As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 9, 2008
|
Registration
No. 333-148611
|
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
S-1/A
(Amendment
No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2)
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Sino-Global
Shipping America, Ltd.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia
|
4731
|
11-3588546
|
(State
or jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
(Primary
Standard Industrial
Classification
Code Number)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number)
|
36-09
Main Street
Suite
9C-2
Flushing,
New York 11354
(718)
888-1814
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number,
including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Copies
to:
Chi
Tai Shen
Sino-Global
Shipping America, Ltd.
36-09
Main Street
Suite
9C-2
Flushing,
New York 11354
(718)
888-1814
Fax:
(718) 888-1148
(Name,
address and telephone number of agent for service)
|
Bradley
A. Haneberg, Esq.
Anthony
W. Basch, Esq.
Kaufman
& Canoles, P.C.
Three
James Center
1051
East Cary Street, 12
th
Floor
Richmond,
Virginia 23219
(804)
771-5700
Fax:
(
804)
771-5777
|
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable,
after this registration statement becomes effective.
If
any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed
or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check
the
following box:
x
If
this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.
o
If
this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering.
o
If
this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering.
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer
o
|
Accelerated
filer
o
|
Non-accelerated
filer
o
|
Smaller
reporting company
x
|
(Do
not
check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
of Each
Class
of Securities
to
be Registered
|
|
Amount
to be
Registered
(1)
|
|
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
per
Share
|
|
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
|
|
Amount
of
Registration Fee
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
[______]
|
(2)
|
$
|
[______]
|
(2)
|
$
|
8,750,000.00
|
(2)
|
$
|
343.88
|
|
Common
Stock
(3)
|
|
|
[______]
|
(4)
|
$
|
[______]
|
(4)
|
$
|
1,865,671.64
|
(4)
|
$
|
73.32
|
|
Underwriter
Warrants
(5)
|
|
|
[______]
|
(6)
|
$
|
0.001
|
|
$
|
150.00
|
(6)
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
Common
Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of Underwriter Warrants
(5)
|
|
|
[______]
|
(7)
|
$
|
[______]
|
(7)
|
$
|
1,273,880.60
|
(7)
|
$
|
50.06
|
|
Total
Registration Fee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,889,702.24
|
|
$
|
467.27
|
(8)
|
(1)
|
In
accordance with Rule 416(a), the Registrant is also registering an
indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock that shall
be
issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from
stock
splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions.
|
(2)
|
The
registration fee for securities to be offered by the Registrant is
based
on an estimate of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price of
the
securities, and such estimate is solely for the purpose of calculating
the
registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(o).
|
(3)
|
This
registration statement also covers the resale under a separate resale
prospectus by selling shareholders of up to [______] shares of common
stock previously issued to such selling shareholders named in the
resale
prospectus.
|
(4)
|
The
registration fee for securities to be offered by the Selling Shareholders
is based on an estimate of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering
Price
of the securities, and such estimate is solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(o).
|
(5)
|
In
connection with the Registrant’s sale of the shares of Common Stock
registered hereby, the Registrant will sell to Anderson & Strudwick,
Incorporated (the “underwriter”) warrants to purchase [______] shares of
common stock (the “underwriter warrants”), such amount representing 10% of
the aggregate number of shares of common stock (i) sold by the
Registrant and (ii) subject to sale by the selling shareholders
pursuant to this registration statement. The price to be paid by
the
underwriter for the underwriter warrants is $0.001 per warrant. The
exercise price of the underwriter warrants is $[______] per share,
representing 120% of the price of the common stock offered hereby.
The
resale of the common stock underlying the underwriter warrants is
registered hereunder. The shares of common stock underlying the
underwriter warrants are being registered on a delayed or continuous
basis
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
|
(6)
|
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to
Rule 457.
|
(7)
|
The
registration fee for securities to be offered by the underwriter
is based
on an estimate of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price of
the
securities, and such estimate is solely for the purpose of calculating
the
registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(o).
|
The
Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file
a
further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on
such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This
registration statement contains a prospectus to be used in connection with
the
initial public offering of up to [______] shares of the registrant’s common
stock on a best-efforts, minimum/maximum basis through the underwriter named
on
the cover page of that prospectus (the “IPO Prospectus”). In addition, the
registrant is registering on this registration statement the resale of up
to
[______] shares of its common stock (the “Registrable Securities”) held by
selling shareholders. Consequently, this registration statement contains
a
second prospectus to cover these possible resales (the “Resale Prospectus”) by
certain of the registrant’s shareholders named under the Resale Prospectus (the
“selling shareholders”). The IPO Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus are
substantively identical, except for the following principal points:
·
they
contain different front and rear covers (including table of contents);
·
they
contain different Offering sections in the Prospectus Summary section beginning
on page 1
;
·
they
contain different Use of Proceeds sections on page 23
;
·
the
Dilution section is deleted from the Resale Prospectus on page 26
;
·
a
Selling
Shareholders section is included in the Resale Prospectus beginning on
page
26
;
·
references
in the IPO Prospectus to the Resale Prospectus will be deleted from the
Resale
Prospectus; and
·
the
Underwriting section from the IPO Prospectus on page 57
is
deleted from the Resale Prospectus and a Plan of Distribution is inserted
in its
place.
The
registrant has included in this Registration Statement, after the financial
statements, alternate pages to reflect the foregoing differences.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any
state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED __________ ___, 2008
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
Minimum
Offering:
[______]
Shares of Common Stock
Maximum
Offering:
[______]
Shares of Common Stock
This
is
the initial public offering of Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd., a Virginia
corporation. We are offering a minimum of [______] shares and a maximum of
[______] shares of our common stock. Our officers and directors may, but have
made no commitment, nor indicated they intend to, purchase shares in the
offering. Purchases by our officers and directors may be made in order to reach
the minimum offering amount. We have not placed a limit on the number of shares
our officers and directors may purchase in this offering.
We
expect
that the offering price will be $[______] per share. No public market currently
exists for our shares. We have applied for approval for quotation on the NASDAQ
Capital Market under the symbol “SINO” for the shares of common stock we are
offering. We believe that upon the completion of the offering contemplated
by
this prospectus, we will meet the standards for listing on the NASDAQ Capital
Market.
Investing
in our common stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on
page 6
of
this prospectus.
|
|
Per Share
|
|
Maximum
Offering
|
|
Minimum
Offering
|
|
Public
Offering Price
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
8,750,000
|
|
$
|
6,750,000
|
|
Underwriting
Commission
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
612,500
|
|
$
|
472,500
|
|
Proceeds
to us, before expenses
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
8,137,500
|
|
$
|
6,277,500
|
|
We
expect
total cash expenses for this offering to be approximately $[______]. The
underwriter must sell the minimum number of securities offered ([______] shares
of common stock) if any are sold. The underwriter is required to use only its
best efforts to sell the securities offered. The offering will terminate upon
the earlier of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and our underwriter
after which the minimum offering is sold or (ii) June 1, 2008. Until we
sell at least [______] shares, all investor funds will be held in an escrow
account at SunTrust Bank, Richmond, Virginia. If we do not sell at least
[______] shares by June 1, 2008, all funds will be promptly returned to
investors (within one business day) without interest or deduction.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Anderson &
Strudwick,
Incorporated
Prospectus
dated _____, _____
Except
where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this prospectus only,
the terms:
·
“we,”
“us,” “our” and “our company” refer to Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. and,
except where the context otherwise requires, Trans Pacific Shipping Limited
and
Sino-Global Shipping Agency Ltd.;
·
“shares”
and “common stock” refer to shares of our common stock, without par value per
share;
·
“China”
and “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China; and
·
all
references to “RMB,” “Renminbi” and “¥” are to the legal currency of China and
all references to “USD,” “U.S. dollars,” “dollars” and “$” are to the legal
currency of the United States.
This
prospectus contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar
amounts
at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise
stated, the translations of RMB into U.S. dollars have been made at the single
rate of exchange of $1.00 to RMB7.6155, the exchange rate at June 30, 2007.
We
make no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in
this
prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB,
as
the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On April 8, 2008, the
noon
buying rate was $1.00 to RMB7.0008. See “Risk Factors - Fluctuation of the
Renminbi could materially affect our financial condition and results of
operations” for discussions of the effects of fluctuating exchange rates on the
value of our shares. Any discrepancies in any table between the amounts
identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are
due to
rounding.
For
the
sake of consistency throughout this prospectus, the Chinese names of individuals
will follow the Chinese language convention of last name followed by first
name.
All individuals named in this prospectus who have Chinese names consisting
of
three syllables have two-syllable first names.
This
summary highlights information that we present more fully in the rest of this
prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should
consider before buying shares in this offering. This summary contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as
statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future
events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by
terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,”
“ongoing,” “expect,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,”
“could,” and similar expressions. These statements involve estimates,
assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could
cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances
or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You
should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors”
section and the financial statements and the notes to those statements.
Our
Company
We
are
the parent company of Trans Pacific Shipping Limited (“Trans Pacific”), our
wholly-owned subsidiary in Beijing. Trans Pacific operates Sino-Global Shipping
Agency Ltd. (previously Sino-Global Shipping Consulting Ltd.), our Chinese
shipping agency (“Sino-China”), by contract. Prior to the completion of this
offering, we and Sino-China are under common control, by virtue of our Chief
Executive Officer’s ownership of more than 70% of both companies. We provide
shipping agency services in China and have offices in China located in Beijing,
Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang and in the United
States
in Flushing, New York to coordinate our clients’ shipping needs, including
preparing documents, husbanding vessels, processing customs issues, coordinating
matters with port authorities, overseeing and settling cargo claims, tracking
shipments, and recommending trucking, warehousing and complementary services.
We
act as
a local agent and attend vessels directly in each of the ports in which we
have
branch offices. In addition to these ports, we have contracting offices at
all
other commercial ports in China as a professional general/protecting agency.
In
the ports in which we do not yet have an office, we appoint a local agent to
attend the vessels directly. See “Our Business - General”.
We
have
designed our services to simplify the shipping process for our clients and
to
keep our clients fully informed about the status of their shipments. To that
end, we analyze the information about prospective shipments provided by our
clients to determine the most economical and efficient transportation solutions
and then leverage our position as a shipping agency to negotiate competitive
shipping rates. We also give our clients disbursement reports to empower them
to
monitor and dispute all questionable charges. In addition to allowing clients
to
monitor disbursements, our Disbursement Department audits all bills provided
by
ports for unreasonable charges that violate the guidelines issued by China’s
Ministry of Communications.
We
provide shipping agency services to a variety of vessel sizes and types,
including Handysize, Panamax, Capesize, Roll-On/Roll-Off (“RORO”), and Very
Large Crude Carrier (“VLCC”) class vessels. We have assisted clients with a
variety of shipping requirements, including bulk and break-bulk general cargo,
vehicle transport and raw materials such as crude oil and oil products and
iron,
manganese and other metal ores.
Our
principal executive offices are located in the United States at 36-09 Main
Street, Suite 9 C-2, Flushing, New York 11354 and in China at 16
th
Floor,
Tower D, Ye Qing Plaza No. 9, Wangjing (North) Road, Chao Yang District,
Beijing, People’s Republic of China 100102. Our telephone number in the United
States is (718) 888-1814. Our website address is www.sino-global.com.
Information contained on our website or any other website is not a part of
this
prospectus.
Industry
Background
Since
China adopted its open door trade policy in 1978, inviting foreign investment
in
China, China’s economy has steadily developed, both from new investments in
China and from increased international trade. As international trade between
China and other countries has expanded, the shipping industry in China has
also
grown.
The
evolution of the shipping agency industry has followed that of the shipping
industry in general. In January 1953, the PRC founded the China Ocean Shipping
Agency (“Penavico”) as a branch of China Ocean Shipping Company (“COSCO”).
Penavico and its branches in ports served as China’s only shipping agent until
the open door policy opened the industry to other companies. China’s second
shipping agency, China Marine Shipping Agency Company Limited (“Sinoagent”) was
founded in 1985 and allowed customers a choice of shipping agents at a number
of
ports in China.
Since
1985, the PRC has taken a number of steps to open China’s shipping agency
industry to private companies. In 1990, the PRC adopted the International Ship
Agency Management and Stipulation (
国榻緇緊代理管理瘼定
),
which
allowed state-owned companies to compete in the shipping agency industry. In
2002, the PRC further relaxed the restrictions on shipping agencies by
promulgating the People’s Republic of China International Marine Transportation
Rule (
中华人民共和国国榻海瀰条例
),
which
permitted Chinese private entities and joint ventures between Chinese and
foreign entities to compete in the shipping agency industry. The Chinese and
American Marine Transportation Agreement (
中美海瀰协定
)
in 2003
and the New Round Chinese and European Union Marine Transportation Agreement
(
中国与欧盟海瀰协定
)
in 2002
allowed shipping transportation enterprises that were wholly owned by American
and European Union businesses, respectively, to provide shipping agency service
for their parent companies.
Companies
may serve as general shipping agents in certain locations and as local shipping
agents in other locations. As of June 30, 2006, we believe that approximately
1,400 shipping agencies (including 33 joint ventures) have been approved in
China. In 2006, China’s shipping agency industry saw revenues of approximately
$1.53 billion. Of this amount, Penavico and Sinoagent combined for approximately
85% of the shipping agency industry market share.
Our
Corporate Information
Sino-China
was founded in 2001 under the name “Sino-Global Shipping Consulting Ltd.” As
organized prior to this offering, Sino-China had five divisions, which
corresponded to the five ports in which Sino-China has branch offices: Ningbo,
Qingdao, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang. Sino-China currently holds
four
local licenses in China to serve as a local shipping agent in Ningbo, Qingdao,
Tianjin, and Fangchenggang. Sino-Global has applied for a local shipping agent
license in Qinhuangdao and expects to receive this license in the next few
months. Sino-China provides general shipping agency services in 76 ports in
China.
Our
company was incorporated in New York on February 2, 2001 to enable Sino-China
to
develop the American and Canadian markets for Sino-China and to provide better
and more convenient services to our American and Canadian customers. In
anticipation of this offering, we have re-organized our company.
On
September 14, 2007, we formed a stock corporation in the Commonwealth of
Virginia and, on September 18, 2007, we merged with and into our Virginia
corporation, Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. On November 13, 2007, we
organized Trans Pacific as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in Beijing. Trans
Pacific is our wholly-owned subsidiary and operates Sino-China by contract.
Each
of
Mr. Cao Lei, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Zhang Mingwei, our Chief
Financial Officer, is a shareholder in our company and in Sino-China; however,
the companies do not have a parent-subsidiary relationship and ownership
between
the companies is not identical. Furthermore, Trans Pacific and Sino-China
do not
have a parent-subsidiary relationship. Nevertheless, by virtue of Mr. Cao’s
ownership of more than 70% of both companies, we and Sino-China are considered
under common control of Mr. Cao. On November 14, 2007, a variety of contracts
were executed with 25 year renewable terms and govern the relationships among
Trans Pacific, Sino-China and our company.
