (Wei Zhong) |
39 | Vice President of Finance | ||
Monique Ho (Ting Mei Ho) |
47 | Independent Director | ||
Jochem Koehler | 57 | Independent Director | ||
Carina Chui (Wan Yee Carina Chui) |
43 | Independent Director |
Biography
Bong Lau, Chief Executive Office and Chairman of the Board of the Directors of the Company (the “Board”)
Mr. Bong Lau was appointed as a director of the Board on July 17, 2019 and Chairman of the Board on June 1, 2020. Mr. Lau joined the Company in 1999 and has over 20 years of extensive experience in managing door security hardware businesses. Mr. Lau also works well together with our large and small partners geographically to build solid distribution networks, implements marketing and business expansion strategies. He is primarily responsible for the overall sales strategy, distribution management and corporate strategies of the Company. In 1996, Mr. Lau studied in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta for 2 years.
Frederick Wong, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Wong was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on June 1, 2020. He has almost 30 years of experience in accounting, internal control, financial control and capital markets. Mr. Wong has served as an independent director of Network CN Inc. (OTC PINK: NWCN) since January 1, 2022. He has served as compliance offer for China Finance Investment Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 0875.HK) from November 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020. Mr. Wong has also served as a member of the board of directors for On Real International Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 8245.HK) from March 31, 2016 to April 22, 2022, Top Standard Corp. (Stock Code: 8510.HK) since January 24, 2020, and Prime Intelligence Solutions Group Limited (Stock Code: 8379.HK) since June 17, 2022. From September 2017 to August 2018, Mr. Wong was the chief financial officer of O Media Limited, a Macau media company in gaming. He was a director of Network CN, Inc. (stock code: NWCN) in U.S.A. between September 2015 and July 2017, and the authorized representative and company secretary of China Oil Gangran Energy Group Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 8132.HK) from December 2015 to November 2016 and continued acting as the authorized representative until January 2017. Mr. Wong is a CPA of Hong Kong, CPA of Canada, CPA of Australia and fellow member of Hong Kong Institute of Taxation. Mr. Wong received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1989, a Bachelor or Business from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, in 1992 and studied EMBA courses offered by the Troy University (formerly known as Troy State University), Alabama, U.S. from 1999 to 2000.
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Bun Lau, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Bun Lau was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company on June 1, 2020 and he was a director of the Board from July 17, 2019 to May 24, 2022. Mr. Lau joined the Company in 2005 and has over 15 years of working experience in the door security hardware industry. Mr. Bun Lau is the brother of Mr. Bong Lau. Mr. Lau is primarily responsible for the business development and product sales strategy. He is also responsible for the corporate strategies of the Company and the overall administrative management process. Prior to joining the Company, he worked at Citic Ka Wah Bank and was responsible for reviewing credit limits, acceptable levels of risk, terms of payment and enforcement actions with customers from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Lau graduated from The University of Alberta in Canada majoring in Decision Information System and Management in 2003.
Wynn Hui, Chief Technology Officer and Director
Mr. Hui is one of the founders of the Company and he has been with the Company since 2009. He is also the Managing Director of Xingfa, our manufacturing factory in China. Wynn has over 50 years’ experience in factory production specialized in manufacturing plastic, metal and electronic products in the security hardware industry.
Errol Hui, Vice President of Engineering
Mr. Hui joined the Company in 2013. Mr. Hui is primarily responsible for the product development, product management and continuous enhancement of production management. He is also responsible for the corporate strategies of the Company. Mr. Hui graduated from The University of Manchester in U.K. majoring in Actuarial Science in 2011.
Tony Zhong, Vice President of Finance
Mr. Zhong joined the Company on February 1, 2020. Mr. Zhong has over 10 years of experience in accounting, internal control, financial control, SEC reporting and capital markets. Since 2011, Mr. Zhong has been the Vice President of Finance of Troops, Inc. (formerly known as SGOCO Group, Ltd. and NASDAQ: TROO). He was a Financial Manager of China Hydroelectric Corporation, from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Zhong started his career with KPMG in Beijing from 2005 to 2006. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance, Accounting and Management from Nottingham University, UK in 2005, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brooks University, UK in 2015. Mr. Zhong is a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and was also admitted as a Fellow of the chartered institute of Management Accountants on December 21, 2018. Mr. Zhong was also admitted as a Fellow of the institute Public Accountant (Australia) and a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants (UK) on October 22, 2020.
Monique Ho, Independent Director
Ms. Ho was appointed as a director of the Company on June 1, 2020. Ms. Ho is a marketing savvy director who has over 20 years of experience in media. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toppa Media Savvy Limited (TMS) that is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong under OOH Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 8091.HK) since 2018. Ms. Ho is also the co-founder of an online fashion media ztylez.com, established in 2017. In her early years after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University, Los Angeles in 1997, Ms. Ho was a junior Marketing Officer at Cable News Network (CNN) in CNN Asia Pacific Headquarter in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2000.
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Jochem Koehler, Independent Director
Mr. Koehler was appointed as a director of the Company on June 1, 2020. Mr. Koehler has over 30 years of experience in global sourcing and supply chain operations with specific expertise in developing product commercialization, cost and margin optimization programs, efficient supply chains and sustainable global sourcing platforms and strategies. He worked as a senior director of global sourcing for MNS & Fortune 500 companies (UTC / PUMA / Dollar General) from 2000 to 2017. Since 2017, he is a director and partner of Tak Sang (Sze’s) Co Ltd and is a managing Partner of Oculas Virtual Manufacturing Limited sourcing for Fashion Brands. He studied Law & Economics at University of Frankfurt & Bayreuth and received the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.
Carina Chui, Independent Director
Ms. Chui was appointed as a director of the Company on June 1, 2020. Ms. Chui has over 16 years of finance and accounting experience from accounting, auditing and corporate financial management. She has served as the chief financial officer of Numiracle Group Limited since January 1, 2014. She is a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) since 2013 and The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) since 2011. She received a Bachelor degree in Economics from University of California, Los Angeles in 2001 and an MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2014.
Employment Agreements, Director Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for an initial term of one year and is renewable upon mutual agreement of the Company and the executive officer.
The executive officers are entitled to a fixed salary and to participate in our equity incentive plans, if any, and other company benefits, each as determined by the board of directors from time to time.
We may terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, such as conviction or plea of guilty to a felony or grossly negligent or dishonest acts to our detriment, or material breach of any term of any employment or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property or non-competition agreements with the Company. In such case, the executive officer will be entitled solely to accrued and unpaid salary through the effective date of such termination, and his/her right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law. An executive officer is not necessarily entitled to severance payments upon any termination.
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An executive officer may voluntarily terminate his/her employment for any reason and such termination shall take effect 30 days after the receipt by Company of the notice of termination. Upon the effective date of such termination, the executive officer shall be entitled to (a) accrued and unpaid salary and vacation through such termination date; and (b) all other compensation and benefits that were vested through such termination date. In the event the executive officer is terminated without notice, it shall be deemed a termination by the Company for cause.
Each of our executive officers has agreed not to use for his/her personal purposes nor divulge, furnish, or make accessible to anyone or use in any way (other than in the ordinary course of the business of the Company) any confidential or secret information or knowledge of the Company, whether developed by him/herself or by others.
In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound by non-competition restrictions during the term of his or her employment and for six months following the last date of employment.
Each executive officer also has agreed not to (i) solicit or induce, on his/her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or any of its affiliates; or (ii) solicit or induce, on his/her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, any customer or prospective customer of the Company or any of their respective affiliates to reduce its business with the Company or any of its affiliates.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we paid an aggregate of approximately $986,768 and $811,700, respectively, in cash to our directors and executive officers. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and directors. Our Hong Kong subsidiaries are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her mandatory provident fund. Our PRC subsidiary is required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.
We have also entered into director agreements with each of our independent directors which agreements set forth the terms and provisions of their engagement.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our current memorandum and articles of association.
