SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
one)
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
quarterly period ended June 30, 2007
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
transition period from
to
Commission
File Number 0-32565
____________________
NUTRACEA
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
California
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
87-0673375
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
|
|
5090
North 40
th
St., Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
|
85018
(Zip
Code)
|
|
|
Issuer’s
telephone number, including area code: (602)
522-3000
|
Check
whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13
or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
x
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934). Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated
filer
x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
l2b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
o
No
x
APPLICABLE
ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
State
the
number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity,
as of the latest practicable date: 141,345,161 as of August 3,
2007.
FORM
10-Q
Index
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Consolidated
Condensed Balance Sheets at June 30, 2007 (Unaudited) and December
31,
2006
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended
June
30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for
the three and six months
ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June
30, 2007
and 2006 (Unaudited)
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
Notes
to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
|
8
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
|
19
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
23
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
23
|
|
|
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
23
|
|
|
|
Item
1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
24
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
29
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
30
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
30
|
|
|
|
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
31
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
31
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
Certifications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements
other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for
purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to,
any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements
of
the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any
statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements
regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief;
and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.
Forward-looking
statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,”
“continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words. The
forward-looking statements contained herein reflect our current views with
respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. in
such
forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties,
including the factors that may affect future results set forth in this Current
Report on Form 10-Q and in our annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward looking
statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this
quarterly report.
PART
1.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item
1.
Financial
Statements
NUTRACEA
AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
June
30,
2007
(Unaudited)
|
|
December
31,
2006
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
51,500,000
|
|
$
|
14,867,000
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
545,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Marketable
securities
|
|
|
459,000
|
|
|
368,000
|
|
Trade
accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,075,000
and $20,000, respectively
|
|
|
8,075,000
|
|
|
7,093,000
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
801,000
|
|
|
796,000
|
|
Notes
receivable, net of discount, current portion
|
|
|
4,274,000
|
|
|
1,694,000
|
|
Deposits
and other current assets
|
|
|
1,767,000
|
|
|
1,383,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
67,421,000
|
|
|
26,201,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
receivable, net of current portion
|
|
|
5,216,000
|
|
|
682,000
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
14,673,000
|
|
|
8,961,000
|
|
Investment
in joint venture
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
intangible assets, net
|
|
|
5,616,000
|
|
|
5,097,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
39,372,000
|
|
|
32,314,000
|
|
Other
non-current assets
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
133,560,000
|
|
$
|
73,255,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
4,866,000
|
|
$
|
2,778,000
|
|
Accrual for contribution to related party joint venture
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
29,000
|
|
|
103,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
6,395,000
|
|
|
2,881,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible,
series B preferred stock, no par value, $1,000 stated value,
20,000,000
shares authorized, 0 and 470 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
439,000
|
|
Convertible,
series C preferred stock, no par value, $1,000 stated value,
25,000 shares authorized, 2 and 5,468 shares issued and
outstanding
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
5,051,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, no par value
350,000,000
shares authorized,
140,217,953 and 103,977,715 shares issued and outstanding
in 2007 and 2006, respectively
|
|
|
174,544,000
|
|
|
114,111,000
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(47,550,000
|
)
|
|
(49,305,000
|
)
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income, unrealized gain on
marketable
securities
|
|
|
169,000
|
|
|
78,000
|
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
127,163,000
|
|
|
64,884,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
133,560,000
|
|
$
|
73,255,000
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
NUTRACEA
AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
|
|
Six
Months
Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Six
Months
Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
product sales
|
|
$
|
9,983,000
|
|
$
|
7,932,000
|
|
$
|
7,996,000
|
|
$
|
4,159,000
|
|
Royalty
and licensing fees
|
|
|
5,010,000
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
|
14,993,000
|
|
|
7,948,000
|
|
|
12,996,000
|
|
|
4,166,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
4,976,000
|
|
|
4,433,000
|
|
|
3,863,000
|
|
|
2,333,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
10,017,000
|
|
|
3,515,000
|
|
|
9,133,000
|
|
|
1,833,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research
and development expenses
|
|
|
291,000
|
|
|
198,000
|
|
|
170,000
|
|
|
94,000
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
7,970,000
|
|
|
2,852,000
|
|
|
5,657,000
|
|
|
1,348,000
|
|
Professional
fees
|
|
|
1,995,000
|
|
|
434,000
|
|
|
1,536,000
|
|
|
101,000
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
10,256,000
|
|
|
3,484,000
|
|
|
7,363,000
|
|
|
1,543,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(239,000
|
)
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
1,770,000
|
|
|
290,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
income (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income (net)
|
|
|
1,388,000
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
876,000
|
|
|
109,000
|
|
Gain on settlement
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Loss on retirement of assets
|
|
|
(309,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(309,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Loss on equity investment
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Total
income before income tax
|
|
|
1,840,000
|
|
|
166,000-
|
|
|
2,087,000
|
|
|
109,000
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
(85,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(85,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
1,755,000
|
|
$
|
166,000
|
|
$
|
2,002,000
|
|
$
|
399,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income per share
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
Fully diluted income per share
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
Weighted
average basic number of
shares outstanding
|
|
|
118,952,000
|
|
|
68,808,000
|
|
|
136,257,000
|
|
|
71,792,000
|
|
Weighted
average diluted number of
shares outstanding
|
|
|
148,954,000
|
|
|
119,309,000
|
|
|
167,259,000
|
|
|
123,293,000
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
NUTRACEA
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
|
|
Six
Months Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Six
Months Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Three
Months Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
1,755,000
|
|
$
|
166,000
|
|
$
|
2,002,000
|
|
$
|
399,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
gain (loss) on marketable securities
|
|
|
91,000
|
|
|
(13,000
|
)
|
|
91,000
|
|
|
(5,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
comprehensive income
|
|
$
|
1,846,000
|
|
$
|
153,000
|
|
$
|
2,093,000
|
|
$
|
394,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
NUTRACEA
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Six
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June
30, 2007
|
|
June
30, 2006
|
|
Cash
flow from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
1,755,000
|
|
$
|
166,000
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
894,000
|
|
|
548,000
|
|
Provision
for
doubtful accounts
|
|
|
1,055,000
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on
retirement of assets
|
|
|
309,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
1,263,000
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
Recognition
of
deferred income
|
|
|
(73,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Loss
on
equity investment
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net
changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
Grainovations, Inc. acquisition and Vital Living, Inc.
consolidation):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
accounts receivable
|
|
|
(4,752,000
|
)
|
|
(1,811,000
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
(258,000
|
)
|
Deposits
and other assets
|
|
|
(380,000
|
)
|
|
(14,000
|
)
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(726,000
|
)
|
|
1,315,000
|
|
Net
cash (used)/provided by operating activities
|
|
|
(369,000
|
)
|
|
486,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from
payments of notes receivable
|
|
|
1,796,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Issuance
of notes
receivable
|
|
|
(5,029,000
|
)
|
|
(800,000
|
)
|
Investment
in
Grainovation, Inc.
|
|
|
(2,168,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Investment
in Vital
Living, Inc.
|
|
|
(5,144,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Purchases
of
property and equipment
|
|
|
(6,026,000
|
)
|
|
(1,971,000
|
)
|
Purchases
of other
assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2,415,000
|
)
|
Purchases
of other
intangible assets
|
|
|
(109,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(16,680,000
|
)
|
|
(5,186,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from
private placement financing, net of expenses
|
|
|
46,805,000
|
|
|
15,972,000
|
|
Proceeds
from
exercise of common stock options
|
|
|
6,877,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Payment
on
long-term debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(4,000
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
53,682,000
|
|
|
15,968,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase in cash
|
|
|
36,633,000
|
|
|
11,268,000
|
|
Cash,
beginning of period
|
|
|
14,867,000
|
|
|
3,491,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash,
end of period
|
|
$
|
51,500,000
|
|
$
|
14,759,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for
interest
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Cash
paid for
income taxes
|
|
$
|
85,000
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
disclosures of investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable converted to note receivable
|
|
$
|
3,881,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Accrual
for investment in Grain Enhancements joint venture
|
|
$
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual
for acquisition of equine feed supplement business
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
733,000
|
|
Conversion
of preferred stock to common stock
|
|
$
|
5,488,000
|
|
$
|
2,425,000
|
|
Unrealized
gain (loss) on marketable securites
|
|
$
|
91,000
|
|
$
|
(5,000
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
NUTRACEA
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONEDNSED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
1.
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying un-audited interim consolidated condensed financial statements
of
NutraCea have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in NutraCea’s
Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management,
all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair
presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim
periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected
for
the full year. Notes to the consolidated financial statements that would
substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited financial
statements for 2006 as reported in the 10-K have been omitted.
The
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of
NutraCea and our wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as a variable interest
entity, Vital Living, Inc., for which we are the primary beneficiary as defined
by Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 46
(revised 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” or FIN 46R. All
inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We operate in
one
business segment, which is the manufacturing and distribution nutritional
supplements.
2
.
STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
On
January 1, 2006, NutraCea adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS
123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) replaced SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25.
SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants
of
employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based
on
their fair values. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS
123
are no longer an alternative to financial statement recognition. NutraCea
adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method which requires the
application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. The consolidated
financial statements as of and for the six and three months ended June 30,
2007
and 2006 reflect the impact of adopting SFAS 123(R).
Stock-based
compensation expenses totaled $1,263,000 and $825,000 for the six and three
months ended June 30, 2007, and $540,000 and $151,000 for the six and three
months ended June 30, 2006.
For
all
agreements where stock is awarded as partial or full consideration, the expense
is valued at the fair value of the stock. Expenses for stock options and
warrants issued to consultants and employees are calculated based upon fair
value using the Black-Scholes valuation method.
Stock-based
compensation expenses consisted of the following at:
|
|
Six
Months
Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Six
Months
Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
June
30, 2007
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
June
30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting
fees
|
|
$
|
281,000
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
$
|
266,000
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
Directors
fees
|
|
|
87,000
|
|
|
53,000
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
53,000
|
|
Employees
|
|
|
840,000
|
|
|
197,000
|
|
|
509,000
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
To
directors and former director for services
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
stock-based compensation expense
|
|
$
|
1,263,000
|
|
$
|
540,000
|
|
$
|
825,000
|
|
$
|
151,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
weighted average grant date fair value of the stock options granted during
the
six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $2.78 and $1.31 per share,
respectively. Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include
(1) risk-free discount rates from 4.51% to 4.84%, (2) expected option life
is
calculated using the short-cut method allowed by Staff Accounting Bulletin
107,
(3) expected volatility ranges from 67.% to 324 % and (4) zero expected
dividends. For expected volatility, share-based expenses are calculated
beginning in fiscal year 2007 using a share history from the October 5, 2005
date of the NutraCea/RiceX merger which results in a volatility rate of about
67%. In prior periods the fair value was determined using average share prices
from inception of the Company to the end of the respective reporting period
which yielded volatility rates up to 324%.
3.
MARKETABLE
SECURITIES
On
September 8, 2004, NutraCea purchased 1,272,026 shares of Langley Park
Investment Trust, PLC (“Langley”), a United Kingdom closed-end mutual fund that
is actively traded on a London exchange. Per the Stock Purchase Agreement,
NutraCea paid with 7,000,000 shares of its own common stock.
Per
the
agreement with Langley, NutraCea may sell 636,013 shares of Langley at any
time,
and the remaining 636,013 shares of Langley and the 7,000,000 shares of NutraCea
are escrowed together for a 2-year period ended October 7, 2006. At the end
of
the period, Langley’s NutraCea shares are measured for any loss in market value
and if so, NutraCea must give up that pro-rata portion of its Langley shares
up
to the escrowed 636,013 shares.
As
of
June 30, 2007, the NutraCea shares have not lost any value. The Langley shares
are recorded at their fair market value of $368,000 at December 31, 2006 and
$459,000 at June 30, 2007, with the entire amount shown as a current asset
because the escrow period has passed and we may now sell all 1,272,026 shares
at
any time. We have recorded an unrealized gain of $91,000 in the six months
ended
June 30, 2007.
Any
unrealized holding gains and losses on the marketable securities are excluded
from operating results and are recognized as other comprehensive income. The
fair value of the securities is determined based on prevailing market
prices.
On
September 8, 2006, NutraCea commenced a lawsuit against Langley in the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento
Division regarding this transaction. The matter was settled on March 27, 2007.
Pursuant to the settlement, NutraCea received $1,250,000 from Langley in March
2007 and NutraCea retained all of the Langley shares. The $1,250,000 settlement
is included in the income statement as other income.
4.
INVENTORY
Inventories
are composed of the following;
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished
goods
|
|
$
|
382,000
|
|
$
|
533,000
|
|
Work
in process
|
|
|
99,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Raw
materials
|
|
|
122,000
|
|
|
168,000
|
|
Packaging
supplies
|
|
|
198,000
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
$
|
801,000
|
|
$
|
796,000
|
|
5.
NOTES
RECEIVABLE
At
June
30, 2007, we held twelve (12) secured promissory notes payable to the Company
with aggregate outstanding amounts under these notes of $9,491,000 (net of
note
discount of $1,000); $4,274,000 is reported as current and $5,216,000 as
long-term. These secured promissory notes bear interest at annual rates ranging
from 5% to 10% with the principal and all accrued interest due and payable
to us
at dates ranging from July 2007 to October 2012.
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007 we loaned a total of $5,029,000, (net of
conversion of 3,881,000 of accounts receivables to short-term note
receivable), to certain strategic customers, which loans were evidenced by
promissory notes, and received payments totaling $1,176,000 on existing
promissory notes. We also accrued interest income of $127,000 and received
cash
payments of $72,000 for accrued interest during the second quarter.
In
February 2007, we converted $3,516,000 of one customers’ accounts receivable to
a note receivable included in the above total, bearing interest at 7% and due
in
December 2007. In April 2007 we converted $365,000 of another customers’
accounts receivable to a note receivable included in the above total, bearing
interest at 10% and due in October 2007.
During
the second quarter of 2007 we granted to Pacific Holdings Advisors Limited
(“PAHL”) an exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free right and license to use and
distribute Stabilized Rice Bran (“SRB”) and SRB derivative products in certain
Southeast Asian countries. PAHL paid a one-time fee of $5,000,000 for these
rights. PAHL paid the license fee by issuing to NutraCea an adjustable rate
promissory note initially bearing interest at the rate of 4.52% that is
guaranteed by the parent of PAHL. The principal and accrued interest under
this
promissory note is due on five year payment terms.
6.
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT
Land,
property and equipment consists of the following:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
|
|
2,288,000
|
|
|
916,000
|
|
Vehicles
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
|
73,000
|
|
Software
|
|
|
391,000
|
|
|
389,000
|
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
|
|
576,000
|
|
|
430,000
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment
|
|
|
12,072,000
|
|
|
4,197,000
|
|
Construction
in progress
|
|
|
1,237,000
|
|
|
4,392,000
|
|
Total
property,
plant, and equipment
|
|
|
16,646,000
|
|
|
10,406,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(1,973,000
|
)
|
|
(1,445,000
|
)
|
Total
property,
plant, and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
14,673,000
|
|
$
|
8,961,000
|
|
Depreciation
expense for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $642,000 and
$432,000, respectively.
7.
OTHER
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Other
intangibles consisted of the following at:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patents
|
|
$
|
2,656,000
|
|
$
|
2,540,000
|
|
Copyrights
and trademarks
|
|
|
2,992,000
|
|
|
2,987,000
|
|
Non-compete
agreements
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Subtotal
of other
intangible assets
|
|
|
6,298,000
|
|
|
5,527,000
|
|
Less
accumulated amortization
|
|
|
(682,000
|
)
|
|
(430,000
|
)
|
Total
other intangible assets, net
|
|
$
|
5,616,000
|
|
$
|
5,097,000
|
|
Amortization
expense for the six months ended June, 2007 and 2006 was $252,000 and $116,000,
respectively.
8.
EARNINGS
PER SHARE
Basic
earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during all periods presented. Options
and warrants are excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation and
are
considered in calculating the diluted earnings per share.
The
dilutive effect of outstanding options, warrants is calculated using the
treasury stock method and the dilutive effect of the convertible series B
preferred stock, and convertible series C preferred stock is calculated using
the as-if converted method.
Components
of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:
|
|
Six
Months Ended
June
30,
|
|
Three
Months Ended
June
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
1,755,000
|
|
$
|
166,000
|
|
$
|
2,002,000
|
|
$
|
399,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average outstanding shares of common stock
|
|
|
118,952,000
|
|
|
68,808,000
|
|
|
136,257,000
|
|
|
71,792,000
|
|
Convertible
preferred stock
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
31,501,000
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
31,501,000
|
|
Stock
options and warrants
|
|
|
47,129,000
|
|
|
47,307,000
|
|
|
47,129,000
|
|
|
47,307,000
|
|
Common
stock and common stock equivalents
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
Total
diluted
shares
|
|
|
148,954,000
|
|
|
119,309,000
|
|
|
167,259,000
|
|
|
123,293,000
|
|
Earnings
per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
9.
CONCENTRATION
OF
CREDIT
RISK
Financial
instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit
risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable for sales to major
customers. We perform credit evaluations on our customers’ financial condition
and generally do not require collateral on accounts receivable. We maintain
an
allowance for doubtful accounts on our receivables based upon expected
collection of all accounts receivable. Uncollected accounts have not been
significant.
For
the
six months ended June 30, 2007, two customers accounted for a total of 49%
of
sales, 26% and 23% respectively. No other customer was responsible for more
than
5% of total sales. At June 30, 2007, three customers accounted for 82% of total
accounts receivable: 33%, 29%, and 20% respectively. No other customer accounted
for more than 3% of the total outstanding accounts receivable.
For
the
six months ended June 30, 2006, four customers accounted for a total of 76%
of
sales: 64%, 5%, 4%, and 3% respectively. At June 30, 2006, accounts receivable
due from these four customers were 78%, 0%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, of the
total outstanding accounts receivable.
10.
ACQUISITIONS
AND JOINT VENTURES
Grainnovation,
Inc.
In
April
2007, we acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Grainnovation, Inc. (“GI”) a
privately held company that had equipment for pelletizing horse feed for equine
customers of strategic value to NutraCea, and certain assets used in GI’s
business for a total of $2,150,000, of which $1,605,000 of the purchase price
was paid at closing, with the balance (“holdback”) being due in payments of
$235,000 and $310,000 in six months and twelve months respectively, subject
to
reduction in the event of breaches of representations, warranties and covenants
contained in the transaction documents. The holdback is held in third-party
escrow and is including in our consolidated condensed balance sheet as
restricted cash and current liabilities. The investment is recorded in our
financial statements included herein at the aggregate purchase price and its
results of operations from the date of acquisition are reflected in our
statement of operations for the periods ended June 30, 2007.
Under
the
purchase agreement, NutraCea may cause the former stockholders of GI to
repurchase all the outstanding shares of GI if certain post-closing covenants
of
the Company are not satisfied in the six months following the closing date
of
the purchase. Under the repurchase provision we believe we could recover our
investment; however, as management considers the repurchase of the GI stock
by
its’ former stockholders as an unlikely event we have not included any such
contingency in our financial statements.
The
following table summarized the estimated fair values of the assets acquired
and
liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. We incurred $20,000 in legal
fees relating to this purchase, which are added to the purchase price and
Goodwill. The Company is in the process of obtaining third-party valuations
of
certain intangible assets; the allocation of the purchase price is subject
to
refinement:
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
1,000
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
623,000
|
|
Covenant
not to compete
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
917,000
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
|
2,228,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
liabilities
|
|
|
58,000
|
|
Total
Liabilities
|
|
|
58,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets acquired
|
|
$
|
2,170,000
|
|
Grain
Enhancements LLC
In
June
2007, we entered into a joint venture with Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited
(“PAHL”) to form Grain Enhancements LLC, (“Grain Enhancements”) a Delaware
limited liability company. NutraCea and PAHL each will hold a 47.5% share of
Grain Enhancements. The remaining interest is held by Theorem Group LLC
(“Theorem”) (3.333%) and Ho’okipa Capital Partners, Inc. (1.667%). The purpose
of Grain Enhancements is to develop and market SRB and related products in
certain Southeast Asian countries. Grain Enhancements will purchase SRB
exclusively from NutraCea until its own facilities are in operation and NutraCea
will lease to Grain Enhancements at cost the necessary equipment for such
facilities. Payments under the equipment lease will be payable in full upon
installation of the equipment.
Under
the
agreement, NutraCea and PAHL will contribute up to $5,000,000 each to Grain
Enhancements to fund the operations, of which $1,500,000 each was due on June
30, 2007. We made our initial contribution in July 2007. Additionally,
$2,000,000 each is to be contributed no later than October 2007, and the
remaining $1,500,000 from each partner is due no later than August 2008. Theorem
was paid $750,000 and $500,000 by NutraCea and Grain Enhancements, respectively,
for services relating to the formation of the joint venture. Through June 30,
2007, our portion of Grain Enhancements net loss was $250,000.
Our
capital contribution of $1,500,000 made in July 2007, is included in our
consolidated condensed balance sheet as a related party paybale at June 30,
2007.
Our
investment in Grain Enhancements is accounted for under the equity method of
accounting. At June 30, 2007 the value of our investment was $1,250,000.
Summary
financial information of Grain Enhancements, LLC at June 30, 2007
is:
Assets
|
|
|
|
Due
from partners
|
|
$
|
3,000,000
|
|
Liabilities
and Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Due
to Theorem
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
Partners
equity
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(500,000
|
)
|
Total
liabilities and equity
|
|
$
|
3,000,000
|
|
Vital
Living, Inc
.
In
April
2007 we acquired certain securities of Vital Living, Inc., (“VLI”) a publicly
traded company. VLI distributes nutritional supplements using similar
manufacturing and distribution processes. We paid $1,000,000 for 1,000,000
shares of outstanding preferred stock and $4,226,000 for the outstanding Senior
Secured Notes (“Notes”). The Notes are convertible to VLI common stock and bear
interest at 12% per annum, payable June 15 and December 15 and mature in
December 2008.
Our
intention is not to exercise our option to convert the Notes into shares of
VLI
common stock, rather, we intend to acquire certain assets of Vital Living.
In
June 2007 we entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Vital Living
to
acquire certain assets, however, we have not entered into a definitive agreement
to acquire such assets.
Our
accounting for the purchase of these securities of VLI qualifies as a Variable
Interest Entity (“VIE”) in accordance with FASB Interpretations No. 46R
“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” As the primary beneficiary, we
have consolidated VLI into the Financial Statements.
The
purchase price allocated to the assets and liabilities in April 2007 is as
follows:
Assets
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
83,000
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
1,141,000
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
Property
and equipment
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
6,141,000
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
7,438,000
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$
|
737,000
|
|
Accrued
liabilities
|
|
|
725,000
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
Total
Liabilities
|
|
$
|
2,212000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets acquired
|
|
$
|
5,226,000
|
|
We
have
included in our balance sheet at June 30, 2007 the financial position of VLI
and
in our statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 the
operating results of VLI for the period from April 20, 2007 through June 30,
2007, while eliminating inter-company balances. The effect on our consolidated,
condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2007 was an increase in total assets of
$1,638,000, an increase in total liabilities of $1,890,000 and a decrease in
shareholder equity of $253,000. The effect on our consolidated income statement
was an increase in revenues of $597,000, an increase in cost of goods sold
of
$265,000, an increase in operating expenses of $444,000, an increase of other
expenses of $141,000 and a decrease in net income of $253,000.
11.
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Vital
Living, Inc.
In
conjunction with our purchase of certain securities of Vital Living, Inc. (Note
10) we consolidated VLI financial results for the period April 20, 2007 to
June
30, 2007 into our financial results for the three months ending June 30, 2007.
Also during three months ended end June 30, 2007, we entered into a business
relationship with a new customer that is also a customer of VLI. A current
officer of VTL is also a principal partner with this new customer. During
the quarter ended June 30, 2007, we recorded sales of $2,080,000 to this new
customer. At June 30, 2007 we had $2,080,000 included in our accounts
receivable of $8,075,000.
Grain
Enhancements
In
June
2007, we entered into a joint venture with Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited
(“PAHL”) to form Grain Enhancements LLC, (“Grain Enhancements”) a Delaware
limited liability company (Note 10). Under the agreement, NutraCea and PAHL
will
contribute up to $5,000,000 each to Grain Enhancements to fund the operations,
of which $1,500,000 each was due on June 30, 2007. At quarter ended June 30,
2007, we accrued the payable and made our initial contribution in July 2007.
Additionally, $2,000,000 each is to be contributed no later than October 2007,
and the remaining $1,500,000 from each partner is due no later than August
2008.
Theorem was paid $750,000 and $500,000 by us and Grain Enhancements,
respectively, for services relating to the formation of the joint venture.
Through June 30, 2007, our portion of Grain Enhancements net loss was $250,000
(Notes 10 and 12)
We
believe that the transactions set forth above were made on terms no less
favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
In addition, we intend that all such transactions be on terms no less favorable
to us than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
12.
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
Grain
Enhancement LLC
In
June
2007, we formed a joint venture with Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited (Note
10)
which requires us to make capital contributions to the joint venture totaling
up
to $5,000,000. Our first contribution of $1,500,000 was made in July 2007.
An
additional $2,000,000 is due no later than October 2007, and the final
contribution, if required, of $1,500,000 is due no later than August
2008.
Facility
Lease
We
lease
corporate office space in Phoenix, AZ. Future amounts due under this lease
at
June 30, 2007 are in the following table:
Fiscal
Year 2007
|
|
$
|
294,000
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2008
|
|
|
1,074,000
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2009
|
|
|
1,393,000
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2010
|
|
|
1,442,000
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2011
|
|
|
1,490,000
|
|
FiscalYear
2012
|
|
|
1,539,000
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
5,336,000
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
12,568.000
|
|
Total
rent expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 was $249,000
and
$276,000, respectively.
13.
STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
Common
Stock
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007:
Four
(4)
shareholders converted 470 shares of Series B Convertible preferred Stock into
940,000 shares of our common stock. The preferred shares converted at a
conversion rate of 2,000 shares of common stock for each preferred
share.
Seventeen
(17) shareholders converted 5,466 shares of Series C Convertible preferred
Stock
into 6,430,580 shares of our common stock. The preferred shares converted at
a
conversion rate of 1,176 shares of common stock for each preferred
share.
Twenty-one
(21) shareholders exercised options or warrants and received a total of
3,451,959 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of
$3,930,000.
We
issued
17,500 shares of our common stock valued at $55,000 to a former member of our
board of directors as payment for past services on our board of
directors.
Thirty
(30) shareholders exercised options or warrants and received a total of
5,400,199 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of
$2,947,000.