PRC
law
currently limits foreign ownership of companies that provide shipping agency
services. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, we operate
our
business in China through Sino-China, a PRC limited liability company wholly
owned by Cao Lei, our Chief Executive Officer, and Zhang Mingwei, our Chief
Financial Officer, both of whom are PRC citizens. Sino-China holds the licenses
and approvals necessary to operate our shipping agency business in China.
We
have contractual arrangements with Sino-China and its shareholders pursuant
to
which we provide management and technical consulting services to Sino-China
through Trans Pacific, our wholly-owned subsidiary in China. Through these
contractual arrangements, which enable us to control Sino-China, we are
considered the primary beneficiary of Sino-China. Accordingly, we consolidate
Sino-China’s results, assets and liabilities in our financial statements.
Because of Mr. Cao’s common control of Sino-China and our company, we have
consolidated these results from the inception of Sino-China. For a description
of these contractual arrangements, see “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual
Arrangements with Sino-China and its Shareholders.”
The
following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure and the place
of
formation, ownership interest and affiliation of our subsidiary and Sino-China
as of the date of this prospectus.
Shares
offered:
|
|
Minimum
Offering: [______] shares
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
Offering: [______] shares
(1)
|
|
|
|
Shares
to be outstanding, if maximum offering is sold:
|
|
[______]
shares
(2)
|
|
|
|
Shares
to be outstanding, if minimum offering is sold:
|
|
[______]
shares
(2)
|
|
|
|
Proposed
NASDAQ Capital Market symbol:
|
|
“SINO”
|
|
|
|
Risk
factors:
|
|
Investing
in these securities involves a high degree of risk. As an investor,
you
should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You
should
carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section
of this prospectus before deciding to invest in the
shares.
|
|
|
|
Gross
proceeds, if maximum offering is sold:
|
|
$8,750,000
|
|
|
|
Gross
proceeds, if minimum offering is sold:
|
|
$6,750,000
|
|
|
|
Closing
of offering:
|
|
The
offering contemplated by this prospectus will terminate upon the
earlier
of: (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and our underwriter after
which the minimum offering is sold or (ii) June 1, 2008.
|
(1)
|
We
are also concurrently registering for resale under a separate prospectus
up to [______] shares of our common stock held by the selling shareholders
named under the prospectus. None of the shares is being offered by
us and
we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares. In
addition,
none of the selling shareholders is an officer or director of our
company,
Sino-China or Trans Pacific.
|
(2)
|
Based
on 1,800,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of
April 9,
2008.
|
Underwriting
We
have
engaged Anderson & Strudwick, Incorporated to conduct this offering on a
“best efforts, minimum/maximum” basis. The underwriter has not made a firm
commitment in this offering and thus has no obligation or commitment to purchase
any of our shares. Although they have not formally committed to do so, our
affiliates may opt to purchase shares in connection with this offering. To
the
extent such individuals invest, they will purchase our shares with investment
intent and without the intent to resell. Any shares purchased by our affiliates
shall contribute to the calculation of whether we achieved our minimum offering.
We have not placed limits on the number of shares eligible to be purchased
by
our affiliates.
Summary
Financial Information
In
the
table below, we provide summary financial data for our company. This information
is derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this
prospectus. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for any future period. When you read this historical
selected financial data, you should read it along with the historical financial
statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this
prospectus.
|
|
For
the year ended June 30,
|
|
For
the six months
ended
December 31,
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
Total
Sales
|
|
$
|
10,090,879
|
|
$
|
8,924,786
|
|
$
|
8,144,189
|
|
Income
from Operations
|
|
|
1,260,918
|
|
|
616,111
|
|
|
606,743
|
|
Net
income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest
in
income
(1)
|
|
|
1,144,752
|
|
|
556,481
|
|
|
618,576
|
|
Non-controlling
Interest in Income
(1)
|
|
|
(104,237
|
)
|
|
(26,643
|
)
|
|
(60,037
|
)
|
Net
Income
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
Basic
Earnings per Share
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
Diluted
Earnings per Share
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
3,752,561
|
|
$
|
1,805,673
|
|
$
|
4,378,809
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
1,788,748
|
|
|
1,257,348
|
|
|
1,851,384
|
|
Long-term
Liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-controlling
Interest
|
|
|
308,610
|
|
|
(66,362
|
)
|
|
313,683
|
|
Mandatorily
Redeemable Stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
Net
Assets
|
|
|
1,655,203
|
|
|
614,687
|
|
|
963,742
|
|
Capital
Stock
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,625
(2
|
)
|
(1)
Sino-China
is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and we are the primary
beneficiary. On November 14, 2007, our company entered into agreements
with
Sino-China, pursuant to which we receive 90% of Sino-China’s net income. We do
not receive any payment from Sino-China unless Sino-China recognizes net
income
during its fiscal year. These agreements do not entitle us to any consideration
if Sino-China incurs a net loss during its fiscal year. In accordance with
these
agreements, Sino-China pays consulting and marketing fees equal to 85%
and 5%,
respectively, of its net income to our new wholly owned foreign subsidiary,
Trans Pacific, and Trans Pacific supplies the technology and personnel
needed to
service Sino-China. Sino-China was designed to operate in China for the
benefit
of our Company.
The
accounts of Sino-China are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46
(Revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of
ARB No. 51”. As a VIE, Sino-China’s sales are included in our company’s total
sales, its income from operations is consolidated with our company’s, and our
net income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest in
income
includes all of Sino-China’s net income. Our non-controlling interest in its
income is then subtracted in calculating the net income attributable to our
company. Because of the contractual arrangements, we had a pecuniary interest
in
Sino-China that requires consolidation of our company’s and Sino-China’s
financial statements.
Mr.
Cao
Lei owns more than 70% of both Sino-China and our company (before completion
of
the offering) and was able to cause our company and Sino-China to enter
into the
2007 agreements at any point in time. Accordingly, our company has consolidated
Sino-China’s income because the entities are under common control in accordance
with SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. For this reason, we have included 90% of
Sino-China’s net income in our net income as discussed above as though the 2007
agreements were in effect from the inception of Sino-China, and only the
10% of Sino-China’s net income not paid to our company represents the
non-controlling interest in Sino-China’s income.
(2)
The
total
number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding at December 31,
2007 is
1,800,000 shares. On December 31, 2007, our company became obligated to
purchase
certain shares under the circumstances described in greater detail below.
For
that reason, we have classified [_____] shares at redemption value outside
of
permanent equity as “Mandatorily redeemable stock.” See “Related Party
Transactions - Loan to Mr. Cao.”
Investment
in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider
the risks described below together with all of the other information included
in
this prospectus before making an investment decision. The risks and
uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face, but represent
the
material risks to our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs,
our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In
that
case, you may lose all or part of your investment. You should not invest in
this
offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
operate in a very competitive industry and may not be able to maintain our
revenues and profitability.
Since
2003, China has qualified over 1,400 shipping agencies. Our potential
competitors include two major shipping agencies, which together account for
approximately 85% of China’s shipping agency revenues. These competitors have
significantly greater financial and marketing resources and name recognition
than we have.
In
2006,
total revenues for shipping agency services in China were approximately $1.53
billion. During our fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, we generated net revenues
of approximately $10.09 million. As such, while we believe that we effectively
compete in our market, our competitors occupy a substantial competitive
position. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete
in our industry.
In
addition, our competitors may introduce new business models, and if these new
business models are more attractive to customers than the business models we
currently use, our customers may switch to our competitors’ services, and we may
lose market share. We believe that competition in China’s shipping agency
industry may become more intense as more shipping agencies, including
Chinese/foreign joint ventures, are qualified to conduct business. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against any new or
existing competitors, or against any new business models our competitors may
implement. In addition, the increased competition we anticipate in the shipping
agent industry may also reduce the number of vessels for which we are able
to
provide shipping agency services, or cause us to reduce agency fees in order
to
attract or retain customers. All of these competitive factors could have a
material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability. See “Our Business -
Our Challenges.”
The
PRC owns part of our two largest competitors.
The
Chinese government’s ownership of our two largest competitors disadvantages our
company in a number of ways.
First,
the Chinese government prevents direct foreign investment in certain industries,
such as telecommunication services, online commerce and advertising. In fact,
when the PRC government founded Penavico, it closed the shipping agency industry
to a number of foreign shipping agents that had provided services in China
prior
to that time. Although the PRC has removed these restrictions in our industry
in
recent years, there can be no guarantee that the PRC will not re-nationalize
the
shipping agency industry in the future, especially since approximately 85%
of
the shipping agency industry in China is already owned, in part, by the Chinese
government. See “Risk Factors - The Chinese government could change its policies
toward private enterprise or even nationalize or expropriate private
enterprises, which could result in the total loss of our investment in that
country.”
Second,
because our two largest competitors, Penavico and Sinoagent, are state-owned,
they may have advantages over our company in dealing with local government
officials and leverage over local companies that we, as a wholly privately-owned
company, do not have. These relationships may limit our ability to compete
with
Penavico and Sinoagent.
Third,
due to their relationship with the Chinese government, our largest competitors
may have access to funding that is not available to us. This access may allow
them to grow their businesses at a rate we are not able to match. If we are
unable to expand at a comparable rate with these competitors, we may lose market
share or be unable to generate profits. See “Our Business -
Competition.”
Our
customers are companies engaged in the shipping industry, and, consequently,
our
financial performance is dependent upon the economic conditions of that
industry.
We
have
derived most of our revenues to date from providing shipping agency services
to
Chinese and international shipping companies that seek to ship materials to
and
from China. Our customers’ success is intrinsically linked to economic
conditions in the shipping industry in general and trade with China in
particular. The shipping industry, in turn, is subject to intense competitive
pressures and is affected by overall economic conditions. Although we believe
our services can assist shipping companies in a competitive environment, demand
for our services could be harmed by instability or downturns in the shipping
industry, which may cause customers to forego shipping agency services by
attempting to provide such services in-house. There can be no assurance that
we
will be able to continue our historical revenue growth or sustain our
profitability on a quarterly or annual basis or that our results of operations
will not be adversely affected by continuing or future downturns in the shipping
industry. See “Our Business - Market Background.”
Our
revenues are highly dependent on China’s use of iron ore in general and on a few
customers involved in that industry in particular.
While
we
provide shipping agency services to vessels in a variety of industries, iron
ore
shipments have made up the majority of cargo in vessels that have used our
services. Between 2002 and 2005, iron ore has accounted for approximately 82.7%
of our shipments by weight and has ranged from slightly less than 4,000,000
metric tons to more than 8,000,000 metric tons shipped per year in the same
time
period. China is currently the world’s largest importer of iron ore, and global
shipping capacity has been unable to keep pace with China’s demand for iron ore,
resulting in increases in the cost of iron ore to China of 71.5% in 2005, 19%
in
2006, and 9.5% in 2007. China currently imports approximately 43% of the world’s
iron ore and relies on three companies for approximately 75% of its iron ore.
See “Risk Factors - China’s reaction to perceived inequities in the iron ore
industry may adversely affect our company.”
In
addition, we derive a substantial portion of our revenues related to iron ore
shipments from two customers, (i) Beijing Shou Rong Forwarding Service Co.,
Ltd, which is an affiliate of Shou Gang Group (Capital Steel) and
(ii) Jardine Shipping Agencies (Hong Kong) Ltd, a member of Jardine
Shipping Services. Jardine Shipping Agencies (Hong Kong) Ltd serves as the
shipping representative of BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd, an Australian company
that is one of the largest iron ore providers in the world.
We
provide services to Beijing Shou Rong under an exclusive agency agreement that
is terminable on three months’ notice and that expires on December 31, 2009. We
first began to provide shipping agency services under this agreement in 2001,
and we have renewed the contract annually since then. Beijing Shou Rong
accounted for approximately 52% and 32.5% of our revenues in 2007 and 2006,
respectively, and any termination of the agency services agreement with Beijing
Shou Rong would materially harm our operations.
We
provide services to Jardine Shipping Agencies under an oral agreement that
is
freely terminable. We first began to provide shipping agency services to Jardine
Shipping Agencies in 2006. We currently provide services to Jardine Shipping
Agencies in the port of Tianjin. Jardine Shipping Agencies accounted for
approximately 10.7% of our revenues in 2007, and any termination of our agency
services to Jardine Shipping Agencies would materially harm our operations.
See
“Our Business - Customers.”
We
may be unable to maintain current shipping agency fees in the future.
We
have
long enjoyed the benefits of shipping agency fees in China that are higher
than
the average in the international market. In order to ensure quality service
for
shipping companies, China’s Ministry of Communications has established standard
shipping agency fees that are favorable to shipping agencies. If the Ministry
of
Communications reduced or abolished the standard fees, our revenues and profits
could be materially and adversely affected as shipping agencies began to compete
on the basis of price. While it is customary for shipping agents to negotiate
below the standard shipping agency fees, the removal of these standards could
further lower the fees that shipping agencies are able to charge for
services. In light of China’s moves in furtherance of its open door
policy, there can be no assurance that shipping agency fees will maintain their
current levels, especially as shipping agencies and China have already begun
to
offer lower prices than China’s Ministry of Communications permits. See
“Our Business - General.”
We
may be required to assume liabilities for our clients in the
future.
An
increasing number of companies that require shipping agency services have
pressured shipping agents to guarantee their principals’ liabilities. Some
companies have required shipping agents, as a condition of doing business,
to
pay directly for tariffs, port charges, and other fees, to be reimbursed at
a
later date by the companies. Other companies have sought to include agents
as
parties in voyage charter agreements, leading to potential liability for
shipping agents in the event of a breach by another party. We expect that these
pressures on shipping agents to accept more liability will increase as
competition among shipping agencies intensifies. While we do not currently
pay
these liabilities and have no present intention to begin doing so in the future,
the assumption of any of these or other new liabilities could have a material
adverse effect on our operations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Account
Receivable.”
We
are heavily dependent upon the services of experienced personnel who possess
skills that are valuable in our industry, and we may have to actively compete
for their services.
Our
company is much smaller than Penavico and Sinoagent, our two main competitors,
and we compete in large part on the basis of the quality of services we are
able
to provide our clients. As a result, we are heavily dependent upon our ability
to attract, retain and motivate skilled personnel to serve our clients. Many
of
our personnel possess skills that would be valuable to all companies engaged
in
the shipping agency industry. Consequently, we expect that we will have to
actively compete with other Chinese shipping agencies for these employees.
Some
of our competitors may be able to pay our employees more than we are able to
pay
to retain them. Our ability to profitably operate is substantially dependent
upon our ability to locate, hire, train and retain our personnel. Although
we
have not experienced difficulty locating, hiring, training or retaining our
employees to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain
our
current personnel, or that we will be able to attract, assimilate other
personnel in the future. If we are unable to effectively obtain and maintain
skilled personnel, the quality of our shipping agency services could be
materially impaired. See “Our Business - Employees.”