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Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table shows the compensation paid by us for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Equity | All Other | |||||||||||||||||||
Name/principal position | Year | Salary | Compensation | Compensation | Total Paid | |||||||||||||||
Bong Lau/ CEO(1) | 2021 | $ | 204,526 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 204,526 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 166,692 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 166,692 | ||||||||||||
Frederick Wong / CFO (2) | 2021 | $ | 120,619 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 120,619 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 110,567 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 110,567 | ||||||||||||
Bun Lau / Chief Operating Officer (3) | 2021 | $ | 192,495 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 192,495 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 150,473 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 150,473 | ||||||||||||
Wynn Hui / Chief Technology Officer (4) | 2021 | $ | 192,495 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 192,495 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 158,294 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 158,294 | ||||||||||||
Errol Hui / Vice President of Engineering (5) | 2021 | $ | 90,232 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 90,232 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 90,820 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 90,820 | ||||||||||||
Tony Zhong / Vice President of Finance (6) | 2021 | $ | 78,402 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 78,402 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 71,869 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 71,869 | ||||||||||||
Monique Ho / independent director (7) | 2021 | $ | 24,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 24,000 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 14,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||||
Jochem Koehler / independent director (8) | 2021 | $ | 24,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 24,000 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 14,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||||
Kevin Wai / independent director (9) | 2021 | $ | 24,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 24,000 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 14,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 14,000 | ||||||||||||
Carina Chui / independent director (10) | 2021 | $ | 36,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 36,000 | |||||||||||
2020 | $ | 21,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 21,000 |
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(1) | Appointed Chairman and CEO of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(2) | Appointed CFO of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(3) | Appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(4) | Appointed Chief Technology Officer of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(5) | Appointed Vice President of Engineering of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(6) | Appointed Vice President of Finance of the Company effective as of February 1, 2020. |
(7) | Appointed independent director of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(8) | Appointed independent director of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
(9) | Appointed independent director of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020 and resigned on May 24, 2022. |
(10) | Appointed independent director of the Company effective as of June 1, 2020. |
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Board of Directors and Committees
Our Board currently consists of five directors. We have also established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee prior to consummation of this offering. Each of the committees of the Board has the composition and responsibilities described below.
Audit Committee
Ms. Carina Chui, Mr. Jochem Koehler and Ms. Monique Ho are members of our Audit Committee, where Ms. Carina Chui serves as the chairlady. All members of our Audit Committee satisfy the independence standards promulgated by the SEC and by Nasdaq as such standards apply specifically to members of audit committees.
We have adopted and approved a charter for the Audit Committee. In accordance with our Audit Committee Charter, our Audit Committee shall perform several functions, including:
· | evaluate the independence and performance of, and assess the qualifications of, our independent auditor, and engage such independent auditor; |
· | approve the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services, and approve in advance any non-audit service to be provided by the independent auditor; |
· | monitor the independence of the independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required by law; |
· | review the financial statements to be included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and Current Reports on Form 6-K and review with management and the independent auditors the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements; |
· | oversee all aspects our systems of internal accounting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the board; |
· | review and approve in advance any proposed related-party transactions and report to the full Board on any approved transactions; and |
· | provide oversight assistance in connection with legal, ethical and risk management compliance programs established by management and the Board, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act implementation, and make recommendations to the Board regarding corporate governance issues and policy decisions. |
It is determined that Ms. Carina Chui possesses accounting or related financial management experience that qualifies her as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Compensation Committee
Ms. Monique Ho, Mr. Jochem Koehler and Ms. Carina Chui are members of our Compensation Committee and Ms. Monique Ho is the chairlady. All members of our Compensation Committee are qualified as independent under the current definition promulgated by Nasdaq. We have adopted and approved a charter for the Compensation Committee. In accordance with the Compensation Committee’s Charter, the Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the salaries and other compensation of our executive officers and general employees and providing assistance and recommendations with respect to our compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | To approve compensation principles that apply generally to Company employees; | |
● | To make recommendations to the board of directors with respect to incentive compensation plans and equity based plans taking into account the results of the most recent rules to provide the shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation, generally known as “Say on Pay Votes” (Section 951 in The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), if any; | |
● | To administer and otherwise exercise the various authorities prescribed for the Compensation Committee by the Company’s incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans; | |
● | To select a peer group of companies against which to benchmark/compare the Company’s compensation systems for principal officers elected by the board of directors; | |
● | To annually review the Company’s compensation policies and practices and assess whether such policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company; | |
● | To determine and oversee stock ownership guidelines and stock option holding requirements, including periodic review of compliance by principal officers and members of the board of directors; |
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Ms. Carina Chui, Mr. Jochem Koehler and Ms. Monique Ho are members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Mr. Jochem Koehler is the chairman. All members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are qualified as “independent” under the current definition promulgated by Nasdaq. We have adopted a charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In accordance with its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and proposing new potential director nominees to the board of directors for consideration and reviewing our corporate governance policies.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | Identify and screen individuals qualified to become Board members consistent with the criteria approved by the board of directors, and recommend to the board of directors director nominees for election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected or to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships that may occur between such meetings; | |
● | Recommend directors for appointment to Board committees; | |
● | Make recommendations to the board of directors as to determinations of director independence; | |
● | Oversee the evaluation of the board of directors; | |
● | Make recommendations to the board of directors as to compensation for the Company’s directors; and | |
● | Review and recommend to the board of directors the Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Company |
Director Independence
Our Board reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with us, either directly or indirectly. Based on this review, it is determined that Ms. Monique Ho, Mr. Jochem Koehler, and Ms. Carina Chui are “independent directors” as defined by Nasdaq.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
Family Relationships
Mr. Bong Lau and Mr. Bun Lau are brothers and Mr. Wynn Hui is the father of Mr. Errol Hui. Except for the foregoing family relationship, there are no family relationships among our other directors or executive officers.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association as amended and restated from time to time, and the class rights vested thereunder in the holders of the shares. Our board of directors has all the powers necessary for managing, and for directing and supervising, our business affairs. The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
· | convening shareholders’ annual and extraordinary general meetings; |
· | declaring dividends and distributions; |
· | appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers; |
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· | exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and |
· | approving the transfer of shares in our company, including the registration of such shares in our share register. |
Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. A shareholder may in certain limited exceptional circumstances have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached. You should refer to “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our standard of corporate governance under Cayman Islands law.
Terms of Directors and Officers
Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board and may be removed by the Board. Our directors are not subject to a set term of office and hold office until the next general meeting called for the election of directors and until their successor is duly elected or such time as they die, resign or are removed from office by a shareholders’ ordinary resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind.
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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus by our officers, directors, and 5% or greater beneficial owners of ordinary shares. There is no other person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our ordinary shares.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, the person identified in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by him, subject to applicable community property laws.
The calculations in the table below are based on 13,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, and 18,060,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering.
Except as otherwise indicated in the table below, addresses of our directors, executive officers and named beneficial owners are in care of Intelligent Living Application Group Inc., Unit 2, 5/F, Block A, Profit Industrial Building, 1-15 Kwai Fung Crescent, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong, Tel: + (852) 2481 7938.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering | Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned After this Offering | ||||||||||||||||
Number of shares | Percentage
of shares |
Number of Shares | Percentage
of Shares |
||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers: | |||||||||||||||||
Bong Lau | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Bun Lau | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Wynn Hui | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Frederick Wong | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Errol Hui | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Tony Zhong | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Monique Ho | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Jochem Koehler | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Carina Chui | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
5% or Greater Shareholders: | |||||||||||||||||
Bong Lau | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Bun Lau | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Wynn Hui | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
Errol Hui | 2,340,000 | 18.00 | % | 2,340,000 | 12.96 | % | |||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 individuals) | 9,360,000 | 72 | % | 9,360,000 | 51.84 | % |
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Employment Agreements, Director Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See “Management—Employment Agreements, Director Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.”
In 2019, the Company and Mr. Wynn Hui entered into an agreement whereby Mr. Hui agreed to forgive the net outstanding advances amounting $1,173,849 in full with no recourse. In December 2020, Mr. Hui agreed to forgive the net advance of $153,846 to the Company. Shareholders and directors have approved the advances forgiven by Mr. Hui, which amounts have been recognized as a shareholder contribution. On June 30, 2021, Mr. Wynn Hui, Mr. Bong Lau and Mr. Bun Lau, three major shareholders, executive directors and officers of the Company forgave and waived their receivable owed by the subsidiaries of the Company for $461,538, which have been recognized as shareholders contribution. On December 31, 2021, Mr. Bun Lau, forgave and waived his receivable owed by the subsidiaries of the Company for $256,411, which have been recognized as shareholders contribution.
In 2018, the Company entered into a rental agreement with Kambo Security Products Limited for office space in Hong Kong. The rental agreement is renewed annually. Kambo Security Products Limited is owned by Mr. Bong Lau, Mr. Wynn Hui, and Mr. Bun Lau, major shareholders of ILA. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $54,100 and $46,000, respectively.
On November 3, 2017, the Company obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to HKD 6.0 million (approximately $0.8 million) for working capital purposes. On June 24, 2021, this banking facilities was increased to HKD 7.0 million (approximately $0.9 million). The credit facility bears interest at 5.5% and it is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Bong Lau (both major shareholders and directors of the Company). The credit facility does not have an expiration date and is collateralized by a property owned by Kambo Security Products Limited, a related party.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, comprising of (i) 450,000,000 ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 each; and (ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value of US$0.0001 each. As of the date of this prospectus, 13,000,000 ordinary shares are outstanding.
Ordinary shares
Dividends. Subject to any rights and restrictions of any other class or series of shares, our board of directors may, from time to time, declare dividends on the shares issued and authorize payment of the dividends out of our lawfully available funds. Dividends may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorized for this purpose in accordance with the Act. “Share premium account,” represents the excess of the price paid to our company on issue of its shares over the par or “nominal” value of those shares, which is similar to the U.S. concept of additional paid in capital.