Options
and Warrants
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007:
We
issued
to eleven (11) employees options to purchase a total of 635,000 shares of common
stock with vesting periods ranging from immediately to three years. The options
expire in ten years and have exercise prices per share ranging from $2.45 to
$3.39.
We
issued
to thirteen (13) employees options to purchase a total of 276,000 shares of
common stock with vesting periods ranging from zero to three years. The options
expire in ten years and have exercise prices per share ranging from $3.03 to
$4.04.
We
issued
to three (3) consultants three warrants to purchase a total of 290,000 shares
of
common stock, with vesting periods ranging from 3 months to two years. These
warrants expire after three to five years and have exercise prices per share
ranging from $2.38 to $3.03.
We
issued
to six (6) outside directors options to purchase a total of 210,000 shares
of
common stock that vest evenly over one year. The options expire in ten years
and
have exercise prices per share ranging from $3.76 to $3.83.
We
issued
to one (1) consultant a warrant to purchase a total of 25,000 shares of common
stock, with a vesting period of fifteen months. This warrant expires after
three
years and has an exercise price per share of $3.27.
In
June
2007 we granted Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited a warrant to purchase
1,500,000 shares of common stock at $5.25 per share. This warrant vests at
375,000 per quarter beginning July 1, 2007 except that such warrant will not
be
exercisable until such time as Grain Enhancements LLC has met certain conditions
mutually agreed upon by the parties (Note 10).
The
expense for stock options and warrants issued to consultants and employees
are
calculated at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation method.
February
2007 Private Placement
In
addition to the foregoing issuances of our securities, in February 2007 we
issued common stock and warrants to twenty-three (23) investors in a private
placement transaction for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $46,805,000
after offering expenses. We issued an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of common
stock at a price of $2.50 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of
10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per shares.
The placement agent for the private placement also received a warrant to
purchase 1,200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of
$3.25. Each of the warrants issued in the transaction has a term of five years.
The fair value of these 11,200,000 warrants using the Black-Scholes method
is
approximately $29,153,000. If exercised the company would receive
$36,400,000.
14.
SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
In
July
2007, six (6) shareholders exercised warrants and received a total of 1,122,856
shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$1,144,000.
15.
IMPLEMENTATION
OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007, we implemented the following new critical
accounting policies;
In
December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
Interpretation No. 46R,
Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities
(“FIN
46R)
.
Under
FIN 46R, if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a
variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities
of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial
statements with those of the business enterprise. An enterprise that
consolidates a variable interest entity is the primary beneficiary of the
variable interest entity. FIN 46R became applicable to the Company during the
six months ended June 30, 2007. See Note 10 for more information.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158,
Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and
123(R)
(SFAS
158)
.
Under
SFAS 158, companies must: a) recognize a net liability or asset to report the
funded status of their plans on their statement of financial position, b)
measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as
of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and c) recognize changes in the funded
status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes
occur in comprehensive income. The Company adopted the measurement date
provisions of SFAS 158 effective October 1, 2006. The Company will adopt
the recognition provisions of SFAS 158 as of the end of fiscal year 2007 as
required by SFAS 158.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No.48,
Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No.
109
,
(FIN
48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized
in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No.
109,
Accounting
for Income Taxes
.
FIN 48
also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the
financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return that results in a tax benefit.
Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on de-recognition, statement of
operations classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of
January 1, 2007, as required. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a
material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
In
December 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position EITF 00-19-2,
Accounting
for Registration Payment Arrangements
(“FSP
EITF 00-19-2”), which provides guidance on the accounting for registration
payment arrangements. FSP EITF 00-19-2 specifies that the contingent
obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under
a
registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate agreement or
included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement, should
be
separately recognized and measured in accordance with FASB Statement No. 5,
Accounting
for Contingencies
.
A
registration payment arrangement is defined in FSP EITF 00-19-2 as an
arrangement with both of the following characteristics: (1) the
arrangement specifies that the issuer will endeavor (a) to file a
registration statement for the resale of specified financial instruments and/or
for the resale of equity shares that are issuable upon exercise or conversion
of
specified financial instruments and for that registration statement to be
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission within a specified
grace period, and/or (b) to maintain the effectiveness of the registration
statement for a specified period of time (or in perpetuity); and (2) the
arrangement requires the issuer to transfer consideration to the counterparty
if
the registration statement for the resale of the financial instrument or
instruments subject to the arrangement is not declared effective or if
effectiveness of the registration statement is not maintained. FSP
EITF 00-19-2 is effective for registration payment arrangements and the
financial instruments subject to those arrangements that are entered into or
modified subsequent to December 21, 2006. For registration payment
arrangements and financial instruments subject to those arrangements that were
entered into prior to the issuance of FSP EITF 00-19-2, this guidance is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The
adoption of FSP EITF 00-19-2 on January 1, 2007 did not have a
material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 159,
The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS
159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be
measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure
requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose
different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.
SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s year ending September 30, 2009. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 159 on the Company’s
financial statements.
Item
2. Ma
nagement’s
Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
NutraCea
is a health-science company focused on the development and distribution of
products based upon the use of stabilized rice bran and proprietary rice bran
formulations. Rice bran is the outer layer of brown rice which until recently
was a wasted by-product of the commercial rice industry. These products include
food supplements and medical foods which provide health benefits for humans
and
animals (known as "nutraceuticals") as well as cosmetics and beauty aids based
on stabilized rice bran, rice bran derivatives and the rice bran
oils.
The
following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition of our results
of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
THREE
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006
For
the
three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company’s net income was $2,002,000, or
$0.01 per share, compared to $399,000 or $0.00 per share, in the same period
of
2006, showing an increase of $1,603,000. The increase for the quarter was
primarily due to a $2,307,000 increase in our gross margin on product sales,
a
$5,000,000 gain on our grant of an exclusive license to Pacific Advisors Holding
Limited and an increase of $767,000 in interest income, offset by an increase
of
$5,820,000 in total operating expenses, and a charge of $309,000 for the
loss on abandonment of leasehold improvements at our corporate offices in El
Dorado Hills, CA when we moved to Phoenix, AZ.
Our
consolidated revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2007 of $12,996,000
increased $8,830,000 from the $4,166,000 consolidated revenues recorded in
the
same period last year. This increase is composed of the $5,000,000 from the
grant of an exclusive license and a $3,837,000, or 92% increase in product
sales
to $7,996,000 from the $4,159,000 recorded in the three months ended June 30,
2006. This $3,837,000 increase is primarily due to a $2,331,000 increase in
sales of our proprietary products, and a $2,080,000 in sales of several new
products, offset by a $2,096,000 decrease in infomercial product sales.
Gross
margins on product sales in the quarter ended June 30, 2007 were $4,133,000,
or
52%, compared to $1,826,000, or 44%, during the same period last year. Gross
margins on our various product lines vary widely and the gross margins are
impacted from period to period by sales mix and utilization of production
capacity.
Research
and Development (“R&D”) expenses increased from $94,000 for the quarter
ended June 30, 2006 to $170,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, or an
increase of $76,000. The increase was attributed to higher product development
costs and employee related expenses due to increased R&D activities and
expanded scientific staff compared to the same period last year. The Company
expects to continue research and development expenditures to establish the
scientific basis for health claims of existing products and to develop new
products and applications.
Sales,
General and Administrative expenses were $5,657,000 and $1,348,000 in the
quarterly periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 respectively, an increase of
$4,309,000, or 320%. The increase was composed of a $1,055,000 increase to
our
provision for doubtful accounts, $788,000 increase in payroll costs due to
increased staffing, an increase of $671,000 in advertising costs, a $197,000
increase in travel costs, a $210,000 increase in rent expense, a $112,000
increase in freight costs, $228,000 in expenses associated with relocating
our
offices to Phoenix, AZ, a $674,000 increase in the amortization of share-based
expenses (Note 2), and $574,000 increase in other general administrative
expenses.
Professional
fees increased $1,435,000 from $101,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006
to
$1,536,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The higher professional fees
in
2007 primarily relate to consulting fees incurred in connection with marketing
and business development activities and a one-time charge of $750,000 for costs
associated with developing our joint venture with Grain Enhancements LLC (Note
10). Professional fees include costs related to accounting, legal and consulting
services.
SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006
For
the
six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company’s net income was $1,755,000, or
$0.01 per share, compared to net income of $166,000, or $0.00 per share, in
the
same period of 2006, showing an improvement of $1,589,000. The improvement
for
the six month period was primarily due to a $1,508,000 increase in our gross
margin on product sales, a $5,000,000 gain on our grant of an exclusive license,
an increase of $1,253,000 in interest income, and a $1,250,000 gain on the
settlement of a lawsuit, offset by an increase of $6,772,000 in total operating
expenses, and a charge of $309,000 for the loss on abandonment of leasehold
improvements in our corporate offices in El Dorado Hills, CA when we moved
from
our corporate offices to Phoenix, AZ .
Our
consolidated revenues through June 30, 2007 of $14,993,000 increased $7,045,000,
or 89%, from the same period last year. The revenue increase is attributable
to
a $2,051,000 increase in product sales and a $5,000,000 fee relating to our
grant of an exclusive license. The increase in product sales is made up of
a
$2,387,000 increase in the sales of proprietary products, $2,080,000 in sales
of
several new products, an increase of $222,000 of other products, offset by
a
decrease of $4,689,000 in infomercial sales.
Gross
margins on product sales in the six months ended June 30, 2007 were $5,007,000,
or 50%, compared to $3,499,000, or 44%, during the same period last year. Gross
margins on our various product lines vary widely and the gross margins are
impacted from period to period by sales mix and utilization of production
capacity.
Research
and Development expenses increased from $198,000 for the six months ended June
30, 2006 to $291,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007, or an increase
of
$93,000. The increase was attributed to higher product development costs and
employee related expenses due to increased R&D activities and expanded
scientific staff compared to the same period last year. The Company expects
to
continue research and development expenditures to establish the scientific
basis
for health claims of existing products and to develop new products and
applications.
Sales,
General and Administrative expenses were $7,970,000 and $2,852,000 in the six
months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 respectively, an increase of $5,118,000,
or
179%. The increase was composed of a $1,205,000 increase in payroll costs due
to
increased staffing, a $1,055,000 charge for the increase in allowance for
doubtful accounts, an increase of $671,000 in advertising costs, a $314,000
increase in travel costs, a $210,000 increase in rent expense, a $153,000
increase in freight costs, $228,000 in expenses associated with relocating
our
offices to Phoenix, AZ, a $723,000 increase in the amortization of share-based
expenses (Note 2), and a $559,000 increase in other general administrative
expenses.
Professional
fees increased $1,561,000 from $434,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006
to $1,995,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The higher professional
fees in 2007 primarily relate to consulting fees incurred in connection with
marketing and business development activities and a charge of $750,000 for
costs
associated with developing our joint venture with Grain Enhancements LLC (Note
10). Professional fees include costs related to accounting, legal and consulting
services.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As
of
June 30, 2007, our source of liquidity was cash in the amount of $51,500,000.
Our cash increased by $36,633,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2007 from
our
cash position of $14,867,000 at December 31, 2006.
For
the
first six months of 2007, net cash used by operations was $369,000,
compared to net cash provided by operations in the same period of 2006 of
$486,000, a decrease of $855,000. This decrease in cash provided by operations
resulted primarily from our net income of $1,755,000, plus the non-cash charges
against income of $894,000 for depreciation and amortization, $1,055,000 for
an
increase in the provision for doubtful accounts, a $309,000 charge for the
loss on the retirement of leasehold improvements, a $1,263,000 charge for
stock-based compensation, the $250,000 charge for the equity loss on our joint
venture, offset by an increase of $4,752,000 in accounts receivable (net of
a
conversion of a customers’ accounts receivable of $3,881,000 to a short-term
note receivable (Note 5), a $726,000 decrease in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities and a $380,000 increase in deposits and other current assets.
Cash
used
in investing activities in the first six months of 2007 was $16,680,000,
compared to $5,186,000 for the same period of 2006. This increase of $11,494,000
was primarily caused $6,026,000 in expenditures for plant expansions and other
fixed assets, a $109,000 for the purchase of intangible assets, $2,168,000
and
$5,144,000 for the purchase Grainovation, Inc. and the investment in Vital
Living, Inc., respectively, net of cash received in those transactions, and
a
net outflow of $3,233,000 relating to loans made by us to certain strategic
customers, net of $3,881,000 of accounts receivable converted to short-term
notes receivable (Note5).
Cash
provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007, was
approximately $53,682,000, which reflects proceeds from our February 2007
private placement financing (see below) and proceeds received upon the exercise
of common stock options and warrants. This is an increase of $37,714,000 from
the $15,968,000 received from private placement financing in the six months
ended June 30, 2006. Our working capital position as of June 30, 2007 was
$61,026,000 compared to $23,320,000 as of December 31, 2006.
On
February 15, 2007, we sold an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of our common
stock
at a price of $2.50 per share in connection with a private placement for
aggregate gross proceeds of $50,000,000 (approximately $46,805,000 after
offering expenses). Additionally, the investors were issued warrants to purchase
an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price
of
$3.25 per share. An advisor for the financing received a customary 6% cash-fee,
based on aggregate gross proceeds received from the investors, reasonable
expenses and a warrant to purchase 1,200,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price per share of $3.25. The warrants have a term of five years and
are exercisable after August 16, 2007.
In
April
2007, we acquired shares of convertible preferred stock and secured convertible
notes of a Vital Living, Inc. from the holders of those outstanding securities,
for an aggregate of $5,226,000. Commencing on October 31, 2007, the notes can
be
converted into shares of common stock of the customer (Note 10).
On
May 1,
2007, we purchased the outstanding stock of Grainnovation, Inc. (“GI”) and
certain assets used in the business of GI. The purchase enables us to produce
pellets for the equine market. The purchase agreement provides for a cash
purchase price of $2,150,000, and allows NutraCea to require the former
shareholders of GI to repurchase from NutraCea the stock of GI if certain
post-closing covenants are not satisfied by GI in the six month period following
the closing of the transaction (Note 10).
In
June
2007, we entered into a joint venture Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited to
form
Grain Enhancement LLC (Note 10). This joint venture required a $1,500,000
capital contribution which was made in July 2007. Additional contributions
of
$2,000,000 and $1,500,000 are due in October 2007 and October 2008,
respectively.
We
believe we have sufficient cash reserves to meet all anticipated short-term
operating requirements.
OFF
BALANCE SHEET ARANGEMENTS
We
have
not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have
financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments
or
other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risk,
contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in
an
unconsolidated entity that provides financing and liquidity support or market
risk or credit risk support to the Company.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
are
based upon unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements, which have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the
United States of America. The preparation of financial statements requires
management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts
of
assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosures on the date of
the
financial statements. On an on-going basis, our accountants evaluate the
estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue recognition.
We use authoritative pronouncements, historical experience and other assumptions
as the basis for making judgments. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
For
further information about other critical accounting policies, see the discussion
of critical accounting policies in our 2006 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006.
Acquisitions
We
account for acquisitions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (“SFAS”), No. 141 “Business Combinations” and accordingly apply the
purchase method of accounting for all business combinations initiated after
September 30, 2001 and separately identify recognized intangible assets that
meet certain criteria, amortizing these assets over their determinable useful
lives.
During
the six months ended June 30, 2007, we implemented the following new critical
accounting policy:
In
December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
Interpretation No. 46R,
Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities
(“FIN
46R)
.
Under
FIN 46R, if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a
variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities
of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial
statements with those of the business enterprise. An enterprise that
consolidates a variable interest entity is the primary beneficiary of the
variable interest entity. FIN 46R became applicable to the Company during the
six months ended June 30, 2007. See footnote 10 for more
information.
Recent
accounting pronouncements
In
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 159,
The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS
159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be
measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure
requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose
different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.
SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s year ending September 30, 2009. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 159 on the Company’s
financial statements. Put in recent pronouncements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 158,
Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and
123(R)
(SFAS
158)
.
Under
SFAS 158, companies must: a) recognize a net liability or asset to report the
funded status of their plans on their statement of financial position, b)
measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as
of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and c) recognize changes in the funded
status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes
occur in comprehensive income. The Company adopted the measurement date
provisions of SFAS 158 effective October 1, 2006. The Company will adopt
the recognition provisions of SFAS 158 as of the end of fiscal year 2007 as
required by SFAS 158.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS
159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be
measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure
requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose
different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.
SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s year ending September 30, 2009. The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 159 on the Company’s
financial statements.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No.48,
Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No.
109
,
(FIN
48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized
in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
“
Accounting
for Income Taxes
”.
FIN 48
also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the
financial statement recognition and measurement of an uncertain tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that results in a tax benefit.
Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on de-recognition, statement of
operations classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of
January 1, 2007, as required. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a
material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
In
December 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position EITF 00-19-2,
Accounting
for Registration Payment Arrangements
(“FSP
EITF 00-19-2”), which provides guidance on the accounting for registration
payment arrangements. FSP EITF 00-19-2 specifies that the contingent
obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under
a
registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate agreement or
included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement, should
be
separately recognized and measured in accordance with FASB Statement No. 5,
Accounting
for Contingencies
.
A
registration payment arrangement is defined in FSP EITF 00-19-2 as an
arrangement with both of the following characteristics: (1) the
arrangement specifies that the issuer will endeavor (a) to file a
registration statement for the resale of specified financial instruments and/or
for the resale of equity shares that are issuable upon exercise or conversion
of
specified financial instruments and for that registration statement to be
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission within a specified
grace period, and/or (b) to maintain the effectiveness of the registration
statement for a specified period of time (or in perpetuity); and (2) the
arrangement requires the issuer to transfer consideration to the counterparty
if
the registration statement for the resale of the financial instrument or
instruments subject to the arrangement is not declared effective or if
effectiveness of the registration statement is not maintained. FSP
EITF 00-19-2 is effective for registration payment arrangements and the
financial instruments subject to those arrangements that are entered into or
modified subsequent to December 21, 2006. For registration payment
arrangements and financial instruments subject to those arrangements that were
entered into prior to the issuance of FSP EITF 00-19-2, this guidance is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The
adoption of FSP EITF 00-19-2 on January 1, 2007 did not have a
material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
Item
3.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our
cash
and cash equivalents have been maintained only with maturities of 30 days or
less. Our short-term investments have interest reset periods of 30 days or
less.
These financial instruments may be subject to interest rate risk through lost
income should interest rates increase during their limited term to maturity
or
resetting of interest rates. As of June , 2007, there was no long-term debt
outstanding. Future borrowings, if any, would bear interest at negotiated rates
and would be subject to interest rate risk. We do not believe that a
hypothetical adverse change of 10% in interest rates would have a material
effect on our financial position.
Item
4.
Controls
and Procedures
We
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation
of
management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of
the
end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation,
our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that,
as
of June 30, 2007, NutraCea’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by NutraCea in reports filed
or
submitted under the Exchange Act were timely recorded, processed and reported
within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and forms.
During
the quarter covered by this report, there was no change in NutraCea’s internal
control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
PART
2.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
Legal
Proceedings
From
time
to time we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.
While the outcome of lawsuits and other proceedings against us cannot be
predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, individually or in
the
aggregate, no such lawsuits are expected to have a material effect on our
financial position or results of operations.
Item
1A.
Risk
Factors
Investors
or potential investors in our stock should carefully consider the risks
described below. Our stock price will reflect the performance of our business
relative to, among other things, our competition, expectations of securities
analysts or investors, and general economic market conditions and industry
conditions. One should carefully consider the following factors in connection
with any investment in our stock. Our business, financial condition and results
of operations could be materially adversely affected if any of the following
risks occur. Should any or all of the following risks materialize, the trading
price of our stock could decline, and investors could lose all or part of their
investment.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
have a limited operating history and have just generated our first profits
since
we began operations.
We
began
operations in February 2000 and incurred losses in each reporting period until
2006. Our prospects for financial success are difficult to forecast because
we
have a relatively limited operating history. Our prospects for financial success
must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently
encountered by companies in new, unproven and rapidly evolving markets. Our
business could be subject to any or all of the problems, expenses, delays and
risks inherent in the establishment of a new business enterprise, including
limited capital resources, possible delays in product development, possible
cost
overruns due to price and cost increases in raw product and manufacturing
processes, uncertain market acceptance, and inability to respond effectively
to
competitive developments and attract, retain and motivate qualified employees.
Therefore, there can be no assurance that our business or products will be
successful, that we will be able to achieve or maintain profitable operations
or
that we will not encounter unforeseen difficulties that may deplete our capital
resources more rapidly than anticipated.
There
are significant market risks associated with our
business.
We
have
formulated our business plan and strategies based on certain assumptions
regarding the size of the rice bran market, our anticipated share of this market
and the estimated price and acceptance of our products. These assumptions are
based on the best estimates of our management; however there can be no assurance
that our assessments regarding market size, potential market share attainable
by
us, the price at which we will be able to sell our products, market acceptance
of our products or a variety of other factors will prove to be correct. Any
future success may depend upon factors including changes in the dietary
supplement industry, governmental regulation, increased levels of competition,
including the entry of additional competitors and increased success by existing
competitors, changes in general economic conditions, increases in operating
costs including costs of production, supplies, personnel, equipment, and reduced
margins caused by competitive pressures.
We
depend on limited number of customers.
During
2006, we received approximately 67% of product sales revenue from five customers
and approximately 48% of our revenue from one customer. During the six months
ended June 30, 2007, we received approximately 49% of our revenue from 2
customers A loss of any of these customers could have a material adverse effect
on our revenues and results of operations.
We
rely upon a limited number of product offerings.
All
of
our products are based on stabilized rice bran. Although we will market
stabilized rice bran as a dietary supplement, as an active food ingredient
for
inclusion in our products and in other companies’ products, and in other ways, a
decline in the market demand for our products, as well as the products of other
companies utilizing our products, could have a significant adverse impact on
us.
We
are dependent upon our marketing efforts.
We
are
dependent on our ability to market products to animal food producers, food
manufacturers, mass merchandise and health food retailers, and to other
companies for use in their products. We must increase the level of awareness
of
dietary supplements in general and our products in particular. We will be
required to devote substantial management and financial resources to these
marketing and advertising efforts and there can be no assurance that it will
be
successful.
We
rely upon an adequate supply of raw rice bran.
All
of
our current products depend on our proprietary technology using unstabilized
or
raw rice bran, which is a by-product from milling paddy rice to white rice.
Our
ability to manufacture stabilized rice bran raw is currently limited to the
production capability of our production equipment at Farmers’ Rice Co-operative
(“FRC”) and our single value-added products plant in Dillon, Montana. Between
the Dillon, Montana plant and the facility at FRC, we currently are capable
of
producing just enough finished products to meet current demand. The existing
plants do not allow for dramatic expansion of product demand, therefore domestic
production capacity is needed. Anticipating incremental demand for NutraCea
Products, we completed the first phase of an expansion of the Dillon, Montana
facility in 2006. We have also entered into a new raw rice bran supply agreement
with Louisiana Rice Mill (“LRM”) in Louisiana. The supply agreement led to the
construction of a new stabilization plant in Mermentau which became operational
in April 2007. These facilities plus another stabilization and value-added
plant
scheduled to be operational by the end of 2007 should meet our production needs
for 2007, but we do not anticipate that they will meet our longer term supply
needs. Therefore, we anticipate building new facilities to meet the forecasted
demand for our products and envision we will be able to execute on this
initiative. In the event we are unable to create additional production capacity
to produce more stabilized rice bran products to fulfill our current and future
requirements this could materially and adversely affect our business, results
from operations, and financial condition.
We
are
pursuing other supply sources in the United States and in foreign countries
and
anticipate being able to secure alternatives and back-up sources of rice bran,
although we have not entered into any definitive agreements other than the
agreements with Farmers Rice Cooperative and Louisiana Rice Mill. However,
there
can be no assurance that we will continue to secure adequate sources of raw
rice
bran to meet our requirements to produce stabilized rice bran products. Since
rice bran has a limited shelf life, the supply of rice bran is affected by
the
amount of rice planted and harvested each year. If economic or weather
conditions adversely affect the amount of rice planted or harvested, the cost
of
rice bran products that we use may increase. We are not generally able to pass
cost increases to our customers and any increase in the cost of stabilized
rice
bran products would have an adverse effect on our results of
operations.
We
face competition.
Competition
in our targeted industries, including nutraceuticals, functional food
ingredients, rice bran oils, animal feed supplements and companion pet food
ingredients is vigorous, with a large number of businesses engaged in the
various industries. Many of our competitors have established reputations for
successfully developing and marketing their products, including products that
incorporate bran from other cereal grains and other alternative ingredients
that
are widely recognized as providing similar benefits as rice bran. In addition,
many of our competitors have greater financial, managerial, and technical
resources than us. If we are not successful in competing in these markets,
we
may not be able to attain our business objectives.
Our
products could fail to meet applicable regulations which could have a material
adverse affect on our financial performance.
The
dietary supplement and cosmetic industries are subject to considerable
government regulation, both as to efficacy as well as labeling and advertising.
There is no assurance that all of our products and marketing strategies will
satisfy all of the applicable regulations of the Dietary Supplement, Health
and
Education Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and/or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Failure to meet any
applicable regulations would require us to limit the production or marketing
of
any non-compliant products or advertising, which could subject us to financial
or other penalties.
Our
success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents, licenses and other
intellectual property rights for our products and
technology.
We
have
one patent entitled Methods for Treating Joint Inflammation, Pain and Loss
of
Mobility, which covers both humans and mammals. In addition, our subsidiary
RiceX has five United States patents and may decide to file corresponding
international applications. RiceX holds patents to the production of Beta Glucan
and to a micro nutrient enriched rice bran oil process. RiceX also holds patents
to a method to treat high cholesterol, to a method to treat diabetes and to
a
process for producing Higher Value Fractions from stabilized rice bran. The
process of seeking patent protection may be long and expensive, and there can
be
no assurance that patents will be issued, that we will be able to protect our
technology adequately, or that competition will not be able to develop similar
technology.
There
currently are no claims or lawsuits pending or threatened against us or RiceX
regarding possible infringement claims, but there can be no assurance that
infringement claims by third parties, or claims for indemnification resulting
from infringement claims, will not be asserted in the future or that such
assertions, if proven to be accurate, will not have a material adverse affect
on
our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the future,
litigation may be necessary to enforce our patents, to protect our trade secrets
or know-how or to defend against claimed infringement of the rights of others
and to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others.
Any
litigation could result in substantial cost and diversion of our efforts, which
could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results
of
operations. Adverse determinations in any litigation could result in the loss
of
our proprietary rights, subjecting us to significant liabilities to third
parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties or prevent us from
manufacturing or selling our systems, any of which could have a material adverse
affect on our financial condition and results of operations. There can be no
assurance that a license under a third party’s intellectual property rights will
be available to us on reasonable terms, if at all.
We
are dependent on key employees and consultants.
Our
success depends upon the efforts of our top management team, including the
efforts of Bradley D. Edson, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Todd
C.