We
are substantially dependent upon our key personnel, particularly Cao Lei, our
Chief Executive Officer.
Our
performance is substantially dependent on the performance of our executive
officers and key employees. In particular, the services of:
|
·
|
Mr. Cao
Lei, Chief Executive Officer;
|
|
·
|
Mr.
Zhang Mingwei, Chief Financial
Officer;
|
|
·
|
Mr. Huang
Zhi Kang, Vice President; and
|
|
·
|
Ms.
Liu Si Xia, Chief Operating
Officer.
|
would
be
difficult to replace. We do not have in place “key person” life insurance
policies on any of our employees. The loss of the services of any of our
executive officers or other key employees could substantially impair our ability
to successfully implement our existing supply chain management software and
develop new programs and enhancements. See “Our Business - Employees” and
“Management.”
We
may not pay dividends.
We
have
not previously paid any cash dividends, and we do not anticipate paying any
dividends on our common stock. We cannot assure you that our operations will
continue to result in sufficient revenues to enable us to operate at profitable
levels or to generate positive cash flows. Furthermore, there is no assurance
our Board of Directors will declare dividends even if we are profitable.
Dividend policy is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and
will
depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital
requirements and other factors. If we determine to pay dividends on any of
our
common stock in the future, we will be dependent, in large part, on receipt
of
funds from Trans Pacific and Sino-China. See “Dividend Policy.”
Foreign
Operational Risks
China’s
reaction to perceived inequities in the iron ore industry may adversely affect
our company.
China
currently imports approximately 43% of the world’s iron ore and relies on three
companies for approximately 75% of its iron ore. On July 18, 2007, China’s key
industry association, the China Iron and Steel Association (“CISA”), accused
these three mining companies of “working together” to effect a shortage.
Since
this accusation, one of these three iron ore companies, BHP Billiton Limited,
has offered to acquire another, Rio Tinto Limited. In response to BHP Billiton’s
initial offer, the state-owned Chinalco cooperated with U.S. company Alcoa
to
purchase an approximately 12% interest in Rio Tinto. After this purchase,
however, BHP Billiton submitted another offer to purchase Rio Tinto, which
was
rejected by Rio Tinto’s Board of Directors on February 6, 2008. Although the
offer has been rejected, any consolidation of such large iron ore companies
could result in renewed claims by the Chinese government that these companies
are working together to effect shortages.
In
addition to the likely effect of proposed consolidations in the iron ore
industry, China has also protested a recent notice from Rio Tinto that iron
ore
shipments under existing contracts will be cut by 10% due to a
hurricane.
If
the
Chinese government were to take steps to combat perceived inequities in the
iron
ore industry, our operations could be adversely affected. See “Risk Factors -
Our revenues are highly dependent on China’s use of iron ore in general and on a
few customers involved in that industry in particular.”
A
slowdown in the Chinese economy may slow down our growth and profitability.
The
Chinese economy has grown at an approximately 9 percent rate for more than
25
years, making it the fastest growing major economy in recorded history. In
2006,
China’s economy grew by 10.7%, the fastest pace in 11 years. China’s trade
surplus increased by 74% in 2006, reaching $177.5 billion. China has stated
that
it will take steps, such as lowering tariffs on certain imports and raising
taxes on certain exports, to slow the growth of its trade surplus. Such actions,
if taken, could increase imports into China. Retail sales in China increased
by
13.7% in 2006, with urban retail sales growing by 14.3% and rural retail sales
rising by 12.6%.
We
cannot
assure you that growth of the Chinese economy will be steady or that any
slowdown will not have a negative effect on our business. Several years ago,
the
Chinese economy experienced deflation, which may recur in the foreseeable
future. More recently, the Chinese government announced its intention to use
macroeconomic tools and regulations to slow the rate of growth of the Chinese
economy, the results of which are difficult to predict. Adverse changes in
the
Chinese economy will likely impact the financial performance of the retailing,
distribution, logistics, manufacturing and shipping industries in China. If
such
adverse changes were to occur in these industries, commercial shipping could
decrease, which could, in turn, reduce the demand for our shipping agency
services. See “Our Business - Market Background.”
We
do not have business interruption, litigation or natural disaster insurance.
The
insurance industry in China is still at an early state of development. In
particular PRC insurance companies offer limited business products. As a result,
we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance coverage for
our
operations in China. Any business interruption, litigation or natural disaster
may result in our business incurring substantial costs and the diversion of
resources. See “Our Business - Our Challenges.”
Negative
perceptions about the quality of Chinese goods could reduce demand for Chinese
exports and our shipping agency services.
Recent
news of concerns about imported products from China, including such items as
pet
food, toys, toothpaste and cell phone batteries, may have harmed public
perception of the general quality of goods produced by Chinese manufacturers.
Whether or not concerns about the quality of Chinese products are justified,
continued perception of problems with Chinese products could cause importers
and
consumers to seek similar products from other countries and could harm China’s
shipping industry. A weakened shipping industry would in turn also harm China’s
shipping agency industry and negatively impact our company. See “Our Business -
China’s Economic Development.”
Any
recurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, pandemic avian
influenza or another widespread public health problem, could adversely affect
the Chinese economy as a whole, the shipping industry in general and our ability
to profitably provide shipping industry services.
A
renewed
outbreak of SARS, pandemic avian influenza or another widespread public health
problem in China, where we earn most of our revenues, could have a negative
effect on our operations. Our operations may be affected by a number of
health-related factors, including the following:
|
·
|
quarantines
or closures of some or our offices or the ports at which we provide
services, which would severely disrupt our operations;
|
|
·
|
the
sickness or death of our key officers and employees; and
|
|
·
|
a
general slowdown in the Chinese economy.
|
The
possible quarantine of our offices or the ports at which we provide services
or
the sickness or death of our key officers and employees would restrict our
ability to provide shipping agency services. Any of the foregoing events or
other unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect
our markets or our ability to operate profitably.
Trans
Pacific’s contractual arrangements with Sino-China may result in adverse tax
consequences to us.
We
could
face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine
that Trans Pacific’s contractual arrangements with Sino-China were not made on
an arm’s length basis and adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in
the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could
result in a reduction, for PRC tax purposes, of adjustments recorded by
Sino-China, which could adversely affect us by increasing Sino-China’s tax
liability without reducing Trans Pacific’s tax liability, which could further
result in late payment fees and other penalties to Sino-China for underpaid
taxes. See “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual Arrangements with Sino-China
and its Shareholders.”
Trans
Pacific’s contractual arrangements with Sino-China may not be as effective in
providing control over Sino-China as direct ownership of Sino-China.
We
conduct substantially all of our operations, and generate substantially all
of
our revenues, through contractual arrangements with Sino-China that provide
us,
through our ownership of Trans Pacific, with effective control over Sino-China.
We depend on Sino-China to hold and maintain contracts for shipping agency
services with our customers. Sino-China also owns substantially all of our
intellectual property, facilities and other assets relating to the operation
of
our business, and employs the personnel for substantially all of our business.
Neither our company nor Trans Pacific has any ownership interest in Sino-China.
Although we have been advised by Kang Da, our PRC legal counsel, that each
contract under Trans Pacific’s contractual arrangements with Sino-China is
valid, binding and enforceable under current PRC laws and regulations, these
contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control
over Sino-China as direct ownership of Sino-China. In addition, Sino-China
may
breach the contractual arrangements. For example, Sino-China may decide not
to
pay consulting or marketing fees to Trans Pacific, and consequently to our
company, in accordance with the existing contractual arrangements. In event
of
any such breach, we would have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law. These
remedies may not always be effective, particularly in light of uncertainties
in
the PRC legal system. See “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual Arrangements
with Sino-China and its Shareholders.”
Uncertainties
with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
There
are
substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC
laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations
governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our contractual
arrangements with Sino-China and its shareholders.
We
conduct our business primarily through Trans Pacific and Sino-China. These
entities are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign
investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned
enterprises. We and Trans Pacific are considered foreign persons or foreign
invested enterprises under PRC law. As a result, we and Trans
Pacific
are
subject to PRC law limitations on foreign ownership of Chinese companies. These
laws and regulations are relatively new and may be subject to change, and their
official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty.
The
effectiveness of newly enacted laws, regulations or amendments may be delayed,
resulting in detrimental reliance by foreign investors. New laws and regulations
that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied
retroactively.
In
addition, we depend on Sino-China to honor its agreements with Trans Pacific.
Almost all of these agreements are governed by PRC law. The PRC legal system
is
based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference
but
have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations
have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign
investments in China. However, since the PRC legal system continues to rapidly
evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always
uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve
uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. In addition,
any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and
diversion of resources and management attention.
The
PRC
government has broad discretion in dealing with violations of laws and
regulations, including levying fines, revoking business and other licenses
and
requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses and permits
issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a
later time by higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the effect of the
interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations on our businesses.
We
cannot assure you that our current ownership and operating structure would
not
be found in violation of any current or future PRC laws or regulations. As
a
result, we may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required
to restructure our operations or cease to provide certain services. Any of
these
or similar actions could significantly disrupt our business operations or
restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations,
which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations. See “Our Business - Market Background.”
The
shareholders of Sino-China have potential conflicts of interest with us, which
may adversely affect our business.
Neither
we nor Trans Pacific owns any portion of the equity interests of Sino-China.
Instead, we and Trans Pacific rely on contractual obligations to enforce our
interest in receiving payments from Sino-China. Conflicts of interest may arise
between Sino-China’s shareholders and our company if, for example, their
interests in receiving dividends from Sino-China were to conflict with our
interest requiring Sino-China to make contractually-obligated payments to Trans
Pacific. As a result, we have required Sino-China and each of its shareholders
to execute irrevocable powers of attorney to appoint the individual designated
by us to be his attorney-in-fact to vote on their behalf on all matters
requiring shareholder approval by Sino-China and to require Sino-China’s
compliance with the terms of its contractual obligations. We cannot assure
you,
however, that when conflicts of interest arise, Sino-China’s shareholders will
act completely in our interests or that conflicts of interests will be resolved
in our favor. In addition, Sino-China’s shareholders could violate their
agreements with us by diverting business opportunities from us to others. If
we
cannot resolve any conflicts of interest between us and Sino-China’s
shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result
in
the disruption of our business. In addition, these contractual relationships
are
governed by PRC law, which may result in uncertainty as to application and
enforcement. “Our Corporate Structure.”
We
rely on dividends paid by our subsidiary for our cash needs.
Although
our company generates limited revenues from operations in the United States,
we
rely primarily on dividends paid by Trans Pacific for our cash needs, including
the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions, if any,
to
our shareholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating
expenses. The payment of dividends by entities organized in China is subject
to
limitations. Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only
out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with accounting standards
and regulations in China.
Under
the
current PRC tax law, dividend payments to foreign investors made by foreign
investment entities are exempt from PRC withholding tax. Pursuant to the new
PRC
enterprise income tax law effective on January 1, 2008, however, dividends
payable by a foreign investment entity to its foreign investors are subject
to a
withholding tax of up to 20%. Although the new tax law contemplates the
possibility of exemptions from withholding taxes for China-sourced income of
foreign investment entities, the PRC tax authorities have not promulgated any
related implementation rules and it remains unclear whether we would be able
to
obtain exemptions from PRC withholding taxes for dividends distributed to us
by
Trans Pacific. At present, however, the United States and China are signatories
to the 1984 People’s Republic of China-United States Income Tax Agreement, which
would allow our company to claim a deemed-paid credit, which is an indirect
tax
credit, on any taxes paid to China by Trans Pacific. This credit may currently
be carried forward for ten years. To the extent we were not eligible to receive
or were unable to use the credit, this new enterprise tax law could have an
adverse effect on our company. See “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual
Arrangements with Sino-China and its Shareholders.”
Governmental
control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.
The
PRC
government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign
currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China.
We
receive the majority of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate
structure, our income is derived from dividend payments from Trans Pacific
and
income from our activities in the United States. Shortages in the availability
of foreign currency may restrict the ability of Trans Pacific to remit
sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or
otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing
PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including
profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related
transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from
the
PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange by complying with certain
procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government
authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency
and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of
bank
loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its
discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current
account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from
obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may
not be able to pay dividends, if any, in foreign currencies to our shareholders.
See “Our Business - Regulations on Foreign Exchange.”
Fluctuation
in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on your
investment.
The
value
of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate
and
is affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic
conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old
policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new
policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed
band
against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has
resulted in an appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. While
the
international reaction to the Renminbi revaluation has generally been positive,
there remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt
an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and
more
significant appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. We rely
largely on payments from Trans Pacific and Sino-China. While we charge our
fees
in U.S. dollars, Sino-China and Trans Pacific nevertheless operate within China
and will rely heavily on Renminbi in their operations. Any significant
revaluation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows,
revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends
payable on, our common stock in U.S. dollars. For example, an appreciation
of
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would make any new Renminbi denominated
investments or expenditures more costly to us, to the extent that we need to
convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for such purposes. See “Exchange Rate
Information.”
Changes
in China’s political and economic policies could harm our business.
China’s
economy has historically been a planned economy subject to governmental plans
and quotas and has, in certain aspects, been transitioning to a more
market-oriented economy. Although we believe that the economic reform and the
macroeconomic measures adopted by the Chinese government have had a positive
effect on the economic development of China, we cannot predict the future
direction of these economic reforms or the effects these measures may have
on
our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, the
Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD. These
differences include:
|
·
|
level
of government involvement in the economy;
|
|
·
|
level
of capital reinvestment;
|
|
·
|
control
of foreign exchange;
|
|
·
|
methods
of allocating resources; and
|
|
·
|
balance
of payments position.
|
As
a
result of these differences, our business may not develop in the same way or
at
the same rate as might be expected if the Chinese economy were similar to those
of the OECD member countries. See “Our Business - Market Background.”
Since
1979, the Chinese government has promulgated many new laws and regulations
covering general economic matters. Despite this activity to develop a legal
system, China’s system of laws is not yet complete. Even where adequate law
exists in China, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on existing
law
may be uncertain or sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and
equitable enforcement or to obtain enforcement of a judgment by a court of
another jurisdiction. The relative inexperience of China’s judiciary, in many
cases, creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation.
In
addition, interpretation of statutes and regulations may be subject to
government policies reflecting domestic political changes. Our activities in
China will also be subject to administration review and approval by various
national and local agencies of China’s government. Because of the changes
occurring in China’s legal and regulatory structure, we may not be able to
secure the requisite governmental approval for our activities. Although we
have
obtained all required governmental approval to operate our business as currently
conducted, to the extent we are unable to obtain or maintain required
governmental approvals, the Chinese government may, in its sole discretion,
prohibit us from conducting our business. See “Our Business - Market
Background.”
The
Chinese government could change its policies toward private enterprise or even
nationalize or expropriate private enterprises, which could result in the total
loss of our investment in that country.
Our
business is subject to significant political and economic uncertainties and
may
be adversely affected by political, economic and social developments in China.