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No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.
Voting Rights. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, including the election of directors. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. On a show of hands every shareholder present in person or by proxy shall have one vote. On a poll every shareholder entitled to vote (in person or by proxy) and shall have one vote for each share for which he/she is the holder. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or by any one or more shareholders who together hold not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes attached to the then issued share capital of the Company, present in person or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation by its duly authorized representative or by proxy for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting. A any general meeting of the Company, two (2) shareholders entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) by its duly authorized representative representing not less than one-third of the votes attached to the then issued share capital of the Company throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes. While not required by our articles of association, a proxy form will accompany any notice of general meeting convened by the directors to facilitate the ability of shareholders to vote by proxy.
Any ordinary resolution to be made by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes of the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes of the ordinary shares cast. Under Cayman Islands law, some matters, such as amending the memorandum and articles, changing the name or resolving to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands, require approval of shareholders by a special resolution.
There are no limitations on non-residents or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the ordinary shares imposed by foreign law or by the memorandum and articles of association of our Company. However, no person will be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate meeting of the holders of the ordinary shares unless the person is registered as of the record date for such meeting and unless all calls or other sums presently payable by the person in respect of ordinary shares in the Company have been paid.
Winding Up; Liquidation. Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the shareholders of the Company shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such shareholders in proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and (ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Shareholders as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Shareholders in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively. The liquidator may, with the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the Act, divide among the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and whether or not the assets are of the same of different kinds.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. Any ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares. We may issue shares that are, or at the Company’s option, or at the option of the holders of such shares are, subject to redemption on such terms and in such manner as it may, before the issuance of the shares, determine. Under the Companies Act, shares of a Cayman Islands exempted company may be redeemed or repurchased out of profits of the company, out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for that purpose, out of share premium account or out of capital, provided the memorandum and articles authorize this and the company has the ability to pay its debts as they come due in the ordinary course of business.
No Preemptive Rights. Holders of ordinary shares will have no pre-emptive or preferential right to purchase any securities of our company.
Variation of Rights Attaching to Shares. If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, subject to the memorandum and articles, be modified or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our current memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:
· | does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; |
· | is not required to open its register of members for inspection to the public; |
· | does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
· | may issue shares with no par value; |
· | may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
· | may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
· | may register as a limited duration company; and |
· | may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company.
Warrants
There are no outstanding warrants to purchase any of our securities. We have agreed to issue to the Underwriter (defined below), on the closing date of this offering, warrants exercisable at a price equal to 125% of the public offering price of the ordinary shares offered hereby, to purchase 5% of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold in this offering. See “Underwriter’s Warrant” on page 136 for more information about these warrants.
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Options
There are no outstanding options to purchase any of our securities.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act is modelled after that of English law but does not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. A merger of two or more constituent companies under Cayman Islands law requires a plan of merger or consolidation to be approved by the directors of each constituent company and authorization by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association.
A merger between a Cayman Islands parent company and its Cayman Islands subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman Islands subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman Islands subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose, a subsidiary is a company of which at least ninety percent (90%) of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Save in certain circumstances, a dissenting shareholder of a Cayman constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting to a merger or consolidation. The exercise of appraisal rights will preclude the exercise of any other rights save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must, in addition, represent three-fourths of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can approve the arrangement if it determines that:
· | the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met; |
· | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class; |
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· | the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and |
· | the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act. |
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares the subject of such offer within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but may not succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of certain Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares where the vote of shareholders is required to approve the transaction.
Shareholders’ Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which may be persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle, including when:
· | a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires; |
· | the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could only be effected if duly authorized by more than a simple majority vote that has not been obtained; and |
· | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our current memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for actions, losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty or fraud of such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is similar to but little more lax than that required under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation which permits indemnification if the person to be indemnified acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Delaware corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person to be indemnified had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our current memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction and base such director’s decision on such information. In doing so, a Delaware director is entitled to rely in good faith on corporation’s records and on information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the board by the company’s officers, employees or board committees, or by other parties as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other parties’ professional or expert competence and who have been selected for the company with reasonable care. Further, Delaware corporations may include in their certificates of incorporation an exculpation provision for the benefit of its directors. At its maximum strength, such an exculpatory provision eliminates the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of the duty of care (but not, among other things, breaches of the duty of loyalty). The duty of loyalty requires that a director act independently and in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation (the “Business Judgement Rule”). However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. To rebut the presumption, a party attempting to so rebut has the burden of presenting evidence that directors were at least grossly negligent in not becoming adequately informed or were motivated by interests other than those of the company’s stockholders as a whole (or acted in bad faith by consciously disregarding a known duty). Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he or she owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act in the bona fide best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so) and a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities may be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our current articles of association provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the by-laws may afford shareholders the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
Cayman Islands law does not provide shareholders any right to put proposals before a meeting or requisition a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in articles of association. Our current articles of association allow our shareholders holding not less than one-third of all voting power of our share capital in issue to requisition a shareholder’s meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders’ meeting, our current articles of association do not provide our shareholders other right to put proposal before a meeting. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obligated by law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.
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Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our current articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our current articles of association, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into in the bona fide best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so. Under the Companies Act and our current articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders.
Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class. Under Cayman Islands law and our current articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by not less than three-fourths of such holders of the shares of that class as may be present at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
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Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for a greater required number of shares for approval.. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our current memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our current memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there was no established public trading market for our ordinary shares. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for our ordinary shares will develop on Nasdaq or be sustained after this offering. Future sales of substantial amounts of ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares. Further, since a large number of our ordinary shares will not be available for sale shortly after this offering because of the contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below, sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market after these restrictions lapse, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.
Upon completion of this offering, we will have an aggregate of 18,060,000 ordinary shares outstanding. The ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.
As of the date of this prospectus, 13,000,000 ordinary shares held by existing shareholders are deemed “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 and may not be resold except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration, including Rule 144. A total of 13,000,000, or 100%, of our currently outstanding ordinary shares will be subject to “lock-up” agreements described below. Upon expiration of the lock-up period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, outstanding shares will become eligible for sale, subject in most cases to the limitations of Rule 144.
The following table summarizes the total shares potentially available for future sale.
Days After Date of this Prospectus | Shares for Sale |
Comment | ||||
Upon Effectiveness | 5,060,000 | Freely tradable shares sold in the offering. | ||||
Six months | 18,060,000 | Including 13,000,000 shares saleable after expiration of the lock-up. |
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144, beginning ninety days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not our affiliate and has not been our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months will be entitled to sell any shares of our share capital that such person has held for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, without regard to volume limitations. Sales of our share capital by any such person would be subject to the availability of current public information about us if the shares to be sold were held by such person for less than one year.
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Beginning ninety days after the date of this prospectus, our affiliates who have beneficially owned shares of our share capital for at
least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than another of our affiliates, would be entitled to sell within
any three-month period those shares and any other shares they have acquired that are not restricted securities, provided that the aggregate
number of shares sold does not exceed the greater of:
· | 1% of the number of shares of our authorized share capital then outstanding, which will equal approximately 180,600 ordinary shares immediately after this offering; or |
· | the average weekly trading volume in our ordinary shares on the listing exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates are generally subject to the availability of current public information about us, as well as certain “manner of sale” and notice requirements.
Lock-up Agreements
We and each of our officers, directors and existing shareholders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, lend or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap or other transaction that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition of any of our ordinary shares or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares or derivatives of our ordinary shares (whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of securities, in cash, or otherwise), owned by these persons prior to this offering or acquired in this offering or ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held by these persons until after 180 days following the date of this prospectus.
The following discussion of material Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman, our Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of Allbright Law Offices, our Chinese counsel.
Cayman Islands Taxation
Under the law of the Cayman Islands as currently in effect, a holder of the securities who is not a resident of the Cayman Islands is not liable for Cayman Islands tax on dividends paid with respect to the securities and all holders of the securities are not liable to the Cayman Islands for tax on gains realized during that year on the sale or disposal of such ordinary shares. The Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a company incorporated or re-registered under the Companies Act.
There are no capital gains, gift or inheritance taxes levied by the Cayman Islands on companies incorporated under the Companies Act. In addition, shares of companies incorporated under the Companies Act are not subject to transfer taxes, stamp duties or similar charges.
There is no income tax treaty or convention currently in effect between the United States and the Cayman Islands or between China and the Cayman Islands.