Crow, our Chief Financial Officer, Leo Gingras, our Chief Operating Officer,
Margie D. Adelman, our Secretary and Senior Vice President and Kody K. Newland,
our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Although we have written
employment agreements with each of the foregoing individuals there is no
assurance that such individuals will not die, become disabled, or resign. In
addition, our success is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain key
management persons for positions relating to the marketing and distribution
of
our products. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit and employ
such executives at times and on terms acceptable to us.
We
have
not yet achieved positive cash flow
We
have
not generated a positive cash flow from operations continuous period to period
since commencing operations. We raised in private placements of equity
approximately $50,000,000 in February 2007, $17,560,000 in May 2006, and
$8,000,000 in October 2005, and paid off all short and long term debt
obligations. While we believe that we have adequate cash reserves and working
capital to fund current operations, our ability to meet long term business
objectives may be dependent upon our ability to raise additional financing
through public or private equity financings, establish increasing cash flow
from
operations, enter into collaborative or other arrangements with corporate
sources, or secure other sources of financing to fund long-term operations.
There is no assurance that external funds will be available on terms acceptable
to us in sufficient amount to finance operations until we do reach sufficient
positive cash flow to fund our capital expenditures. In addition, any issuance
of securities to obtain such funds would dilute percentage ownership of our
shareholders. Such dilution could also have an adverse impact on our earnings
per share and reduce the price of our common stock. Incurring additional debt
may involve restrictive covenants and increased interest costs and demand on
future cash flow. Our inability to obtain sufficient financing may require
us to
delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our product development and
marketing programs.
Our
products may require clinical trials to establish efficacy and
safety.
Certain
of our products may require clinical trials to establish our benefit claims
or
their safety and efficacy. Such trials can require a significant amount of
resources and there is no assurance that such trials will be favorable to the
claims we make for our products, or that the cumulative authority established
by
such trials will be sufficient to support our claims. Moreover, both the
findings and methodology of such trials are subject to challenge by the FDA
and
scientific bodies. If the findings of our trials are challenged or found to
be
insufficient to support our claims, additional trials may be required before
such products can be marketed.
Risks
Related to Our Stock
Our
Stock Price is Volatile.
The
market price of a share of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in
the
past and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. The high and
low
sales prices of a share of common stock for the following periods
were:
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended June 30, 2007
|
|
$
|
5.04
|
|
$
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2007
|
|
$
|
3.39
|
|
$
|
2.21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve
months ended December 31, 2006
|
|
$
|
2.74
|
|
$
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve
months ended December 31, 2005
|
|
$
|
1.81
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
The
market price of a share of our common stock may continue to fluctuate in
response to a number of factors, including:
|
·
|
announcements
of new products or product enhancements by us or our
competitors;
|
|
·
|
fluctuations
in our quarterly or annual operating
results;
|
|
·
|
developments
in our relationships with customers and
suppliers;
|
|
·
|
the
loss of services of one or more of our executive officers or other
key
employees;
|
|
·
|
announcements
of technological innovations or new systems or enhancements used
by us or
our competitors;
|
|
·
|
developments
in our or our competitors intellectual property
rights;
|
|
·
|
adverse
effects to our operating results due to impairment of
goodwill;
|
|
·
|
failure
to meet the expectation of securities analysts’ or the public;
and
|
|
·
|
general
economic and market conditions.
|
We
have significant “equity overhang” which could adversely affect the market price
of our common stock and impair our ability to raise additional capital through
the sale of equity securities.
As
of
August 3, 2007, NutraCea had 141,345,161 shares of common stock outstanding.
Additionally, as of August 3, 2007, options and warrants to purchase
approximately 47,129,000 shares of our common stock were outstanding. The
possibility that substantial amounts of our outstanding common stock may be
sold
by investors or the perception that such sales could occur, often called “equity
overhang,” could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could
impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity
securities in the future.
Sales
of Our Stock Pursuant to Registration Statements May Hurt Our Stock
Price
We
granted registration rights to the investors in our October 2005, May 2006
and
February 2007 capital stock and warrant financings. As of August 3, 2007,
approximately 40,000,000 shares of our common stock remained eligible for resale
pursuant to outstanding registration statements filed for these investors.
Sales
or potential sales of a significant number of shares into the public markets
may
negatively affect our stock price.
The
Exercise of Outstanding Options and Warrants May Dilute Current
Shareholders
As
of
August 3, 2007, there were outstanding options and warrants to purchase
approximately 47,129,000 shares of our common stock. Holders of these options
and warrants may exercise them at a time when we would otherwise be able to
obtain additional equity capital on terms more favorable to us. Moreover, while
these options and warrants are outstanding, our ability to obtain financing
on
favorable terms may be adversely affected.
We
may need to raise funds through debt or equity financings in the future, which
would dilute the ownership of our existing shareholders and possibly subordinate
certain of their rights to the rights of new
investors.
We
may
choose to raise additional funds in debt or equity financings if they are
available to us on terms we believe reasonable to increase our working
capital, strengthen our financial position or to make acquisitions. Any
sales of additional equity or convertible debt securities would result in
dilution of the equity interests of our existing shareholders, which could
be
substantial. Additionally, if we issue shares of preferred stock or convertible
debt to raise funds, the holders of those securities might be entitled to
various preferential rights over the holders of our common stock, including
repayment of their investment, and possibly additional amounts, before any
payments could be made to holders of our common stock in connection with an
acquisition of the company. Such preferred shares, if authorized, might be
granted rights and preferences that would be senior to, or otherwise adversely
affect, the rights and the value of our common stock. Also, new investors may
require that we and certain of our shareholders enter into voting arrangements
that give them additional voting control or representation on our board of
directors.
The
authorization of our preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the rights
of
holders of our common stock.
We
may,
without further action or vote by holders of our common stock, designate and
issue shares of our preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock
could adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock and thereby
reduce the value of our common stock. The designation and issuance of preferred
stock favorable to current management or shareholders could make it more
difficult to gain control of our Board of Directors or remove our current
management and may be used to defeat hostile bids for control which might
provide shareholders with premiums for their shares.
We
may engage in future acquisitions that dilute our shareholders and cause us
to
incur debt or assume contingent liabilities.
As
part
of our strategy, we expect to review opportunities to buy other businesses
or
technologies that would complement our current products, expand the breadth
of o
markets or enhance technical capabilities, or that may otherwise offer growth
opportunities. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:
|
·
|
issue
stock that would dilute current shareholders’ percentage
ownership;
|
These
purchases also involve numerous risks, including:
|
·
|
problems
combining the purchased operations, technologies or
products;
|
|
·
|
diversion
of management’s attention from our core
business;
|
|
·
|
adverse
effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and
customers;
|
|
·
|
risks
associated with entering markets in which we have no or limited prior
experience; and
|
|
·
|
potential
loss of key employees of purchased
organizations.
|
We
cannot
assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate any businesses,
products, technologies or personnel that we might purchase in the
future.
We
Intend to pursue significant foreign operations, and there are inherent risks
in
operating abroad.
An
important component of our business strategy is to build rice bran stabilization
facilities in foreign countries
and
to
market and sell our products internationally. For example, we recently entered
into a joint venture with an
Indonesian
company produce and market our products in Southeast Asia. There are risks
in
operating stabilization facilities in developing countries because, among
other
reasons, we may be unable to attract sufficient qualified
personnel,
intellectual
property
rights may not be enforced as we expect, power may not be available as
contemplated
or the like. Should any of these risks occur, we may he unable to maximize
the
output from these
facilities
and our financial results may decrease from our anticipated levels. The inherent
risks of international operations could materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations. The types of risks
faced in connection with international operations and sales include, among
others:
|
·
|
cultural
differences in the conduct of
business;
|
|
·
|
fluctuations
in foreign exchange rates;
|
|
·
|
greater
difficulty in accounts receivable collection and longer collection
periods;
|
|
·
|
impact
of recessions in economies outside of the United
States;
|
|
·
|
reduced
protection for intellectual property rights in come
countries;
|
|
·
|
unexpected
changes in regulatory requirements;
|
|
·
|
tariffs
and other trade barriers;
|
|
·
|
political
conditions in each country;
|
|
·
|
management
and operation of an enterprise spread over various
countries;
|
|
·
|
the
burden and administrative costs of complying with a wide variety
of
foreign laws; and
|
Compliance
with corporate governance and public disclosure regulations may result in
additional expenses.
Changing
laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public
disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and new regulations issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, are creating uncertainty for
companies. In order to comply with these laws, we may need to invest substantial
resources to comply with evolving standards, and this investment would result
in
increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management
time
and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance
activities.
Our
officers and directors have limited liability and have indemnification
rights
Our
Articles of Incorporation and by-laws provide that we may indemnify our officers
and directors against losses sustained or liabilities incurred which arise
from
any transaction in that officer’s or director’s respective managerial capacity
unless that officer or director violates a duty of loyalty, did not act in
good
faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated the law, approved
an improper dividend, or derived an improper benefit from the
transaction.
Item
2.
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During
the quarter ended June 30, 2007, NutraCea issued the following securities
without registration under the Securities Act of 1933:
Common
Stock
During
the three months ended June 30, 2007
:
Thirty
(30) security holders exercised options or warrants and received a total
of
5,400,199 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of
$2,947,000.
Options
and Warrants
During
the three months ended June 30, 2007:
We
issued
to thirteen (13) employees options to purchase a total of 276,000 shares of
common stock with vesting periods ranging from zero to three years. The options
expire in ten years and have exercise prices per share ranging from $3.03 to
$4.04.
We
issued
to six (6) outside directors options to purchase a total of 210,000 shares
of
common stock that vest evenly over one year. The options expire in ten years
and
have exercise prices per share ranging from $3.76 to $3.83.
We
issued
to one (1) consultant a warrant to purchase a total of 25,000 shares of common
stock, with a vesting period of fifteen months. This warrant expires after
three
years and has an exercise price per share of $3.27.
In
June
2007 we granted Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited a warrant to purchase
1,500,000 shares of common stock at $5.25 per share. This warrant vests at
375,000 per quarter beginning July 1, 2007 except that such warrant will not
be
exercisable until such time as Grain Enhancements LLC has met certain conditions
mutually agreed upon by the parties (Note 10).
All
of
the above issuances were made without public solicitation, and were acquired
for
investment purposes only. The securities were issued pursuant to the private
placement exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Item
3.
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
None
Item
4.
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
a.
|
We
held our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 19, 2007 (“Annual
Meeting”). Out of 135,129,607 shares of common stock entitle to vote at
such meeting, there were present in person or by proxy 106,136,544
shares
of common stock.
|
b.
|
At
the Annual Meeting, the following seven individuals were elected
to the
Company’s Board of Directors.
|
|
Nominee
|
Votes Cast For
|
Withheld or Against
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bradley D. Edson
|
102,969,869
|
3,166,675
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David S. Bensol
|
103,258,497
|
2,878,047
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wesley K. Clark
|
102,606,754
|
3,529,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Lintzenich
|
101,815,609
|
4,320,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L McMillan
|
103,322,488
|
2,814,056
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven W. Saunders
|
101,859,406
|
4,277,138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth L. Shropshire
|
103,311,505
|
2,825,039
|
|
c.
|
The
following additional proposals were considered at the Annual Meeting
and
were approved by the vote of the stockholders, in accordance with
the
tabulation shown below:
|
(1)
Proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to
increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 200,000 to
350,000.
|
Votes For
|
Votes Against/Withheld
|
Abstain
|
Broker Non-Vote
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,982,612
|
8,830,060
|
323,871
|
0
|
|
(2)
Proposal to approve an amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to provide
for automatic annual option grants to our non-employee directors.
|
Votes For
|
Votes Against/Withheld
|
Abstain
|
Broker Non-Vote
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,664,151
|
12,409,322
|
2,148,701
|
0
|
|
d.
|
Our
shareholders did not approve the proposal to approve an amendment
to our
Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting for the elections of directors.
The
approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock
was
required to approve the proposal. 59,993,8866 votes were cast
for and
11,871,406 were votes against, with 416,901 votes abstaining,
and
33,914,371 broker non-votes.
|
Item
5.
Other
Information
None
Item
6.
Exhibits
The
following exhibits are attached hereto and filed herewith:
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
of Exhibit
|
3.1
|
Certificate
of Amendment to NutraCea’s Articles of Incorporation
|
10.1+
|
Limited
Liability Company Agreement for Grain Enhancements, LLC
|
10.2+
|
Supply
Agreement
|
10.3+
|
License
and Distribution Agreement
|
10.4+
|
Equipment
Lease Agreement
|
10.5
|
Form
of non-statutory Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the
non-employee members of the Board of Directors dated May 1,
2007
|
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Office Pursuant to
18
U.S.C. §1350 and §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
+
|
Confidential
treatment has been requested as to certain
portions.
|
In
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
Dated:
August 14, 2007
|
NUTRACEA
/s/
Bradley
Edson
Bradley
Edson
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated:
August 14, 2007
|
/s
/
Todd C.
Crow
Todd
C. Crow,
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Accounting
Officer)
|
Exhibit
3.1
CERTIFICATE
OF AMENDMENT OF
ARTICLES
OF INCORORATION OF
NUTRACEA
The
undersigned, Brad Edson and Margie Adelman hereby certify that:
ONE:
Mr.
Edson
is the duly elected President and Ms. Adelman is the duly elected Secretary
of
NutraCea, a California corporation (“Corporation”).
TWO:
Article
Three of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall be amended
to
read in full as follows:
ARTICLE
THREE
“This
Corporation is hereafter authorized to issue two (2) classes of shares of stock
designated respectively “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number
of shares of Common Stock that this Corporation is authorized to issue is three
hundred fifty million (350,000,000) and the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock that this Corporation is authorized to issue is twenty million
(20,000,000).
The
Preferred Stock may be divided into such number of series as the board of
directors may determine. The board of directors is authorized to determine
and
alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed
upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and to fix the number of
shares of any series of Preferred Stock and the designation of any such series
of Preferred Stock. The board of directors, within the limits and restrictions
stated in any resolution or resolutions of the board of directors originally
fixing the number of shares constituting any series, may increase or decrease
(but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number
of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that
series.”
THREE:
The
foregoing amendment of the Articles of Incorporation has been approved by the
board of directors of the Company.
FOUR:
The
foregoing amendment of the Articles of Incorporation has been approved by the
holders of the requisite number of shares of the corporation in accordance
with
Sections 902 and 903 of the California corporations code. The total number
of
outstanding shares entitled to vote with respect to the foregoing amendment
was
135,625,849 shares of Common Stock. The number of shares voting in favor of
the
foregoing amendment equaled or exceeded the vote required, such required vote
being a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
We
further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of
California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct
of our own knowledge.
Date:
August
1, 2007
/s/
Bradley D. Edson
Bradley
D. Edson, President
/s/
Margie D. Adelman
Margie
D.
Adelman, Secretary
[AMENDED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION SIGNATURE PAGE]
Exhibit
10.1
[*Designates
portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential
treatment filed separately with the Commission]
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
FOR
GRAIN
ENHANCEMENT, LLC,
a
Delaware limited liability company
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
FOR
GRAIN
ENHANCEMENT, LLC,
A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
NutraCea,
a California corporation located at 5090 North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85018 (“
NutraCea
”),
Pacific
Advisors Holdings Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of British
Virgin Islands,
located
at 53 Cairnhill Road, Cairnhill Plaza #12-01, Singapore 229664 (“
Pacific
Advisors
”),
Theorem Group, LLC, a California limited liability company, located at 2049
Century Park East, #3630 Los Angeles, CA 90067 (“
Theorem
”),
and
Ho’okipa Capital Partners, Inc., a California corporation (“Ho’okipa ”) agree,
effective as of June ___, 2007 (the “
Effective
Date
”),
as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
Background
and Purpose
.
1.1.
Certificate
.
On or
about June 22, 2007 a Certificate of Formation for Grain Enhancement, LLC
(“
Certificate
”),
a
limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware
(“
Company
”),
was
filed with the office of the Delaware Secretary of State.
1.2.
Adoption
of Agreement
.
The
Members desire to adopt and approve a limited liability company agreement for
the Company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act upon the terms
and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
II
Certain
Definitions
.
The
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below unless the context
requires otherwise:
Act
.
“
Act
”
means
the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Delaware Code Annotated Title 6,
Sections 18-101 through 18-1109, as amended from time to time and any
corresponding provisions of succeeding law.
Affiliate
.
“
Affiliate
”
means
(i) any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity or
association, that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Member, or that
holds a substantial beneficial interest in a Member, or (ii) any relative or
spouse of any person who holds a substantial beneficial interest in a Member.
The term “control,” as used above, means, with respect to a corporation or
limited liability company, the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, more
than fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights attributable to the controlled
corporation or limited liability company and, with respect to any individual,
partnership, trust, other entity or association, the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
or
policies of the controlled entity.
Agreement
.
“
Agreement
”
means
this limited liability company agreement of Grain Enhancement, LLC, as
originally executed and as amended from time to time.
Assignee
.
“
Assignee
”
means
a
person who has acquired a beneficial interest in the Company who is not a
substitute Member in accordance with the requirements of this
Agreement.
Bankruptcy
.
“
Bankruptcy
”
means:
(a) the filing of an application by a Member for, or his or her consent to,
the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, or custodian of his or her other assets:
(b)
the entry of an order for relief with respect to a Member in proceedings under
the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended or superseded from time to time;
(c) the making by a Member of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(d) the entry of an order, judgment, or decree by any court of competent
jurisdiction appointing a trustee, receiver, or custodian of the assets of
a
Member unless the proceedings and the person appointed are dismissed within
ninety (90) days; or (e) the failure by a Member generally to pay his or her
debts as the debts become due within the meaning of Section 303(h)(1) of the
United States Bankruptcy Code, as determined by the Bankruptcy Court, or the
admission in writing of the Member’s inability to pay his or her debts as they
become due.
Capital
Account
.
“
Capital
Account
”
means
an account initially reflecting the Capital Contribution of a Member which
the
Company establishes and maintains for such Member pursuant to Section
4.3.
Capital
Contribution
.
“
Capital
Contribution
”
means
the total value of cash and fair market value of property (including promissory
notes or other obligation to contribute cash or property) contributed to the
Company by a Member or the Member’s predecessor in interest.
Certificate
.
“
Certificate
”
means
the Certificate of Formation for the Company, as originally filed with the
Delaware Secretary of the State pursuant to Section 18-201 of the
Act.
Class
A Members
.
“
Class
A Members
”
means
NutraCea and
Pacific
Advisors
and any
other Person admitted to the Company as a Class A Member with the unanimous
approval of the Class A Members or is an Assignee who has become a Class A
Member in accordance with Article IX, and has not resigned, withdrawn,
dissolved, or had its Membership Interest terminated for any other
reason.
Class
B Members
.
“
Class
B Members
”
means
Theorem
and
Ho’okipa and any other Person admitted to the Company as a Class B Member with
the unanimous approval of the Class A Members or is an Assignee who has become
a
Class B Member in accordance with Article IX, and has not resigned, withdrawn,
dissolved, or had its Membership Interest terminated for any other reason.
Except to the extent required by law, the Class B Members shall have no voting,
approval, consent or management participation rights and shall have no rights
to
information concerning the business and affairs of the Company.
Code
.
“
Code
”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, the provisions
of succeeding law, and to the extent applicable, the Regulations. A reference
to
a specific section of the Code refers not only to that specific section but
any
corresponding provisions of any federal tax statute enacted after the date
of
this Agreement, as such specific section or corresponding provisions are in
effect on the date of application of this Agreement containing such
reference.
Company
.
“
Company
”
means
Grain Enhancement, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed pursuant
hereto upon the filing the Certificate and execution of this
Agreement.
Disposition
Event
.
“
Disposition
Event
”
means
one or more of the following with respect to a Member: the retirement,
resignation, Bankruptcy or dissolution of the Member, or occurrence of any
other
event which terminates the continued Membership of a Member other than pursuant
to a transfer or assignment by the Member pursuant to Article IX.
Distributable
Cash
.
“
Distributable
Cash
”
means
cash from any source including the net revenues from operations, net proceeds
from any sales or other dispositions or refinancing of Company assets, and
all
principal and interest payments with respect to any note or other obligation
received by the Company in connection with sales and other dispositions of
Company assets, less any portion used to pay into or establish Working Capital
Reserves.
Distribution
.
“
Distribution
”
means
the transfer of money or property by the Company to the Members or its Members
without consideration.
Economic
Interest
.
“
Economic
Interest
”
means
a
Member’s share, or Economic Interest Owner’s share, of the Company’s Taxable Net
Income, Taxable Net Loss, and/or Distributions of the Company’s assets pursuant
to this Agreement and the Act, but shall not include any other rights of a
Member, including, without limitation, the right to vote or participate in
the
management, or any right to information concerning the business and affairs
of
the Company.
Economic
Interest Owner
.
"
Economic
Interest Owner
"
means
the owner of an Economic Interest (i) who has not been admitted as a Member
in
accordance with the requirements of this Agreement, or (ii) whose Membership
Interest (but not that Member’s Economic Interest) has terminated.
Finance
Committee
.
“
Finance
Committee
”
means
a
committee of two (2) individuals, of which NutraCea will appoint one member
and
Pacific
Advisors
shall
appoint the other member. NutraCea and Pacific Advisors each may replace their
respective designated appointees to the Finance Committee from time to time
by
written notice to the other Class A Member and the other member of the Finance
Committee.
Fiscal
Year
.
“
Fiscal
Year
”
means
the Company’s fiscal year, which shall end on December 31.
Former
Member
.
“
Former
Member
”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
Former
Member’s Interest
.
“
Former
Member’s Interest
”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
Majority
in Interest
.
“
Majority
in Interest
”
means
one or more Percentage Interests of Class A Members which exceed fifty one
percent (51%) of the aggregate of all Percentage Interests held by Class A
Members, except to the extent (and solely to the extent) otherwise required
by
applicable law. It is the intention of the Members that the Class B Members
shall have no voting rights.
Member
.
“
Member
”
means
the Class A Members and the Class B Members.
Membership
Interest
.
“
Membership
Interest
”
means
a
Member’s entire interest in the Company including the Member’s Economic
Interest, the right to vote on or participate in the management, and the right
to receive information concerning the business and affairs of the
Company.
Percentage
Interest
.
“
Percentage
Interest
”
means
the percentage interest of a Member, as such percentage may be adjusted from
time to time. Initially, the Percentage Interests shall be NutraCea
–
forty-seven
and
one-half percent (47.5%),
Pacific
Advisors
–
forty-seven and
one-half percent (47.5%),
Theorem
–
[*]
percent
(
[*]
%),
and
Ho’okipa
–
[*]
percent
(
[*]
%).
Person
.
“
Person
”
means
any individual, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability
company, trust, estate or other entity.
Product
.
“
Product
”
means
the SRB and other SRB derivative products listed on
Exhibit
B
and any
additional products added to such
Exhibit
B
by the
mutual agreement of the Class A Members, for which products the Company shall
have rights to manufacture, advertise, promote, market, sell and/or otherwise
distribute the products throughout the Territory pursuant to the
Project.
Project
.
“
Project
”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 3.5.
Remaining
Member(s)
.
“
Remaining
Member(s)
”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
SRB
.
“
SRB
”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 3.6.1.
Taxable
Net Income and Taxable Net Loss
.
“
Taxable
Net Income”
and
“
Taxable
Net Loss
”
means
the income, gain, loss, deductions and credits of the Company in the aggregate
or separately, as appropriate, determined by certified public accountants for
the Company and in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principals, consistently applied, at the close of each Fiscal Year, reflected
on
the Company’s information tax return filed for federal income tax
purposes.
Territory
.
“
Territory
”
means
the Republic of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand
,
Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
.
Unreturned
Capital Contributions
.
“
Unreturned
Capital Contributions
”
means
the aggregate Capital Contributions of a Member as they exist from time to
time,
less the aggregate amount of Distributions to date to the Member.
Working
Capital Reserve
.
“
Working
Capital Reserve
”
means
any cash reserve for normal expenses and contingencies maintained by the Finance
Committee pursuant to Section 7.3.
Qualifying
Event
.
“Qualifying
Event”
shall
mean the first to occur of the following: (A) the closing of an underwritten
public offering of the Company or any successor thereto, in which the gross
proceeds of such public offering are equal to or greater than
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
),
(B)
the equity securities of the Company becoming listed or publicly traded on
any
of The Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the Indonesia Stock Market, the
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, or any other recognized stock exchange; (C)
a
private equity offering in which the gross proceeds received by the Company
is
equal to or greater than
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
);
or (D)
a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with or into any other
entity or entities, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the
Company, or a series of related similar such transactions in which the Members
prior to the consummation of such event hold less than 50% of the voting power
of the surviving entity.
ARTICLE
III
Organization
of the Company
3.1.
Formation
.
The
Members hereby establish this limited liability company under the Act by the
filing the Certificate and by entering into this Agreement for the purpose
of
establishing the Project, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. This
Agreement controls all rights and obligations of the Members and the Economic
Interest Owners to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Agreement shall
not
be effective and the Company shall not exist until the later of the Effective
Date set forth above and, if different, the date that the Certificate has been
properly filed with the office of the Delaware Secretary of State.
3.2.
Name
.
The
name of the Company shall be “Grain Enhancement, LLC.” The Company may conduct
business under that name or any other name determined by the Class A
Members.
3.3.
Term
.
The
term of the Company will commence on the date of the filing of the Certificate
and shall terminate as provided under Section 12.
3.4.
Registered
Office and Agent
.
The
Company shall continuously maintain a registered agent in the State of Delaware
as required by Section 18-104(a)(2) of the Act. The initial registered office
of
the Company shall be “Grain Enhancement, LLC, care of The Corporation Trust
Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801”. The initial registered
agent shall be the Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19801. A Member may change the registered office and/or the registered
agent at any time and from time to time, as permitted under the Act, upon
approval of the Class A Members.
3.5.
Purpose
of the Company; The Project
.
The
purposes of the Company are: (i) to
sublicense
or otherwise acquire from Pacific Advisors all of the of rights granted to
Pacific Advisors under that certain License Agreement between NutraCea and
Pacific Advisors dated June 22, 2007 (and specifically including, without
limitation, all of Pacific Advisors’ rights to commercialize SRB and related
products in the Territory and to use certain intellectual property rights in
the
Territory with respect to such products), the form of which license agreement
is
attached hereto as
Exhibit
D
(the
“
License
Agreement
”);
(ii)
within the Territory, to establish, construct, and operate (directly or through
one or more subsidiaries or other entities) one or more
rice
bran stabilization facilities (“
Facilities
”)
utilizing
the proprietary technologies licensed in the License Agreement,;
(iii)
to
manufacture, distribute, sell, advertise, promote, market and otherwise
commercialize the Products throughout the Territory; and (
iv
)
to
engage in any and all other activities reasonably related to the
foregoing
(collectively, the “
Project
”)
.