Over the past several years, the Chinese government has pursued economic reform
policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater
economic decentralization. The Chinese government may not continue to pursue
these policies or may significantly alter them to our detriment from time to
time with little, if any, prior notice.
Changes
in policies, laws and regulations or in their interpretation or the imposition
of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions
or
prohibitions on dividend payments to shareholders, devaluations of currency
or
the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises could have
a
material adverse effect on our business. Nationalization or expropriation
could
even result in the total loss of our investment in China and in the total
loss
of your investment in us. See “Our Business - Market
Background.”
As
most of our officers, directors and assets are outside the United States, it
will be extremely difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities
against us and our officers, directors and assets based in China.
Most
of
our directors and officers reside outside the United States. In addition, many
of our assets will be located outside the United States. As a result, it may
be
difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the United States
upon our directors or officers and our subsidiaries, or enforce against any
of
them court judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments
relating to United States federal securities laws. Furthermore, because the
majority of our assets are located in China, it would also be extremely
difficult to access those assets to satisfy an award entered against us in
United States court. See “Management - Executive Officers and Directors.”
Our
international operations require us to comply with a number of U.S.
regulations.
In
addition the Chinese laws and regulations with which we must comply, we must
also comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which prohibits
U.S. companies or their agents and employees from providing anything of value
to
a foreign official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision of these
individuals in their official capacity to help obtain or retain business, direct
business to any person or corporate entity or obtain any unfair advantage.
Any
failure by us to adopt appropriate compliance procedures and ensure that our
employees and agents comply with the FCPA and applicable laws and regulations
in
foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial penalties and/or restrictions
in our ability to conduct business in certain foreign jurisdictions. The U.S.
Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”)
administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign
countries, entities and individuals based on U.S. foreign policy and national
security goals. As a result, we are restricted from entering into transactions
with certain targeted foreign countries, entities, and individuals except as
permitted by OFAC, which may reduce our future growth.
See “Our
Business - Market Background.”
Risks
Associated with this Offering
There
may not be an active, liquid trading market for our common stock.
Prior
to
this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. An active
trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained following
this offering. You may not be able to sell your shares at the market price,
if
at all, if trading in our stock is not active. The initial public offering
price
was determined by negotiations between us and the underwriter based upon a
number of factors. The initial public offering price may not be indicative
of
prices that will prevail in the trading market.
Investors
risk loss of use of funds subscribed, with no right of return, during the
offering period.
We
cannot
assure you that all or any shares will be sold. Anderson & Strudwick,
Incorporated, our underwriter, is offering our shares on a “best efforts,
minimum-maximum basis.” We have no firm commitment from anyone, including our
affiliates, to purchase all or any of the shares offered. If subscriptions
for a
minimum of [______] shares are not received on or before June 1, 2008, escrow
provisions require that all funds received be promptly refunded. If refunded,
investors will receive no interest on their funds. During the offering period,
investors will not have any use or right to return of the funds. Our executive
officers and directors may, but have made no commitment, nor indicated they
intend to, purchase shares in the offering. We have not placed a limit on the
number of shares such executive officers or directors may purchase in this
offering. Any purchases by such individuals will be made for investment purposes
only and not for resale, but may be made in order to reach the minimum offering
amount.
The
market price for our common stock may be volatile, which could result in
substantial losses to investors.
The
market price for our common stock is likely to be volatile and subject to wide
fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
·
actual
or
anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
·
changes
in the Chinese shipping industry or shipping agency industry;
·
changes
in the Chinese economy;
·
changes
in political relationships, both within China and between China and other
countries;
·
announcements
by our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint
ventures or capital commitments;
·
additions
or departures of key personnel;
·
fluctuation
of the Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies; or
·
potential
litigation.
In
addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance
of particular companies. As a result, to the extent shareholders sell our shares
in negative market fluctuation, they may not receive a price per share that
is
based solely upon our business performance. We cannot guarantee that
shareholders will not lose some of their entire investment in our common stock.
If
our financial condition deteriorates, we could be delisted by the NASDAQ Capital
Market and our shareholders could find it difficult to sell our shares.
Upon
completion of this offering, we expect our common stock to trade on the NASDAQ
Capital Market. In order to qualify for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market
upon the completion of this offering, we must meet the following criteria:
·
(i) We
must have been in operation for at least two years, must have shareholder equity
of at least $5,000,000 and must have a market value for our publicly held
securities of at least $15,000,000; OR (ii) we must have shareholder equity
of at least $4,000,000, must have a market value for our publicly held
securities of at least $15,000,000 and must have a market value of our listed
securities of at least $50,000,000; OR (iii) we must have net income from
continuing operations in our last fiscal year (or two of the last three fiscal
years) of at least $750,000, must have shareholder equity of at least $4,000,000
and must have a market value for our publicly held securities of at least
$5,000,000; and
·
The
market value of our shares held by non-affiliates must be at least $1,000,000;
·
The
market value of our shares must be at least $5,000,000;
·
The
minimum bid price for our shares must be at least $4.00 per share;
·
We
must
have at least 300 round-lot shareholders;
·
We
must
have at least 3 market makers; and
·
We
must
have adopted NASDAQ-mandated corporate governance measures, including a Board
of
Directors comprised of a majority of independent directors, an Audit Committee
comprised solely of independent directors and the adoption of a code of ethics
among other items.
The
NASDAQ Capital Market also requires companies to fulfill specific requirements
in order for their shares to continue to be listed. In order to qualify for
continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we must meet the following
criteria:
·
(i) Our
shareholders’ equity must be at least $2,500,000; OR (ii) the market value
of our listed securities must be at least $35,000,000; OR (iii) our net
income from continuing operations in our last fiscal year (or two of the
last
three fiscal years) must have been at least $500,000;
·
The
market value of our shares held by non-affiliates must be at least $500,000;
·
The
market value of our shares must be at least $1,000,000;
·
The
minimum bid price for our shares must be at least $1.00 per share;
·
We
must
have at least 300 shareholders;
·
We
must
have at least 2 market makers; and
·
We
must
have adopted NASDAQ-mandated corporate governance measures, including a Board
of
Directors comprised of a majority of independent directors, an Audit Committee
comprised solely of independent directors and the adoption of a code of ethics
among other items.
Although
we believe that our common stock will trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market,
investors should be aware that they will be required to commit their investment
funds prior to the approval or disapproval of our listing application by the
NASDAQ Capital Market. If our shares are not so listed or are delisted from
the
NASDAQ Capital Market at some later date, our shareholders could find it
difficult to sell our shares.
In
addition, we have relied on an exemption to the blue sky registration
requirements afforded to “covered securities”. Securities listed on the NASDAQ
Capital Market are “covered securities.” If we were to be unable to meet the
listing standards, then we would need to register the offering in each state
in
which we plan to sell shares, and there is no guarantee that we would be able
to
register in all or any of the states in which we plan to offer the shares.
In
addition, if our common stock is delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market at
some
later date, we may apply to have our common stock quoted on the Bulletin Board
maintained by NASDAQ or in the “pink sheets” maintained by the National
Quotation Bureau, Inc. The Bulletin Board and the “pink sheets” are generally
considered to be less efficient markets than the NASDAQ Capital Market. In
addition, if our common stock is not so listed or is delisted at some later
date, our common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” regulations. These
rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that
sell
low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and
institutional accredited investors and require the delivery of a disclosure
schedule explaining the nature and risks of the penny stock market. As a result,
the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell or make a market in our
common stock might decline. If our common stock is not so listed or is delisted
from the NASDAQ Capital Market at some later date or were to become subject
to
the penny stock regulations, it is likely that the price of our shares would
decline and that our shareholders would find it difficult to sell their shares.
We
will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.
As
a
public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses
that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act,
as well as new rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) and NASDAQ, have required changes in corporate governance
practices of public companies. We expect these new rules and regulations to
significantly increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs
and
to make certain corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. In
addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company
reporting requirements.
Our
classified board structure may prevent a change in our control.
Our
board
of directors is divided into three classes of directors. The current terms
of
the directors expire in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Directors of each class are chosen
for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms, and each year
one class of directors is elected by the shareholders. The staggered terms
of
our directors may reduce the possibility of a tender offer or an attempt at
a
change in control, even though a tender offer or change in control might be
in
the best interest of our shareholders. See “Management - Board of Directors and
Board Committees.”
Shares
eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our common
stock, as the future sale of a substantial amount of outstanding stock in the
public marketplace could reduce the price of our common stock.
The
market price of our shares could decline as a result of sales of substantial
amounts of our shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales
could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us
to
raise funds through future offerings of common stock. An aggregate of 1,800,000
shares will be outstanding before the consummation of this offering and [______]
shares will be outstanding immediately after this offering, if the maximum
offering is raised. All of the shares sold by our company in the offering will
be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as defined
in Rule 144 of the Securities Act. The remaining shares will be “restricted
securities” as defined in Rule 144. These shares may be sold in the future
without registration under the Securities Act to the extent permitted by Rule
144 or other exemptions under the Securities Act. In addition, we have agreed
to
register the resale of a total of [______] shares of our common stock held
by
certain selling shareholders in connection with the offering. Upon registration,
such shares will be freely transferable and will not be subject to any form
of
lock-up. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”
You
will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
The
initial public offering price of our shares is expected to be substantially
higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock.
Therefore, assuming the completion of the maximum offering, if you purchase
shares in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately
$[______] or approximately [______]% in the pro forma net tangible book value
per share from the price per share that you pay for the common stock. Assuming
the completion of the minimum offering, if you purchase shares in this offering,
you will incur immediate dilution of approximately $[______]or approximately
[______]% in the pro forma net tangible book value per share from the price
per
share that you pay for the shares. Accordingly, if you purchase shares in this
offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution of your investment.
See “Dilution.”
Our
directors and officers will control a majority of our capital stock, decreasing
your influence on shareholder decisions.
Assuming
the sale of the maximum offering, our officers and directors will, in the
aggregate, beneficially own approximately [______]% of our outstanding shares.
Assuming the sale of the minimum offering, our officers and directors will,
in
the aggregate, beneficially own approximately [______]% of our outstanding
common stock. As a result, our officers and directors will possess substantial
ability to impact our management and affairs and the outcome of matters
submitted to shareholders for approval. These shareholders, acting individually
or as a group, could exert control and substantial influence over matters such
as electing directors and approving mergers or other business combination
transactions. This concentration of ownership and voting power may also
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could
deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares
as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our common stock.
These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders,
including those who purchase shares in this offering. See “Principal
Shareholders.”
We
will have an ongoing relationship with our underwriter that may impact our
ability to obtain additional capital.
In
connection with this offering, we will sell our underwriter warrants to purchase
up to [______] shares (assuming the maximum offering) for a nominal amount.
These warrants are exercisable for a period of five years from the date of
issuance at a price of $[______] per share (120% of the price of the shares
in
this offering). During the term of the warrants, the holders thereof will be
given the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our common
stock, with a resulting dilution in the interest of our other shareholders.
The
term on which we could obtain additional capital during the life of these
warrants may be adversely affected because the holders of these warrants might
be expected to exercise them when we are able to obtain any needed additional
capital in a new offering of securities at a price greater than the exercise
price of the warrants. See “Underwriting.”
We
will have an ongoing relationship with our underwriter that may impact our
shareholders’ ability to impact decisions related to our
operations.
In
connection with this offering, we have agreed to allow our underwriter to
designate two non-voting observers to our Board of Directors until the earlier
of the date that:
·
the
investors that purchase shares in this offering beneficially own less than
10%
of our outstanding shares; or
·
the
trading price per share is at least $[______] per share for any consecutive
15
trading day period.
Although
our underwriter’s observers will not be able to vote, they may nevertheless
significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to the Board of
Directors for approval. We have agreed to reimburse the observers for their
expenses for attending our Board meetings, subject to a maximum reimbursement
of
$6,000 per meeting and $12,000 annually per observer. As of the date of this
prospectus, Mr. L. McCarthy Downs, III and Mr. Zhu Ming are
serving as our underwriter’s observers to our Board of Directors. See
“Management - Board of Directors Observers.”
We
have
made statements in this prospectus, including under “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk
Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,” “Our Business” and elsewhere that constitute
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, such as statements about our plans, objectives, expectations,
assumptions or future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,”
“continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “may,” “will,”
“should,” “could” and similar expressions. These statements involve estimates,
assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could
cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances
or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Examples
of forward-looking statements include:
·
projections
of revenue, earnings, capital structure and other financial items;
·
statements
of our plans and objectives;
·
statements
regarding the capabilities and capacities of our business operations;
·
statements
of expected future economic performance; and
·
assumptions
underlying statements regarding us or our business.
The
ultimate correctness of these forward-looking statements depends upon a number
of known and unknown risks and events. We discuss many of these risks under
the
heading “Risk Factors” above. Many factors could cause our actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking
statements. Consequently, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements.
The
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made,
and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date
on
which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
In
addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
OUR
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Corporate
History
Sino-China
was founded in 2001 under the name “Sino-Global Shipping Consulting Ltd.” and
subsequently changed its name to “Sino-Global Shipping Agency, Ltd.” As
organized prior to this offering, Sino-China had five divisions, which
corresponded to the five ports in which Sino-China has branch offices: Ningbo,
Qingdao, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang. Sino-China currently holds
four
local licenses in China to serve as a local shipping agent in Ningbo, Qingdao,
Tianjin, and Fangchenggang. Sino-China has applied for a local shipping agent
license in Qinhuangdao and expects to receive this license in the next few
months. Sino-China provides general shipping agency services in 76 ports in
China.
Our
company was incorporated in New York on February 2, 2001 to enable Sino-China
to
develop the American and Canadian markets for Sino-China and to provide better
and more convenient services to American and Canadian customers. In anticipation
of this offering, we have re-organized our company.
On
September 14, 2007, we formed a stock corporation in the Commonwealth of
Virginia and, on September 18, 2007, we merged with and into our Virginia
corporation, Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. On November 13, 2007, we
organized Trans Pacific as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in Beijing. Trans
Pacific is our wholly-owned subsidiary and operates Sino-China by contract.
Each
of
Mr. Cao Lei, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Zhang Mingwei, our Chief
Financial Officer, is a shareholder in our company and in Sino-China; however,
the companies do not have a parent-subsidiary relationship and ownership
between
the companies is not identical. Furthermore, Trans Pacific and Sino-China
do not
have a parent-subsidiary relationship. Nevertheless, by virtue of Mr. Cao’s
ownership of more than 70% of both companies, we and Sino-China are considered
under common control. On November 14, 2007, a variety of agreements were
executed with 25 year renewable terms and govern the relationships among
Trans
Pacific, Sino-China and our company.
PRC
law
currently limits foreign ownership of companies that provide shipping agency
services. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, we operate
our
business in China through Sino-China, a PRC limited liability company wholly
owned by Cao Lei, our Chief Executive Officer, and Zhang Mingwei, our Chief
Financial Officer, both of whom are PRC citizens. Sino-China holds the licenses
and approvals necessary to operate our shipping agency business in China.