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People’s Republic of China Taxation
Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Tax Arrangement, where a Hong Kong resident enterprise which is considered a non-PRC tax resident enterprise directly holds at least 25% of a PRC enterprise, the withholding tax rate in respect of the payment of dividends by such PRC enterprise to such Hong Kong resident enterprise is reduced to 5% from a standard rate of 10%, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. Pursuant to the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issues concerning the Application of the Dividend Clauses of Tax Agreements, or Circular 81, a resident enterprise of the counter-party to such Tax Arrangement should meet the following conditions, among others, in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax under the Tax Arrangement: (i) it must directly own the required percentage of equity interests and voting rights in such PRC resident enterprise; and (ii) it should directly own such percentage in the PRC resident enterprise anytime in the 12 months prior to receiving the dividends. Furthermore, the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Tax Treaties (For Trial Implementation), or the Administrative Measures, which became effective in October 2009, requires that the non-resident enterprises must obtain the approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax rate under the tax treaties. There are also other conditions for enjoying such reduced withholding tax rate according to other relevant tax rules and regulations. Accordingly, Hing Fat Industrial Limited may be able to enjoy the 5% withholding tax rate for the dividends it receives from the WFOE, if it satisfies the conditions prescribed under Circular 81 and other relevant tax rules and regulations and obtains the approvals as required under the Administrative Measures. However, according to Circular 81, if the relevant tax authorities consider the transactions or arrangements we have are for the primary purpose of enjoying a favorable tax treatment, the relevant tax authorities may adjust the favorable withholding tax in the future.
Hong Kong Taxation
The taxation of income and capital gains of holders of ordinary shares is subject to the laws and practices of Hong Kong and of jurisdictions in which holders of ordinary shares are resident or otherwise subject to tax. The following summary of certain relevant taxation provisions under Hong Kong law is based on current law and practice, is subject to changes therein and does not constitute legal or tax advice. The discussion does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ordinary shares. Accordingly, each prospective investor (particularly those subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities and holders of 10% or more of our voting capital stock) should consult its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the ordinary shares. The discussion is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. There is no reciprocal tax treaty in effect between Hong Kong and the United States.
Tax on Dividends
Under the current practices of the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department, no tax is payable in Hong Kong in respect of dividends paid by us as a company incorporated in Cayman Islands.
Profits Tax
No tax is imposed in Hong Kong in respect of capital gains from the sale of property (such as the ordinary shares). Trading gains from the sale of property by persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong where such gains are derived from or arise in Hong Kong from such trade, profession or business will be chargeable to Hong Kong profits tax, which is currently imposed at the rate of 16.5% and 15% on corporations and unincorporated businesses, respectively, and at a maximum rate of 15% on individuals. Liability for Hong Kong profits tax may thus arise in respect of trading gains from sales of ordinary shares realized by persons carrying on a business or trading or dealing in securities in Hong Kong.
Stamp Duty
Hong Kong stamp duty, currently charged at the rate of HK$1.3 per HK$1,000 or part thereof on the higher of the consideration for or the value of the ordinary shares, will be payable by the purchaser on every purchase and by the seller on every sale of ordinary shares (i.e., a total of HK$2.6 per HK$1,000 or part thereof is currently payable on a typical sale and purchase transaction involving ordinary shares). In addition, a fixed duty of HK$5 is currently payable on any instrument of transfer of ordinary shares. If one of the parties to the sale is a non-Hong Kong resident and does not pay the required stamp duty, the duty not paid will be assessed on the instrument of transfer (if any) and the transferee will be liable for payment of such duty. No Hong Kong stamp duty is payable upon the transfer of ordinary shares outside Hong Kong.
Estate Duty
The Revenue (Abolition of Estate Duty) Ordinance 2005 came into effect on February 11, 2006 in Hong Kong. No Hong Kong estate duty is payable and no estate duty clearance papers are needed for an application for a grant of representation in respect of holders of ordinary shares whose death occurs on or after February 11, 2006.
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United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion of United States federal income tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our ordinary shares by a U.S. Holder, as defined below, that acquires our ordinary shares in this offering and holds our ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion is based upon existing United States federal income tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any United States federal income tax consequences described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, including investors subject to special tax rules (such as, for example, certain financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, partnerships and their partners, tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations)), investors who are not U.S. Holders, investors that own (directly, indirectly, or constructively) 10% or more of our voting stock, investors that hold their ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction, or investors that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this discussion does not address any tax laws other than the United States federal income tax laws, including any state, local, alternative minimum tax or non-United States tax considerations, or the Medicare tax. Each potential investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local and non-United States income and other tax considerations of an investment in our ordinary shares.
General
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual who is a citizen or treated as a tax resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the laws of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise elected to be treated as a United States person under the Code.
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and partners of a partnership holding our ordinary shares are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in our ordinary shares.
The discussion set forth below is addressed only to U.S. Holders that purchase ordinary shares in this offering. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the U.S. federal income tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
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Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the ordinary shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). With respect to corporate U.S. Holders, the dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends will be taxed at the lower capital gains rate applicable to qualified dividend income, provided that (1) the ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or we are eligible for the benefits of an approved qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Because there is no income tax treaty between the United States and the Cayman Islands, clause (1) above can be satisfied only if the ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, ordinary shares are considered for purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on Nasdaq. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares, including the effects of any change in law after the date of this prospectus.
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Taxation of Dispositions of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ordinary shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the ordinary shares for more than one year, you may be eligible for reduced tax rates on any such capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”)
A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
• | at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income; or | |
• | at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). |
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock. In determining the value and composition of our assets for purposes of the PFIC asset test, (1) the cash we raise in this offering will generally be considered to be held for the production of passive income and (2) the value of our assets must be determined based on the market value of our ordinary shares from time to time, which could cause the value of our non-passive assets to be less than 50% of the value of all of our assets (including the cash raised in this offering) on any particular quarterly testing date for purposes of the asset test.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. Depending on the amount of cash we raise in this offering, together with any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our 2022 taxable year or for any subsequent taxable year, at least 50% of our assets may be assets held for the production of passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities, as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements. In particular, because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test will generally be determined based on the market price of our ordinary shares and because cash is generally considered to be an asset held for the production of passive income, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our ordinary shares and the amount of cash we raise in this offering. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the ordinary shares may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects and the composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering. We are under no obligation to take steps to reduce the risk of our being classified as a PFIC, and as stated above, the determination of the value of our assets will depend upon material facts (including the market price of our ordinary shares from time to time and the amount of cash we raise in this offering) that may not be within our control. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ordinary shares, the shares will continue to be treated as stock in a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ordinary shares. However, if we cease to be a PFIC and you did not previously make a timely “mark-to-market” election as described below, you may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by making a “purging election” (as described below) with respect to the ordinary shares.
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If we are a PFIC for your taxable year(s) during which you hold ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ordinary shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
• | the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ordinary shares; | |
• | the amount allocated to your current taxable year, and any amount allocated to any of your taxable year(s) prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and | |
• | the amount allocated to each of your other taxable year(s) will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. |
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ordinary shares as capital assets.
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for first taxable year which you hold (or are deemed to hold) ordinary shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, you will include in your income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares as of the close of such taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ordinary shares, which excess will be treated as ordinary income and not capital gain. You are allowed an ordinary loss for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, such ordinary loss is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ordinary shares. Your basis in the ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “— Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our ordinary shares” generally would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), including Nasdaq. If the ordinary shares are regularly traded on Nasdaq and if you are a holder of ordinary shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to such PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings and profits for the taxable year. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold ordinary shares in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 in each such year and provide certain annual information regarding such ordinary shares, including regarding distributions received on the ordinary shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the ordinary shares.
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If you do not make a timely “mark-to-market” election (as described above), and if we were a PFIC at any time during the period you hold our ordinary shares, then such ordinary shares will continue to be treated as stock of a PFIC with respect to you even if we cease to be a PFIC in a future year, unless you make a “purging election” for the year we cease to be a PFIC. A “purging election” creates a deemed sale of such ordinary shares at their fair market value on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, you will have a new basis (equal to the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC) and holding period (which new holding period will begin the day after such last day) in your ordinary shares for tax purposes.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our ordinary shares and the elections discussed above.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information. We do not intend to withhold taxes for individual shareholders. However, transactions effected through certain brokers or other intermediaries may be subject to withholding taxes (including backup withholding), and such brokers or intermediaries may be required by law to withhold such taxes.
Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, certain U.S. Holders are required to report information relating to our ordinary shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by attaching a complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they hold ordinary shares. Failure to report the information could result in substantial penalties. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your obligation to file Form 8938.
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Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. is serving as the underwriter (the “Underwriter”). Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, the Underwriter has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, on a firm commitment basis, the number of our ordinary shares at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and as indicated below.
Name | Number of shares | |||
Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. | 4,310,000 | |||
Alexander Capital, L.P. | 750,000 | |||
Total | 5,060,000 |
The underwriting agreement will provide that the underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the shares offered by this prospectus. The Underwriter is offering the shares when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to a number of conditions. These conditions include, among other things, the requirements that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement be in effect and that no proceedings for this purpose have been initiated or threatened by the SEC.
The Underwriter has advised us that it proposes to offer the ordinary shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession. The Underwriter may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession to certain brokers and dealers. After this offering, the public offering price, concession, and reallowance to dealers may be changed by the Underwriter. No such change shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The ordinary shares are offered by the Underwriter as stated herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. The Underwriter has informed us that it does not intend to confirm sales to any accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority.