In
addition, the Company may purchase from, and thereafter distribute in the
Territory certain rice bran derivative products manufactured by NutraCea (the
“
Stage
2 Products
”).
If
NutraCea is unable to provide the Company with the amount of such Stage 2
Products that the Company may, from time to time order from NutraCea, the
Company may also consider establishing its own Stage 2 Products manufacturing
facilities in the Territory. The Company shall have all the powers necessary
or
convenient to affect any purpose for which it is formed, including all powers
granted under the Act.
Without
the unanimous written consent to all of the Class A Members, the Company shall
not engage in any business other than the Project.
3.6.
Special
Covenants Regarding the Operation of the Company
3.6.1.
Supply
Agreement; Raw Bran Supply Agreements
.
Until
the Company produces sufficient Products for its marketing and distribution
needs in the Territory, the Company shall purchase Products exclusively from
NutraCea, as set forth in the Supply Agreement of even date herewith attached
hereto as Exhibit C.
Pacific
Advisors
has
advised NutraCea that it has relationships with numerous rice mills in the
Territory. Pacific Advisors agrees to use
commercially
reasonable
efforts
to establish agreements between the Company and rice mills located in the
Territory to provide an adequate supply of raw rice bran to provide for the
Company’s requirements for the establishment and operation of the Facilities and
the production of stabilized rice bran from the Facilities of a quality and
nature that meets NutraCea’s published specifications (“
SRB
”)
as
contemplated for the successful implementation and operation of the
Project.
3.6.2.
Sublicense/Assignment
.
Pacific
Advisors
agrees
to sublicense to the Company all of its rights and interests under
the
License
Agreement
.
The form
of sublicense agreement to be entered into between the Company and Pacific
Advisors is attached hereto as
Exhibit
D
(the
“
Sublicense
Agreement
”).
As
more specifically set forth in the Sublicense Agreement, upon a Qualifying
Event, the Company shall acquire all of Pacific Advisors’ rights under the
License Agreement (but not its obligations to pay licensing fees to NutraCea)
for a price of
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
),
and
Pacific Advisors hereby agrees to assign to the Company all of its rights under
the License Agreement for such payment of
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
3.6.3.
Equipment
.
The
Company initially intends to engage in the production of stabilized rice bran
for distribution in the Territory. In order to enable the Company to produce
the
stabilized rice bran, NutraCea agrees to lease to the Company, subject to
availability, for a fifteen year lease term, the rice bran stabilization
equipment (“
Equipment
”)
necessary for and required for each Facility in connection with stabilizing,
cooling, handling, grinding, sifting and packaging of stabilized rice bran.
The
fee that will be payable by the Company to NutraCea to lease such Equipment
shall be equal to
[*]
and
shall
be payable
[*]
,
due and
payable within thirty (30) days following the installation of the Equipment
at
each Facility. The Members and the Company acknowledge that NutraCea will retain
all rights, title and interest in the leased Equipment installed at each
Facility. The lease for the Equipment shall be pursuant to the form of Lease
attached hereto as
Exhibit
E
.
If the
Company, as provided in Section 3.5 above, in the future elects to produce
Stage
2 Products under the License Agreement, NutraCea agrees to lease the equipment
to the Company to produce the Stage 2 Products for a lease price equal to
[*]
and on
such other terms and conditions as the parties may agree upon in good faith
negotiations; provided, however, the NutraCea shall not be required to lease
or
otherwise provide such Stage 2 Product equipment to the Company if, as a result,
NutraCea’s intellectual property rights in Stage 2 Product equipment or
technology would be jeopardized.
3.6.4.
Staffing
.
Until
the Company has hired sufficient employees to conduct its operations,
Pacific
Advisors
or an
Affiliate of P
acific
Advisors
shall
make available or cause to be provided to the Company at
Pacific
Advisors
’
actual
cost all staff reasonably necessary to operate and maintain the
Facilities.
3.6.5.
Compliance
with Laws
.
The
Company shall comply with applicable laws and regulations with respect to
marketing, labeling, distributing, and selling the Products in the Territory,
and in any of its dealings with respect to the Products. The Company shall
also
obtain all appropriate governmental and legal permits and consents required
for
the market and sale of the Products.
3.6.6.
Export
.
The
Company shall not export, directly or indirectly, any Products to any other
country or province outside of the Territory without the approval of all of
the
Class A Members.
3.6.7.
Feasibility
Study
.
The
Company shall engage a prominent independent market consulting firm within
thirty (30) days after the Effective Date to complete a comprehensive market
analysis to determine the size of the potential market in the Territory for
(i)
the stage 1 SRB to be manufactured by the Company at its Facilities, and (ii)
all other products that the Company will have the right to manufacture or sell
under the License.
ARTICLE
IV
Capital
Contributions; Percentage Interests
.
4.1.
Initial
Capital.
Each of
NutraCea and
Pacific
Advisors
agree to
contribute to the Company Five Million U.S. Dollars ($5,000,000) (for a total
maximum of Ten Million U.S. Dollars ($10,000,000)) (the “
Initial
Capital Contribution
”)
pursuant to the schedule of required contributions set forth in Section 4.2.
The
Initial Capital Contribution shall be used by the Company to
purchase
SRB in accordance with Section 3.6.1 above,
to
market and sell the Products, to construct, maintain and operate up to two
Facilities,
and to otherwise
initiate
and conduct the operation of the Project. In the event that not all of the
Initial Capital Contributions are needed to fully fund the Company’s operations,
such Initial Capital Contributions shall, upon the approval of the Finance
Committee, be returned pro rata to NutraCea and
Pacific
Advisors
.
In
consideration for the Initial Capital Contributions to be made by each Class
A
Member, each such member will be allocated a Percentage Interest of forty seven
and one-half percent (47.5%), which Percentage Interest is subject to reduction
in the event that the full Initial Capital Contribution is not paid as provided
in this Agreement. The Class B Members shall not make an Initial Capital
Contribution.
4.2
Initial
Capital Contribution Schedule; Failure to Make Contribution
.
4.2.1
Schedule;
Notice
.
The
Class A Members shall make the Initial Capital Contributions as follows:
(i)
One
Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars ($1,500,000) each (for a total of
Three Million U.S. Dollars ($3,000,000)) on or before June 30, 2007;
(ii)
Two
Million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000) each (for a total of Four Million U.S. Dollars
($4,000,000)) on or before October 30, 2007; and
(iii)
One
Million Five Hundred U.S. Dollars ($1,500,000) each (for a total of Three
Million U.S. Dollars ($3,000,000)) on or before August 31, 2008.
Payments
not received by the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days of each payment
date shall be deemed delinquent.
4.2.2
Failure
to make Initial Capital Contributions
.
In the
event that (and on each occasion that) a Class A Member (“
Defaulting
Member
”)
fails
to make, and becomes delinquent in all or any portion of any Initial Capital
Contribution payment as and when required to be made under Section 4.2.1, and
(ii) the other Class A Member timely makes its Initial Capital Contribution
payment, the Defaulting Member’s Percentage Interest shall be reduced as
follows:
(a)
If
a
Class A Member fails to make a One Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars
($1,500,000) Initial Capital Contribution payment if, as and when due pursuant
to Section 4.2.1, the Percentage Interest of that Defaulting Member shall be
immediately reduced to a Percentage Interest equal to (i) the number comprising
the Defaulting Member’s Percentage Interest immediately prior to such default,
minus (ii) seventeen and 8125/10,000 (17.8125). A separate reduction under
this
subsection (a) shall apply for each failure of a Class A Member to make a One
Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars ($1,500,000) Initial Capital
Contribution payment pursuant to Section 4.2.1. If the Defaulting Member fails
to contribute only a portion of such amount, the Defaulting Member’s Percentage
Interest will be reduced by a portion of the foregoing amount equal to the
portion of the One Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollar ($1,500,000)
Initial Capital Contribution payment not timely made by the Defaulting Member.
(b)
If
a
Class A Member fails to make the Two Million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000) Initial
Capital Contribution payment as and when due pursuant to Section 4.2.1, the
Percentage Interest of that Defaulting Member shall be immediately reduced
to
(i) the number comprising the Defaulting Member’s Percentage Interest
immediately prior to such default, minus (ii) twenty three and 3/4 (23.75).
If
the Defaulting Member fails to contribute only a portion of such amount, the
Defaulting Member’s Percentage Interest will be reduced by a portion of the
foregoing amount equal to the portion of the Two Million U.S. Dollars
($2,000,000) Initial Capital Contribution payment not timely made by the
Defaulting Member.
Upon
a
reduction of the Percentage Interest of a Defaulting Member, the Percentage
Interests of the other Class A Member shall be increased by an amount equal
to
the reduction of the Defaulting Member. The Percentage Interest of each Member
as of the Effective Date is set forth on
Exhibit
A
hereto.
The Percentage Interests of the Class A Members set forth on
Exhibit
A
shall be
adjusted as set forth in this Section 4.2.2 in the event of each and every
failure by any Class A Member to make any Initial Capital Contribution payments.
Each of the Class A Members agrees that the provisions of this Section 4.2.2
are
fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
4.3.
Percentage
Interests
.
The
Members
shall receive the Percentage Interests set forth
in
the
definition of Percentage Interest
.
The
Members shall receive no Capital Account credit for the assignment of rights
under any license unless specifically agreed in writing by the Class A
Members.
4.4.
Capital
Accounts
.
The
Company shall establish an individual Capital Account for each Member. The
Company shall determine and maintain each Capital Account in accordance with
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Each Member’s Capital Account
shall initially be credited with the cash Capital Contribution made by such
Member pursuant to Section 4.1 and the fair market value of the net value of
contributed property for which a value is specifically agreed upon by the
Members (if no value is agreed upon, the item shall not be credited to the
Capital Account.) If a Member transfers the Member’s Membership Interest in
accordance with this Agreement, such Member’s Capital Account shall carry over
to the new owner of such Membership Interest pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(1).
4.5.
Additional
Capital Contributions
.
From
time to time, the Members may be permitted to make additional Capital
Contributions if and to the extent they so desire, and if the Finance Committee
determines that such additional Capital Contributions are necessary or
appropriate for the conduct of the Company Project, including without
limitation, expansion or diversification. In that event, each of the Members
shall have the opportunity, but not the obligation, to participate in such
additional Capital Contributions on a pro rata basis in accordance with their
Percentage Interests for a period of thirty (30) days following notice of the
decision to permit an additional Capital Contribution. Immediately following
such Capital Contributions, the Percentage Interests of the Members shall be
adjusted to reflect the additional Capital Contributions based upon the needs
of
the Company, the net value of the Company’s assets, the Company’s financial
condition and the benefits anticipated to be realized by the additional Capital
Contributions, all as determined by the Finance Committee.
4.6
Loans
.
In the
event additional capital is necessary to meet operating expenses and capital
expenditures or as otherwise reasonably determined by the Finance Committee,
the
Members, from time to time, may loan money to the Company from third parties
or
Members for all or a portion of such cash needs. Such loans may be unsecured
or
secured by all or a portion of the Company’s assets. Any loan from a Member
shall be subject to the requirements of Section 5.6. The Members specifically
acknowledge that no such loans shall be obtained without the express prior
consent of the Finance Committee.
4.7
Return
of Capital Contribution
.
No time
is agreed upon as to when the Capital Contributions of the Members are to be
returned or whether the Capital Contributions of the Members will be returned.
The Members shall not have the right to withdraw or demand return of their
Capital Contributions nor shall the Members have the right to demand and receive
property other than cash in return for their Capital Contributions.
4.8
Adjustment
upon Grant of Profits Interest
.
In
connection with the grant of a profits interest in the Company, whether as
consideration for the provision of services or the grant of other rights to
or
for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in a Member
capacity, or by a new Member acting in a Member capacity or in anticipation
of
being a Member, the Company shall increase or decrease the Capital Accounts
of
the existing Members to reflect a revaluation of Company property (including
intangible assets such as goodwill) on the Company's books effective as of
the
date immediately before the date the grant of the profits interest in the
Company occurs. This provision is intended to comply with Treas. Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(iii). Each of the Members hereby elects to
apply
this provision whenever there is a grant of a profits interest in the
Company.
ARTICLE
V
Members
.
5.1.
Classes
of Members
.
There
shall be two classes of Members, Class A Members and Class B Members. Each
class
shall share in all rights of Members hereunder in proportion to their Percentage
Interests with the exception that the Class B Members shall have no voting,
approval, consent or management participation rights and, to the maximum extent
allowed by law, shall have no rights to information concerning the business
and
affairs of the Company. The initial Members of the Company shall be NutraCea,
Pacific
Advisors,
Theorem
,
and
Ho’okipa, each of whom is admitted to the Company as a Member effective upon the
execution by such person of a counterpart signature page to this Agreement.
NutraCea and the
Pacific
Advisors
shall
be
Class A Members and
Theorem
and
Ho’okipa shall be Class B Members.
5.2.
Admission
of Additional Members
.
Other
than substitute Members admitted pursuant to Article IX, additional Members
may
be admitted to the Company, only with the consent of all Class A Members and
as
set forth below. Any additional Members shall obtain Membership Interests and
will participate in the management, Taxable Net Income, Taxable Net Losses,
and
Distributions of the Company on such terms as are set forth herein. Substitute
Members and assignees of Members may be admitted only in accordance with Article
IX. Upon admission of a new or substitute Member, this Agreement shall be
amended to set forth the name, class of Membership Interest, Capital
Contribution and Percentage Interest of the new Member and the new Member shall
enter into this Agreement as amended, subject to the following:
(a)
Capital
Contribution
.
Each
additional Member shall make a Capital Contribution in such amount and on such
terms as the Finance Committee determines to be as appropriate based upon the
needs of the Company, the net value of the Company’s assets, the Company’s
financial condition and the benefits anticipated to be realized by the
additional Member;
(b)
No
Deemed Termination
.
No
Member shall be admitted if the effect of admission would be termination of
the
Company under Code Section 708(b);
(c)
Compliance
with Law
.
The
Members shall comply with all applicable state and federal securities and all
other applicable laws; and
(d)
Agreement
.
Each
additional Member shall agree to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement.
5.3.
Withdrawals
or Resignations
.
Any
Member may withdraw or resign from the Company upon written notice to the other
Member(s) of the withdrawing Member’s desire to withdraw. Upon such notice, the
withdrawing Member’s Membership Interest shall immediately terminate and the
Member shall retain solely an Economic Interest. Such withdrawal shall not
entitle the withdrawing Member to the return of any of the withdrawing Member’s
capital contribution.
5.4.
Management
Assistance by
Pacific
Advisors
;
Management Fee
.
5.4.1.
Management
Assistance, Management Fee and Product Net Revenue
.
Pacific
Advisors
shall
assist the Company with overseeing the operation and maintenance of the Project,
including
supervising
the selection of the Facilities and the
production of the Products. The Company shall pay to
Pacific
Advisors
a
“
Management
Fee”
consisting of (i) a monthly fee facility supervisory management fee (the
“
Facility
Fee
”),
and
(ii) an incentive fee equal to
[*]
Dollars
($
[*]
)
(the
“
Incentive
Fee
”).
The
Incentive Fee shall be payable upon a Qualifying Event. The Facility Fee shall
initially be equal to
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
per
month until the first Facility is operational. The Facility Fee shall increase
to
[*]
Dollars
($
[*]
)
after
the first facility is operational. Thereafter, as additional Facilities are
established, the Facility Fee shall, from time to time, increase in an amount
jointly agreed to by the Company and Pacific Advisors, which increase shall
be
based on the number and type of additional Facilities and such other factors
as
the parties, in good faith negotiations, may consider. The Facility Fee shall
be
paid monthly commencing on August 1, 2007 and continuing until the closing
of a
Qualifying Event. The management agreement between Pacific Advisors and the
Company shall terminate upon a Qualifying Event. The management agreement,
including the rights and obligations under that agreement, may be assigned
by
Pacific Advisors. In the event that Pacific Advisors elects to assign the
management agreement, the Company agrees to negotiate in good faith with the
assignee for such modifications to the Management Fee as the assignee shall
reasonably request.
5.4.2.
Other
Payments and Third Party Costs
.
Except
as approved in writing by the Finance Committee or specifically authorized
herein, no Member or Affiliate of a Member is entitled to remuneration for
services rendered or goods provided to the Company. Upon approval by the Finance
Committee, the Company shall reimburse the Members and their Affiliates for
the
actual cost of goods and materials used by the Company and for organizational
expenses incurred to form the Company and prepare the Certificate and this
Agreement, including, without limitation, legal and accounting fees and
costs
.
Nothing
contained herein is intended to limit the Company’s obligation to pay directly
for third party costs payable to non-Affiliates as specified in Section 5.4.1
that are pre-approved by the Class A Members.
5.5.
Termination
of Membership Interest
.
Upon
(i) the transfer of a Member’s Membership Interest in violation of this
Agreement, (ii) the occurrence of a Disposition Event as to such Member that
does not result in the dissolution of the Company or (iii) the withdrawal or
resignation of a Member in accordance with Section 5.3, the Membership Interest
of that Member shall be terminated and thereafter that Member only shall be
an
Economic Interest Owner, unless such Membership Interest is purchased by the
Company and/or one or more of the Remaining Members as provided in Section
10.
Each Member acknowledges and agrees that such termination or purchase of a
Membership Interest upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events is not
unreasonable under the circumstances existing as of the date
hereof.
5.6.
Loans
and Other Transactions with the Company
.
With
the express prior approval of the Finance Committee, a Member may loan money
to
the Company. Interest shall be payable on any such loans at competitive rates
for loans of similar character and amount, but not to exceed the maximum usury
rate permitted for loans as to which no exemption from usury applies. No such
loan shall constitute a Capital Contribution or increase the Percentage Interest
of the lending Member unless otherwise agreed by the Finance Committee.
5.7.
Meetings
of Members
.
No
annual or regular meetings of the Members are required. However, if meetings
are
held, then such meetings shall be held in accordance with this Section 5.7
and
applicable law.
5.7.1
Place
of Meetings
.
Meetings of Members shall be held at any place stated in any proper notice
of
meeting.
5.7.2
Power
to Call Meetings
.
Meetings of the Members may be called by any Class A Member for the purpose
of
addressing any matters on which the Members may vote.
5.7.3
Notice
of Meetings
.
Whenever Members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting,
a
written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days not
more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each Member entitled
to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date and hour of
meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. No other
business may be transacted at such meeting. Notice of a Members’ meeting shall
be given either personally or by mail or other means of written communication,
addressed to the Member at the address of Member appearing on the books of
the
Company or given by the Member to the Company for the purpose of notice. The
notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered
personally or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written
communication. When a Members’ meeting is adjourned to another time or place,
except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph, notice need not
be
given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced
at
the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the
Company may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original
meeting. If the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days, or if after
the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Member of record entitled to
vote at the meeting.
5.7.4
Action
without a Meeting
.
Any
action that may be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without
a
meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is executed
and
delivered to the Company by Members having not less than the minimum number
of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting
at
which all Members entitled to vote thereon were present and voting. Any Member
giving a written consent, or the Member’s proxy holder, may revoke the consent
by a writing received by the Company prior to the time that the written consents
of Members having the minimum number of votes that would be required to
authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Company, but may not
do
so thereafter. Such revocation is effective upon its receipt at the office
of
the Company.
5.7.5
Proxies
.
The use
of proxies in connection with this Section 5.7 will be governed in the same
manner as in the case of corporations formed under the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
5.8.
Competing
Activities
.
The
Members and their Affiliates may not engage or invest in, independently or
with
others, any business activity of any type or description that might be in direct
or indirect competition with the Project within the Territory; provided, that
NutraCea may purchase raw rice bran from suppliers in the Territory
,
and
provided further that the activities of Pacific Advisors and its Affiliates
in
connection with producing, distributing and selling wheat flour shall not be
deemed to be a competitive activity
.
ARTICLE
VI
Management
and Control of the Company
.
6.1.
Management
by Members
.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement relating to actions required to be approved
by the Finance Committee, the Project and affairs of the Company shall be
managed and all powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the
direction of the Class A Members. Except to the extent that this Agreement
expressly requires the approval, consent or determination of all Members or
Class A Members or of Members holding a specified number of Percentage
Interests, every act or decision done or made by a Majority in Interest of
the
Class A Members is the act of the Members.
6.2.
Finance
Committee
.
Initially the members of the Finance Committee shall be Brad Edson and
[*]
.
Any act
of the Finance Committee shall require approval of both members of the Finance
Committee. Nothing in this Section 6 or in this Agreement is intended to require
that meetings of the Finance Committee be held, it being the intent of the
Members that meetings are
not
required. Action taken by the Finance Committee may be taken in telephonic
meetings, personal meetings or by other means, provided that all action take
and
approved by the Finance Committee shall be evidenced in writing in a document
executed by both members of the Finance Committee.
No
member
of the Finance Committee or other Company officer shall be liable, responsible
or accountable to the Company or to any Member for any mistake of fact or
judgment, or doing of failing to do any act, or any loss or damage sustained
by
the Company or any Member, unless the loss or damage shall have been the result
of reckless or intentional misconduct committed fraudulently or in bad faith
or
a knowing violation of law by the Finance Committee member. Each of the Members
acknowledges and agrees that except as provided above, the Finance Committee
members and any officers shall have no additional fiduciary duties to the
Company or the Members. In addition to the duties of the Finance Committee
specifically set forth in this Agreement, the Finance Committee shall be
responsible for establishing the 12-month and 3-month forecasts of SRB to be
purchased under the Supply Agreement between NutraCea and the Company.
6.3.
Transactions
between the Company and the Members
.
Notwithstanding that it may constitute a conflict of interest, a Member may,
and
may cause its Affiliates to, engage in any transaction with the Company so
long
as such transaction is approved by the Finance Committee and is not expressly
prohibited by this Agreement and so long as the terms and conditions of such
transaction, on an overall basis, are fair and reasonable to the Company and
are
at least as favorable to the Company as those that are generally available
from
Persons capable of similarly performing them and in similar transactions between
parties operating at arm’s length.
6.4.
Conflicts
of Interest
.
Except
as expressly prohibited hereunder, each Member of the Company at any time and
from time to time may engage in and possess interests in other business ventures
of any and every type and description, independently or with others, with no
obligation to offer to the Company or any Member the right to participate
therein. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, each Member
waives any claims against the other Members or Manager based on a breach of
fiduciary duty with respect to any other business ventures of any and every
type
and description, independently or with others, except those in competition
with
the Company within the Territory.
6.5.
Acts
of Two Members as Conclusive Evidence of Authority
.
Any
note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, certificate, statement,
conveyance, or other instrument in writing, and any assignment or endorsement
thereof, executed or entered into between the Company and any other Person,
when
signed by two (2) Class A Members or both Finance Committee members is not
invalidated as to the Company by any lack of authority of in the absence of
actual knowledge on the part of the other Person that the signing Persons had
no
authority to execute the same.
6.6.
Limited
Liability
.
No
person who is a Member of the Company, or any officers, directors, employees
or
agents of a Member of the Company, shall be personally liable under any judgment
of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation, or liability
of
the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort,
or
otherwise, solely by reason of being a Member of the Company or an officer,
director, Finance Committee member, employee or agent of a Member of the
Company.
6.7.
Officers
of the Company; Expenditures
.
The
Members may, from time to time, appoint one or more individuals to be officers
of the Company. Any officers so appointed shall have such authority and perform
such duties as the Members may, from time to time specifically delegate to
them;
provided that no officer shall be entitled to act on behalf of the Finance
Committee or to take any action requiring the approval of the Finance Committee.
The use of a title shall not constitute the delegation to such officer of the
authority and duties that are normally associated with that office. The officer
shall only have the specific authority and duties established by the Members.
Any officer may be removed as such, either with or without cause, by the Members
or the Finance Committee. Officers and other employees of the Company shall
be
entitled to such compensation that may be approved by the Finance Committee.
No
Member or officer shall have the authority to pay, bind or commit the Company
with respect to any expenditure without approval of the Finance
Committee.
ARTICLE
VII
Distributions
of Distributable Cash
.
7.1.
Distribution
of Distributable Cash
.
No
Distributions shall be made to the Members until the Company repays all loans
to
the Company by any of the Members under Section 4.6. Thereafter, except as
otherwise provided in Section 12.3 with respect to Distributions upon
dissolution and liquidation, Distribution of Distributable Cash shall be made
in
the following priority:
(a)
Unreturned
Capital Contributions
.
First,
to the Members in proportion
to
,
and to
the extent of, the Members’ Unreturned Capital Contributions; and
(b)
Percentage
Interests
.
Thereafter,
to the
Members and holders of Economic Interests in accordance with their Percentage
Interests.
7.2.
No
Restoration of Deficit Capital Account Balance
.
No
Member shall be obligated to contribute to the Company to restore a deficit
in
that Member’s Capital Account balance.
7.3.
Maintenance
of Working Capital Reserve
.
The
Finance Committee may set aside out of operating revenues and cash from capital
transactions, a Working Capital Reserve for repayment of any Company
indebtedness, for operating expenses and for the replacement or preservation
of
any Company asset. Any portion of such Working Capital Reserve that the Finance
Committee, in its sole discretion, deems unnecessary for the prudent conduct
of
Company business may be distributed to the Members in accordance with this
Section 7.
7.4.
Limitations
on Distributions
.
No cash
or property shall be distributed to a Member to the extent that the Distribution
is prohibited by Section 18-607 of the Act. Any Member who receives a
distribution from the Company, all or a portion of which is determined to have
been prohibited by Section 18-607 of the Act, shall, within thirty (30) days
following notice, return such prohibited portion of the distribution to the
Company.
ARTICLE
VIII
Allocations
of Taxable Net Income and Taxable Net Loss
.
8.1.
Taxable
Net Income
.
Taxable
Net Income shall be allocated to the Members as follows:
(a)
Restoration
for Prior Net Loss
.
In
accordance with, and to the extent of, the aggregate Taxable Net Loss allocated
pursuant to Section 8.2(b) and then that aggregate Taxable Net Loss allocated
pursuant to Section 8.2(a); and
(
b
)
Percentage
Interests
.
Thereafter,
in
accordance with
their
Percentage Interests.
8.2
Taxable
Net Loss
.
Except
as provided in this Section 8.2 or Section 8.3, Taxable Net Loss shall be
allocated to the Members as follows:
(a)
Positive
Capital Accounts
.
First,
in accordance with their positive Capital Account balances and to the extent
thereof; and
(b)
Percentage
Interests
.
Then,
in accordance with
their
Percentage
Interests
.