We
have contractual arrangements with Sino-China and its shareholders pursuant
to
which we provide management and technical consulting services to Sino-China
through Trans Pacific, our wholly-owned subsidiary in China. Through these
contractual arrangements, which enable us to control Sino-China, we are
considered the primary beneficiary of Sino-China. Accordingly, we consolidate
Sino-China’s results, assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial
statements. Because of Mr. Cao’s common control of Sino-China and our company,
we have consolidated these results from the inception of Sino-China. For
a
description of these contractual arrangements, see “Our Corporate Structure -
Contractual Arrangements with Sino-China and its
Shareholders.”
In
the
opinion of Kang Da, our PRC legal counsel, (i) the ownership structures of
Trans Pacific and Sino-China comply with, and immediately after this offering,
will comply with, current PRC laws and regulations; (ii) our contractual
arrangements with Sino-China and its shareholders are valid and binding on
all
parties to these arrangements, and do not violate current PRC laws or
regulations; and (iii) the business operations of Trans Pacific and
Sino-China comply with current PRC laws and regulations.
Corporate
Ownership Structure
The
following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure and the plan
of
formation and affiliation of our subsidiary and Sino-China as of the date of
this prospectus.
Sino-Global
Shipping America, Ltd.
We
were
incorporated in New York in 2001 in order to expand Sino-China’s operations from
China to the United States. At the time of our incorporation, we were authorized
to issue 200 shares of common stock. Ownership in our New York corporation
was
as follows:
Mr. Cao
Lei
|
-
|
178
shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Chi
Tai Shen
|
-
|
8
shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
8
shares of common stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zhang
Mingwei
|
-
|
6
shares of common stock
|
On
September 14, 2007, we formed Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd., a Virginia
corporation. Our Virginia corporation is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares
of common stock, without par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, without par value per share. On September 18, 2007, we completed the
merger of our New York corporation with and into our Virginia corporation.
While
we are now a Virginia corporation, we are authorized to do business in New
York.
In the merger, we exchanged each share of common stock in our New York
corporation for 9,000 shares of common stock in our Virginia corporation.
To
date, 1,800,000 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock have
been issued.
Our
company may be obligated to purchase certain of these issued and outstanding
shares of common stock on the terms and under the conditions described in
greater detail in the section titled “Related Party Transactions - Loan to Mr.
Cao.”
On
December 31, 2007, Mr. Cao Lei sold, in the aggregate, [______] shares of
his common stock in our company to two investors. See “Selling Shareholders.” As
a result of the merger and Mr. Cao’s sale of shares of our common stock,
ownership in our Virginia corporation is now as follows:
Mr. Cao
Lei
|
-
|
[______]
shares of
common stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Chi
Tai Shen
|
-
|
72,000
shares of common
stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zhu
Ming
|
-
|
72,000
shares of common
stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Zhang
Mingwei
|
-
|
54,000
shares of common
stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Mark
A. Harris and
|
|
|
Mrs. Roslyn
O. Harris
|
-
|
[______]
shares of
common stock
|
|
|
|
Mr. Richard
E. Watkins and
|
|
|
Mrs. Sharon
J. Watkins
|
-
|
[______]
shares of
common stock
|
Trans
Pacific Shipping Limited.
We
formed
Trans Pacific on November 13, 2007. Trans Pacific is a wholly foreign-owned
entity that is a subsidiary of our a Virginia company. Trans Pacific has entered
into agreements with Sino-China, by which Trans Pacific provides marketing
and
management consulting and technological consulting services to Sino-China in
return for payments from Sino-China. See “—Contractual Arrangements with
Sino-China and its Shareholders.”
Sino-Global
Shipping Agency Ltd.
We
provide our shipping agency services through Sino-China, a limited company
established in the PRC. Mr. Cao Lei and Mr. Zhang Mingwei, both of whom are
PRC
citizens, own 96.74% and 3.26% of Sino-China, respectively. Mr. Cao is our
Chief
Executive Officer and Mr. Zhang is our Chief Financial Officer. Sino-China
operates our shipping agency operations and holds the licenses and approvals
necessary to conduct our business in China.
Contractual
Arrangements with Sino-China and its Shareholders
By
virtue
of our Chief Executive Officer’s ownership of more than 70% of our company and
Sino-China, we are considered to be under common control. In addition, our
relationships with Sino-China and its shareholders are governed by a series
of
contractual arrangements. Under PRC laws, each of Sino-China and Trans Pacific
is an independent legal person and neither of them is exposed to liabilities
incurred by the other party. Other than pursuant to the contractual arrangements
between Sino-China and Trans Pacific, Sino-China does not transfer any other
funds generated from its operations to Trans Pacific. The contracts discussed
below are all effective as of November 14, 2007 by and among the listed parties.
The term of each agreement is 25 years, and our company (or Trans Pacific
to the
extent we are not a party to the agreement in question) is able to renew
each
agreement unilaterally for one or more additional terms, provided such renewal
is permitted under applicable law at the time.
Exclusive
Management Consulting and Technical Consulting Service
Agreement.
Under
the
exclusive management consulting and technical consulting service agreement
between Trans Pacific and Sino-China, Sino-China appoints Trans Pacific to
be
the exclusive provider of technology and management services to Sino-China
to
assist Sino-China with its operations. In addition to providing management,
analysis and technology services, Trans Pacific also provides training for
Sino-China’s personnel. In return for these services, Sino-China will pay a
service fee to Trans Pacific of 5% of Sino-China’s annual net profits.
Exclusive
Marketing Agreement.
Under
the
exclusive marketing agreement between Sino-China and Trans Pacific, Sino-China
appoints Trans Pacific to be the exclusive provider of marketing services
to
Sino-China to assist Sino-China with its operations. Trans Pacific agrees
to
provide world-wide customer resources for Sino-China, financial support if
Sino-China needs assistance in obtaining operating funds, marketing and
communication with Sino-China’s current and potential customers and assistance
to Sino-China in locating and participating in relevant industry groups.
In
return for these services, Sino-China will pay a service fee to Trans Pacific
of
85% of Sino-China’s annual net profits.
Equity
Interest Pledge Agreement.
Under
the
equity interest pledge agreement between Trans Pacific and each of Mr. Cao
and Mr. Zhang, Mr. Cao and Mr. Zhang have each pledged all of
their equity interest in Sino-China to Trans Pacific to guarantee that Trans
Pacific collects technical consulting and service fees from Sino-China. In
the
event Sino-China, Mr. Cao or Mr. Zhang defaults under the equity
interest pledge agreement, Trans Pacific is entitled to contractual remedies,
including foreclosing on the pledged equity interests. Mr. Cao and
Mr. Zhang have agreed not to transfer or assign the equity interest without
prior written approval from Trans Pacific.
Exclusive
Equity Interest Purchase Agreement.
The
exclusive equity interest purchase agreement among our company, Sino-China,
Mr. Cao and Mr. Zhang permits our company to purchase Mr. Cao’s
and Mr. Zhang’s equity interests in Sino-China, to the extent allowed under
PRC laws. The agreement also prohibits Mr. Cao and Mr. Zhang from
transferring any portion of their equity interests to anyone other than us.
We
have the exclusive authority to exercise the right to purchase these shares,
subject to compliance with PRC laws.
Proxy
Agreement
Pursuant
to the proxy agreement among our company, Sino-China, Mr. Cao and
Mr. Zhang, Mr. Cao and Mr. Zhang have agreed to entrust their
rights to exercise their voting power to the person(s) appointed by our company.
After
deducting the estimated underwriting discount and offering expenses payable
by
us, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $[______] from this
offering if the minimum offering is sold and $[______] if the maximum offering
is sold.
We
intend
to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows, and we have ordered the
specific uses of proceeds in order of priority. We do not expect that our
priorities for fund allocation would change if the amount we raise in this
offering exceeds the size of the minimum offering but is less than the maximum
offering. To the extent we raise an amount between the maximum offering and
the
minimum offering, we expect to utilize our offering proceeds in order of such
priority.
|
|
Maximum
Offering
|
|
Minimum
Offering
|
|
Description
of Use
|
|
Dollar
Amount
|
|
Percentage of
Net
Proceeds
|
|
Dollar
Amount
|
|
Percentage of
Net
Proceeds
|
|
Organization
of our company and creation of contractual arrangements among our
company,
Sino-China and Trans Pacific
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
Establish
local branches in 15 to 35 main ports in China
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Sarbanes-Oxley
Compliance
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Marketing
of company across China, United States and internationally
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Develop
information exchange system
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Train
staff
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Fixed
asset purchase
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Miscellaneous
expenses
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Totals
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
We
have
never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate
that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth
and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to our
dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and
will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital
requirements, financial conditions and future prospects and other factors the
Board of Directors may deem relevant. Payments of dividends by Trans Pacific
to
our company are subject to restrictions including primarily the restriction
that
foreign invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies
at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing
valid commercial documents.
Our
business is primarily conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated
in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current
period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the then current exchange
rates, for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of RMB into U.S.
dollars in this prospectus is based on the noon buying rate in The City of
New
York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB
to
U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this prospectus were made at a
rate
of RMB7.6155 to $1.00, the noon buying rate in effect as of June 30, 2007.
We
make no representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could have been,
or
could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any
particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign
currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB
into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. Our company
does not currently engage in currency hedging transactions.
The
following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the
RMB
and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated.
|
|
Noon
Buying Rate
(RMB
per US Dollar)
|
|
Period
|
|
Period-End
|
|
Average
(1)
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
2002
|
|
|
8.2800
|
|
|
8.2770
|
|
|
8.2800
|
|
|
8.2669
|
|
2003
|
|
|
8.2767
|
|
|
8.2772
|
|
|
8.2800
|
|
|
8.2765
|
|
2004
|
|
|
8.2765
|
|
|
8.2768
|
|
|
8.2771
|
|
|
8.2765
|
|
2005
|
|
|
8.0702
|
|
|
8.1940
|
|
|
8.0702
|
|
|
8.2765
|
|
2006
|
|
|
7.8041
|
|
|
7.9723
|
|
|
7.8041
|
|
|
8.0702
|
|
2007
|
|
|
7.2946
|
|
|
7.5806
|
|
|
7.2946
|
|
|
7.8127
|
|
2008
(2)
|
|
|
7.0008
|
|
|
7.1458
|
|
|
7.0008
|
|
|
7.2946
|
|
(1)
|
Annual
averages are calculated using the average of month-end rates of the
relevant year, with the exception of 2008 averages, which are calculated
using daily noon buying rates.
|
(2)
|
2008
figures are through April 8,
2008.
|
If
you
invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of
the
difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro
forma
net tangible book value per share after the offering. Dilution results from
the
fact that the per share offering price is substantially in excess of the
book
value per share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently
outstanding shares. Our net tangible book value attributable to common
shareholders at [______] was $[______] or $[______] per share. Net tangible
book
value per share as of [______] represents the amount of total tangible assets
less goodwill, acquired intangible assets net, and total liabilities, divided
by
the number of shares outstanding.
If
the
minimum offering is sold, we will have [______] shares outstanding upon
completion of the offering. Our post offering pro forma net tangible book
value,
which gives effect to receipt of the net proceeds from the offering and issuance
of additional shares in the offering, but does not take into consideration
any
other changes in our net tangible book value after [______], will be
approximately $[______] or $[______] per share. This would result in dilution
to
investors in this offering of approximately $[______] per share or approximately
[______]% from the offering price of $[______] per share. Net tangible book
value per share would increase to the benefit of present shareholders by
$[______] per share attributable to the purchase of the shares by investors
in
this offering.
If
the
maximum offering is sold, we will have [______] shares outstanding upon
completion of the offering. Our post offering pro forma net tangible book value,
which gives effect to receipt of the net proceeds from the offering and issuance
of additional shares in the offering, but does not take into consideration
any
other changes in our net tangible book value after [______], will be
approximately $[______] or $[______] per share. This would result in dilution
to
investors in this offering of approximately $[______] per share or approximately
[______]% from the offering price of $[______] per share. Net tangible book
value per share would increase to the benefit of present shareholders by
$[______] per share attributable to the purchase of the shares by investors
in
this offering.
The
following table sets forth the estimated net tangible book value per share
after
the offering and the dilution to persons purchasing shares based on the
foregoing minimum and maximum offering assumptions.
|
|
Minimum
Offering
(1)
|
|
Maximum
Offering
(2)
|
|
Per
share offering price
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Net
tangible book value per share before the offering
(unaudited)
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Increase
per share attributable to payments by new investors
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Pro
forma net tangible book value per share after the offering
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Dilution
per share to new investors
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
(1)
|
Assumes
gross proceeds from offering of [______] shares.
|
(2)
|
Assumes
gross proceeds from offering of [______] shares.
|
Comparative
Data
The
following charts illustrate our pro forma proportionate ownership. Upon
completion of the offering under alternative minimum and maximum offering
assumptions, of present shareholders and of investors in this offering, compared
to the relative amounts paid and comparative to our capital by present
shareholders as of the date the consideration was received and by investors
in
this offering, assuming no changes in net tangible book value other than those
resulting from the offering.
|
|
Shares
Purchased
|
|
Total
Consideration
|
|
Average
Price
|
|
Minimum
Offering
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Per
Share
|
|
Existing
shareholders
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
New
investors
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Total
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
|
Shares
Purchased
|
|
Total
Consideration
|
|
Average
Price
Per Share
|
|
Maximum
Offering
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percent
|
|
Existing
shareholders
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
New
investors
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______]
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
Total
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
You
should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” and the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in
this prospectus. The selected statements of operations data are for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2006 and 2007. The selected balance sheet data set forth
below, are as of June 30, 2006 and 2007. This selected financial data is derived
from our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
|
For
the year ended June 30,
|
|
For
the six months
ended
December 31,
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
Total
Sales
|
|
$
|
10,090,879
|
|
$
|
8,924,786
|
|
$
|
8,144,189
|
|
Income
from Operations
|
|
|
1,260,918
|
|
|
616,111
|
|
|
606,743
|
|
Net
income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest
in
income
(1)
|
|
|
1,144,752
|
|
|
556,481
|
|
|
618,576
|
|
Non-controlling
Interest in Income
(1)
|
|
|
(104,237
|
)
|
|
(26,643
|
)
|
|
(60,037
|
)
|
Net
Income
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
Basic
Earnings per Share
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
Diluted
Earnings per Share
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
3,752,561
|
|
$
|
1,805,673
|
|
$
|
4,378,809
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
1,788,748
|
|
|
1,257,348
|
|
|
1,851,384
|
|
Long-term
Liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-controlling
Interest
|
|
|
308,610
|
|
|
(66,362
|
)
|
|
313,683
|
|
Mandatorily
Redeemable Stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
Net
Assets
|
|
|
1,655,203
|
|
|
614,687
|
|
|
963,742
|
|
Capital
Stock
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,625
(2
|
)
|
(1)
Sino-China
is considered a VIE, and we are the primary beneficiary. On November 14,
2007,
our company entered into agreements with Sino-China, pursuant to which
we
receive 90% of Sino-China’s net income. We do not receive any payment from
Sino-China unless Sino-China recognizes net income during its fiscal year.