We have been advised by the Underwriter that it intends to make a market in our securities but that they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market at any time without notice.
In connection with the offering, the Underwriter or certain of the securities dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.
Underwriter’s Compensation
Except as disclosed in this prospectus, the Underwriter has not received and will not receive from us any other item of compensation or expense in connection with this offering considered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), to be underwriting compensation under its rule of fair price.
Discount
The underwriting discount is equal to the public offering price per share, less the amount paid by the Underwriter to us per share. The underwriting discount was determined through an arms’ length negotiation between us and the Underwriter. We have agreed to sell the shares to the Underwriter at the initial offering price of $3.7 per share, which represents the initial public offering price of the shares set forth on the cover page of this prospectus less a 7.5% underwriting discount.
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The following table shows the per-share price and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the Underwriter.
Per Share | Total | |||||||
Discounts & Commissions | $ | 0.30 | $ | 1,518,000 | ||||
Non-Accountable Expense Allowance | $ | 0.06 | $ | 303,600 | ||||
Net Proceeds to the Company | $ | 3.64 | $ | 18,418,400 |
Expense Reimbursement
We have agreed to pay a corporate finance fee to the Underwriter equal to 1.5% of the gross proceeds received in this offering. In addition, we have also agreed to pay or reimburse the maximum amount of $150,000 to the Underwriter for its out-of-pocket expenses relating to the offering, including all reasonable fees and expenses of the Underwriter’s outside legal counsel. All fees already paid shall be reimbursable to us to the extent not actually incurred. We have paid $125,000 to the Underwriter. Furthermore, pursuant to the underwriting agreement, the Underwriter’s obligations are subject to customary conditions, representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, such as receipt by the Underwriter of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.
We estimate that our total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and payment of the Underwriter’s accountable and non-accountable expenses referred to above, will be approximately $1.4 million.
Underwriter Warrants
In addition, we have agreed to grant the Underwriter non-redeemable warrants to purchase an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Ordinary Shares sold in the offering, which warrants will be exercisable upon the closing of the offering, have a five (5) year term starting from the date of the commencement of sales of the offering, and a cashless exercise feature. Such warrants are exercisable at a price of 125% of the public offering price of the Ordinary Shares offered pursuant to this offering. We have registered the shares underlying the Underwriter Warrants and will file all necessary undertakings in connection therewith. The Underwriter Warrants shall not be sold during the Offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days beginning on the date of commencement of sales of the offering(in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110), except that they may be transferred to any member participating in the Offering and the officers or partners thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction for the remainder of the time period. The Underwriter Warrants may be exercised as to all or a lesser number of shares, will provide for cashless exercise and will contain provisions for one demand registration of the sale of the underlying Ordinary Shares at the Company’s expense, an additional demand registration at the warrant holders’ expense, and unlimited “piggyback” registration rights for a period of five years from the date of the commencement of sales of the offering at the Company’s expense. The Underwriter’s Warrants shall further provide for adjustment in the number and price of such warrants (and the Ordinary Shares underlying such warrants) in the event of recapitalization, merger or other structural transaction to prevent dilution. The Underwriter will have the option to exercise their warrants at any time, provided that such shares are not transferred during the 180 days lock-up period beginning on the date of commencement of sales of the offering; the 180-day lock period will remain on these underlying shares.
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Lock-up Agreements
Each of our executive officers and directors and all existing holders of all of our shares outstanding prior to the effective date of this offering, have agreed with the Underwriter not to directly or indirectly sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, hypothecate, transfer (excluding intra-family transfers, transfers to a trust for estate planning purposes or to beneficiaries of officers, directors and shareholders upon their death), or otherwise dispose of or enter into any transaction which may result in the disposition of any ordinary shares or securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for any ordinary shares, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus.
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Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the Underwriter may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
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Determination of Offering Price
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our ordinary shares. The public offering price of the ordinary shares offered by this prospectus has been determined by negotiation between us and the Underwriter. Among the factors considered in determining the public offering price of the ordinary shares were:
● | Our history and our prospects; |
● | Our financial information and historical performance; |
● | The industry in which we operate; |
● | The status and development prospects for our products and services; |
● | The experience and skills of our executive officers; and |
● | The general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering. |
The offering price stated on the cover page of this prospectus should not be considered an indication of the actual value of the ordinary shares. That price is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors, and we cannot assure you that the ordinary shares can be resold at or above the public offering price.
Listing
We have been approved for the listing of our ordinary shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ILAG”
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the Underwriter of this offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Underwriter’ website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the Underwriter in its capacity as Underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Relationships
The Underwriter has informed us that it does not expect to confirm sales of our ordinary shares offered by this prospectus to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Some of the Underwriter and their affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They may in the future receive customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the Underwriter and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers.
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Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The Underwriter and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the ordinary shares, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ordinary shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ordinary shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
Australia. This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:
(a) | you confirm and warrant that you are either a: |
(i) | “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act; |
(ii) “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;
(iii) | person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or |
(iv) | “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act; |
and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act, any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance;
(b) you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the ordinary shares issued to you pursuant to this document for resale in Australia within 12 months of those ordinary shares being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.
Canada. The ordinary shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted customers, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ordinary shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the Underwriter is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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Cayman Islands. This prospectus does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ordinary shares, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriter has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares in the Cayman Islands.
European Economic Area.
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or each referred as a "Relevant Member State", an offer to the public of the ordinary shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State unless the prospectus has been approved by the competent authority in such Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any ordinary shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
● | to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities; |
● | to any legal entity which has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; |
● | by the underwriters to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or |
● | in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive; provided that no such offer of shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any representative of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive. |
Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares within the EEA should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or the underwriters to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriter has authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of shares contemplated in this prospectus.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer shares to the public" in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe any shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any shares under, the offer of shares contemplated by this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with us and the underwriters that:
● | it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and | |
● | in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons. |
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
136 |
Hong Kong. The ordinary shares have not been and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document, other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ordinary shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ordinary shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Japan. The ordinary shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ordinary shares will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
People’s Republic of China. This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ordinary shares may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.
Singapore. This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our ordinary shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our ordinary shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (ii) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
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Where our ordinary shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ordinary shares under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.
Taiwan. The ordinary shares have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the ordinary shares in Taiwan.
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EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, that we expect to incur in connection with this offering. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee and the Nasdaq listing fee, all amounts are estimates.
Estimates | ||||
SEC registration fee | $ | 3,071 | ||
Nasdaq listing fee | 75,000 | |||
FINRA filing fee | 3,000 | |||
Printing and engraving expenses | 50,000 | |||
Legal fees and expenses | 600,000 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses | 625,000 | |||
Miscellaneous | 50,000 | |||
Total | $ | 1,406,071 |
These expenses will be borne by us. Underwriting discounts and commissions will be borne by us in proportion to the numbers of ordinary shares sold in the offering.
The Company is being represented by FisherBroyles, LLP, with respect to legal matters of United States federal securities law. The validity of the ordinary shares offered by this prospectus and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. The Company is being represented by Allbright Law Offices with regard to PRC law and Stevenson, Wong & Co. with regard to Hong Kong law. FisherBroyles LLPs may rely upon Conyers Dill & Pearman with respect to all matters governed by Cayman Islands law, may rely upon AllBright Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law, and may rely upon Stevenson, Wong & Co. with respect to matters governed by Hong Kong law. VCL Law LLP, is acting as U.S. counsel for the underwriter. Dahui Lawyers is acting as the PRC counsel for the underwriter.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 included herein and in the registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report of Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The office of Wei, Wei & Co., LLP is located at 133-10 39th Avenue Flushing, New York 11354.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares described herein. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document. Following the completion of this offering, we will make these documents publicly available, free of charge, on our website at www.i-l-a-g.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such documents with the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.
We are subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. You can read the registration statement and our future filings with the SEC, over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document that we file with the SEC at its public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.
You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.