Notwithstanding
the previous sentence, loss allocations to a Member shall be made only to the
extent that such loss allocations will not create a deficit Capital Account
balance for that Member in excess of an amount, if any, equal to such Member’s
share of Company minimum gain, as such term is used in Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-2(g)(2), that would be realized on a foreclosure of the Company’s
property. Any loss not allocated to a Member because of the foregoing provision
shall be allocated to the other Members (to the extent the other Members are
not
limited in respect of the allocation of losses under this Section 8.2). Any
Taxable Net Loss reallocated under this Section 8.2 shall be taken into account
in computing subsequent allocations of Taxable Net Income and Losses pursuant
to
this Section 8, so that the net amount of any item so allocated and the Taxable
Net Income and Losses allocated to each Member pursuant to this Section 8,
to
the extent possible, shall be equal to the net amount that would have been
allocated to each such Member pursuant to this Section 8 if no reallocation
of
Taxable Net Losses had occurred under this Section 8.2.
8.3.
Special
Allocations
.
8.3.1.
Minimum
Gain Chargeback
.
Notwithstanding Sections 8.1 and 8.2, if there is a net decrease in Company
minimum gain, as such term is used in Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-2(g)(2), during any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated
items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, in
subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to the portion of such Member’s
share of the net decrease in Company minimum gain that is allocable to the
disposition of Company property subject to a nonrecourse liability, which share
of such net decrease shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-2(g)(2). Allocations pursuant to this Section 8.3.1 shall be
made
in proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each Member under
this
Section 8.3.1. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance
with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 8.3.1 is intended
to
comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in Treasury
Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
8.3.2.
Chargeback
of Minimum Gain Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt
.
Notwithstanding Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of this Agreement, if there is a net
decrease in Company minimum gain attributable to a Member nonrecourse debt,
during any fiscal year, each Member who has a share of the Company minimum
gain
attributable to such Member nonrecourse debt (which share shall be determined
in
accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5)) shall be specially
allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if
necessary, in subsequent fiscal years) in an amount equal to that portion of
such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company minimum gain attributable to
such Member nonrecourse debt that is allocable to the disposition of Company
property subject to such Member nonrecourse debt (which share of such net
decrease shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-2(i)(5)). Allocations pursuant to this Section 8.3.2 shall be made in
proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each Member under this
Section 8. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). This Section 8.3.2 is intended
to
comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in Treasury
Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
8.3.3.
Nonrecourse
Deductions
.
Notwithstanding Section 8.3.2, any nonrecourse deductions (as defined in
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any fiscal year or other period
shall be specially allocated to the Members in proportion to their Percentage
Interests.
8.3.4.
Member
Nonrecourse Deductions
.
Notwithstanding Section 8.3.2, those items of Company loss, deduction, or Code
Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures which are attributable to Member nonrecourse
debt for any fiscal year or other period shall be specially allocated to the
Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member
nonrecourse debt to which such items are attributable in accordance with
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).
8.3.5.
Qualified
Income Offset
.
Notwithstanding Section 8.2, if a Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments,
allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), or any other event creates a deficit
balance in such Member’s Capital Account in excess of such Member’s share of
Company minimum gain, items of Company income and gain shall be specially
allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such
excess deficit balance as quickly as possible. Any special allocations of items
of income and gain pursuant to this Section 8.3.5 shall be taken into account
in
computing subsequent allocations of income and gain pursuant to this Section
8,
so that the net amount of any item so allocated and the income, gain, and losses
allocated to each Member pursuant to this Section 8.3.5 to the extent possible,
shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such
Member pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8 if such unexpected
adjustments, allocations, or distributions had not occurred.
8.4.
Code
Section 704(c) Allocations
.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 8, in accordance with Code
Section 704(c) and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, income, gain, loss,
and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the
Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as
to
take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to
the
Company for federal income tax purposes and its fair market value on the date
of
the contribution.
8.5.
Allocation
of Taxable Net Income and Loss and Distributions On Transferred
Interest
.
If any
Economic Interest is transferred, or is increased or decreased by reason of
the
admission of a new Member or otherwise, during any Fiscal Year, each item of
income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the Company for such Fiscal Year
shall be assigned pro rata to each day in the particular period of such Fiscal
Year to which such item is attributable (i.e., the day on or during which it
is
accrued or otherwise incurred) and the amount of each such item so assigned
to
any such day shall be allocated to the Member based upon his or her respective
Economic Interest at the close of such day.
8.6.
Recapture
Chargeback
.
In the
event the Company has taxable income chargeable as ordinary income under the
recapture provisions of the Code, each Member’s share of taxable gain or loss as
a result of gain from sales shall be allocated, to the extent possible, pro
rata
among the Members who received depreciation or cost recovery allocations which
gave rise to the recapture income until the amount of such prior allocations
has
been charged back to such Members.
8.7.
Section
754 Adjustment
.
To the
extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of and Company asset pursuant
to
Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required to be taken into account
in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital
Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the
basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such
gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner consistent
with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted
pursuant to such section of the Treasury Regulations.
8.8.
Obligations
of Members to Report Allocations
.
The
Members acknowledge and agree to the allocations made by this Section 8 and
agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 8 in reporting their shares
of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.
ARTICLE
IX
Transfer
and Assignment of Interests
.
9.1
Transfer
and Assignment of Interests
.
No
Member shall be entitled to transfer, assign, convey, sell, encumber or in
any
way alienate the Member’s Membership Interest (collectively, “
transfer
”)
except
with the prior approval of all the other Member(s) that are Class A Members,
which approval may be given or withheld as the other Member(s) may determine
in
its sole discretion. Transfers in violation of this Section 9 shall only be
effective to the extent set forth in Section 9.4. After the consummation of
any
transfer of any part of a Membership Interest, the Membership Interest so
transferred shall continue to be subject to the terms and provisions of this
Agreement and any further transfers shall be required to comply with all the
terms and provisions of this Agreement.
9.2
Substitution
of Members
.
An
Assignee shall have the right to become a substitute Member only if (i) consent
of the Members is given in accordance with Section 9.1, (ii) such person
executes an instrument satisfactory to the Members accepting and adopting the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, and (iii) such person pays any
reasonable expenses in connection with his or her admission as a new Member.
The
admission of a substitute Member shall not release the Member who assigned
the
Membership Interest from any liability that such Member may have to the
Company.
9.3
Affiliate
Transfers
.
The
Membership Interest of any Member may be transferred subject to compliance
with
Section 9.2 by a Member to any Affiliate of the Member.
9.4
Transfers
in Violation of this Agreement and Transfers of Partial Membership
Interests
.
Upon a
transfer in violation of this Section 9, the transferee shall have no right
to
vote or participate in the management of the Company or to exercise any rights
of a Member. Such transferee shall only be entitled to receive the share of
the
Company’s Taxable Net Income, Taxable Net Losses and distributions of the
Company’s assets to which the transferor would otherwise be entitled.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentences, if, in the determination
of
a Majority in Interest of the Remaining Members, a transfer in violation of
this
Section 9 would cause the termination of the Company under the Code, the
transfer shall be null and void.
ARTICLE
X
Consequences
of a Disposition Event
.
10.1
Disposition
Event
.
Upon
the occurrence of a Disposition Event, the Company and/or the Class A Members
other than the Former Member (“
Remaining
Members
”)
shall
have the option to purchase, and the Member (or his or her legal representative)
whose actions or conduct resulted in the Disposition Event (“
Former
Member
”)
shall
sell, the Former Member’s Membership Interest (“
Former
Member’s Interest
”)
as
provided in this Section 10.
10.2
Purchase
Price
.
The
purchase price for the Former Member’s Interest shall be the fair market value
of the Former Member’s Interest as determined by an independent appraiser
jointly selected by the Former Member and by the Remaining Members and located
in the United States of America. The Company and the Former Member shall each
pay one-half of the cost of the appraisal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the
Disposition Event results from a breach of this Agreement by the Former Member,
the purchase price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the damages suffered
by the Company or the Remaining Members as a result of such breach.
10.3
Notice
of Intent to Purchase
.
Within
thirty (30) days after the fair market value of the Former Member’s Interest has
been determined in accordance with Section 10.2, each Remaining Member shall
notify the Class A Members in writing of his or her desire to purchase a portion
of the Former Member’s Interest. The failure of any Remaining Member to submit a
notice within the applicable period shall constitute an election on the part
of
the Remaining Member not to purchase any of the Former Member’s Interest. Each
Remaining Member so electing to purchase shall be entitled to purchase a portion
of the Former Member’s Interest in the same proportion that the Membership
Interest of the Remaining Member bears to the aggregate of the Membership
Interests of all of the Remaining Members electing to purchase the Former
Member’s Interest.
10.4
Election
to Purchase Less than All of the Former Member’s Interest
.
If any
Remaining Member elects to purchase none or less than all of his or her pro
rata
share of the Former Member’s Interest, then the Remaining Members can elect to
purchase more than their pro rata share. If the Remaining Members fail to
purchase the entire interest of the Former Member, the Company shall purchase
any remaining share of the Former Member’s Interest.
10.5
Payment
of Purchase Price
.
The
Company or the Remaining Members, as the case may be, shall pay the purchase
price within thirty (30) days following the notice set forth in Section 10.3.
10.6
Closing
of Purchase of Former Member’s Interest
.
The
closing for the sale of a Former Member’s Interest pursuant to this Section 10
shall be held no later than sixty (60) days after the determination of the
purchase price. At the closing, the Former Member shall deliver to the Company
or the Remaining Members an instrument of transfer (containing warranties of
title and no encumbrances) conveying the Former Member’s Interest. The Former
Member, the Company and the Remaining Members shall do all things and execute
and deliver all papers as may be necessary fully to consummate such sale and
purchase in accordance with the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
XI
Accounting,
Records, Reporting by Members
11.1.
Books
and Records; Audit
.
The
books and records of the Company shall be kept, and the financial position
and
the results of its operations recorded, in accordance with the accounting
methods followed for
U.S.
federal
income tax purposes. The books and records of the Company shall reflect all
the
Company transactions and shall be appropriate and adequate for the Company’s
business. The Company shall maintain at its principal office, in 5090 North
40th
Street, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85018, all of the following and any other
information required by Section 18-305 of the Act: (i) a current list of the
full name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Member
and Members, both past and present; (ii) a copy of the Certificate and all
amendments thereto, together with any power of attorney pursuant to which any
amendment thereto has been executed; (iii) copies of the Company’s federal,
state and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for
the
three most recent Fiscal Years; (iv) copies of this Agreement and any amendments
hereto, and copies of any writings permitted or required under the Act; (v)
copies of any financial statements of the Company for the three most recent
Fiscal Years; (vi) minutes of any meetings of Members and any written consents
obtained from Members; (vii) true and full information regarding the amount of
cash and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property
or services contributed by each Member and which each Member has agreed to
contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Member; and (viii)
the books and records of the Company as they relate to the internal affairs
of
the Company for at least the current and past four Fiscal Years. The Company
shall complete an annual audit by certified public accountants selected by
NutraCea in accordance with
U.S.
generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. Complete copies of the
audit report shall be provided to all of the Class A Members.
11.2
Inspection
by Members
.
(a)
Inspection
.
Except
as provided in Section 11.2(b), any Company records are subject to inspection
and copying at the reasonable request, and at the expense, of any Member during
ordinary business hours by such Member or Member’s agent. The Company may impose
a reasonable charge, not to exceed the estimated cost of labor and material
for
production or reproduction, for copies of any documentation provided to a
Member.
(b)
Confidentiality
.
Each
Member shall have the right to keep confidential from the other Members and
the
Company, for such period as the Member deems reasonable, any information that
the Member reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other
information the disclosure of which the Member in good faith believes is not
in
the best interest of the Member, of its business, or which the Member is
required by law or by agreement with a third party to keep
confidential.
11.3
Reports
.
The
Company shall cause to be prepared at least annually information necessary
for
the preparation of the Members’ federal and state income tax returns. The
Company shall send or cause to be sent to each Member within ninety (90) days
after the end of each taxable year such information as is necessary to complete
federal and state income tax or information returns.
11.4
Bank
Accounts
.
The
Company shall maintain the funds of the Company in one or more separate bank
accounts in the name of the Company, and shall not permit the funds of the
Company to be commingled in any fashion with the funds of any other person.
The
Finance Committee members, acting alone, are authorized to endorse checks,
drafts, and other evidences of indebtedness made payable to the order of the
Company, but only for the purpose of deposit into the Company’s accounts. All
checks, drafts, and other instruments obligating the Company to pay money shall
be signed in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.
11.5.
Tax
Matters Member
.
The
Members shall from time to time cause the Company to make such tax elections
as
they deem to be in the best interests of the Company and the Members. A Person
selected by the Finance Committee shall be the “Tax Matters Partner,” as defined
in Code Section 6231.
ARTICLE
XII
Dissolution
and Winding Up
;
Conversion to Corporation
12.1
Conditions
of Dissolution
.
The
Company shall dissolve upon the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(a)
Election
.
The
election of the Class A Members or the Finance Committee; or
(b)
Sale
.
The
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Company
and the distribution of the proceeds of the sale or other disposition to the
Members.
12.2
Winding
Up
.
Upon
the dissolution of the Company under the Act or this Agreement, the Company’s
assets shall be disposed of and its affairs wound up and the conduct of the
Company’s business shall be limited to those matters consistent with the
disposition of assets and winding up of affairs.
12.3.
Order
of Payment of Liabilities, Distribution of Assets, Upon
Dissolution
.
After
determining that all known debts and liabilities of the Company in the process
of winding-up, including, without limitation, debts and liabilities to Members
who are creditors of the Company, have been paid or adequately provided for,
the
remaining assets shall be liquidated and the proceeds distributed, after taking
into account Taxable Net Income and Loss allocations for the Company’s taxable
year during which the liquidation occurs, to the Members
,
first
in
accordance with
and
to
the extent of their Unreturned Capital Contributions and then, in accordance
with their remaining
positive
Capital Account balances. Such liquidating distributions shall be made by the
earlier of (i) the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the Company is
liquidated, or (ii) ninety (90) days after the date of such liquidation.
12.4
Limitations
on Payments Made in Dissolution
.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each Member shall be
entitled to look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of the
Member’s positive Capital Account balance and shall have no recourse for his or
her Capital Contribution and/or share of Company profits against any other
Member except as provided in Section 13.
12.5
Conversion
to Corporation
.
If
the
Class A Members determine that it is in the interest of the Company to become
a
corporation, the Company shall become a corporation in such manner as may be
selected by the Class A Members. The other Members agree to fully cooperate
and
hereby provide the Class A Members with a power of attorney to execute all
documents on their behalf that may be necessary in order to effectuate the
conversion. As part of the conversion, the Class A Members shall receive
preferred stock with a liquidation preference and/or redemption right equal
to
their Unreturned Capital Contribution and all of the Members shall receive
the
common stock to be issued to the Company or directly to the Members in
accordance with their Percentage Interests.
ARTICLE
XIII
Indemnification
of Agents
.
13.1
Indemnification
of Members
.
The
Company, its receiver, or its trustee shall indemnify and hold harmless the
officers, the Class A Members and the Finance Committee members, and each of
them, and each of their employees, agents, representatives and successors,
to
the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any loss, expense, damage,
claim, liability, expense or injury suffered or sustained by them because of
any
act or omission arising our of their activities on behalf of the Company or
in
furtherance of the interests of the Company or their status as a Member,
officer, Finance Committee member or agent of the Company, including without
limitation any judgment, award, settlement, attorneys’ fees, and other costs or
expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened
action, proceeding, or claim, regardless of whether the indemnified party ceases
to act in the capacity at the time the liability or expense is paid or incurred
and regardless of the identity of the party bringing the claim or action.
Reasonable expenses incurred by an indemnified party in connection with the
foregoing matters, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be paid or
reimbursed by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such
proceedings. A Person shall not be denied indemnification hereunder because
such
person had an interest in the action to which the indemnification applies,
if
the Person is otherwise entitled to indemnity hereunder.
13.2
Limitation
on Indemnification
.
Notwithstanding subsection 13.1 above, no Person shall be entitled to or shall
receive indemnification in respect to any matters that proximately result from
the person’s fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or the
Person’s material breach of this Agreement, unless, and only to the extent that,
a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction determines upon application
that, despite the misconduct of such Person, under the circumstances, the Person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for those expenses that the
court
shall deem proper.
13.3
Indemnification
on Successful Defense
.
To the
extent that the Person entitled to indemnification is successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in
Sections 13.1, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the
Company shall indemnify the Person against the expenses, including attorney’s
fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
ARTICLE
XIV
Investment
Representations
.
Each
Member hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the other Members
and
the Company as set forth below.
14.1.
Preexisting
Relationship or Experience
.
He, she
or it has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company
or
the Members, or by reason of his, her or its business or financial experience,
or the business or financial experience of the financial advisor who is
unaffiliated with and who is not compensated, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or any Affiliate or selling agent of the Company, he, she, or it is
capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the Company
and
of protecting his, her or its own interests in connection with this
investment.
14.2.
No
Advertising
.
He, she
or it has not seen, received, been presented with, or been solicited by any
leaflet, public promotional meeting, article or any other form of advertising
or
general solicitation with respect to the sale of the Membership
Interest.
14.3.
Investment
Intent
.
He, she
or it is acquiring the Membership Interest for investment purposes for his,
her
or its own account only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with
any distribution of all or any part of the Membership Interest. No other Person
will have any direct or indirect beneficial interest in or right to the
Membership Interest.
ARTICLE
XV
Miscellaneous
.
15.1.
Entire
Agreement
.
This
document (including any exhibits and schedules hereto) constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties
with
respect to the subject matter herein and therein
,
all
oral agreements being merged herein, and supersedes all prior representations.
There are no representations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings,
oral
or written, between or among the parties relating to the subject matter of
this
Agreement that are not fully expressed herein.
15.2.
Interpretation
.
All
pronouns shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter,
singular or plural, as the context in which they are used may require. All
headings herein are inserted only for convenience and ease of reference and
are
not considered in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
Numbered or lettered articles, sections and subsections herein contained refer
to articles, sections and subsections of this Agreement unless otherwise
expressly stated. In the event any claim is made by any Member relating to
any
conflict, omission or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden
of
proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement
was prepared by or at the request of a particular Member or his or her
counsel.
15.3.
Severability
.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be
invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless
continue in full force and effect without being impaired or invalidated in
any
way.
15.4.
Notice
.
Any
notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, and any written notice or
other
document shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) on the date of personal
service on the parties, (ii) on the
fifth
business
day after mailing, if the document is mailed by registered or certified mail,
(iii)
two
days
after
being sent by professional or overnight courier or messenger service, with
receipt confirmed by the courier, or (iv) on the date of transmission if sent
by
telegram, telex, telecopy or other means of electronic transmission resulting
in
written copies, with receipt confirmed. Any such notice shall be delivered
or
addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth below or at the most recent
address specified by the addressee through written notice under this provision.
Failure to conform to the requirement that mailings be done by registered or
certified mail shall not defeat the effectiveness of notice actually received
by
the addressee.
If
to
NutraCea:
NutraCea
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
Brad Edson
With
a
copy to:
Weintraub
Genshlea Chediak Law Corporation
400
Capitol Mall, Suite 1100
Sacramento,
CA 95818
Attn:
Chris Chediak
If
to
Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited:
Pacific
Advisors Holdings Limited
53
Cairnhill Road
Cairnhill
Plaza #12-01
Singapore
229664
Singapore
Attn:
President
With
copy
to:
Troy
& Gould
1801
Century Park East, 16th Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90067
Attn:
Istvan
Benko
15.5.
Amendment
.
Except
as specifically provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, in whole or in part, at any time by consent of a Majority in Interest
of the Class A Members; provided, however that the unanimous consent of all
Members affected by the amendment (including the Class B Members, if applicable)
shall be required for any amendment that would: (i) impose a new material
obligation on a Member, (ii) reduce the Capital Account of a Member, (iii)
reduce a Member’s rights to allocations or distributions under this Agreement,
(iv) modify any provision hereof that imposes a unanimous or super majority
vote
of the Members, or (v) amend this Section 15.5. Any such agreement hereafter
made shall be ineffective to modify this Agreement in any respect with regard
to
the matters specified in items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above, unless
in
writing and signed by the parties against whom enforcement of the modification
is sought. In the event that this Agreement is amended and the vote of all
Members has not been solicited in connection with such amendment, notice of
any
approved amendment shall be provided to the Members whose vote was not solicited
not less than five (5) business days after the amendment becomes effective.
15.6.
Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect
as
if the parties had all signed the same document. All counterparts shall be
construed together and shall constitute one agreement.
15.7.
Attorneys’
Fees; Prejudgment Interest
.
If the
services of an attorney are required by any party to secure the performance
of
this Agreement or otherwise upon the breach or default of another party to
this
Agreement, or if any judicial remedy or arbitration is necessary to enforce
or
interpret any provision of this Agreement or the rights and duties of any Person
in relation thereto, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable
attorneys’ fees, costs and other expenses, in addition to any other relief to
which such party may be entitled. Any award of damages following judicial remedy
or arbitration as a result of the breach of this Agreement or any of its
provisions shall include an award of prejudgment interest from the date of
the
breach at the maximum amount of interest allowed by law.
15.8.
Remedies
Cumulative
.
No
remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive but shall whenever
possible be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity.
15.9.
Succession
.
Subject
to the provisions otherwise contained in this Agreement, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding on the successors and assigns of the
respective parties.
15.10.
Specific
Performance
.
Each
party’s obligations under this Agreement are unique. The parties each
acknowledge that, if any party should default in performance of the duties
and
obligations imposed by this Agreement, it would be extremely impracticable
to
measure the resulting damages. Accordingly, the nondefaulting party, in addition
to any other available rights or remedies, may sue in equity for specific
performance, and the parties each expressly waive the defense that a remedy
in
damages will be adequate.
15.11.
Captions
.
All
paragraph captions are for reference only and shall not be considered in
construing this Agreement.
15.12.
Time
.
Time is
of the essence of this Agreement.
15.13.
Parties
in Interest
.
Nothing
in this Agreement, whether express or implied, is intended to confer any rights
or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons other than
the
parties to it and their respective successors and assigns, nor is anything
in
this Agreement intended to relieve or discharge the obligation or liability
of
any third persons to any party to this Agreement, nor shall any provision give
any third persons any right of subrogation or action against any party to this
Agreement.
15.14.
Further
Assurances
.
The
Members shall execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments,
and take all further actions as may be necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.
15.15.
Choice
of Law
.
The
laws of the State of Delaware, including, without limitation, the Act, shall
govern the organization and internal affairs of the Company and the liability
of
the Members. Nevertheless, to the extent that reference need be made to the
law
of any state to enforce the decision made in any legal proceeding brought
pursuant hereto, the internal laws of the State of California (without reference
to the rules regarding conflict or choice of laws of such State) shall be
utilized for such purpose.
15.16.
Survival
.
The
indemnification provisions herein shall survive the termination or expiration
of
this Agreement.
NutraCea,
a California corporation
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Brad
Edson
|
|
Address:
5090 North 40
th
Street, Suite 400
|
|
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
|
|
|
Pacific
AdvisorsHoldings Limited,
a British
Virgin
Islands company
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
(_____________________________)
|
|
Address:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theorem
Group, LLC,
a California limited
|
liability
company
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
(_____________________________)
|
|
Address:
2049 Century Park East, #3630
|
Los
Angeles, CA 90067
|
|
|
|
Ho’okipa
Capital Partners, Inc.
|
a
California corporation
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
(_____________________________)
|
|
Address:
2049 Century Park East, #3630
|
Los
Angeles, CA 90067
|
EXHIBIT
A
Initial
Capital Contributions
Member
|
|
Contribution
|
|
Initial Percentage Interest
|
|
NutraCea
|
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
47.5
|
%
|
Pacific
Advisors Holdings Limited
|
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
47.5
|
%
|
Theorem
Group, LLC
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
[*]
|
%
|
Ho’okipa
Capital Partners, Inc.
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
[*]
|
%
|
EXHIBIT
B
Products
Stabilized
rice bran and stabilized rice bran derivative products.
EXHIBIT
C
Supply
Agreement
EXHIBIT
D
License
Agreement
EXHIBIT
E
Lease
Agreement
EXHIBIT
F
Sublicense
Agreement
Exhibit
10.2
[*Designates
portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request
for
confidential
treatment filed separately with the Commission]
SUPPLY
AGREEMENT
This
Supply Agreement (“
Agreement
”)
is
entered into and effective on June 22, 2007 (the “
Effective
Date
”),
by
and between
Grain
Enhancement, LLC,
a
Delaware limited liability company
(“
Company
”),
and
NutraCea, a California corporation (“
NutraCea
”)
on the
following terms and conditions:
BACKGROUND
AND PURPOSE
A.
Operating
Agreement
.
NutraCea and
Pacific
Advisors Holdings Limited (“
Pacific
Advisors
”),
a
company incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands have entered
into
an Operating Agreement dated as of June 22, 2007 (“
Operating
Agreement
”)
establishing the Company in order to produce, sell, market and otherwise
distribute SRB (defined below) throughout the Territory (defined below). The
Company has obtained a license right from Pacific Advisors to produce SRB
pursuant to a sublicense of the License Agreement between NutraCea and Pacific
Advisors dated 22, 2007 (the “
License
”).
B.
Facilities
.
The
Company desires to purchase SRB from NutraCea until the Company completes
construction of sufficient
proprietary
rice bran stabilization facilities (“
Facilities
”)
within
the Territory and can produce sufficient amount of SRB to meet its
marketing
and distribution needs in the Territory.
AGREEMENT
1.
Definitions
.
As used
herein, the following terms shall be defined in the manner set forth
below:
1.1.
SRB
.
“
SRB
”
means
stabilized rice bran and derivatives as set forth in
Exhibit
A
attached
hereto, supplied by NutraCea hereunder, of a grade equal to or better than
the
grade customarily utilized for human consumption, in accordance with standards
reasonably established by NutraCea from time to time.
1.2.
Territory
.
“
Territory
”
means
the Republic of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia
and
New Zealand.
2.
Quality,
Ordering; Delivery
.
2.1.
Sale
.
NutraCea agrees to sell to Company and Company agrees to purchase exclusively
from NutraCea all of Company‘s requirements for SRB that are not produced
directly by the Company.
2.2.
Delivery
.
Title
and risk of loss of all SRB sold hereunder shall pass to the Company, upon
the
SRB and proper documentation being delivered to the carrier at NutraCea’s
shipping point.
2.3.
Ordering
.
Purchase orders for the SRB shall be submitted by the Company at least two
(2)
weeks prior to the requested delivery date. NutraCea shall acknowledge each
such
order following receipt of the purchase orders. If any terms or conditions
contained in such purchase order or acknowledgement conflict with the terms
of
this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to the
transaction. NutraCea agrees to fill all such purchase orders on the specified
delivery date, provided that such delivery date is at least ninety (90) days
after the receipt of the order or a binding forecast.
3.