These
agreements do not entitle us to any consideration if Sino-China incurs
a net
loss during its fiscal year. In accordance with these agreements, Sino-China
pays consulting and marketing fees equal to 85% and 5%, respectively, of
its net
income to our new wholly owned foreign subsidiary, Trans Pacific, and Trans
Pacific supplies the technology and personnel needed to service Sino-China.
Sino-China was designed to operate in China for the benefit of our Company.
The
accounts of Sino-China are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46
(Revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of
ARB No. 51”. As a VIE, Sino-China’s sales are included in our company’s total
sales, its income from operations is consolidated with our company’s, and our
net income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest in
income
includes all of Sino-China’s net income. Our non-controlling interest in its
income is then subtracted in calculating the net income attributable to our
company. Because of the contractual arrangements, we had a pecuniary interest
in
Sino-China that requires consolidation of our company’s and Sino-China’s
financial statements.
Mr.
Cao
Lei owns more than 70% of both Sino-China and our company (before completion
of
the offering) and was able to cause our company and Sino-China to enter
into the
2007 agreements at any point in time. Accordingly, our company has consolidated
Sino-China’s income because the entities are under common control in accordance
with SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. For this reason, we have included 90% of
Sino-China’s net income in our net income as discussed above as though the 2007
agreements were in effect from the inception of Sino-China, and only the
10% of
Sino-China’s net income not paid to our company represents the non-controlling
interest in Sino-China’s income.
(2)
The
total
number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding at December 31,
2007 is
1,800,000 shares. On December 31, 2007, our company became obligated to
purchase
certain shares under the circumstances described in greater detail below.
For
that reason, we have classified [_____] shares at redemption value outside
of
permanent equity as “Mandatorily redeemable stock. See “Related Party
Transactions - Loan to Mr. Cao.”
FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You
should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition
and
results of operations in conjunction with our audited historical consolidated
financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this
prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events
could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under
“Risk
Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We
are a
shipping agency service provider for foreign ships coming to Chinese ports.
Our
company, previously known as Sino-Global-Shipping (America) Ltd., was
incorporated in New York in February 2001. On September 18, 2007, we amended
the
Article of Incorporation and Bylaws to merge into a new corporation with the
current name of Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd., in Virginia.
Our
principal geographic market is in the PRC. As PRC laws and regulations prohibit
or restrict foreign ownership of shipping agency service businesses, we operate
our business in the PRC through Sino-China, a PRC limited liability company
wholly owned by our founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cao Lei, and Chief
Financial Officer, Zhang Mingwei, both of whom are PRC citizens. Sino-China
holds the licenses and permits necessary to provide shipping services in the
PRC. Headquartered in Beijing with five branches in Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin,
Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang, Sino-China provides general shipping agency
services in 76 ports in China and serves as a local shipping agent in each
of
these five port cities. For the ports where it does not have a local
license, Sino-China appoints a local agent for its local shipping agency service
businesses.
On
November 13, 2007, we formed our wholly foreign-owned enterprise, Trans Pacific,
in Beijing. Trans Pacific and Sino-China do not have a parent-subsidiary
relationship. Instead, each of Trans Pacific and us has contractual arrangements
with Sino-China and its shareholders that enable us to substantially control
Sino-China. See “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual Arrangements with
Sino-China and its Shareholders.”
We
have
grown significantly in the last two years. Our total revenues increased from
approximately $8.92 million in 2006 to approximately $10.09 million in 2007
and
to approximately $8.14 million for the six months ended December 31, 2007.
In
2006, 2007 and the six months ended December 31, 2007, we recorded consolidated
net income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest in income
of $0.56 million, $1.14 million and $0.62 million, respectively.
Revenues
For
the
year ended June 30, 2007 and for the six months ended December 31, 2007, our
total revenues amounted to approximately $10.09 million and $8.14 million,
respectively. Our total revenues are net of PRC business taxes and related
surcharges. Sino-China’s revenues are subject to a 5% business tax as well as an
additional 0.5% surcharge after deducting the costs of services. We deduct
these
amounts from our gross revenues to arrive at our total revenues.
We
charge
the shipping agency fees in two ways: (1) the fixed fees are predetermined
with a customer, and (2) the cost-plus fees are calculated based on the
actual costs incurred plus a mark up. We generally require payments in advance
from customers and bill them the balances within 30 days after the transactions
are completed.
The
most
significant factors that directly or indirectly affect our shipping agency
service revenues are:
|
·
|
the
number of ships we provide port loading/discharging services;
|
|
·
|
the
size and types of ships we
serve;
|
|
·
|
the
rate of service fees we
charge;
|
|
·
|
the
number of ports at we provide services;
and
|
|
·
|
the
number of customers we serve.
|
Historically,
our services have primarily been driven by the increase in the number of ships
and customers, provided that the rate of service fees is determined by market
competition. We believe that an increase in the number of ports served generally
leads to an increase in the number of ships and customers. We expect that we
will continue to earn a substantial majority of our revenues from our shipping
agency services. As a result, we plan to continue to focus most of our resources
on expanding our business covering more ports in the PRC.
Operating
Costs and Expenses
Our
operating costs and expenses consist of cost of services, general and
administrative expenses, selling expenses and other expenses. Our total
operating costs and expenses have declined as a percentage of our total revenues
from 2006 to 2007 due to economies of scale and the revenue growth we have
achieved. However, the costs and expenses have increased as a percentage of
total revenues from the six months ended December 31, 2007, because of an
increase in cost of services, resulting from increased port charges in that
period. The following table sets forth the components of our costs and expenses
both in absolute amount and as a percentage of total net revenues for the
periods indicated.
All
dollar figures in the following are presented in thousands of
dollars.
|
|
For
the years ended
June 30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$000
|
|
%
|
|
$000
|
|
%
|
|
$000
|
|
%
|
|
$000
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
10,091
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
8,925
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
8,144
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
5,045
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
of services
|
|
|
7,510
|
|
|
74.42
|
|
|
6,391
|
|
|
71.61
|
|
|
6,534
|
|
|
80.23
|
|
|
3,720
|
|
|
73.74
|
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
1,715
|
|
|
19.22
|
|
|
909
|
|
|
11.16
|
|
|
555
|
|
|
11.00
|
|
Selling
expense
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
1.52
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
2.16
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
Other
costs
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
Total
costs and expenses
|
|
|
8,830
|
|
|
87.50
|
|
|
8,309
|
|
|
93.10
|
|
|
7,538
|
|
|
92.56
|
|
|
4,351
|
|
|
86.25
|
|
Costs
of Services.
Costs
of
services represent the expenses incurred in the periods when a ship docks in
a
harbor to load and unload cargo. We typically pay the costs of services on
behalf of our customers. Our costs of services could also increase if the ports
were to raise their charges.
General
and Administrative Expenses.
Our
general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits
for our staff, both operating and administrative personnel, depreciation
expenses, office renting expenses and expenses for legal, accounting and other
professional services. We expect to incur additional general and administrative
expenses as we expand our operations and become a publicly listed company in
the
United States.
Selling
Expenses.
Our
selling expenses primarily consist of commissions and traveling expenses for
our
operating staff to the ports. We expect that our selling expenses will increase
in absolute amount and may increase as a percentage of our total net revenues
in
the near term, due to the increase in the number of ships to be served and
competition in service charges.
Taxation
Because
we and
Sino-China
are
incorporated in different jurisdictions, we file separate income tax returns.
We
are subject to income or capital gains tax in the US. Additionally, dividend
payments made by our company are subject to withholding tax in the
US.
PRC
Enterprise Income Tax
PRC
enterprise income tax is calculated based on taxable income determined under
PRC
GAAP. Sino-China is registered as a PRC domestic company and governed by the
Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC. Its taxable incomes are subject to an
enterprise income tax rate of 33%. The 5th Session of the 10th National People’s
Congress amended the Enterprise Income Tax Law of PRC that became effective
on
January 1, 2008. The newly amended Enterprise Income Tax Law introduces a wide
range of changes which include, but are not limited to, the unification of
the
income tax rate for domestic-invested and foreign-invested enterprises at 25%.
This change will reduce our income tax rate from 33% to 25% in 2008. In
addition, according to the amended detailed implementation and administrative
rules, the new income tax law will broaden the tax reductions in terms of
categories and extents for the domestic companies. We expect the new income
tax
law will bring with it a positive impact on our company’s net profits in 2008
and onwards.
PRC
Business Tax
Revenues
from services provided by
Sino-China
are
subject to PRC business tax of 5% and additional surcharges of 0.5%. We pay
business tax on gross revenues generated from our shipping agency services
minus
the costs of services, which are paid on behalf of our customers.
Critical
Accounting Policies
We
prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). These
accounting principles require us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions
on
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period,
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period.
We
continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical
experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions,
our expectations regarding the future based on available information and
assumptions that we believe to be reasonable.
The
selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties
affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results
to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered
when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting
policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenue
comprises the value of charges for the services in the ordinary course of our
company’s activities net of disbursements made on behalf of customers. Revenues
are recognized from shipping agency services upon completion of services, which
generally coincides with the date of departure of the relevant vessel from
port.
Advance payments and deposits received from customers prior to the provision
of
services and recognition of the related revenues are presented as current
liabilities.
Some
contracts are signed with a term that revenues are recognized as a mark up
of
actual expenses incurred. In a situation where the services are completed but
the information on the actual expenses is not available at the end of the fiscal
period, we estimate revenues and expenses based on our previous experience
of
the revenues of the same kind of vessels, port charges on the vessel’s
particulars/movement and costs rate of the port. See “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Accounts
Receivable.”
Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities
Sino-China
is considered a VIE, and we are the primary beneficiary. On November 14,
2007,
our company entered into agreements with Sino-China, pursuant to which
we
receive 90% of Sino-China’s net income.
We
do not
receive any payment from Sino-China unless Sino-China recognizes net income
during its fiscal year. These agreements do not entitle us to any consideration
if Sino-China incurs a net loss during its fiscal year.
In
accordance with these agreements, Sino-China pays consulting and marketing
fees
equal to 85% and 5%, respectively, of its net income to our new wholly
owned
foreign subsidiary, Trans Pacific, and Trans Pacific supplies the technology
and
personnel needed to service Sino-China. Sino-China was designed to operate
in
China for the benefit of our Company.
The
accounts of Sino-China are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46
(Revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of
ARB No. 51”. As a VIE, Sino-China’s sales are included in our company’s total
sales, its income from operations is consolidated with our company’s, and our
net income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest in income
includes all of Sino-China’s net income. Our non-controlling interest in its
income is then subtracted in calculating the net income attributable to our
company. Because of the contractual arrangements, we had a pecuniary interest
in
Sino-China that requires consolidation of our company’s and Sino-China’s
financial statements.
Mr.
Cao
Lei owns more than 70% of both Sino-China and our company (before completion
of
the offering) and was able to cause our company and Sino-China to enter into
the
2007 agreements at any point in time. Accordingly, our company has consolidated
Sino-China’s income because the entities are under common control in accordance
with SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. For this reason, we have included 90% of
Sino-China’s net income in our net income as discussed above as though the 2007
agreements were in effect from the inception of Sino-China, and only the
10% of
Sino-China’s net income not paid to our company represents the non-controlling
interest in Sino-China’s income.
Accounts
Receivable
Accounts
receivable are recognized initially at fair value less allowances for doubtful
accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses
resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments in the
relevant time period. We review the accounts receivable on a periodic basis
and
makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the
collectibility of individual balances. In evaluating the collectibility of
individual receivable balances, we consider many factors, including the age
of
the balance, customer’s historical payment history, its current
credit-worthiness and current economic trends. The amount of the provision,
if
any is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations within “General
and administrative expenses”. We have determined that an allowance was not
required at the balance sheet dates.
We
have
not historically required an allowance for accounts receivable because our
company does not have any significant bad expense. When a client requests our
shipping agency services, we communicate with port officials and our service
partners and rely on our prior experience for similar vessels with similar
needs
in the same ports to obtain an estimate for the cost of services. We then
calculate our shipping agency fees in two ways: (1) the fixed fees are
predetermined with a customer, and (2) the cost-plus fees are calculated
based on the actual costs incurred plus a mark up.
We
generally obtain advance payment of our shipping agency fees prior to
undertaking to provide service to our clients. This significantly reduces the
amount of accounts receivable when the shipping agency fees are recognized.
To
the extent our estimates are insufficient, we bill our clients for the balance
to be paid within 30 days.
We
use
advance payments to pay a number of fees on behalf of our clients before their
ships arrive in port, including harbor, berthing, mooring/unmooring, tonnage,
immigration, quarantine and tug hire fees. We record the amounts we receive
as
Advances from Customers and the amounts we pay as Advances to Suppliers. We
recognize revenues and expenses once the client’s ship leaves the harbor and the
client pays any outstanding amounts. In some cases, a delay in receiving bills
will require us to estimate the Service Revenues and Cost of Services in
accordance with the rate and formulas approved by the Ministry of
Communications. When this happens, we record the difference between Service
Revenues (as so recognized) and Advances from Customers as Accounts Receivable
and the difference between Cost of Services and Advances to Suppliers as
Accounts Payable. To the extent we recognize revenues and costs in this way,
our
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable will reflect this estimation until
we
receive the bills and information we require to adjust revenues and expenses
to
reflect our actual Service Revenues and Cost of Services. Any adjustment to
actual from the estimated Revenues and Cost of Services recorded has been and
is
expected to be immaterial.
Property
and Equipment
We
state
property and equipment at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Historical cost comprises its purchase price and any directly
attributable costs of bringing the assets to its working condition and location
for its intended use. We provide for depreciation and amortization in amounts
sufficient to expense the related cost of depreciable assets for operations
over
their estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization are calculated
on a
straight-line basis to write off the cost of assets to their residual values
over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Buildings
|
|
20
years
|
Motor
vehicles
|
|
5-10
years
|
Furniture
and office equipment
|
|
3-5
years
|
We
calculate gains and losses on disposals by comparing proceeds with carrying
amount of the related assets and include these gains and losses in the
consolidated statements of operations. We consider the carrying value of a
long-lived asset to be impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow
from
such asset is less than its carrying value. If impairment is identified, a
loss
is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair
market value of the long-lived asset. Fair market value is determined primarily
using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the
risk
involved or based on independent appraisals. We have determined that there
were
no impairments at June 30, 2007 and 2006.