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INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1 |
F-2 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
* | The shares are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the share exchange between the parent holding company, Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Intelligent Living Application Group Limited. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For
the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD | USD | |||||||
REVENUES | $ | 12,543,556 | $ | 11,219,559 | ||||
COST OF GOODS SOLD | (11,231,253 | ) | (9,641,408 | ) | ||||
GROSS PROFIT | 1,312,303 | 1,578,151 | ||||||
SELLING AND MARKETING EXPENSES | (150,152 | ) | (169,111 | ) | ||||
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | (2,902,040 | ) | (2,417,289 | ) | ||||
FINANCE COSTS | (57,774 | ) | (29,109 | ) | ||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (1,797,663 | ) | (1,037,358 | ) | ||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | ||||||||
Interest income | 199 | 251 | ||||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 9,318 | (207,884 | ) | |||||
Other income | 401,631 | 229,643 | ||||||
Total other income, net | 411,148 | 22,010 | ||||||
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | (1,386,515 | ) | (1,015,348 | ) | ||||
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | - | - | ||||||
NET LOSS | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 52,289 | 573,697 | ||||||
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $ | (1,334,226 | ) | $ | (441,651 | ) | ||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | ||||||
LOSS PER SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred shares | Ordinary shares | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Par | Number of | Par | Additional Paid-in | Retained Earnings/ | Other Comprehensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares* | Value | Shares* | Value | Capital | (Deficit) | Gain (Loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, December 31, 2019 | - | $ | - | 13,000,000 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 4,217,877 | $ | 415,875 | $ | (250,683 | ) | $ | 4,384,369 | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (1,015,348 | ) | - | (1,015,348 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholder contribution | - | - | - | - | 153,846 | - | - | 153,846 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | - | - | - | 573,697 | 573,697 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, December 31, 2020 | - | - | 13,000,000 | 1,300 | 4,371,723 | (599,47 | ) | 323,014 | 4,096,564 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (1,386,515 | ) | - | (1,386,515 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholder contribution | - | - | - | - | 717,949 | - | - | 717,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | - | - | - | 52,289 | 52,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, December 31, 2021 | - | $ | - | 13,000,000 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 5,089,671 | $ | (1,985,988 | ) | $ | 375,303 | $ | 3,480,286 |
* | The shares are presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the share exchange between the parent holding company, Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Intelligent Living Application Group Limited. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In U.S. Dollars, unless stated otherwise)
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Intelligent Living Application Group Inc. (“ILA”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) are in the business of the manufacture and sale of door locksets. The Company sells its door locksets primarily to customers in the United States of America (“US”) and Canada; and also sells its locksets to customers in Macau and People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).
ILA is a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on July 17, 2019, under the Cayman Islands Companies Act as an exempted company with limited liability. ILA has no substantive operations other than holding all of the outstanding share capital of Intelligent Living Application Group Limited (“ILA BVI”). ILA BVI was established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on March 19, 2014; and it is also a holding company holding all of the outstanding equity of Kambo Hardware Limited, Kambo Locksets Limited, Bamberg (HK) Limited, Hing Fat Industrial Limited and Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Ltd.
Business Reorganization
A reorganization of the Company’s legal entity structure was completed in April 2020. The reorganization involved the incorporation of ILA in July 2019 and execution of the Share Exchange Agreement between ILA and ILA BVI in April 2020 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) whereby ILA took control of ILA BVI and its wholly owned subsidiaries by exchanging all the outstanding shares of ILA BVI with ordinary shares of ILA. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, ILA and ILA BVI exchanged 2,550,000 shares of ILA BVI for 12,990,000 ordinary shares of ILA. This transaction was treated as a recapitalization of the Company and the financial statements give retroactive effect to this transaction.
F-7 |
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In U.S. Dollars, unless stated otherwise)
Below is a summary of legal entities controlled by ILA after the reorganization.
Legal Entity | Date of | Place of | Principal activities | |||
incorporation | incorporation | |||||
Intelligent Living Application Group Limited | March 19, 2014 | British Virgin Islands | Holding company | |||
Kambo Locksets Limited | March 26, 2014 | Hong Kong, PRC | Sale of door locksets to US and Canadian market | |||
Kambo Hardware Limited | February 25, 2015 | Hong Kong, PRC | Sale of locksets and related hardware to other markets | |||
Bamberg (HK) Limited | June 24, 2016 | Hong Kong, PRC | Sale of self-branded door locksets | |||
Hing Fat Industrial Limited | March 23, 2009 | Hong Kong, PRC | Designs door locksets; holding company of Dongguan Xingfa | |||
Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Ltd. | August 6, 1993 | The People Republic of China (the “PRC”) | Manufactures door locksets |
NOTE 2 – LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN
As indicated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had a net loss of approximately $1,387,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and its cash and cash equivalents had declined to approximately $131,000 as of December 31, 2021, due primarily to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to continue to meet its obligations as they become due, and obtain additional or alternative financing required to fund its working capital requirements.
The Company expects to fund its operations primarily through cash flow from operations and borrowings from related parties or financial institutions. In the event that the Company requires additional funding to finance its operations, the Company’s major shareholders have indicated their intent and ability to provide such financial support. Based on the Company’s production schedule as of the date of this report, the Company has received customer orders with delivery scheduled up to August 2022. After careful consideration of the Company’s most recent cash flow projections and working capital requirements (including but not limited to orders from its key customers), management of the Company believes that the Company will be able to continue to operate as a going concern in the foreseeable future and it will have sufficient working capital to meet its operating needs for at least the next 12 months from the date of filing this report.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of the recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 3 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All subsidiaries are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial assets and financial liabilities which have been measured at fair value. The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“USD”).
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the useful lives and residual value of property and equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign currency translation
The Company’s reporting currency is the USD. The functional currency of its Hong Kong subsidiaries is the Hong Kong dollar (the “HKD”), and the functional currency of its PRC subsidiary is the Renminbi (the “RMB”). Results of operations and cash flows are translated at the average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss). Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.
Translation of amounts from HKD into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
F-8 |
Translation of amounts from RMB into USD has been made at the following exchange rates:
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and at banks, which are not restricted as to use; and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash, which have a short maturity of generally within three months when acquired. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any cash equivalents. The Company maintains bank accounts in the PRC and Hong Kong.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable represents trade receivables from customers. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to determine if the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. An estimate for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Delinquent account balances are written-off after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable and known bad debts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when identified. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods. They are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as determined using the weighted average cost method. Management compares the cost of inventories with the related net realizable value and will set up an allowance to write down the cost of inventories to its net realizable value, if it is lower than cost. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Other receivables
Other receivables primarily include receivables from employees related to social security benefits and VAT receivable. Management reviews the composition of other receivables and determines if an allowance for doubtful accounts is needed. A provision for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company determined that no allowance was necessary.
Prepayments and deposits
Prepayments consisted mainly of prepaid taxes, prepaid insurance, and prepaid software license. Deposits, a non-current asset, are related to long term office rental. These amounts are refundable and bear no interest. Prepayments and deposits are classified as either current or non-current based on the terms of the respective agreements. These advances are unsecured and are reviewed periodically to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, management believes that the Company’s prepayments and deposits are not impaired.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment, if necessary. Depreciation and amortization are provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method from the time the assets are placed in service. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Category | Estimated useful life | |
Office equipment | 5-10 years | |
Production equipment | 5-10 years | |
Motor vehicles | 5 years | |
Leasehold improvements | Over the shorter of remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets |
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the costs of betterments that extend the useful life of property and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Fair value measurements
The Company applies the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Section 820-Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires disclosures to be provided on fair value measurement.
F-9 |
ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Inputs, other than those in Level 1, that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
ASC 820 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach; and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset or transfer a liability.
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets included in current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities approximate their fair values since they bear an interest rate which approximates market interest rates.
Revenue recognition
The Company follows FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers in accounting for its revenues. The core principle of the revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
Step 5: Recognize the allocated revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation
The Company derives substantially all of its revenue from product sales, specifically sale of door locksets, locksets and related hardware to customers. Revenue from product sales is recognized when control passes to the customer, which generally occurs at a point in time when products are delivered FOB (freight on board). Revenue is recorded net of tariffs, VAT and discounts.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold consists primarily of the cost of raw materials (mainly brass, iron and zinc alloy), direct and indirect labor and related benefits, and manufacturing overhead that is directly attributable to the production process, and related production costs from molding of raw materials to production of door locksets such as handles, panels and spindles, product assembly, quality control and packaging and shipping. Write-down of inventory, export tax rebates, if any, are also recorded in cost of goods sold. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company received export tax rebates of approximately RMB 5,414,000 (approximately $839,000) and RMB 5,394,000 (approximately $782,000), respectively.
Other Income
Other income consists primarily of proceeds from sale of raw materials waste (mainly iron), and rental income from sublease of extra factory space.
Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842), and elected the practical expedients that do not require it to reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. The Company also adopted the practical expedient that allows lessees to treat the lease and non-lease components of a lease as a single lease component.
The Company measures the lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments discounted by the relevant borrowing rate and reduces the carrying value of the lease liability for lease payments made.
The Company accounts for all significant leases as either operating or finance leases. At lease inception, if the lease meets any of the following five criteria, the Company will classify it as a finance lease: (i) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term, (ii) the lease grants the Company an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, (iii) the lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset, (iv) the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all (90% or more) of the fair value of the underlying asset, or (v) the underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term. Otherwise, the lease will be treated as an operating lease.