Exclusive
Supply; Obligations of the Parties; Minimum Purchase
Requirements
.
3.1.
Exclusivity
.
During
the term of this Agreement, and with the exception of all SRB produced by the
Company from its Facilities, the Company agrees that NutraCea shall be the
exclusive supplier of Company’s requirements for
SRB
for use
by Company
with
respect
to
any
products of Company that include SRB as an ingredient (the “
Products
”)
.
3.2.
Restrictions
.
Except
as expressly approved in writing, Company shall not market, sell or distribute,
directly or indirectly, SRB outside of the Territory or in competition with
NutraCea in Australia and New Zealand.
3.3.
Reserved
Rights
.
NutraCea reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to directly or indirectly
market and sell its SRB anywhere in the world outside of the Territory, and
to
appoint value added resellers, distributors and independent sales
representatives to directly or indirectly market and sell SRB and any and all
types of value added products anywhere in the world.
3.4.
Obligations
of Parties
.
In
furtherance of this Agreement, Company and NutraCea, as the case may be, shall
also be responsible for the following, each of which shall constitute a material
obligation of the party hereunder:
3.4.1.
Company
Compliance with Laws
.
Company
shall be solely responsible for complying with applicable laws and regulations
with respect to marketing, labeling, distributing, and selling the Products
in
the Territory, in the performance of its obligations hereunder, and in any
of
its dealings with respect to the Products. Company shall also obtain all
appropriate governmental and legal permits and consents required for the market
and sale of the Products.
3.4.2.
Training;
Materials
.
NutraCea shall provide Company with copies of its existing SRB marketing and
business development materials and other SRB related information available
to
NutraCea that would be reasonably useful to assist Company with marketing plans
and sales training for the Products; provided, however, that such access shall
not require NutraCea to disclose any information which is confidential product
and/or proprietary information, and Company shall not use any of these materials
in Company’s marketing or promotional materials without NutraCea’s express prior
written consent
,
such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed
.
3.4.3.
Conduct
of Business
.
Company
shall: (i) conduct its business in a professional and workmanlike manner that
reflects favorably on NutraCea, the SRB and the Products and in compliance
with
all applicable laws in the Territory; (ii) take all
reasonable
actions
necessary to prevent and avoid deceptive, misleading or unethical practices
with
respect to any product; (iii) make no false or misleading representations with
regard to the Products or SRB; and (iv) make no representations, warranties
or
guaranties to anyone with respect to the specifications, features or
capabilities of the SRB that are inconsistent with NutraCea’s product
literature.
3.4.4.
Product
Pricing; Marketing
.
Company
shall be free to unilaterally determine the prices for the Products. Company
shall not discriminate unlawfully among customers in prices, terms or in any
other manner. Company shall be solely responsible for commercializing the
Products within the Territory, and shall be solely responsible for the manner
in
which it will advertise and otherwise promote the Products. Company shall
develop sales, marketing, advertising, labeling, content, and packaging for
the
Products for distribution as set forth herein
,
and
any
portion
of such
materials that contains claims regarding SRB or utilizes NutraCea trademarks
or
logos shall be subject to the prior written approval of NutraCea.
3.4.5.
Forecasts
.
Company
acknowledges that NutraCea must make long-term commitments for SRB materials.
As
such, NutraCea requires that Company provide good faith forecasts of the amount
of SRB that it anticipates that it will purchase under this Agreement. On or
before the fifth (5th) day of each calendar month, Company shall provide
NutraCea with the following: (i) a tentative twelve (12) month forecast of
Company’s SRB requirements for shipping during each of the next twelve (12)
months; and (ii) a firm and binding commitment of the minimum amount of SRB
that
will be purchased by Company in the next
[*]
.
The
Company shall promptly submit a purchase order under Section 2.3 for all SRB
included in a
[*]
binding
forecast.
3.4.6.
Labeling
.
Company
shall not sell any animal grade SRB or derivatives of such product for human
use
or consumption. Company shall label all Products containing animal grade
product
as
for
animal use only and shall notify its customers of this limitation in a
reasonable manner.
3.4.7.
Storage
Requirements
.
Company
acknowledges and agrees that the purchased SRB is perishable and as such,
Company shall: (i) comply with all
reasonable
SRB
storage requirements provided by NutraCea; and (ii) be solely responsibility
for
the quality control of SRB after its receipt of the SRB.
3.4.8.
No
Sales Outside of Territory; Export Control
.
Company
shall not export, directly or indirectly, any of the Products to any other
country or province outside of the Territory without the express prior written
consent of NutraCea. If such consent is provided by NutraCea, Company shall
comply with all export laws, and import and/or export directly or indirectly
to
any other country, which export shall be subject to all applicable export laws,
regulations and rules. Company shall hold NutraCea harmless and indemnify it
for
any fines, penalties or other liability (including attorneys’ fees) that result
from or arise out of Company’s failure to meet these obligations.
3.4.9.
Product
Complaints; Notification
.
Company
shall promptly provide to NutraCea, detailed reports of any comments and
complaints received by Company relating to problems with SRB. In addition,
Company shall notify NutraCea in writing of any legal action, claim or
proceeding involving SRB or Products no later than five (5) days after Company
learns of any such claim or proceeding.
3.4.10.
Minimum
Purchase
.
Company
hereby agrees that (i) within
[*]
calendar
days following the date of this Agreement, Company shall place an initial
purchase order with NutraCea for at least [*
]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
of SRB
(the “Initial Purchase Order”) and (ii) within
[*]
from
the
date of the Initial Purchase Order, Company, shall place a subsequent purchase
order with NutraCea for
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
of SRB.
Other than the foregoing purchase order and all amounts forecast in a
[*]
binding
commitment pursuant to Section 3.4.5, Company shall not be obligated to purchase
any additional amount, or any minimum amount, of SRB under this
Agreement.
3.4.11.
Supply
Obligations
.
NutraCea agrees to produce and have available sufficient SRB to fill all amounts
forecast in a
[*]
binding
commitment pursuant to Section 3.4.5, and to have such amounts available for
delivery to Company.
4.
Prices;
Payments and Taxes
.
4.1.
Prices
.
Until
the first anniversary of this Agreement, the purchase price of all SRB purchased
hereunder shall be
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
per
metric ton of SRB. In the event that this Agreement is still in effect after
the
first anniversary hereof, the purchase price for all SRB sold to Company under
this Agreement shall be
[*]
metric
ton of SRB (including the cost or acquiring the raw rice bran from third party
sources, but excluding general corporate overhead and other administrative
costs
not directly related to the production of the SRB). NutraCea shall provide
written notification to
Company
of
price
increases after the first anniversary no less than sixty (60) days prior to
any
such price change.
4.2.
Payment
of Prices and Charges
.
Full
payment of all purchase orders shall be due and payable to NutraCea, in
immediately available funds, within ten (10) days by wire transfer or by check,
from the date of delivery to the shipping point as verified by the carrier
selected to transport the SRB. All prices are exclusive of shipping and handling
charges, which shall be invoiced to
Company
.
All
payments shall be made in United States Dollars.
Company
shall
not
take any credits or offsets against amounts billed
Company
by
NutraCea without NutraCea’s prior written consent.
4.3.
Late
Payment
.
Late
payments
s
hall
accrue interest at a rate of
[*]
percent
(
[*]
%)
per
month or the maximum permissible statutory rate if it is less. In the event
that
Company
fails
to
fulfill the terms of payment, NutraCea may decline to make further deliveries
and suspend its performance under this Agreement until all amounts due are
paid
by
Com
pany
in
full.
4.4.
Taxes;
Withholding
.
Any and
all amounts payable under this Agreement do not include any government taxes
(including without limitation sales, use, excise, and value added taxes, or
other taxes or tariffs) or duties imposed by any governmental agency that are
applicable to the export, import, or purchase of the
product
(s),
and
Company
shall
bear all such taxes and duties. The foregoing does not apply, however, to income
taxes payable by NutraCea to state or municipal governments of the United
States. When NutraCea has the legal obligation to collect such taxes or duties,
the appropriate amount may be added to
Company
’s
invoice and paid by
Company
unless
Company
provides
NutraCea with a valid tax exemption certificate authorized by the appropriate
taxing authority. Any such taxes which are otherwise imposed on payments to
NutraCea shall be the sole responsibility of
Company
.
Company
shall
hold NutraCea harmless for any taxing authority or such other responsibility
relative to this issue. All payments by
Company
specified
in this Agreement are expressed as net amounts and shall be made free and clear
of, and without reduction for, any withholding taxes, unless otherwise provided
in this Agreement. Any such taxes which are otherwise imposed on payments to
NutraCea shall be the sole responsibility of
Company
.
If any
applicable law requires
Company
to
deduct
or withhold amounts from any payments to NutraCea under this Agreement,
Company
shall
effect such deduction or withholding, remit such amounts to the appropriate
taxing authorities and promptly furnish NutraCea with tax receipts evidencing
the payments of such amounts. NutraCea shall provide all such assistance as
Company
may
reasonably require in obtaining such withholding tax certificates.
5.
Term
and Termination
.
5.1.
Term
.
Subject
to Section 5.2 below, the term of this Agreement shall commence as of the
Effective Date and shall continue for a period of
[*]
.
Thereafter, the term shall continue on a month to month basis until terminated
by either party in writing upon
[*]
days
written notice.
5.2.
Termination
.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indicated Party shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement with immediate effect upon the occurrence of one of
the
following:
(a)
If
either
Party has become insolvent or bankrupt or has resolved to dissolve or liquidate
or be acquired, the other Party may terminate this Agreement without liability
to either Party.
(b)
If
either
Party has committed a material breach of this Agreement and has failed to cure
such breach within thirty (30) days following notification of such breach by
the
other Party or such breach cannot be cured, the other Party shall have a right
to terminate; provided, however, that the right to cure a breach for non-payment
of invoices shall be five (5) business days.
6.
Warranties
and Indemnity
.
6.1.
Warranty
.
[*]
.
Payment
for goods specified herein shall not constitute an acceptance thereof. If
determined to be non-conforming pursuant to the foregoing provisions, SRB may
be
rejected by returning it for credit or replacement at the Company’s risk, and
all handling and transportation expenses both ways will be assumed by the
Company. Except as set forth in this Agreement, neither Company nor NutraCea
makes any representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied
(including without limitation any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness
of the Products for a particular purpose), under this Agreement.
6.2.
Claims
.
Company
shall notify NutraCea upon notification of any claim made against the
Products.
6.3.
Technical
Service
.
At the
request of Company, NutraCea shall furnish such technical advice (at no material
cost to NutraCea) as it has reasonably available to Company with respect to
the
SRB and Products.
7.
Limitation
of Liability
.
7.1.
Limitation
.
IN NO
EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES
BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY
OR
ANY
THIRD PARTY
FOR
LOST
PROFITS, DATA OR BUSINESS, OR FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE).
THE
LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION WILL APPLY EVEN IF
A
PARTY
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.
7.2.
Waiver
.
NUTRACEA MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
SRB, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED.
8.
Confidentiality
.
8.1.
Definition
.
“
Confidential
Information
”
means
any information or compilation of information which is disclosed by one party
hereto (“
Disclosing
Party
”)
to
another party (“
Receiving
Party
”)
hereunder, which is proprietary to the Disclosing Party and which relates to
its
existing or reasonably foreseeable business, including, but not limited to,
trade secrets and information contained in or relating to product designs,
manufacturing methods, processes, techniques, tooling, sales techniques,
marketing plans or proposals, pricing and sales information, financial
information, existing or potential customer lists and all other customer
information. Information shall be treated as Confidential Information
irrespective of its source and all information which the Disclosing Party
identifies as being “confidential” or “trade secret” shall be presumed to be
Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the above, the term Confidential
Information shall not include information:
(a)
which
was
in the public domain at the time of disclosure by the Disclosing Party to the
Receiving Party;
(b)
which
is
published or otherwise comes into the public domain after its disclosure to
the
Receiving Party through no violation of this Agreement, by the Receiving
Party;
(c)
which
is
disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third party not under an obligation of
confidence;
(d)
which
is
already known by the Receiving Party at the time of its disclosure to the
Receiving Party by the Disclosing Party as evidenced by written documentation
of
the Receiving Party existing prior to such disclosure;
(e)
which
is
independently developed by the Receiving Party through persons who have not
had,
either directly or indirectly, access to or knowledge of the Confidential
Information of the Disclosing Party, as evidenced by written documentation
of
the Receiving Party; or
(f)
which
is
required to be disclosed by any law or governmental regulation or produced
under
order of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that the
Receiving Party provide the Disclosing Party written notice of such request
or
order and Disclosing Party is provided with an opportunity to attempt to limit
such disclosure.
8.2.
Nondisclosure
.
During
the term of this Agreement and at all times thereafter, the Receiving Party
agrees to hold in strictest confidence and to never disclose, furnish,
communicate, make accessible to any person or use in any way for the Receiving
Party’s own or another’s benefit any Confidential Information or permit the same
to be used in competition with the Disclosing Party. The Receiving Party agrees
to use prudent and reasonable means to protect the Confidential Information.
8
.3.
Injunctive
Relief
.
In the
event of any breach of this Section 8, the parties agree that the non-breaching
party will suffer irreparable harm for which money damages would be an
inadequate remedy. Accordingly, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to
seek injunctive relief, in addition to any other available remedies at law
or in
equity.
9.
Miscellaneous
.
9.1
Assignment.
Neither
party may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any
third party without the other party's prior written consent; provided, however,
that either party may assign its rights and obligations hereunder without the
other party's consent to a third party that is acquiring or merging with such
party or that is purchasing all or substantially all of such party's assets
(or
the line of business) that are the subject matter of this Agreement, provided
that the assignee expressly assumes all of such party's rights and obligations
under this Agreement.
9.2.
Notices
.
All
notices required hereunder shall be sent by certified mail return receipt
requested, express courier with a nationally recognized courier service or
by
telex confirmed by such certified mail, to the party to be notified at its
following address or at such other address as shall have been specified in
written notice from the party to be notified.
If
to
NutraCea:
NutraCea
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
Brad Edson
With
a
copy to:
Weintraub
Genshlea Chediak Law Corporation
400
Capitol Mall, Suite 1100
Sacramento,
CA 95818
Attn:
Chris Chediak
If
to
Company:
Grain
Enhancement, LLC
5090
North 40th Street, Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
President
9.3.
Entire
Agreement.
The
foregoing is the parties’ entire agreement, superseding all prior oral or
written agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9.4.
Modification
and Amendment
.
This
Agreement may be modified or amended only in writing and signed by both
parties.
9.5.
Survival
.
The
provisions of this Agreement that by their terms or context are intended to
survive termination of this Agreement, shall so survive the termination of
this
Agreement.
9.6.
Governing
Law
.
The
parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of
California. Company and NutraCea expressly agree that any action at law or
in
equity arising under this Agreement shall be filed only in the Courts of the
State of California in a county of competent jurisdiction or the United States
District Court in a California district of competent jurisdiction. The parties
hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the
purposes of litigating any such action.
9.7.
Recovery
of Legal Fees and Costs
.
In the
event any litigation is brought by either party in connection with this
Agreement, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover
from the other party all the costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred
by such prevailing party in the litigation.
9.8.
Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
Agreement.
9.9.
Binding
Agreement
.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties
hereto, and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns.
9.10.
Waiver
.
Performance of any obligation required of a party hereunder may be waived only
by a written waiver signed by the other party, which waiver shall be effective
only with respect to the specific obligation described therein.
9.11.
Severability
.
If one
or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under
applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the
balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so
excluded and shall
be
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
9.
12.
Publicity
.
Neither
party shall
disclose
the
terms
of
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except
as
may be required by applicable law, in which event, the disclosing party shall
endeavor to give the non-disclosing party prompt notice in order to allow the
non-disclosing party the opportunity to seek a protective order.
Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing to the contrary, (i) the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be disclosed by a party to bona fide potential investors,
acquirors or partners of such party in the course of such person’s due diligence
investigation of such party, where such person has entered into a written
non-disclosure agreement with such party that includes terms no less restrictive
than those included herein
,
and
(ii) either party may disclose the existence of this Agreement.
9.13.
Indemnification
.
Notwithstanding the availability and policy limits of any insurance, each party
shall defend, indemnify and hold the other, and its subsidiaries, divisions
and
affiliates and their respective officers, directors, agents and employees,
harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, damages
and
legal actions, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs, resulting
from, arising out of, or relating to (i) any breach by the indemnifying party
of
any
representation
,
warranty, covenant or agreement made by of such party set forth herein; and
(ii)
the inability or failure of the indemnifying party to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement, except where the claims or legal actions
are
the sole result of the other party’s own negligent acts or omission. This
provision shall survive the termination, completion or expiration of this
Agreement.
9.14.
Further
Action
.
The
parties agree to take all action necessary or useful to complete and accomplish
the intentions of this Agreement.
9.15.
Relationship
of the Parties
.
Nothing
contained herein shall be construed to make Company the agent of NutraCea or
NutraCea the agent of Company for any purpose, except as specifically set forth
herein, and neither party shall have any right whatsoever to incur any
obligations on behalf of or binding upon the other party, except as specifically
set forth herein. Company agrees that at all times it shall act as an
independent contractor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, as
amended hereby, and that it shall not at any time represent orally or in writing
to any person or entity that it has any right, power or authority not expressly
granted by this Agreement.
9.16.
Force
Majeure
.
No
liability shall result from delay in performance, or non-performance; caused
by
circumstances beyond the control of the party affected. including, but not
limited to, an act of God, fire, flood, war, Government action, accident, labor
trouble or shortage, inability to obtain material, utilities, equipment or
transportation. Quantities so affected may be eliminated from this Agreement
without liability, but this Agreement shall remain otherwise unaffected. Any
party claiming the benefit of this Section 9 shall promptly so notify the other
party.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO FOLLOW]
The
authorized representatives of the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the
Effective Date.
NutraCea:
|
Grain
Enhancement, LLC
:
|
|
|
|
|
By:
______________________________
|
By:
________________________________
|
|
|
Title:_____________________________
|
Title:
_______________________________
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO SUPPLY AGREEMENT]
Exhibit
A
SRB
Stabilized
Rice Bran and the stabilized ran bran solubles and stabilized rice bran
insoluble derivatives (from stage 2 processing)
Specifications
Exhibit
10.3
[*Designates
portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential
treatment filed separately with the Commission]
LICENSE
AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This
License and Distribution Agreement (“
Agreement
”)
is
made to be effective as of June 22, 2007 (“
Effective
Date
”)
by and
between NutraCea, a California corporation, with principal offices located
at
5090 North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 (“
NutraCea
”),
and
Pacific Advisors Holdings Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of
British Virgin Islands, with principal offices at _______________
(“
Licensee
”)
.
The
parties agree as of the Effective Date as follows:
1.
Background
and Purpose
.
1.1.
Licensee
.
Licensee and its affiliates have relationships with rice mills in the Republic
of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
(the “
Territory
”).
1.2.
NutraCea
.
NutraCea owns rights to the stabilized rice bran products for human and animal
consumption more fully described on
Exhibit
A,
attached
hereto (the “
Products
”).
The
Products are distributed under trademarks and trade names having valuable
reputation and good will that belong exclusively to NutraCea. NutraCea actively
promotes its Products and requires an effective distribution network.
1.3.
Joint
Entity
.
Licensee is a member of Grain Enhancement LLC (the “
Joint
Entity
”),
a
limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware for
the
sole purpose of establishing and operating one or more Product manufacturing
facilities in the Territory. In order to commercialize and distribute the
Products in the Territory, Licensee wishes to obtain the License granted under
this Agreement, and to then sublicense to the Joint Entity the License and
the
distribution rights granted under this Agreement, under the terms and conditions
set forth hereunder.
1.4.
License;
Supply
of Materials and Distribution of Products
.
NutraCea
and Licensee wish to enter into an agreement in which NutraCea grants Licensee
an exclusive and assignable license to utilize
NutraCea’s
proprietary stabilization equipment and all of NutraCea’s associated
patents,
patent applications, copyrights, trade secret, know how or other intellectual
property related to the
production
of the Products
(collectively
the “
Intellectual
Property
”)
as
provided herein
.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, all rights to produce, operate and maintain such equipment shall
remain with NutraCea.
2.
License
.
2.1.
Grant
of License; Right to Sublicense.
NutraCea
hereby grants to Licensee the sole, exclusive (even as to NutraCea),
[*]
right
and license (“the
License
”)
to
make, use, lease, have made, sell, offer for sale, distribute, and otherwise
commercialize the Products within the Territory and a limited right to use
the
Intellectual Property solely for such purposes, subject in all cases to the
terms and conditions contained herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, NutraCea expressly retains the right to install, operate and maintain
NutraCea’s stabilization equipment at Licensee’s facilities in the Territory in
accordance with the terms of the Rice Bran Stabilization Equipment Lease between
the parties of equal date herewith.
[*]
Licensee
may grant sublicenses under the License; provided, that any such sublicense
shall be subject to and consistent in all respects with the terms and provisions
of this Agreement. The License shall be irrevocable while this Agreement is
in
effect.
2.2.1
Sublicense
to Joint Entity
.
NutraCea hereby expressly authorizes Licensee to grant a sublicense (the
“
Sublicense
”)
of the
License to the Joint Entity on such terms to be agreed to by Joint Entity and
Licensee;
provided
,
however
,
that
the License Fee payable by Licensee to NutraCea shall not be assignable to
the
Joint Entity or any other third party, and that the obligation to pay the
License Fee shall remain the exclusive obligation of Licensee.
2.2.2.
Assignment
to Joint Entity
.
The
parties hereto acknowledge that the Joint Entity may in the future seek to
raise
additional capital to increase its ability to commercialize the Products in
the
Territory by means of a public offering or private placement, or may seek to
sell the Joint Entity or its assets, and further acknowledge that in connection
with any such transaction, the Joint Entity will, in all likelihood, have to
acquire the License. The parties further agree that any such fundamental
transaction would be in the best interests of both parties to this Agreement
and, therefore, that it is in their mutual best interests that Licensee have
the
ability and authority to assign this License to the Joint Entity as provided
herein. No such assignment shall limit or reduce the obligation of Licensee
to
pay to NutraCea the License Fee specified in Section 8. Accordingly, NutraCea
hereby agrees that if (A) the Joint Entity effects an underwritten public
offering in which it or its successor receives gross proceeds equal to or
greater than
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
),
(B)
the equity securities of the Joint Entity become listed or publicly traded
on
any of The Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the Indonesia Stock Market, the
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, or any other recognized stock exchange; (C)
the
Joint Entity completes a private equity offering in which the gross proceeds
are
equal to or greater than
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
);
or (D)
the Joint Entity completes a merger, consolidation or reorganization with or
into any other entity or entities, or a sale of all or substantially all of
its
assets, then, notwithstanding Section 12.1, Licensee shall be permitted to
assign the entire License, and all of Licensee’s rights thereunder, to Joint
Entity, provided that at the time of the assignment the Joint Entity pays
NutraCea an additional one-time license fee of
[*]
U.S.
Dollars ($
[*]
)
(“
Assignment
Fee
”).
Licensee
may not, however, delegate its obligations to pay the License Fee under Section
8 to the Joint Entity, nor shall the guarantor under the guaranty listed in
Section 8.1 be relieved from its obligations to NutraCea as a result of the
foregoing assignment.
2.3.
Reserved
Rights.
All
rights not granted to
Licensee
hereunder
are specifically reserved and retained by NutraCea.
2.4.
Reserved
Trademarks
.
Licensee
acknowledges
that NutraCea has previously granted to various third parties, rights to market
the Products under various other trade names outside of the Territory.
Licensee
agrees
that it shall have no rights with regard to such trademarks and that the License
shall not prevent or interfere in any manner with the continued rights of
such
third
parties and NutraCea to use and commercialize products under such
trademarks
.
Licensee
agrees
that it will not sell or market or distribute any products bearing any other
NutraCea trademarks.
Licensee
agrees that all Products distributed under this Agreement within the Territory
will acknowledge the existence of the License and NutraCea as the licensor
by
including the licensed marks (and associated logo) specified by NutraCea from
time to time in exactly in the form provided by NutraCea on the packaging and
in
conformance with any and all reasonable usage policies provided to Licensee
by
NutraCea from time to time.
2.5
NutraCea’s
Representations
.
NutraCea warrants and represents that:
(a)
the
execution and delivery by NutraCea of this Agreement do not, and compliance
by
NutraCea with the provisions hereof will not, (A) conflict with or result in
a
breach or default under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any
license or other contract to which NutraCea is a party; or (B) violate any
law
applicable to NutraCea;
(b)
the
use
of the Intellectual Property by Licensee and the Joint Entity in accordance
with
this Agreement will not infringe the rights of any individual, corporation,
partnership, association, limited liability company, trust, estate or other
entity (a “
Person
”);
and
(c)
no
Person
(including any affiliate of NutraCea) other than Licensee has the right to
use,
or license other Persons to use, the Intellectual Property in the Territory,
and
NutraCea will not use the Intellectual Property in the Licensed
Territory.
2.6
Licensee’s
Representations
.
Licensee warrants and represents that the execution and delivery by Licensee
of
this Agreement do not, and compliance by Licensee with the provisions hereof
will not, (i) conflict with or result in a breach or default under any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any license or other contract to which
Licensee is a party; or (ii) violate any law applicable to Licensee.
2.7
Competing
Products and Equipment
.
In
consideration for the grant of the License, Licensee hereby agrees that
for
the
term of
[*]
,
Licensee shall not produce or attempt to produce any equipment for the
stabilization of rice bran, and that Licensee shall only use the rice bran
stabilization technologies or equipment manufactured and supplied by
NutraCea.
3.
Ownership
and Use of Intellectual Property
.
3.1.
NutraCea’s
Ownership in the Intellectual Property
.
Licensee
acknowledges
that NutraCea owns the Intellectual Property and all rights, title, and interest
therein other than the License granted hereunder, and that nothing in this
Agreement shall give
Licensee
any
right, title or interest in or to the Intellectual Property other than pursuant
to the License granted herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
Licensee
shall
not: (i) take any action inconsistent with NutraCea’s ownership of the
Intellectual Property; or (ii) sell, distribute, assign or otherwise transfer
to
any third party or encumber the Intellectual Property, except as expressly
permitted herein; or (iii) use or sell any Products or other items licensed
hereunder outside of the Territory.
[*]
3.2.
Obligation
to Protect
.
Licensee shall use reasonable efforts to protect NutraCea’s proprietary rights
in and to the Intellectual Property in the Territory and, at its own expense,
shall reasonably cooperate in NutraCea’s efforts to protect its proprietary
rights in and to the Intellectual Property. Licensee shall notify NutraCea
of
any known or suspected breach of NutraCea’s proprietary rights that comes to
Licensee’s attention.
3.3.
Confidentiality
.