Translation
of Foreign Currency
Components
included in the consolidated financial statements of
Sino-China
and each
of its branches are measured using the currency of the primary economic
environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). Our
functional currency is US dollars while
Sino-China
uses the
Renminbi as its reporting currency. The consolidated financial statements are
presented in US dollars. Foreign currency transactions are translated into
the
functional currency using the fixed exchange rates. Generally foreign exchange
gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions are
recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. We translate foreign
currency financial statements of
Sino-China
in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 52,
“Foreign Currency Translation”. Assets and liabilities are translated at current
exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China on June 30, 2006 and 2007 of
RMB7.9956 to $1.00 and RMB7.6155 to $1.00, respectively and related revenues
and
expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the periods.
Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as comprehensive income (loss)
which is a separate component included in Non-controlling interest.
Earnings
per share
Earnings
per share is calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to
holders of common shares by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share reflects
the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue
common shares were exercised or converted into common shares. Convertible,
redeemable preference shares are included in the computation of diluted earnings
per ordinary share on an “if-converted” basis, when the impact is dilutive.
Contingent exercise price resets are accounted for in a manner similar to
contingently issuable shares. Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from
the
computation of diluted earnings per share if their effects would be
anti-dilutive.
Earnings
per share data has been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to
reflect the recapitalization of our company, as further discussed in Note 11
of
the consolidated financial statements.
Increase
in number of ships served
.
As
described below, we have increased the number of ships served. We believe that
the following factors have contributed to this increase:
|
·
|
We
have increased the scope of services we provide and have provided
services
in lower charge areas such as owner affairs in order to maintain
existing
clients and attract new clients. As these services may be less extensive
than services we provided in the past, we have been able to provide
such
services to more clients.
|
|
·
|
We
have been able to provide services to smaller clients. While these
services may result in lower average charge rates, they also increase
the
raw number of ships we serve.
|
|
·
|
Our
main client, Beijing Shou Rong, has consistently increased its shipping
of
iron ore, and we have been involved in this
growth.
|
|
·
|
In
addition to growing the number of clients we serve, we have focused
on
growing the scope of services and number of ships served for each
of our
existing clients.
|
Decrease
in average charge rate
.
Our
service charge rate depends largely on the size and types of ships we serve.
Specifically, high rates are normally charged for larger ships than for smaller
ships. For example, during the six months ended December 31, 2007, we served
a
new client, Ocean Bulk, with an average charge rate of $32,979, comparing to
the
average charge rate of $76,048 for our major customer, Beijing Shou Rong, whose
ships are much larger.
The
charge rate also relates to the types of services we provide. The less extensive
the services are, the lower our charge rates will ordinarily be. For example,
we
provided services to Eagle Shipping, which services related primarily to ship
equipment repairing and other owner affair services. As a result, the average
charge rate per ship for Eagle Shipping was $15,906 in the six months ended
December 31, 2007.
While
competitive pressures may in the future affect our average charge rate, we
do
not believe that such pressures have resulted in the decline in average charge
rate to date. Additionally, we believe that the trend is less one of decreasing
fees and more one of increasing the number and scope of companies for which
we
provide shipping agency services. To the extent this growth results in our
company serving smaller ships or providing more limited services to clients,
the
average charge rate will likely decrease.
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations
for the periods indicated. Our business has evolved rapidly since we commenced
operations in 2001. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to predict
future operating results. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of
operating results should not be relied upon as indicative of future
performance.
|
|
For
the years ended June 30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
10,090,879
|
|
|
8,924,786
|
|
|
8,144,189
|
|
|
5,044,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
of service
|
|
|
(7,509,669
|
)
|
|
(6,391,123
|
)
|
|
(6,534,171
|
)
|
|
(3,719,890
|
)
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(1,165,332
|
)
|
|
(1,714,617
|
)
|
|
(908,511
|
)
|
|
(554,668
|
)
|
Selling
expense
|
|
|
(153,797
|
)
|
|
(192,825
|
)
|
|
(94,242
|
)
|
|
(74,728
|
)
|
Other
operating costs
|
|
|
(1,163
|
)
|
|
(10,110
|
)
|
|
(522
|
)
|
|
(759
|
)
|
|
|
|
(8,829,961
|
)
|
|
(8,308,675
|
)
|
|
(7,537,446
|
)
|
|
(4,350,045
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Income
|
|
|
1,260,918
|
|
|
616,111
|
|
|
606,743
|
|
|
694,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on disposal of investment
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(2,491
|
)
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Other
Income (expense), net
|
|
|
22,125
|
|
|
(35,912
|
)
|
|
(42,574
|
)
|
|
(33,123
|
)
|
|
|
|
22,125
|
|
|
(38,403
|
)
|
|
(42,574
|
)
|
|
(33,123
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income before taxes
|
|
|
1,283,043
|
|
|
577,708
|
|
|
649,317
|
|
|
661,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
(138,291
|
)
|
|
(21,227
|
)
|
|
(30,741
|
)
|
|
(63,134
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest
in
income
|
|
|
1,144,752
|
|
|
556,481
|
|
|
618,576
|
|
|
598,430
|
|
Non-controlling
interest in income
|
|
|
(104,237
|
)
|
|
(26,643
|
)
|
|
(60,037
|
)
|
|
(55,400
|
)
|
Net
income
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
|
543,030
|
|
Six
Months Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended December 31,
2006
Revenues.
Our
total revenues increased by
61.51%
from
approximately $5.04 million in the six months ended December 31, 2006 to
approximately $8.14 million in the same period in 2007. This increase was
primarily due to a substantial increase in the number of ships we served. The
number of ships that generated revenues for us increased from 78 for the six
months ended
December
31
,
2006,
to 123 for the six months ended
December
31
,
2007,
representing an increase of 57.69%. The growth of revenues was slightly greater
than the increase in the number of ships served and the average charge rate
increased from $64,676 in the six months ended December 31, 2006 to $66,213
in
the six months ended
December
31, 2007
.
Total
Operating Costs and Expenses.
Our
total operating costs and expenses increased by 73.33% from approximately $4.35
million in the six months ended December 31, 2006 to approximately $7.54 million
in the six months ended December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due
to
increases in our costs of services, and, to a lesser extent, increases in our
general and administrative expenses. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Accounts
Receivable.”
|
·
|
Cost
of Services.
Our cost of revenues increased by 75.54% from
approximately
$3.72
million in the
six
months ended December 31,
2006
to
approximately
$6.53
million in
the
six months ended December 31,
2007.
This increase was primarily due to increases in port charges we paid
on
behalf of the customers. In addition, the average foreign exchange
rate
increased by approximately 5.93%, from RMB7.9022 to $1.00 for the
six
months ended December 31, 2006 to RMB7.4601 to $1.00 for the six
months
ended December 31, 2007.
|
|
·
|
General
and Administrative Expenses
.
Our general and administrative expenses increased by 65.45% from
approximately
$0.55
million in
the
six months ended December 31,
2006
to
approximately
$0.91
million in
the
six months ended December 31,
2007.
This increase was primarily due to writing down of bad debts of $70,695,
increases of depreciation expenses of $38,466, car and travel-related
expenses of $52,804 and entertainment expenses of
$89,587.
|
|
·
|
Selling
Expenses
.
Our selling expenses increased by 26.11% from $74,728 in
the
six months ended December 31,
2006
to $94,242 in
the
six months ended December 31,
2007,
due to the increase of commission and travel
expenses.
|
Operating
Profit.
As a
result of the foregoing, we generated an operating profit of approximately
$0.61
million in the six months ended December 31, 2007, compared to approximately
$0.69 million in the six months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in
operating profits resulted largely from the increase in the costs of services.
Taxation.
Our
income tax expenses were approximately $0.03 million in the six months ended
December 31, 2007, compared to approximately $0.06 million in the six months
ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in income tax for the six months ended
December 31, 2007 was primarily due to decreased operating profits and permanent
difference for income tax purposes. Our company had no deferred tax assets
in
2007 and 2006.
Net
Income.
As a
result of the foregoing, we had net income from continuing operations before
non-controlling interest in income of approximately $0.62 million in
the
six
months ended December 31,
2007,
compared to approximately $0.60 million in
the
six
months ended December 31,
2006.
After deduction of non-controlling interest in income, net incomes were
approximately $0.02 million and $0.04 million in
the
six
months ended December 31,
2007
and
2006, respectively.
Year
Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Year Ended June 30,
2006
Revenues.
Our
total revenues increased by 13.07% from approximately $8.92 million in 2006
to
approximately $10.09 million in 2007. This increase was primarily due to a
substantial increase in the number of ships we served. The number of ships
that
generated revenues for us increased from 117 for 2006, to 185 for 2007,
representing an increase of 58.12%. The growth of revenues was not consistent
with the increase of number of ships served because the average charge rate
decreased from $76,280 in 2006 to $54,545 in 2007.
Total
Operating Costs and Expenses.
Our
total operating costs and expenses increased by 6.27% from approximately $8.31
million in 2006 to approximately $8.83 million in 2007. This increase was
primarily due to increases in our costs of services, and, to a lesser extent,
decreases in our general and administrative expenses.
|
·
|
Cost
of Services.
Our cost of revenues increased by 17.53% from
approximately
$6.39
million in 2006 to
approximately
$7.51
million in 2007. This increase complied with the 13.07% increase
in
revenues considering the 4.23% increase of average foreign exchange
rate
of RMB8.1361 to $1.00 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2006 to
that of
RMB7.8056 to $1.00 for the twelve months ended June 30,
2007.
|
|
·
|
General
and Administrative Expenses
.
Our general and administrative expenses decreased by 32.03% from
approximately
$1.71
million in 2006 to
approximately
$1.17
million in 2007. This change was primarily due to the write off of
loan
receivables of approximately $0.51 million in
2006.
|
|
·
|
Selling
Expenses
.
Our selling expenses decreased by 20.24% from approximately $0.19
million
in 2006
to
approximately $0.15 million in 2007, due to the decrease of commission
and
travel expenses.
|
Operating
Profit.
As a
result of the foregoing, we generated an operating profit of
approximately
$1.26
million in 2007, compared to
approximately
$0.62
million in 2006. Operating profits increased 104.66% largely due to the increase
of revenues and decrease in general and administrative expenses.
Taxation.
Our
income tax expenses were
approximately
$0.14
million in 2007, compared to
approximately
$0.02
million in 2006. The increase in income tax in 2007 was primarily due to
increased profits and permanent difference for income tax purposes. Our company
had no deferred tax assets in 2006 or 2007.
Net
Income.
As a
result of the foregoing, we had net income from continuing operations before
non-controlling interest in income of
approximately
$1.14
million in 2007, compared to
approximately
$0.56
million in 2006. After deduction of non-controlling interest in income, net
incomes were
approximately
$0.10
million and $0.29 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
Flows and Working Capital
To
date,
we have financed our operations primarily through cash flows from operations.
As
of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $0.98 million in cash and cash
equivalents, of which approximately $0.33 million was held by Sino-China. Our
cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand and cash in banks.
The
following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods
indicated:
|
|
For
the years ended June 30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
868,059
|
|
|
719,087
|
|
|
753,886
|
|
|
884,516
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(911,520
|
)
|
|
(649,955
|
)
|
|
(197,980
|
)
|
|
(689,197
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
172,719
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(45,791
|
)
|
|
226,928
|
|
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
170,065
|
|
|
70,446
|
|
|
455,151
|
|
|
435,163
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
285,580
|
|
|
526,091
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
|
526,091
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
981,242
|
|
|
791,189
|
|
Operating
Activities
Our
operating activities generated positive cash for the years ended June 30, 2007
and 2006, and for the six months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The cash
generated from operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2007 was
approximately $0.15 million more than the same period ended in the preceding
year primarily due to our increase in revenues of approximately $1.2 million
for
the year ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period in the preceding year.
Since
May
2003, we began to expand our business by setting up additional branches
throughout China. As of December 31, 2007, we had six branch offices conducting
our shipping agency services in China.
As
our
sales were increased for the year ended June 30, 2007 compared to June 30,
2006,
our gross margin has declined mainly attributable to the mix of services we
provided our customers. During the year ended June 30, 2007, we had provided
more services to our customers with lower gross margin than the same period
in
the preceding year. The cash generated from operating activities for the six
months ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $0.13 million less than the
same period ended in the preceding year.
Both
revenues and gross margin increased for the December 31, 2007 six month period;
however, we incurred significant operating expenses to operate additional branch
offices. Nonetheless, both six month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
had net increases in cash and cash equivalents in excess of $0.43 million.
As
we
presented in the above table, our cash generated from operating activities
was
sufficient to meet our investing and financing activities for all periods with
no net decrease in cash and cash equivalents. We expect our business will
continue to grow and our cash generated from operating activities will be
sufficient to fund our investing and financing needs as we establishing more
branches each year. We expect to use our operating cash to fund major
expenditures such as acquisitions of new property and equipment, payroll,
employee benefits, travel, selling and rent.
Net
cash
provided by operating activities decreased to approximately $0.75 million in
the
six months ended December 31, 2007 from approximately $0.88 million in the
six
months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was mainly attributable to several
factors, including (i) a decrease in advances from customers of $0.34
million for the anticipated port charges in the third quarter of 2007
and
(ii)
an
increase in other receivable amounting to approximately $0.37 million, of which
$0.27 million was prepaid IPO expenses such as audit fees and legal fees. The
decrease in net operating cash flow was partially offset by (i) a decrease
in advance to suppliers of $0.41 million so as to match the decrease in advance
from customers and (ii) an increase in other current liabilities due to
increase in rent deposit of $0.07 million for the additional office for
Sino-China, advance payments received from customers for reimbursed port agent
charges and other operating expenses.
Net
cash
generated from operating activities increased to approximately $0.87 million
in
2007 from approximately $0.72 million in 2006. The increase was primarily due
to
several factors, including (i) the net income of approximately $0.10 million
in
2007 compared to a net income of approximately $0.29 million in 2006 which
was
due to higher operating expenses and lower margin from approximately 18% to
16%
because of competition; (ii) the non-controlling interest in income contribution
of approximately $1.04 million in 2007 compared to that of approximately $0.27
million incurred in 2006 which was due to all new branch offices were operating
during the year ended 2007; (iii) the increase in add-back of non-cash expenses,
consisting of depreciation expenses of approximately $0.06 million which was
due
to the additional property equipment purchased for the expansion of the
business; and (iv) the increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
current liabilities of approximately $0.12 million were due to increase in
operating expenses and income taxes because of increase in sales and permanent
tax adjustment (mainly entertainment expense) to tax liabilities. The increase
in operating cash flow was partially offset by (i) the increase in accounts
receivable amounting to approximately $0.60 million which was due to increase
in
sales for the year ended 2007; and (ii) the increase in advances to suppliers
of
approximately $0.19 million which was due the anticipated sales in the first
quarter of 2007.
Investing
Activities
Net
cash
used in investing activities decreased from
approximately
$0.69
million in
the
six
months ended December 31,
2006
to
approximately
$0.20
million in
the
six
months ended December 31,
2007,
primarily due to the decrease of payments advanced to related parties and less
capital expenditures for branch offices. Net cash used in investing activities
increased from
approximately
$0.65
million in 2006 to
approximately
$0.91
million in 2007 primarily due to our purchase of additional fixed assets.