The Company’s accounting for finance leases, previously referred to as “capital leases” under prior guidance, remained substantially unchanged with the adoption of ASC 842. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net and as current and non-current financing lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
For leases with a term of 12 months or less, the Company is permitted to and did make an accounting policy election by class of underlying assets not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized lease expense for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
F-10 |
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance FASB ASC Section 740. The Company is subject to the tax laws of the PRC and Hong Kong (a special administrative region of PRC). The charge for taxation is based on actual results for the year as adjusted for items that are non-assessable or disallowed; and it is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. The Company is not currently subject to tax in the Cayman Islands or the British Virgin Islands.
Deferred taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit of loss. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income can be utilized with deferred tax liabilities and/or net operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized, or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the statement of operations, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Net 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 net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.
An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to uncertain tax positions are classified in income tax expense in the period incurred. Tax returns filed for the years ended December 31, 2018 to 2021 in the PRC and Hong Kong are subject to examination by the applicable tax authorities.
Value added tax
The Company is subject to value added tax (“VAT”) in the PRC. Revenue generated and purchases within the PRC from domestic suppliers are generally subject to VAT at the rate of 13% starting in April 2019, at the rate of 16% starting in May 2018 to March 2019 and at the rate of 17% in April 2018 and prior. Certain VAT is refundable after filing rebate applications. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company is entitled to receive a refund of approximately $495,000 and $353,000, respectively, which amounts are recorded in other receivables on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Related parties
Parties are considered to be related to the Company if they, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its separate interests.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the increase or decrease in equity of the Company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Amongst other disclosures, ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, requires that all items that are required to be recognized under current accounting standards as components of comprehensive income (loss) be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. For each of the periods presented, the Company’s comprehensive loss included the net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments that are presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Segment reporting
The Company follows ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer as the chief operating decision-maker reviews the consolidated financial results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing the performance of the Company as a whole and has determined that the Company has only one reportable segment. The Company operates and manages its business as a single segment.
The following table sets forth the Company’s revenue from customers by geographical areas based on the location of the customers:
For the years ended | |||||||||
December 31, | |||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
US | $ | 12,222,574 | $ | 10,957,047 | |||||
Canada | 310,174 | 225,857 | |||||||
Others | - | 36,655 | |||||||
Total | $ | 12,532,748 | $ | 11,219,559 |
The following table sets forth the Company’s property and equipment, for the purpose of geographical information:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
PRC | $ | 1,300,009 | $ | 1,454,053 | ||||
Hong Kong | 65,027 | 129,158 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,365,036 | $ | 1,583,211 |
F-11 |
Earnings (loss) per share
In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ordinary shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted income per share as their effects would be anti-dilutive.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this Update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amendments broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss, which will be more decision useful to users of the consolidated financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for issuers and December 15, 2020 for non-issuers. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief. This ASU adds optional transition relief for entities to elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis to increase comparability of similar financial assets. The ASUs should be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified retrospective approach). On November 19, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 to amend the effective date for ASU 2016-13 to be fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods therein. The Company believes that the adoption will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of credit risk
Details of the customers accounting for 10% or more of total operating revenue are as follows:
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customer A | $ | 6,833,866 | 54.5 | % | $ | 6,008,167 | 53.6 | % | ||||||||
Customer B | 1,588,156 | 12.7 | % | 3,055,958 | 27.2 | % | ||||||||||
Customer C | 1,310,376 | 10.5 | % | |||||||||||||
$ | 9,732,398 | 77.7 | % | $ | 9,064,125 | 80.8 | % |
Details of the customers which accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Customer A | $ | 695,263 | 64.7 | % | $ | 545,914 | 69.1 | % | ||||||||
Customer B | 193,935 | 18.1 | % | 146,128 | 18.5 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 889,198 | 82.8 | % | $ | 692,042 | 87.6 | % |
F-12 |
Supplier risk
The Company’s operations are dependent on a limited number of suppliers for its major raw materials. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the raw materials supply from these suppliers. Any termination or suspension of the supply arrangements, any change in cooperation terms, or the deterioration of cooperation relationships with these suppliers may materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
Details of the suppliers accounting for 10% or more of total purchases are as follows:
For the years ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Supplier A | $ | 1,701,515 | 19.9 | % | $ | 1,440,512 | 20.4 | % | ||||||||
Supplier B | 1,407,690 | 16.5 | % | 1,126,932 | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 3,109,205 | 36.4 | % | $ | 2,567,444 | 36.4 | % |
Details of the suppliers which accounted for 10% or more of accounts payable are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Supplier A | $ | 504,393 | 30.2 | % | $ | 440,444 | 32.7 | % | ||||||||
Supplier B | 290,997 | 17.4 | % | 272,888 | 20.3 | % | ||||||||||
Supplier C | 196,760 | 11.8 | % | 191,759 | 14.2 | % | ||||||||||
$ | 992,149 | 59.4 | % | $ | 905,091 | 67.2 | % |
Foreign currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMBs into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and international economic and political developments that affect supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company had $27,036 and $68,053 of cash and cash equivalents denominated in RMB as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Certain transactions of the Company are denominated in HKD which is different from the functional currency of the Company, and therefore the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk. As the HKD is currently pegged to the USD, management considers that there is no significant foreign currency risk arising from the Company’s monetary assets denominated in USD.
The Company currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy. However, management monitors the Company’s foreign exchange exposure periodically and will consider hedging significant foreign exchange exposure should the need arise.
NOTE 4 - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 1,074,137 | $ | 789,894 | ||||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts | - | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 1,074,137 | $ | 789,894 |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been established as management believes that amounts outstanding are fully collectible. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any bad debt expense or account write offs. As the date of this report, the Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021 has been collected in full.
F-13 |
NOTE 5 - INVENTORIES
The composition of inventories are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | 50,969 | $ | 85,336 | ||||
Work-in-progress | 4,277,448 | 3,636,511 | ||||||
Finished goods | 729,627 | 650,437 | ||||||
Total | $ | 5,058,044 | $ | 4,372,284 |
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no inventory reserves or inventory write offs.
NOTE 6 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
As of December 31 | , | As of December 31 | , | |||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Office equipment | $ | 167,594 | $ | 160,989 | ||||
Production equipment | 3,669,040 | 3,598,266 | ||||||
Motor vehicles | 317,562 | 315,847 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements | 71,525 | 71,525 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (2,860,685 | ) | (2,563,417 | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 1,365,036 | $ | 1,583,211 |
Total depreciation and amortization expenses were $259,122 and $265,689 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Included in property and equipment, net were assets under finance leases of $5,421 and $37,946 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The amount of related depreciation expenses related to assets under finance leases was $32,525 for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
NOTE 7 - OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUALS
Other payables and accruals consist of the followings:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Accrued production cost | $ | 823,675 | $ | 564,040 | ||||
Accrued salary | 572,303 | 283,385 | ||||||
Accrued social security benefits | 90,983 | 98,306 | ||||||
Accrued utilities | 58,331 | 53,969 | ||||||
Accrued business tax and others | 36,607 | 25,469 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,581,899 | $ | 1,025,169 |
NOTE 8 - RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
In 2019, the Company and Mr. Wynn Hui entered into an agreement whereby Mr. Hui agreed to forgive the net outstanding advances amounting $1,173,849 in full with no recourse. In December 2020, Mr. Hui agreed to forgive the net advance of $153,846 to the Company. Shareholders and directors have approved the advances forgiven by Mr. Hui, which amounts have been recognized as a shareholder contribution. On June 30, 2021, Mr. Wynn Hui, Mr. Bong Lau and Mr. Bun Lau, three major shareholders, executive directors and officers of the Company forgave and waived their receivable owed by the subsidiaries of the Company for $461,538, which have been recognized as shareholders contribution. On December 31, 2021, Mr. Bun Lau, forgave and waived his receivable owed by the subsidiaries of the Company for $256,411, which have been recognized as shareholders contribution.
In 2018, the Company entered into a rental agreement with Kambo Security Products Limited for office space in Hong Kong. The rental agreement is renewed annually. Kambo Security Products Limited is owned by Mr. Bong Lau, Mr. Wynn Hui, and Mr. Bun Lau, major shareholders of ILA. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $54,100 and $46,000, respectively.
F-14 |
NOTE 9 - BANK BORROWINGS
On May 14, 2021, the Company obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited for the maximum amount of HKD 1.0 million (approximately $0.1 million) for working capital purposes, with the term from June 14, 2021 to May 13, 2029, bearing interest at 2.75% per annum. Under the facilities, the Company borrowed HKD 1.0 million ($0.1 million), which is repayable in 96 equal monthly installments of principal and interest thereon, commencing June 14, 2021.
On October 8, 2020, the Company obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited for the maximum amount of HKD 1.0 million (approximately $0.1 million) for working capital purposes, with the term from November 25, 2020 to November 24, 2028, bearing interest at 2.75% per annum. Under the facilities, the Company borrowed HKD 1.0 million ($0.1 million), which is repayable in 96 equal monthly installments of principal and interest thereon, commencing December 25, 2020.