Licensee acknowledges that in the course of performing its obligations
hereunder, it will receive information which is confidential and proprietary
to
NutraCea. Licensee agrees not to use such information except in performance
of
this Agreement and not to disclose such information to third parties. All
information that is given to Licensee by NutraCea will be treated as
confidential and will not be disclosed to any other party. In addition, Licensee
will receive, pursuant to this Agreement, certain financial and/or marketing
information from NutraCea. Licensee shall not disclose this information to
any
third party without the prior written consent of NutraCea. At all times herein,
Licensee shall treat such information as it would its own proprietary
information.
4.
Quality
Control
.
4.1.
Adherence
to Quality Standards
.
Licensee
agrees
that the nature and quality of all goods and services provided by
Licensee
in
connection with the use of the Intellectual Property shall conform to the
standards set by
Licensee
for
its
own goods and services (“
Quality
Standards
”).
Such
Quality Standards shall be reasonable, shall be no less than the quality
standards imposed by NutraCea in general, and shall be at least equal in quality
to
Licensee
’
goods
and services prior to the Effective Date.
4.2.
Limitations
on Use
.
All
uses of the Intellectual Property shall be in accordance with the provisions
of
this Agreement and
Licensee
shall
not
use the Intellectual Property in any manner that is inconsistent with the scope
of the License.
5.
Authorized
Distributor
.
In
addition to granting the License, NutraCea hereby authorizes Licensee to act
as
an independent, exclusive distributor for the sale and marketing of Products
manufactured by NutraCea and sold to Licensee or the Joint Entity for re-sale
in
the Territory. The right of Licensee, or the Joint Entity if Licensee desires
to
distribute NutraCea’s Products through the Joint Entity, to distribute Products
manufactured by NutraCea shall be limited to sales conducted the Republic of
Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the rights of Licensee with respect to the
sale and marketing of Products in Australia and New Zealand shall not commence
until the Joint Entity has completed and commenced operating manufacturing
facilities in the Territory for the production of stabilized rice bran at a
level sufficient to immediatley ship stabilized rice bran in sufficient
quantities to service Australia and New Zealand. Licensee, or if applicable
the
Joint Entity, may market and distribute Products it purchases from NutraCea
only
as set forth in this Agreement. Licensee further agrees not to distribute or
market any items competitive with the Products or to distribute the Products
for
sale outside of the Territory. NutraCea agrees that the activities of Licensee
and its affiliates in connection with producing, distributing and selling wheat
flour
that
does
not contain rice bran shall not be deemed to be a competitive activity. This
distribution right shall continue for the term of this Agreement.
6.
Obligations
of the Parties
.
In
furtherance of this Agreement, each party shall be responsible for the
following, each of which is a material obligation of that party hereunder:
6.1.
Obligations
of Licensee or its Sublicensee
.
6.1.1.
Regulatory
Approval of Products
.
Licensee or the Joint Entity shall submit all appropriate applications and
materials necessary to obtain regulatory approval required for the sale of
the
Products in the Territory upon NutraCea’s delivery of all the required technical
data and appropriate documents for product registration to
Licensee.
6.1.2.
Marketing
and Advertising Products
.
Licensee or the Joint Entity shall use commercially reasonable efforts to sell
the Products in the Territory. Licensee or the Joint Entity shall advertise
and
otherwise promote the Products in a commercially reasonable manner and shall
transmit appropriate Product information and promotional materials to its
customers. Licensee or the Joint Entity shall develop sales, marketing,
advertising and packaging for the Products for distribution in the Territory.
Licensee or the Joint Entity will include the Products in one or more of its
marketing materials and otherwise make the Products available to its customers.
6.1.3.
Facilities;
Conduct of Business
.
Licensee represents and warrants to NutraCea that, within
[*]
months
after the date of this Agreement, it or the Joint Entity shall establish and
thereafter maintain a minimum of
[*]
necessary
to perform its functions and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement.
Licensee or the Joint Entity shall (i) conduct its business in a professional
manner that reflects favorably on NutraCea and the Products, (ii) take all
action necessary to prevent and avoid deceptive, misleading or unethical
practices, (iii) make no false or misleading representations with regard to
NutraCea or the Products, (iv) not publish or participate in the publishing
of
any false, misleading or deceptive advertising material, and (v) make no
representations, warranties or guaranties to anyone with respect to the
specifications, features or capabilities of the Products that are inconsistent
with the literature distributed by NutraCea.
6.1.4.
Reports
and Records
.
If
requested by Nutracea, Licensee shall submit to NutraCea monthly sales reports
that shall include sales of the Products from all of Licensee’s locations
detailed by Product (units and dollars). Licensee shall provide this report
to
NutraCea no later than the tenth (10th) day of the following month. Licensee
shall maintain these records for at least
[*]
years
from the date of creation of each record, contract and account as well as
contracts and accounts relating to distribution of all Products, and will permit
examination thereof by authorized representatives of NutraCea at all reasonable
times for the purposes of an audit.
6.1.5.
Resale
Prices
.
Licensee or the Joint Entity shall be free to unilaterally determine the resale
prices for the Products. Licensee or the Joint Entity shall, however, treat
all
customers equitably and shall not discriminate unlawfully among them in prices,
terms or in any other manner. Neither Licensee nor the Joint Entity may sell
or
market any Products in the United States or any other area outside of the
Territory, directly or indirectly, without NutraCea’s express prior written
consent.
6.1.6.
Product
Training
.
Representatives of Licensee or the Joint Entity shall attend all training
seminars relating to the Products provided by NutraCea to enhance Licensee’
knowledge of the Products, at Licensee’s expense. Licensee or the Joint Entity
shall provide sufficient Product training to their sales personnel and customers
to further the sale of Products.
6.1.7.
Notification
.
Licensee will notify NutraCea in writing of any claim or proceeding involving
the Products no later than ten (10) days after Licensee learns of such claim
or
proceeding. Licensee shall also report promptly to NutraCea in writing all
claimed or suspected Product defects received by Licensee.
6.1.8.
Compliance
with Law
.
Licensee and the Joint Entity shall comply with all applicable laws and
regulations in performing its duties hereunder and in any of its dealings with
respect to the Products.
6.2.
Obligations
of NutraCea
.
6.2.1.
Products
Technical Data
.
NutraCea shall provide Licensee with all required documentation and data sheets
for each of the Products necessary for production and registration approvals.
6.2.2.
Sample
Products
.
NutraCea shall ship samples of the Products to the Licensee, the Joint Entity
or
any of their respective current or potential customers.
6.2.3.
Training
and Support; Advertising Materials
.
NutraCea shall provide to Licensee or the Joint Entity that amount of training
and support that NutraCea deems appropriate to enable Licensee or the Joint
Entity to sell the Products. NutraCea shall provide Licensee with existing
documentation and technical information on the Products.
6.2.4
No
Competing Products in Territory
.
NutraCea currently manufactures and sells the Products in other countries
outside of the Territory. In addition, NutraCea may hereafter license or
otherwise grant the right to manufacture, sell, distribute or otherwise
commercialize the Products outside of the Territory to other entities, including
joint ventures or entities in which NutraCea has an economic interest (any
entity, other than the Licensee, that receives from NutraCea, directly or
indirectly, a license or other right to manufacture, sell, distribute or
otherwise commercialize the Products or to otherwise exploit the Intellectual
Property is herein referred to a “NutraCea Rights Holder”). NutraCea hereby
agrees that neither it, nor any NutraCea Rights Holder shall have or be granted
the right at any time during the term of this Agreement, directly or indirectly,
to (i) import any Competing Product into the Territory, or (ii) sell or
distribute a Competing Product to person or entity with knowledge that such
person or entity may thereafter import into the Territory any Competing Product.
NutraCea agrees that any agreement that it hereafter enters with any NutraCea
Rights Holder shall prohibit the importation of a Competing Product into the
Territory. NutraCea further agrees that, if any NutraCea Rights Holder is found
to be importing, directly or indirectly, any Competing Product into the
Territory, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to enforce the
prohibition in its agreements to terminate and prevent the importation of any
Competing Product into the Territory. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
“Competing Product” means (x) any Product, or (y) any substance, material or
product that when sold in bulk contains or any Product. For example, the
importation of SRB into the Territory by a NutraCea Rights Holder shall be
prohibited. Likewise, the importation of wheat flour blended with stabilized
rice bran is a Competing Product and is prohibited. However, the importation
into the Territory of bakery products that are made from wheat flour blended
with stabilized rice bran is not Competing Product and is therefore, not
prohibited.
7.
Term
and Termination
.
7.1.
Term
.
The
License granted herein is
[*]
for
the
Territory. The distribution rights and obligations set forth in Section 5 shall
terminate as set forth in Section 5
.
7.2.
Termination
Rights
for
Breach
.
Either
Party may terminate this Agreement, upon written notice following the expiration
of a
thirty
(
30
)
day
period to cure, in the event of any of the following: (i) the other party
materially breaches this Agreement (including each party’s respective
representations in Sections 2.5 and 2.6);
(ii)
the
other party suspends or terminates its business; or (iii) the other party
becomes subject to any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings that are not
dismissed within ninety (90) days after such proceedings are instituted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any uncured breach under subsection 7.2(i) shall
be grounds for terminating this Agreement
only
if
such
a
default materially and adversely affects the other party, its business or
assets.
7.3.
Effect
of Termination
.
Upon
termination of this Agreement,
Licensee
’s
right
to use the Intellectual Property shall be terminated,
Licensee
or the Joint Entity
shall
have 180 days to phase out all use of the Intellectual Property and to sell
all
remaining inventory of the Product. Termination of this Agreement shall in
no
way affect the rights or liabilities of either NutraCea or
Licensee
arising
during the period prior to such termination or expiration, or release a party
from the obligation to make any payment due and owing to the other under this
Agreement, all of which obligations the party hereby agrees to fulfill and
perform. In no event shall
Licensee
be
entitled to any refund, offset, or return of any portion of the License Fee
(defined below) upon termination, and any unpaid portion of the balance of
the
License Fee shall remain due and owing to the extent provided in Section 8.
Each
party shall return to the other all tangible materials and information of a
proprietary or confidential nature disclosed to the party under this Agreement,
and all copies thereof (including, without limitation, all electronic
copies.)
8.
License
Fee; Guaranty
.
8.1.
License
Fee Amount; Schedule of Payments
.
As
consideration for the License and rights granted herein,
Licensee
shall
pay NutraCea
a fully
paid up, one-time (other than with respect to the Assignment Fee)
license
fee of Five Million U.S. Dollars ($5,000,000) (“
License
Fee
”).
The
License Fee shall accrue interest from the Effective Date until paid in full
at
a rate equal to 4.51863% per annum (the LIBOR rate in effect as of June 15,
2007, as quoted in the London edition of the Financial Times). The accrued
and
unpaid interest and the License Fee shall both be due all due and payable by
Licensee
on the
fifth anniversary of the commencement of stabilized rice bran production by
the
first rice bran stabilization facility established by Licensee or the Joint
Venture
.
All
payments shall be in U.S. Dollars. In order to secure Licensee’s obligations to
pay the License Fee and related interest, Licensee shall cause the Guaranty
in
the form set forth in
Exhibit
C
hereto
be executed by a party acceptable to NutraCea.
8.2.
Non-Assignable
Obligation
.
As set
forth in Section 2, Licensee may sublicense its rights hereunder to the Joint
Entity; however the License Fee shall be the obligation of Licensee and shall
not be delegable.
9.
Protection
.
9.1.
Infringement
.
Licensee
agrees
to
promptly notify NutraCea of any infringements, imitations, simulations or other
illegal use or misuse of the
Intellectual
Property
which
come to
Licensee
’s
attention.
Licensee
shall
have the first right to institute and prosecute at its own expense suit for
infringement
(s)
of
the Intellectual Property in the Territory. NutraCea agrees to join as a party
plaintiff in any such lawsuit initiated by
Licensee
,
if
requested by
Licensee
,
with
all costs
,
attorneys’
fees and expenses to be paid by
Licensee
.
However
,
if
Licensee
does
not
institute suit for material infringement(s) within one hundred eighty (180)
days
of receipt of written notice from NutraCea of NutraCea’s desire to bring suit
for infringement
of the
Intellectual Property
in
the
Territory in its own name and on its own behalf
,
then
NutraCea may institute and prosecute such suit, at its own expense
Licensee
.
In this
event,
Licensee
shall
cooperate
in such
action with NutraCea
,
at
NutraCea’s expense
,
including, without limitation, joining as a party. Any money recovered by way
of
damages or otherwise with respect to such action shall be kept by the party
which bore the cost of such action; or, in any case, where the parties have
shared the cost, such money shall be shared in proportion to the cost borne
by
each party.
9.2.
Assistance
.
The
parties shall provide each other with all reasonable assistance in connection
with any matter pertaining to the protection, enforcement or infringement of
the
Intellectual
Property
used
by
Licensee, whether in the courts, administrative or quasi-judicial agencies,
or
otherwise.
10.
Indemnity
.
10.1
Indemnity
by Licensee
.
Licensee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless (including costs and
attorneys’ fees) NutraCea and all of its officers, directors, employees and
agents from and against (a) any breach by Licensee of any representation,
warranty or agreement made in this Agreement, and (b) any and all claims by
any
third party resulting from Licensee’s acts, omissions or misrepresentations. In
the event any Claim is brought against NutraCea which Claim, if determined
adversely would entitle NutraCea
to
indemnity, the party with notice of the Claim shall provide notice to the other
party specifying in detail the basics for the Claim and the facts pertaining
thereto, Licensee shall vigorously defend such Claim and indemnify and hold
harmless NutraCea from and against all liability, loss, damage, cost or expense
arising therefrom. NutraCea, as applicable, shall have the right to employ
counsel separate from counsel employed by Licensee in any such action and to
participate in the defense thereof, provided that the fees and expense of such
additional counsel shall be paid by NutraCea.
10.2
Indemnity
by NutraCea
.
NutraCea agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Licensee or the Joint Entity
and
all of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents harmless
from
and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses,
including reasonable legal fees, arising out of (a) any breach by NutraCea
of
any representation, warranty or agreement made in this Agreement; and (b) any
claim that Licensee’s (or the Joint Entity’s) sale of the Products or the use of
the Intellectual Property in accordance with this Agreement infringes on or
violates the rights of any Person; provided however that NutraCea is under
no
obligation to defend, indemnify or hold Licensee or the Joint Entity harmless
from any claim by any governmental body that use of the Intellectual Property
infringes or violates the rights of such governmental body. Licensee shall
give
prompt written notice, cooperation and assistance to NutraCea in respect of
any
such claim, provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not affect
NutraCea’s indemnification obligation, except to the extent NutraCea is
prejudiced by such failure. Licensee shall have the option to undertake and
conduct the defense and/or settlement of any such claim or proceedings provided
that no settlement of any such claim shall be made without the prior written
consent of NutraCea.
11.
Relationship
of the Parties
.
Nothing
contained herein shall be construed to make Licensee the agent of NutraCea
or
NutraCea the agent of Licensee for any purpose, except as specifically set
forth
herein, and neither party shall have any right whatsoever to incur any
obligations on behalf of or binding upon the other party, except as specifically
set forth herein. Licensee agrees that at all times it shall solicit orders
for
the Products as an independent contractor in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and that it shall not at any time represent orally or in writing
to
any person or entity that it has any right, power or authority not expressly
granted by this Agreement.
12.
Miscellaneous
.
12.1.
Assignment.
This
Agreement and the License herein granted shall be binding upon and inure to
the
benefit of the successors-in-interest of the respective parties. Neither this
Agreement nor any interest hereunder shall be assignable by either party without
the written consent of the other; provided, however, that either may assign
this
Agreement, or any part of its rights and obligations hereunder, to any Affiliate
or to any corporation or entity with which such party may merge or consolidate,
or to which it may transfer all or substantially all of its assets to which
this
Agreement relates, without obtaining the consent of the other
party.
12.2.
Notices
.
All
notices required hereunder shall be sent by certified mail return receipt
requested, express courier with a nationally recognized courier service or
by
telex confirmed by such certified mail, to the party to be notified at its
following address or at such other address as shall have been specified in
written notice from the party to be notified.
If
to
NutraCea:
NutraCea
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
Brad Edson
With
a
copy to:
Weintraub
Genshlea Chediak Law Corporation
400
Capitol Mall, Suite 1100
Sacramento,
CA 95818
Attn:
Chris Chediak
If
to
Licensee:
Pacific
Holding Advisors Limited
53
Cairnhill Road
Cairnhill
Plaza #12-01
Singapore
229664
Singapore
With
copy
to:
Troy
& Gould
1801
Century Park East, 26th Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90067
Attn:
Istvan Benko
12.3.
Entire
Agreement.
The
foregoing (including the agreements and exhibits referenced herein) is the
parties’ entire agreement, superseding all prior oral or written agreements and
understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms set forth
herein shall be severable and the failure of any distinct part will not void
the
remainder.
12.4.
Modification
and Amendment
.
This
Agreement may be modified or amended only in writing and signed by both parties.
12.5.
Survival
.
The
provisions of this Agreement that by their terms or context are intended to
survive termination of this Agreement, shall so survive the termination of
this
Agreement.
12.6.
Governing
Law
.
The
parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of
California. Licensee and NutraCea expressly agree that any action at law or
in
equity arising under this Agreement shall be filed only in the Courts of the
State of California in a county of competent jurisdiction or the United States
District Court in a California district of competent jurisdiction. The parties
hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the
purposes of litigating any such action.
12.7.
Recovery
of Legal Fees and Costs
.
In the
event any litigation is brought by either party in connection with this
Agreement, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover
from the other party all the costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred
by such prevailing party in the litigation.
12.8.
Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
Agreement.
12.9.
Binding
Agreement
.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties
hereto, and their respective legal successors and assigns.
12.10.
Waiver
.
Performance of any obligation required of a party hereunder may be waived only
by a written waiver signed by the other party, which waiver shall be effective
only with respect to the specific obligation described therein.
12.11.
Severability
.
If one
or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under
applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the
balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so
excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
12.
12.
Publicity
.
Neither
party shall
the
terms
of
this Agreement or make any public announcement regarding this Agreement or
the
subject matter contained herein without the prior written consent of the other
party, except as may be required by applicable law, in which event, the
disclosing party shall endeavor to give the non-disclosing party prompt notice
in order to allow the non-disclosing party the opportunity to seek a protective
order
.
Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing to the contrary, the existence of this Agreement may be
disclosed to a third party and the terms and conditions of this Agreement may
be
disclosed by a party to bona fide potential investors, acquirors or partners
of
such party in the course of such person’s due diligence investigation of such
party, where such person has entered into a written non-disclosure agreement
with such party that includes terms no less restrictive than those included
herein
.
12.
13.
Time
.
Time
is
of the essence in this Agreement.
12.14
Further
Action
.
The
parties agree to take all action necessary or useful to complete and accomplish
the intentions of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO FOLLOW]
The
authorized representatives of the parties have executed this Agreement as
of the
Effective Date
NutraCea:
|
|
Pacific
Advisors Holdings Limited:
|
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO LICENSE AGREEMENT]
Exhibit
A
Products
Exhibit
B
Products
Literature
Exhibit
C
Guaranty
Exhibit
10.4
[*Designates
portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request
for
confidential
treatment filed separately with the Commission]
RICE
BRAN STABILIZATION
EQUIPMENT
LEASE
This
Rice
Bran Stabilization Equipment Lease (“
Lease”)
is made
entered into as of June __, 2007, (“
Effective
Date
”)
between Grain Enhancement, LLC,
a
Delaware limited liability company
(“Joint
Entity”)
,
and
NutraCea, a California corporation (“
NutraCea
”),
on
the following terms and conditions:
1.
Lease
of Equipment; Location
.
NutraCea hereby leases to Joint Entity and Joint Entity hereby leases from
NutraCea the Equipment Specified in Section 2 on the terms and conditions set
forth herein. The Equipment shall be installed, maintained, and operated by
NutraCea at the Location (as defined in Section 6 below), and may not be moved
by Joint Entity or by NutraCea from the Location. All costs and expenses related
to the installation, maintenance, and operation of the Equipment shall be borne
by Joint Entity.
[*]
2.
Equipment;
No Transfer of Ownership
.
2.1.
Equipment
.
The
“
Equipment
”
subject
to this Lease consists of the rice bran stabilization equipment, including
various components thereof, developed by Nutracea for use in the production
of
stabilized rice bran (“
SRB
”).
A
list of the Equipment to be leased as of the Effective Date is listed on
Exhibit A
attached
hereto. With the written consent of the Joint Entity, in order to improve the
performance or reliability of the Equipment, NutraCea may, from time to time,
and at the expense of the Joint Entity, replace one or more components of the
equipment listed on Exhibit A, or may supplement the equipment listed on Exhibit
A with additional components or machinery. All new equipment hereafter installed
to improve the Equipment or the operation of Joint Entity’s rice bran
stabilization facility shall also be leased to Joint Entity and shall after
such
installation become “Equipment” for the purposes of this Lease. Exhibit A shall
be amended from time to time to reflect any additions or deletions of equipment
under this Section 1.
2.2.
Ownership
.
Joint
Entity acknowledges and agrees that NutraCea will retain legal title in and
to
the Equipment and all proprietary rights and intellectual property manifested
or
disclosed therein and shall control access to and use of the equipment, and
that, except for its rights under this Lease, Joint Entity will have no right,
title or interest in or to the Equipment or the proprietary rights and
intellectual property manifested or disclosed therein.
3.
Term
.
The
term of this Lease shall be for
[*]
years
commencing on the Effective Date, or as extended by the mutual agreement of
the
parties, and on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon.
4.
Rent
.
4.1
[*]
Payment
.
Joint
Entity hereby agrees that the rental payment the Equipment listed on Exhibit
A
for the
[*]
term
of
this Lease shall be $
[*]
(the
“Rent”). The entire amount of the Rent shall be payable in
[*]
,
due and
payable within 30 days following the installation of the Equipment at the
Location.
4.2
Additional
Equipment
.
Any
additional Equipment leased under Section 2.1 after the Equipment has been
installed shall also be leased for a
[*]
lease
payment equal to
[*]
such
additional equipment. Any such additional rental payment shall be payable within
30 days after the installation of the new equipment.
4.2
U.S.
Dollars
.
All
payments under this Lease shall be paid in U.S. Dollars to NutraCea at
NutraCea’s address set forth below or at such other address as NutraCea may
designate.
5.
Net
Lease
.
This
Lease shall be a “net lease,” it being understood that NutraCea shall receive
the Rent free and clear of any taxes, liens, charges or expenses of any nature
whatsoever in connection with the ownership, maintenance, and operation of
the
Equipment pursuant hereto. In addition to the Rent payable pursuant hereto,
Joint Entity shall pay all insurance premiums, operating charges, and any other
charges, costs and expenses that may arise during the term of this Lease arising
from the operation of the Equipment at the Location. Upon any failure of Joint
Entity to pay any of the foregoing taxes and other expenses that materially
and
adversely affects NutraCea’s (i) title to the Equpment (including without
limitation NutraCea’s ownership or protection of its proprietary rights or
intellectual property rights), or (ii) ability to have such Equipment returned
to NutraCea in accordance with this Lease, NutraCea shall have the same rights
and remedies as otherwise provided in this Lease for the failure of Joint Entity
to pay Rent. The foregoing shall not limit any other rights of NutraCea
hereunder, including without limitation the rights of NutraCea under Sections
11
and 12.
6.
Equipment
Installation and Maintenance
.
6.1.
Installation
.
NutraCea shall properly install,
[*]
,
the
Equipment at the rice mill facility listed in
Exhibit
B
(the
“
Rice
Mill
”).
Joint
Entity
shall
provide sufficient space and access to NutraCea personnel as necessary or useful
for the proper installation of the Equipment at the
Rice
Mill
.
Joint
Entity shall arrange, at Joint Entity’s expense and with the reasonable
cooperation of NutraCea, make such utilities available at the Location to enable
the Equipment to be installed and to thereafter to be operated in accordance
with the specifications of the Equipment. Joint Entity agrees to take all action
necessary to provide to NutraCea and its agents will have unrestricted access
to
the Location and the Equipment for the purpose of installing, maintaining,
and
operating the Equipment (including any additions to the Equipment subsequently
installed under Section 2.1).
6.2.
Maintenance
and Repairs
.
The
parties hereto agree and acknowledge that the failure of the Equipment to
operate in the manner represented in Exhibit A will materially and adversely
affect the Joint Entity’s operations. Accordingly, NutraCea agrees to service
and maintain the Equipment on an ongoing basis in a manner that will enable
the
Equipment to operate at the maximum capacity specified on Exhibit A during
the
term of this Agreement. In order to maintain and repair the Equipment, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
(a)
NutraCea
further agrees that it will initiate repairs of the Equipment within
[*]
after
receiving notification from Joint Entity of a need to repair the Equipment
or to
correct any deficiencies in the operation of the Equipment. NutraCea agrees
to
use its commercially reasonable and good faith efforts to promptly make any
required repairs.
(b)
In
order
to enable the Equipment to be maintained and promptly repaired, NutraCea agrees
to
[*]
,
or, at
Joint Entity’s election, to train one or more of Joint Entity’s employees in the
proper maintenance and repair of the Equipment. The cost of the foregoing
maintenance employees shall be borne by the Joint Entity.
(c)
Joint
Entity agrees to provide NutraCea’s employees with reasonable access to the
Equipment during all business hours and will provide any other
assistance reasonably required by NutraCea to provide such maintenance and
repair services.
Joint
Entity
further
agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that
the
Equipment will not be accessible by any persons not specifically authorized
by
Nutracea without the express prior consent of NutraCea.
(d)
NutraCea
or its agents may, from time to time, make reasonable modifications and/or
improvements to the Equipment in order to improve the efficiency or
cost-effectiveness of cleaning, sanitizing, operating, maintaining or repairing
the Equipment. NutraCea, or at its sole election, Joint Entity, will provide
the
personnel
to properly clean and operate the Equipment.
(e)
In
order
to enable the Equipment and Rice Mill to be maintained and repaired, Joint
Entity shall keep all such spare parts as Nutracea reasonably requests at a
secure place at the Location. In addition, Joint Entity shall promptly replace
all spare parts that are used for repairs.
(f)
NutraCea
agrees that it will provide all of the foregoing services at a price to Joint
Entity equal to
[*]
.
In
addition, all spare parts necessary to repair or maintain the Equipment shall
be
purchased or produced by NutraCea; Joint Entity will be billed for all such
spare parts at
[*]
,
if
applicable.
7.
No
Use
of other Stabilization Equipment or Technologies
.
As of
the date of the installation of the Equipment, Joint Entity agrees not to use
any other rice bran stabilization technologies or equipment other than the
Equipment. Joint Entity agrees from and after such date that all Joint Entity
stabilized rice bran produced at the Location by Joint Entity shall be produced
with the Equipment.
8.
Taxes
.