On April 28, 2020, the Company obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited for the maximum amount of HKD 4.0 million (approximately $0.5 million) for working capital purposes, with the term from May 18, 2020 to May 17, 2028, bearing interest at 2.75% per annum. Under the facilities, the Company borrowed HKD 4.0 million ($0.5 million), which is repayable in 96 equal monthly installments of principal and interest thereon, commencing June 18, 2020.
On November 3, 2017, the Company obtained banking facilities from the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to HKD 6.0 million (approximately $0.8 million) for working capital purposes. On June 24, 2021, this banking facilities was increased to HKD 7.0 million (approximately $0.9 million). The credit facility bears interest at 5.5% and it is personally guaranteed by Mr. Wynn Hui and Mr. Bong Lau (both major shareholders and directors of the Company). The credit facility does not have an expiration date and is collateralized by a property owned by Kambo Security Products Limited, a related party.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, interest expense related to these credit facilities was $48,910 and $19,632, respectively.
The following table represents the maturity of the Company’s bank borrowings as of December 31, 2021:
For the years ended December 31, | Amount | |||
2022 | $ | 762,826 | ||
2023 | 81,972 | |||
2024 | 84,223 | |||
2025 | 86,600 | |||
2026 | 89,012 | |||
2027 | 91,491 | |||
2028 | 57,656 | |||
2029 | 7,415 | |||
Total Bank Borrowings | $ | 1,261,193 |
NOTE 10 - RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception. US GAAP requires that the Company’s leases be evaluated and classified as operating or finance leases for financial reporting purposes. The classification evaluation begins at the commencement date and the lease term used in the evaluation includes the non-cancellable period for which the Company has the right-to-use the underlying asset, together with renewal option periods when the exercise of the renewal option is reasonably certain or failure to exercise such option would result in an economic penalty.
The Company has the following operating leases:
• | Real estate leases for its manufacturing factory in the PRC (annual payment of approximately $356,000) that will expire on February 28, 2024 and various office parking facilities (annual payment of approximately $15,000) that will expire on November 30, 2022 and have expired on March 31, 2022 and April 30, 2022, respectively. |
• | Real estate lease for its office space in Hong Kong (annual payment of approximately $53,800) that expired on December 31, 2021 (and was renewed to expire on December 31, 2022) and office equipment lease (annual payment of approximately $4,400) that will expire on December 20, 2024. |
The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The leases generally do not contain options to extend at the time of expiration.
Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized lease liabilities of approximately $1.7 million, with corresponding right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of the same amount based on the present value of the future minimum rental payments of the lease, using an incremental borrowing rate of 4.75% to 5.13% based on the duration of the lease terms.
F-15 |
The following table sets forth the five-year maturity schedule of the Company’s lease liabilities:
For the years ending December 31, | Amount | ||||
2022 | $ | 468,821 | |||
2023 | 364,877 | ||||
2024 | 64,505 | ||||
2025 | - | ||||
Total operating lease payments | $ | 898,203 | |||
Less: imputed interest | (42,612 | ) | |||
Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | 855,591 |
Operating lease expenses are allocated between the cost of revenues and selling, general, and administrative expenses. Total operating lease expenses were approximately $408,000 and $323,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
NOTE 11 - FINANCE LEASE LIABILITIES
Since 2017, the Company has a finance lease arrangement for a vehicle (annual payment of approximately $34,000) that expired on March 31, 2022. The financed lease asset is included in property and equipment, net.
Below are the Company’s finance lease liabilities:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Current finance lease liabilities | $ | 8,391 | $ | 32,954 | ||||
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities | - | 8,391 | ||||||
Total finance lease liabilities | $ | 8,391 | $ | 41,345 |
The following table sets forth the maturity schedule of the Company’s finance lease liabilities:
For the year ending December 31, 2022 | Amount | ||||
Total finance lease payments | $ | 8,432 | |||
Less: imputed interest | (41 | ) | |||
Present value of finance lease liabilities | $ | 8,391 |
Total interest expenses were $774 and $1,760 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
NOTE 12 - INCOME TAXES
Corporate income taxes
Cayman Islands
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands and is not subject to tax on income or capital gains under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Company mainly conducts its operating business through its subsidiaries in the PRC and Hong Kong. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.
British Virgin Islands
The Company’s subsidiary incorporated in the British Virgin Islands is not subject to taxation.
Hong Kong
The Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries, including Hing Fat Industrial Limited, Kambo Locksets Limited, Bamberg (HK) Limited and Kambo Hardware Limited, are subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax on their taxable income as reported in their statutory financial statements adjusted in accordance with relevant Hong Kong tax laws. Hong Kong Profits Tax has been calculated at 16.5% of the estimated assessable profit for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Tax losses can be carried forward to offset profits in future years until fully absorbed but cannot be carried back.
PRC
The Company’s PRC operating subsidiary, Dongguan Xingfa Hardware Products Co., Ltd, is governed by the income tax laws of the PRC and the income tax provisions in respect to operations in the PRC is calculated at the applicable tax rate on the taxable income for the periods based on existing legislation, interpretations and practices in respect thereof. Under the Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC (the “EIT Laws”), Chinese enterprises are subject to an income tax rate of 25% after appropriate tax adjustments. The net tax loss attributable to those PRC entities can only be carried forward for a maximum period of five years, through 2025.
F-16 |
Loss before provision for income taxes consisted of:
For the years ended December 31 | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Cayman and BVI | $ | (335,802 | ) | $ | (560,587 | ) | ||
Hong Kong | (983,008 | ) | (434,271 | ) | ||||
PRC | (67,705 | ) | (20,490 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) |
The Company does not have any provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Significant components of deferred tax assets are as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | 399,768 | $ | 222,363 | ||||
Total deferred tax assets | 399,768 | 222,363 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||
Depreciation | (5,552 | ) | (14,142 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax liabilities | (5,552 | ) | (14,142 | ) | ||||
Total deferred tax assets-net | 394,216 | 208,221 | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance | (394,216 | ) | (208,221 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets, net | $ | - | $ | - |
Future tax benefits which may arise as a result of net operating loss carry-forward have not been recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as their realization has not been determined likely to occur. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company believes it is more likely than not that its PRC and HK subsidiaries will be unable to fully utilize their deferred tax assets related to their net operating loss carry-forward in the PRC and Hong Kong. If the Company is unable to generate taxable income in its PRC and Hong Kong operations, it is more likely than not that it will not have sufficient income to recognize the net deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company provided a 100% valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets of approximately $394,000 and $208,000 related to its operations in the PRC and Hong Kong as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The valuation allowance increased by $185,995 and $74,521 during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Reconciliation of effective income tax rate is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
PRC statutory tax rate | 25.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||||
Effect of tax rate differential (HK) | (6.0 | ) | (3.6 | ) | ||||
Valuation allowance | (19.0 | ) | (21.4 | ) | ||||
Effective tax rate | - | % | - | % |
The Company does not have any taxes payable as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Uncertain tax positions
There were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and management does not anticipate any potential future adjustments which would result in a material change to its tax positions. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not incur any tax related interest or penalties.
F-17 |
NOTE 13 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has analyzed its operations through the date of this report and has determined that the Company does not have any material subsequent events to disclose in these consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 14 - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (UNAUDITED)
The Company performed a test of its restricted net assets of the consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X Rule 4-08 (e) (3), “General Notes to Financial Statements” and concluded that it was applicable for the Company to disclose the financial information of the parent company.
The subsidiaries did not pay any dividends to the Company for the periods presented. For the purpose of presenting parent-only financial information, the Company records its investment in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. Such investment is presented on the separate condensed statement of financial position of the Company as “Investment in subsidiaries”.
ILA became the parent company of the Company as a result of the execution of the Share Exchange Agreement in April 2020. ILA is a holding company with no bank account, did not have any significant capital and other commitments, and did not have any long-term obligations, or guarantees as of December 31, 2021. ILA did not have any business activities during the year ended December 31, 2021.
The following is the parent company balance sheets:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD (Unaudited) |
USD (Unaudited) |
|||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Investment in subsidiaries | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 4,096,564 | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 4,096,564 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
LIABILITIES | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Preferred shares, par value $0.0001 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; nil and nil issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 13,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. | 1,300 | 1,300 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 871,795 | 153,846 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 2,231,888 | 3,618,404 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive gain | 375,303 | 323,014 | ||||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 3,480,286 | 4,096,564 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 3,480,286 | $ | 4,096,564 |
The following is the parent company statements of operations and comprehensive loss:
For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
USD (Unaudited) | USD (Unaudited) | |||||||
EQUITY LOSS | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
NET LOSS | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,386,515 | ) | $ | (1,015,348 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive gain | 52,289 | 573,697 | ||||||
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $ | (1,334,226 | ) | $ | (441,651 | ) |
F-18 |
5,060,000 Ordinary Shares
INTELLIGENT LIVING APPLICATION GROUP INC.
Until August 6, 2022, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as Underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
The date of this prospectus is July 12, 2022.