Joint
Entity shall pay any taxes, assessments, fees, and charges arising or related
to
the presence, use, or operation of the Equipment at the Location, whether
assessed against NutraCea or Joint Entity, during the term of this
Lease.
9.
Possession
.
Joint
Entity
assumes full responsibility for the safekeeping of the Equipment and access
to
the Equipment during the term. Joint Entity shall not misuse, sublet, transfer,
or otherwise dispose of the Equipment or any portion thereof.
10.
[*]
11.
Indemnity
and Insurance
.
11.1.
Indemnity
.
Joint
Entity shall defend, indemnify and save NutraCea harmless from any and all
claims brought by or on behalf of any third party relating to Joint Entity’s use
of the Equipment, including but not limited to strict products liability,
negligent acts or omissions of Joint Entity or any of its agents.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Joint Entity will not be required to indemnify
and hold NutraCea harmless for any claims made against NutraCea relating to
the
ownership of the Equipment, claims alleging infringement of the Equipment on
such third party’s rights, or claims arising primarily from any improper acts by
NutraCea or its agents. NutraCea shall indemnify and save Joint Entity harmless
from any and all third party claims made against Joint Entity alleging
infringement of the Equipment on such third party’s rights, except to the extent
arising primarily from any improper acts by Joint Entity.
11.2.
Insurance
.
Joint
Entity shall keep the Equipment and Joint Entity’s operations insured as
reasonably appropriate by a responsible insurance company or companies
authorized to do business in the Location. If Joint Entity shall fail to procure
and maintain such insurance, NutraCea may, but shall not be required to, procure
and maintain the same at Joint Entity’s expense.
12.
Confidentiality
.
12.1.
Definition
.
“
Confidential
Information
”
means
any information or compilation of information which is disclosed by one party
hereto (“
Disclosing
Party
”)
to
another party (“
Receiving
Party
”)
hereunder, which is proprietary to the Disclosing Party and which relates to
technical specifications of the Equipment, the design, functionality and
operations of the Equipment, trade secrets and information contained in or
relating to product designs, manufacturing methods, processes, techniques,
tooling, and maintenance procedures. Information shall be treated as
Confidential Information irrespective of its source and all information which
the Disclosing Party identifies as being “confidential” or “trade secret” shall
be presumed to be Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the above, the
term
Confidential Information shall not include information:
(a)
which
was
in the public domain at the time of disclosure by the Disclosing Party to the
Receiving Party;
(b)
which
is
published or otherwise comes into the public domain after its disclosure to
the
Receiving Party through no violation of this Lease, by the Receiving
Party;
(c)
which
is
disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third party not under an obligation of
confidence;
(d)
which
is
already known by the Receiving Party at the time of its disclosure to the
Receiving Party by the Disclosing Party as evidenced by written documentation
of
the Receiving Party existing prior to such disclosure;
(e)
which
is
independently developed by the Receiving Party through persons who have not
had,
either directly or indirectly, access to or knowledge of the Confidential
Information of the Disclosing Party, as evidenced by written documentation
of
the Receiving Party; or
(f)
which
is
required to be disclosed by any law or governmental regulation or produced
under
order of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that the
Receiving Party provide the Disclosing Party written notice of such request
or
order and Disclosing Party is provided with an opportunity to attempt to limit
such disclosure.
12.2.
Nondisclosure
.
During
the term of this Lease and at all times thereafter, the Receiving Party agrees
to hold in strictest confidence and to never disclose, furnish, communicate,
make accessible to any person or use in any way for the Receiving Party’s own or
another’s benefit any Confidential Information or permit the same to be used in
competition with the Disclosing Party. The Receiving Party agrees to use prudent
and reasonable means to protect the Confidential Information.
12.3.
Injunctive
Relief
.
In the
event of any breach of this Section 8, the parties agree that the non-breaching
party will suffer irreparable harm for which money damages would be an
inadequate remedy. Accordingly, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to
seek injunctive relief, in addition to any other available remedies at law
or in
equity.
13.
Default;
Effect of Termination
.
13.1
Default
.
Upon an
Event of Default, this Lease shall terminate and all rights of Joint Entity
to
the Equipment shall immediately terminate. Upon an Event Default NutraCea shall
be entitled to all remedies provided by law including the right to take
possession of the Equipment, to retain all Rent previously paid, and to convey
or lease the Equipment or portions thereof for such periods, at such rentals,
and to such persons as NutraCea shall elect, and to recover from Joint Entity
all damages and other recovery permitted under applicable law. An “
Event
of Default
”
shall
mean, and be limited to, any of the following events:
(a)
The
failure of Joint Entity to pay the Rent;
(b)
A
default
by Joint Entity in the performance of any of the material terms and conditions
of this Lease that either is not
capable
of being cured or is not cured within 20 days after notice thereof is provided
in writing to Joint Entity, and if such a default either materially and
adversely affects NutraCea’s (x) legal title to the Equipment, (y) proprietary
rights or intellectual property rights, or (z) ability to repossess the
Equipment upon the expiration of this Lease. Except as set forth above, any
other breach of this Lease shall not result in the return of the Equipment
to
NutraCea or the termination of this Lease, and shall only entitle NutraCea
to
seek monetary damages or injunctive relief
.
13.2.
Effect
of Termination
.
Upon
expiration of the
[*]
Lease
term or the termination of this Lease following and Event of Default, Joint
Entity will return to NutraCea, and/or will provide evidence satisfactory to
NutraCea of the destruction of all information or records evidencing or
embodying any confidential information or intellectual proprietary rights of
NutraCea, or with respect to the Equipment, and all copies, extracts, summaries
and abstracts thereof, and thereafter will not use or disclose any such
information or records for its own benefit or to the detriment of
NutraCea.
13.3.
Removal
of Equipment
.
Upon
expiration of the
[*]
Lease
term or the termination of this Lease following and Event of Default, NutraCea
may, at its own expense, remove the Equipment from the Location, and shall
repair any material damage to such premises as a result of such removal.
13.4.
Survival
of Covenants
.
The
obligations of the parties under Sections 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 shall survive
any
expiration or termination of the Lease.
14.
Dissolution
of Joint Entity; Right of First Refusal
.
14.1
Buy
Out Right
.
In the
event that Joint Entity elects to dissolve and wind up its operations, Joint
Entity shall provide NutraCea with written notification of such election within
10 days of such election. During the 45 day period following NutraCea’s receipt
of such written notice, NutraCea shall have the right to buy out Joint Entity’s
rights under this Lease for an amount equal (the “
Buy-Out
Price
”)
to
[*]
.
If
NutraCea elects to buy out the Lease hereunder, NutraCea shall provide Joint
Entity with a binding written notice of such election, which written notice
shall also state NutraCea’s estimate of the Buy-Out Price. Joint Entity shall
notify NutraCea within 15 days of its receipt of NutraCea’s estimate of the
foregoing election whether it agrees with the Buy-Out Price. If Joint Entity
does not agree with the Buy-Out Price, the Buy-Out Price shall be determined
by
an independent appraiser located in the United States and having an established
reputation and selected by the mutual written consent of NutraCea and Joint
Entity, which determination will be binding upon the parties absent fraud.
The
parties shall, within 15 days after the determination of Buy-Out Price
consummate the termination of the Lease and the payment of the Buy-Out Price.
14.2
Failure
to Buy
.
If
NutraCea does not elect to buy out the Lease under Section 14.1, notwithstanding
anything in this Lease to the contrary, upon Joint Entity’s election to dissolve
and wind up its operations,
[*].
15.
Miscellaneous
.
15.1.
Assignment.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 14, this Lease may be assigned only
with
the prior written consent of NutraCea.
15.2.
Notices
.
All
notices required hereunder shall be sent by certified mail return receipt
requested, express courier with a nationally recognized courier service or
by
telex confirmed by such certified mail, to the party to be notified at its
following address or at such other address as shall have been specified in
written notice from the party to be notified.
NutraCea
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
Brad Edson
With
a
copy to:
Weintraub
Genshlea Chediak Law Corporation
400
Capitol Mall, Suite 1100
Sacramento,
CA 95818
Attn:
Chris Chediak
If
to
Joint Entity:
Grain
Enhancement, LLC
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Attn:
Financial Committee
15.3.
Entire
Agreement.
The
foregoing (including the exhibits referenced herein) is the parties’ entire
agreement, superseding all prior oral or written agreements and understandings
with respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms set forth herein shall
be
severable and the failure of any distinct part will not void the
remainder.
15.4.
Modification
and Amendment
.
This
Lease may be modified or amended only in writing and signed by both parties.
15.5.
Survival
.
The
provisions of this Lease that by their terms or context are intended to survive
termination of this Lease, shall so survive the termination of this
Lease.
15.6.
Governing
Law
.
The
parties agree that this Lease shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California. Joint Entity and NutraCea expressly agree that any action at law
or
in equity arising under this Lease shall be filed only in the Courts of the
State of California in a county of competent jurisdiction or the United States
District Court in a California district of competent jurisdiction. The parties
hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the
purposes of litigating any such action.
15.7.
Recovery
of Legal Fees and Costs
.
In the
event any litigation is brought by either party in connection with this Lease,
the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover from the
other party all the costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred by such
prevailing party in the litigation.
15.8.
Counterparts
.
This
Lease may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Lease.
15.9.
Binding
Agreement
.
This
Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties
hereto, and their respective legal successors and assigns.
15.10.
Waiver
.
Performance of any obligation required of a party hereunder may be waived only
by a written waiver signed by the other party, which waiver shall be effective
only with respect to the specific obligation described therein. The acceptance
of rent hereunder by NutraCea shall not be a waiver of any preceding breach
by
the Joint Entity that is not fully cured thereby.
15.11.
Severability
.
If one
or more provisions of this Lease are held to be unenforceable under applicable
law, such provision shall be excluded from this Lease and the balance of the
Lease shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall
be
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
15.
12.
Publicity
.
Neither
party shall the terms of this Lease or make any public announcement regarding
this Lease or the subject matter contained herein without the prior written
consent of the other party, except as may be required by applicable law, in
which event, the disclosing party shall endeavor to give the non-disclosing
party prompt notice in order to allow the non-disclosing party the opportunity
to seek a protective order
.
Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing to the contrary, the terms and conditions of this Lease
may
be disclosed by a party to bona fide potential investors, acquirors or partners
of such party in the course of such person’s due diligence investigation of such
party, where such person has entered into a written non-disclosure agreement
with such party that includes terms no less restrictive than those included
herein.
15.
13.
No
Joint Venture or Partnership; No Reference to Agreement or
Relationship
.
Nothing
in this Lease shall be construed to create a partnership or joint venture of
any
kind or for any purpose between the parties hereto, or to constitute either
party a special or general agent of the other, and neither party will act or
represent otherwise to any third party. Neither party shall refer to this Lease,
to the other party or the relationship between the parties in any communication
with any third party without the prior written consent of the other
party.
15.14.
Disclaimer
of Warranties
.
NOTWITHSTANDING
ANYTHING CONTAINED IN THIS LEASE, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND TO THE OTHER, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE), WITH RESPECT TO ANY ITEMS OR EQUIPMENT LEASED UNDER THIS
LEASE,
EXCEPT
AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN.
15.15.
Limitation
of Liability
.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease, neither party shall be liable
to the other, whether in tort, in contract or otherwise, and whether directly
or
by way of indemnification, contribution or otherwise, for any incidental,
consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, (including without limitation
lost
profits or revenues or injury to business or business reputation), whether
of
the other party or of any third party, relating to or arising out of the subject
matter of this Lease.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO FOLLW]
The
authorized representatives of the parties have executed this Lease as of the
Effective Date.
|
|
|
________________________:
|
|
|
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|
By:
|
______________________________
|
|
By:
|
_______________________________
|
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|
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|
Title:
|
______________________________
|
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Title:
|
_______________________________
|
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[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO EQUIPMENT LEASE]
Exhibit
A
Equipment
Description
Exhibit
B
Facilities
EXHIBIT
10.5
SOP07025
THIS
OPTION HAS BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), AND THE QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (THE "LAWS"). IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO
EXERCISE, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THIS OPTION, OR ANY INTEREST
THEREIN, OR RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION THEREFOR, IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND QUALIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS, UNLESS
EXEMPTIONS FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ARE
AVAILABLE.
THIS
OPTION MAY BE EXERCISED
ONLY
IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.
BOARD
MEMBER - NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
NutraCea,
a California corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants to WESLEY CLARK (the
"Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase a total of 35,000 shares
of
common stock of the Company (the "Common Stock") at an exercise price (the
"Exercise Price") equal to $3.76 per share, which is equal to the fair market
value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the grant, in all respects
subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of this Nonstatutory Stock
Option Agreement (the "Agreement"). Date of Grant: May 1,
2007.
1.
Nature
of the Option
.
The
Option is intended to be a nonstatutory option and
not
an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
2.
Payment
of Exercise Price
.
(a)
Method
of Payment
.
Payment
of the Exercise Price for shares purchased upon exercise of the Option shall
be
made (i) by delivery to the Company of cash or a check to the order of the
Company in an amount equal to the purchase price of such shares;
(ii) subject to the consent of the Company, by delivery to the Company of
shares of Common Stock of the Company then owned by the Optionee having a fair
market value equal in amount to the purchase price of such shares in accordance
with Section 2(b); or, (iii) by any other means approved by the Board of
Directors and which is consistent with applicable laws and regulations
(including, without limitation, the provisions of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation T promulgated by the Federal
Reserve Board); or (iv) by any combination of such methods of
payment.
(b)
Method
of Payment - Public Market
.
In the
event there exists a public market for the Company's Common Stock on the date
of
exercise, payment of the exercise price may be made by surrender of shares
of
the Company's Common Stock. In this case payment shall be made as
follows:
(i)
Optionee
shall deliver to the Secretary of the Company a written notice which shall
set
forth the portion of the purchase price the Optionee wishes to pay with Common
Stock, and the number of shares of such Common Stock the Optionee intends to
surrender pursuant to the exercise of this Option, which shall be determined
by
dividing the aforementioned portion of the purchase price by the average of
the
last reported bid and asked prices per share of Common Stock of the Company,
as
reported in
The
Wall Street Journal
(or, if
not so reported, as otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) System or, in the event the Common Stock
is
listed on a national securities exchange, or on the NASDAQ Small-Cap Market
of
any successor national market system, the closing price of Common Stock of
the
Company on such exchange as reported in
The
Wall Street Journal
)
for the
day on which the notice of exercise is sent or delivered;
(ii)
Fractional
shares shall be disregarded and the Optionee shall pay in cash an amount equal
to such fraction multiplied by the price determined under subparagraph
(i);
(iii)
The
written notice shall be accompanied by a duly endorsed blank stock power with
respect to the number of Shares set forth in the notice, and the certificate(s)
representing said Shares shall be delivered to the Company at its principal
offices within three (3) working days from the date of the notice of
exercise;
(iv)
The
Optionee hereby authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Company to transfer
so many of the Shares represented by such certificate(s) as are necessary to
pay
the purchase price in accordance with the provisions herein;
(v)
If
any
such transfer of Shares requires the consent of the California Commissioner
of
Corporations or of some other agency under the securities laws of any other
state, or an opinion of counsel for the Company or Optionee that such transfer
may be effected under applicable federal and state securities laws, the time
periods specified herein shall be extended for such periods as the necessary
request for consent to transfer is pending before said commissioner or other
agency, or until counsel renders such an opinion, as the case may be. All
parties agree to cooperate in making such request for transfer, or in obtaining
such opinion of counsel, and no transfer shall be effected without such consent
or opinion if required by law; and
(vi)
Notwithstanding
any other provisions herein, the Optionee shall only be permitted to pay the
purchase price with shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by him as of
the
exercise date in the manner and within the time periods allowed under Rule
16b-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as such regulation is
presently constituted, as it is amended from time to time, and as it is
interpreted now or hereafter by the Securities and Exchange Commission and
any
such shares have been held by the Optionee for not less than six (6)
months.
3.
Exercise
of Option
.
The
Option shall vest and become exercisable during its term, subject to the
provisions of Section 5 below, as follows:
(a)
Vesting
and Right to Exercise
.
(i)
The
Option hereby granted shall vest and become exercisable on a prorated basis
over
a twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2007. The option will be fully vested
on
June 1, 2008.
Subject
to the provisions of subparagraph (ii) and (iii) below, the Optionee can
exercise any portion of the Option, which has vested until the expiration of
the
Option term.
If
a
"change of control" of the Company should occur, as defined below, then the
Option shall immediately vest and become exercisable in full. For purposes
of
the foregoing provision, a "change in control" means the occurrence of any
of
the following:
(A)
any
"person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as emended (the "Exchange Act") (other than
the
Company or its existing shareholders) is or becomes the "beneficial owner"
(as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company (or a successor to the Company) representing 50%
or
more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Company or such successor;
(B)
the
dissolution of the Company or liquidation of more than 50% or more in value
of
the assets of the Company, (ii) or any merger or reorganization of the Company
whether or not another entity is the survivor, (iii) a transaction (other than
the initial public offering of the Company's shares) pursuant to which holders,
as a group, of all of the shares of the Company outstanding before the
transaction, hold, as a group, less than 50% of the combined voting power of
the
Company or any successor company outstanding after the transaction, or (iv)
any
other event or series of events which the Optionee determines, in his
discretion, would materially alter the structure of the Company or its
ownership.
(ii)
In
the
event of the Optionee's death, disability, other termination of employment
or
ceases to be a member of the Board prior to exercise, the exercisability of
the
Option shall be governed by Section 5 below.
(iii)
The
Option may be exercised in whole or in part but may not be exercised as to
fractional shares.
(b)
Method
of Exercise
.
In
order to exercise any portion of the Option, the Optionee shall execute and
deliver to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company the Notice of Exercise
of
Stock Option in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A," together with the
Consent of Spouse. The Notice of Exercise must be accompanied by payment in
full
of the aggregate purchase price for the Shares to be purchased in the type
of
consideration set forth in Section 2. The Notice of Exercise may be delivered
to
the Company at any time. The certificate(s) for the Shares as to which the
Option has been exercised shall be registered in the name of Optionee or his
designee.
(c)
Restrictions
on Exercise
.
This
Option may not be exercised if the issuance of the shares upon such exercise
or
the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a
violation of any applicable federal or state securities law or any other law
or
regulation. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may
require the Optionee to make any representation or warranty to the Company
at
the time of exercise of the Option as in the opinion of legal counsel for the
Company may be required by any applicable law or regulation, including the
execution and delivery of an appropriate representation statement. The stock
certificate(s) for the Shares issued upon exercise of the Option may bear
appropriate legends restricting transfer.
(d)
Delivery
of Certificates
.
The
Company shall deliver the certificate(s) for the Shares issued upon exercise
of
the Option to the Optionee as soon as is practicable; provided, however, that
if
any law or regulation requires the Company to take action with respect to such
shares before the issuance thereof, including, without limitation, actions taken
pursuant to Section 6 below, then the date of delivery of such Shares shall
be
extended for a period necessary to take such action.
4.
Non-Transferability
of Option
.
This
Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee
and may not be transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws
of
descent and distribution. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the
executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the Optionee.
5.
Term
of the Option
.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, to the extent not previously exercised,
the right to exercise the Option shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary
of the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Optionee ceases
to be
a Board Member of the Company for any reason, except death and disability,
he or
she may, but only within ninety (90) days after the date he or she ceases to
be
a Board Member of the Company, exercise his or her Option to the extent that
he
or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination, and in
the
case of the Optionee's death or disability, the Optionee (or the Administrator
or Executor or other Representative of the Optionee's estate) may, but only
within one (1) year after the date he or she ceases to be a Board Member of
the
Company due to death or disability, exercise his or her Option to the extent
that he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination;
provided, however that in no event may the Option be exercised after the ten
(10) year term has expired. To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled
to
exercise an Option at the date of such termination, or if he or she does not
exercise such Option (which he or she was entitled to exercise) within the
time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
6.
Adjustments
Upon /Changes in Capitalization; Other Adjustments
.
Subject
to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares
and the Exercise Price shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, combination, reclassification, the payment of a
stock dividend on the Common Stock or any other increase or decrease in the
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of shares of stock
of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall
affect and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number of shares subject to, or the Exercise Price of, this Option.
The
Board
may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole discretion, also make
provision for adjusting the number of shares, as well as the Exercise Price,
in
the event that the Company effects one or more reorganizations,
recapitalizations, rights offerings, or other increases or reductions of shares
of its outstanding common stock, and in the event of the Company being
consolidated with or merged into any other corporation; provided, however,
that
in no event shall the Optionee be adversely affected by such
adjustment.
The
Board
may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole discretion, also make
provision for changing, modifying, amending or adjusting any of the terms of
this Option solely in order for the Company to perfect a significant financing;
provided, however, that in no event shall the Optionee be adversely affected
by
such adjustment.
7.
Rights
of Shareholder
.
Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares until
the date of the issuance or the transfer to the Optionee of the certificate(s)
for such shares and only after the Exercise Price for such shares has been
paid
in full.
8.
Amendment
.
Except
as set forth in Section 6, this Agreement may not be amended without the written
consent of the Optionee.
9.
Income
Tax Withholding
.
The
Optionee authorizes the Company to withhold, in accordance with applicable
law
from any compensation payable to him or her, any taxes required to be withheld
by federal, state or local laws as a result of the exercise of this Option.
Furthermore, in the event of any determination that the Company has failed
to
withhold a sum sufficient to pay all withholding taxes due in connection with
the exercise of this Option, the Optionee agrees to pay the Company the amount
of such deficiency in cash within five (5) days after receiving a written demand
from the Company to do so, whether or not Optionee is an employee or director
of
the Company at that time.
10.
Investment
Representations; Legends
.
(a)
Representations
.
The
Optionee represents, warrants and covenants that:
(i)
Any
shares purchased upon exercise of this Option shall be acquired for the
Optionee's account for investment only, and not with a view to, or for sale
in
connection with, any distribution of the shares in violation of the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), or any rule or regulation under the
Securities Act.
(ii)
The
Optionee has had such opportunity as he or she has deemed adequate to obtain
from representatives of the Company such information as is necessary to permit
the Optionee to evaluate the merits and risks of his or her investment in the
Company.
(iii)
The
Optionee is able to bear the economic risk of the holding of such shares
acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Option for an indefinite
period.
(iv)
The
Optionee understands that the Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this
Option are not registered under the Securities Act and are "restricted
securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may
not
be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of in the absence of an effective
registration statement with respect to the Shares filed and made effective
under
the Securities Act of 1933, or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company
to the effect that registration under such Act is not required.
By
making
payment upon exercise of this Option, the Optionee shall be deemed to have
reaffirmed, as of the date of such payment, the representations made in this
Section 10.
(b)
Legends
of Stock Certificate
.
All
stock certificates representing share of Common Stock issued to the Optionee
upon exercise of this Option shall have affixed thereto legend(s) substantially
in the following forms, in addition to any other legends required by applicable
state law:
"THE
SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT
TO THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, FILED AND MADE EFFECTIVE UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
TO
THE EFFECT THAT REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT IS NOT REQUIRED."
DATE
OF
GRANT: May 1, 2007
|
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NUTRACEA
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By:
|
|
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Bradley
D. Edson, Chief Executive Officer
|
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The
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, and represents that he
or
she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby
agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Board of Directors of NutraCea upon any questions arising
under such Agreement.
Dated:
________________________
|
____________________________________
WESLEY
CLARK
ADDRESS:
___________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
PHONE:
_____________________________
SSN:
________________________________
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CONSENT
OF SPOUSE
I,
________________________, spouse of the Optionee who executed the foregoing
Agreement attached hereto, hereby agree that my spouse's interest in the shares
of Common Stock of NutraCea subject to said Agreement shall be irrevocably
bound
by the Agreement's terms. I agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final
all
decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors of NutraCea upon any
questions arising under such Agreement. I further agree that my community
property interest in such Shares, if any, shall similarly be bound by said
Agreement and that such consent is binding upon my executors, administrators,
heirs and assigns. I agree to execute and deliver such documents as may be
necessary to carry out the intent of said Agreement and this
consent.
Dated:
________________________
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____________________________________
Signature
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____________________________________
Print Name
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EXHIBIT
A
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
SUBJECT:
NOTICE
OF
EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS
With
respect to the stock option granted to the undersigned by NutraCea, (the
“Company”) on (grant date) _______________________, to purchase an aggregate of
________________________ shares of the Company’s Common Stock, this is official
notice that the undersigned hereby elects to exercise such option to purchase
shares as follows:
Number
of Shares
|
________________________
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Date
of Purchase:
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________________________
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Mode
of Payment:
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________________________
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(certified
check or cash)
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The
shares should be issued as follows:
Name:
|
_____________________________________________
|
|
|
Address:
|
_____________________________________________
|
|
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_____________________________________________
|
|
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Signed
by (print name):
|
_____________________________________________
|
|
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Signature:
|
_____________________________________________
|
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Dated:
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_____________________________________________
|
|
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SSN:
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_____________________________________________
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Please
send this notice of exercise to:
NutraCea
5090
North 40
th
Street,
Suite 400
Phoenix,
AZ 85018
Phone:
602-522-3000
Exhibit
31.1
CERTIFICATION
FOR QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q
I,
Bradley Edson, certify that:
1.
I have
reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NutraCea, a California
corporation;
2.
Based
on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement
of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The
registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing
and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange
Act
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly
during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal
quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report)
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The
registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most
recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation
of
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information; and
b)
any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees
who
have a significant role in the registrant's disclosure internal control over
financial reporting.
Date
d:
August
14, 2007
/
s/
Bradley Edson
Name:
Bradley Edson
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit
31.2
CERTIFICATION
FOR QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q
I,
Todd
C. Crow, certify that:
1.
I have
reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NutraCea, a California
corporation;
2.
Based
on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement
of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The
registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing
and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange
Act
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly
during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
c)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal
quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report)
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The
registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most
recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation
of
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information; and
b)
any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees
who
have a significant role in the registrant's disclosure internal control over
financial reporting.
Dated:
August
14, 2007
/
s/
Todd C. Crow
Name:
Todd C. Crow
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit
32.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(SUBSECTIONS
(a) AND (b) OF SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF
TITLE
18,
UNITED STATES CODE)
Pursuant
to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of
section 1350, chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), each of the
undersigned officers of NutraCea
,
a
California corporation (the "Company”), do hereby certify with respect to the
Quarterly Report of NutraCea on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "10-Q Report")
that:
(1)
the
10-Q
Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
the
information contained in the 10-Q Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
NutraCea.
Dated: August 14,
2007
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NUTRACEA
/s/
Bradley
Edson
Bradley
Edson
Chief
Executive Officer
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/s
/
Todd C.
Crow
Todd
C. Crow,
Chief
Financial Officer
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