Financing
Activities
Net
cash
used in financing activities was approximately $0.05 million in the six months
ended December 31, 2007. This amount is used to pay back the bank loans
associated with the credit provided by HSBC in New York. Sino-China increased
its registered capital by approximately $23 million in the six months ended
December 31, 2006. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately
$0.17 million for the year ended June 30, 2007, consisting of approximately
$0.54 million used to pay back the bank loans associated with the credit
provided by HSBC in New York and the increased registered capital of Sino-China.
We
believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flow from
operations and the proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to meet our
anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital
expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, require
additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future
developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue.
If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek
to
sell additional equity securities or borrow from banks. We cannot assure you
that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable
to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities, including
convertible debt securities, would dilute our shareholders. The incurrence
of
debt would divert cash from working capital and capital expenditures to service
debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that
would restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our
shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing
as
required, our business, operations and prospects may suffer.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
We
lease
certain office premises under non-cancelable leases. In December 2007, we leased
additional office premises under two non-cancellable leases which expire through
January 13, 2010, for approximately $317,000 per year. Rent expense under
operating leases for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the six
-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, were $121,777, $115,857,
$70,779 and $61,645, respectively.
Future
minimum lease payments under our other non-cancelable operating leases
agreements are as follows:
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
Year
ending June 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
2009
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
2010
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
Total
|
|
|
121,000
|
|
Capital
Expenditures
We
made
capital expenditures of approximately $0.15 million, $0.34 million and $0.20
million in 2006 and 2007 and
the
six
months ended December 31,
2007,
respectively, representing 1.70%, 3.40% and 2.46% of our total revenues,
respectively. In the past, our capital expenditures were used to purchase cars
and computers for our business. Our capital expenditures may increase in the
near term as our business continues to grow and as we expand and improve our
financial and accounting systems and infrastructure.
Company
Structure
We
conduct our operations primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary,
Trans
Pacific
,
and our
variable interest entity,
Sino-China
.
As a
result, our ability to pay dividends and to finance any debt we may incur
depends upon dividends paid by
Trans
Pacific
and
management fees paid by
Sino-China
.
If
Trans
Pacific
incurs
debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing its debt may
restrict its ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, Trans Pacific is
permitted to pay dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any,
as
determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under
PRC law,
wholly
owned foreign enterprises like Trans Pacific are
required
to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profit each year to fund a
statutory reserve until the amount of the reserve reaches 50% of such entity’s
registered capital. Trans Pacific’s registered capital is $100,000. To the
extent Trans Pacific does not generate sufficient after-tax profits to fund
this
statutory reserve, its ability to pay dividends to us may be limited. Although
these statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the
registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings
of
the respective companies, these reserve funds are not distributable as cash
dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. Other
than as described in the previous sentences, China’s
State
Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”)
has
approved the company structure between our company and Trans Pacific, and Trans
Pacific is permitted to pay dividends to our company. See “Risk Factor -
We
may
not pay dividends”, “Risk Factor - Changes in China’s political and economic
policies could harm our business” and “Dividend Policy”.
Off-Balance
Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
We
have
not entered into any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee
the
payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any
derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as
shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial
statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest
in
assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity
or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest
in
any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or
credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development
services with us.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Interest
Rate Risk
Our
exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income
generated by excess cash invested in demand deposits and liquid investments
with
original maturities of three months or less. We have not used any derivative
financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. Interest-earning
instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed
nor
do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest
rates. However, our future interest income may be lower than expected due to
changes in market interest rates.
Foreign
Exchange Risk
Our
revenues and costs of services are denominated in both Renminbi and U.S.
dollars. Recently, there has been significant international pressure on the
Chinese government to permit the free floatation of the Renminbi, resulting
in
an appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar increased from RMB7.9956
to $1.00, RMB7.6155 to $1.00 and RMB7.3046 to $1.00 on June 30, 2006, June
30,
2007, and December 31, 2007, respectively. The continuing increase of the
exchange rate of the Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar may have severe impact
on
our inter-company transactions and balances. While we had a foreign currency
translation gain of $36,812 and $49,480 for the year ended June 30, 2007 and
for
the six months ended December 31, 2007, we suffered a foreign currency
translation loss of $15,426 for 2006. Our future gain or loss on foreign
currency translation depend on the trend of Renminbi revaluation, the proportion
of cash and cash equivalents depositing in
Sino-China
and the
volume of inter-company transactions.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This statement requires enhanced
disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby
improves the transparency of financial reporting. The Statement is effective
for
financial statements for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
November 15, 2008 and is not expected to have an impact on our company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an
amendment of ARB No. 51”, which is effective for annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited, and, accordingly, we have
not
yet adopted SFAS 160. The objective of this Statement is to improve the
relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information
that a
reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by
establishing accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling
interest
in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. We are currently
assessing the impact of SFAS 160; we believe the adoption of this standard
will
have a material effect on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Our
shareholders’ equity will increase by the amount of the non-controlling interest
currently reported outside of equity. However, the adoption of SFAS 160
is not
expected to have a material impact on our net income.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”,
which is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition
date is
on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning
on or
after December 15, 2008. This Statement establishes principles and requirements
for how the acquirer (a) recognizes and measures in its financial statements
the
identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling
interest in the acquiree; (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired
in
the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and (c) determines
what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements
to
evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.
We are
currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 141R; however we do not believe
the
adoption of this standard will have a material effect on our consolidated
financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an
option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
SFAS
No. 159’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial
instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related
assets
and liabilities differently. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation
and
disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies
that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets
and
liabilities. SFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information
that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more
easily
understand the effect of our company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings.
It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and
liabilities for which our company has chosen to use fair value on the face
of
the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an
entity’s
first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is
permitted
as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity
makes
that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to
apply
the provisions of Statement 157. Our company did not early adopt SFAS No.
159.
We are currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 159; however we do not
believe
the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on our consolidated
financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard applies under
other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements,
but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will become
effective for our company in fiscal 2009. We are currently assessing the impact
of SFAS No. 157; however, we do not believe the adoption of this standard will
have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
General
We
are a
provider of shipping agency services in China. We have offices in China in
Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin, Beijing, Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang and in the
United States in Flushing, New York to coordinate our clients’ shipping needs,
including preparing documents, husbanding vessels, working through customs
issues, coordinating matters with port authorities, overseeing and settling
cargo claims, tracking shipments, recommending trucking, warehousing and
complementary services.
We
act as
a local agent and attend vessels directly in each of the ports in which we
have
branch offices. In addition to these ports, we have contracting offices at
all
other commercial ports in China as a professional general/protecting agency.
In
the ports in which we do not yet have an office, we appoint a local agent to
attend the vessels directly. See “Our Business - General”.
We
have
designed our services to simplify the shipping process for our clients and
to
keep our clients fully informed about the status of their shipments. To that
end, we analyze the information about prospective shipments provided by our
clients to determine the most economical and efficient transportation solutions
and then leverage our position as a shipping agency to negotiate competitive
shipping rates. We also give our clients daily disbursement reports to empower
them to monitor and dispute all questionable charges. In addition to allowing
clients to monitor disbursements, our Disbursement Department audits all bills
provided by ports for unreasonable charges that violate the guidelines issued
by
China’s Ministry of Communications.
We
provide shipping agency services to a variety of vessel sizes and types,
including Handysize, Panamax, Capesize, Handysize, Roll-On/Roll-Off RORO, and
VLCC class vessels. We have assisted clients with a variety of shipping
requirements, including bulk and break-bulk general cargo, vehicle transport
and
raw materials such as crude oil and oil products and iron, manganese and other
metal ores.
Market
Background
Since
China adopted its open door trade policy in 1978, inviting foreign investment
in
China, China’s economy has steadily developed, both from new investments in
China and from increased international trade. As international trade between
China and other countries has expanded, the shipping industry in China has
also
grown.
The
evolution of the shipping agency industry has followed that of the shipping
industry in general. Prior to the 1980s, China’s shipping agency industry was
dominated by a single state-owned shipping agency, Penavico. In 1985, a second
shipping agency, Sinoagent, was permitted to provide shipping agency services
in
China.
Since
1985, the PRC has taken a number of steps to open China’s shipping agency
industry to private companies. In 1990, the PRC adopted the International Ship
Agency Management and Stipulation (
国榻緇緊代理管理瘼定
),
which
allowed state-owned companies to compete in the shipping agency industry. In
2002, the PRC further relaxed the restrictions on shipping agencies by
promulgating the People’s Republic of China International Marine Transportation
Rule (
中华人民共和国国榻海瀰条例
),
which
permitted Chinese private entities and joint ventures between Chinese and
foreign entities to compete in the shipping agency industry. The Chinese and
American Marine Transportation Agreement (
中美海瀰协定
)
in 2003
and the New Round Chinese and European Union Marine Transportation Agreement
(
中国与欧盟海瀰协定
)
in 2002
allowed shipping transportation enterprises that were wholly owned by American
and European Union businesses, respectively, to provide shipping agency service
for their parent companies.
We
believe that there are approximately 1,400 licensed shipping agencies in China.
At present, Penavico and Sinoagent still dominate China’s shipping agency
industry, combining to generate approximately 85% of the revenues in the
industry. The remaining approved shipping agencies in operation share the
remaining 15% of revenues in the industry.
China’s
Economic Development
China’s
population of approximately 1.3 billion people is expected to grow by roughly
15 million people per year. The country’s gross national product has grown
at a rate of approximately 9 percent for more than 25 years, making it the
fastest growth rate for a major economy in recorded history. In the same 25-year
period, China has moved more than 300 million people out of poverty and
quadrupled the average Chinese person’s income. The tremendous potential of this
market is noted by the fact that 400 of the world’s largest 500 companies are
investing in China.
These
development factors have produced a burgeoning consumer goods market, as the
spending power and aspirations of consumers rise. In response, industries are
consolidating and modern retailers are penetrating second-tier and even some
third-tier Chinese cities. The increased availability of and demand for products
throughout China has fueled a corresponding growth in the industries that
transport goods within China and between China and other countries.
Our
Strategy
Our
goals
are to increase our market share in the PRC shipping agency market and to expand
our business to related service areas. We believe we can meet these goals by
continuing to focus on the high quality of our personnel, the positive
relationships we enjoy with local ports, businesses and agencies and the breadth
of services we offer to clients. Key elements of our strategy include the
following:
·
Increase
our market share.
We
believe we have advantages over smaller shipping agencies in terms of
infrastructure, administration and services we can offer to clients. As a
result, we believe we are able to compete on the basis of service with these
smaller agencies. In order to continue to increase our market share in China,
we
will focus on demonstrating to potential clients that typically use the larger
shipping agents that we are able to provide a high level of service. Potential
customers in the shipping industry are strongly influenced by formal and
informal references. We believe that we have the opportunity to expand our
market share by providing high levels of customer satisfaction with our current
customers so that they continue to use our services and recommend our shipping
agency services to other potential customers that wish to ship to China.
We have
obtained ISO9000 and UKAS certifications from the International Organization
for
Standardization and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, respectively,
in
recognition of the quality of services we provide. Each of these
organizations
assesses the effectiveness of quality management systems implemented by
companies. The International Organization for Standardization consists of
a
worldwide federation of national standards bodies for approximately 130
countries, and the ISO9000 certification represents an international consensus
of these standards bodies, with the aim of creating global standards of product
and service quality. UKAS is the sole national body in the United Kingdom
recognized by the government to provide accreditation of conformity assessment
bodies. UKAS and ISO9000 certifications address the quality of systems only
and
do not certify the quality of products or services themselves.
·
Establish
local branches in additional ports in China.
We
currently maintain branch offices in five cities in China: Tianjin, Ningbo,
Fangchenggang, Qingdao and Qinhuangdao. By having offices in each of these
cities, we are able to provide local agency services to our customers who
use
the commercial ports in these cities. We have found a number of benefits
of
being able to serve as local agents, including the following
advantages:
·
We
can
avoid appointing local agents, which allows us to control the high level
of
service provided to our customers;
·
We
can
develop strong relationships with local authorities, which allows us to stay
abreast of developments in local ports and to make sure our customers have
as
many advantages possible in working through any complications;
·
We
can
maximize profit for our company by not needing to pay third party shipping
agents to serve as local agents for our customers;
·
We
avoid
losing customers to the companies we appoint as local agents or to other
competitors that may be able to provide local agent services;
and
·
We
may
save our customers money by avoiding duplicative layers of
administration.
·
React
quickly to opportunities to offer new services to our clients.
We
believe that our company is currently small enough to have close working
relationships with our customers. As a result, we believe we encourage our
customers to raise any concerns, comments or recommendations for additional
services that they would like to see provided with our shipping agency services.
We also believe that we are large enough to implement many of these
recommendations and strive to offer new services when we feel that the services
will benefit our customers.
·
Maintain
working relationships with third parties in port cities.
We
currently enjoy good working relationships with a variety of entities that
operate in commercial ports, including port authorities, tugboat companies,
pilot stations, stevedore companies, customs agencies, shipping agency
associations and local government authorities. By increasing the number of
ports
at which we have branch offices, we believe we can develop positive working
relationships in additional port cities for the benefit of our customers.
Because success in shepherding shipments through China’s ports may be affected
by personal relationships with local personnel, we believe that strong personal
relationships in local ports may enable us to enjoy higher loading and
discharging rates and decreased port stay periods than if we did not have
positive personal relationships in those ports.
·
Increase
profile of United States operations
.
Our
office in New York currently handles our accounting and marketing. We plan
to
leverage our presence in the United States to increase the services we are
able
to offer to our customers, including shipments to and from the United States
and
English-language customer services from native speakers.
Customers
We
currently provide shipping agency services to a variety of international
vessels. The majority of our customers are international shipping companies
that
wish to ship goods to and from China. While one customer accounts for the
majority of our revenues, we provide services to a variety of shipping
companies.
Our
largest customer is Beijing Shou Rong Forwarding Service Co., Ltd, an affiliate
of Capital Steel, a steel company in China. We provide shipping agency services
for all vessels carrying iron ore for Capital Steel. Revenues from this company
accounted for approximately 52% of our revenues in 2007 and 32% of our revenues
in 2006. See “Risk Factors - Our revenues are highly dependent on China’s use of
iron ore in general and on a few customers involved in that industry in
particular.”
Since
2006, we have also provided a significant amount of shipping agency services
to
Jardine Shipping Agencies (Hong Kong) Ltd, a member of Jardine Shipping
Services, a shipping services provider with a network throughout the Asia
Pacific. Jardine Shipping Agencies (Hong Kong) Ltd serves as the shipping
representative of BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd, an Australian iron ore provider
company that is one of the largest iron ore providers in the world. Revenues
from this company accounted for approximately 10.7% of our revenues in
2007.
In
addition to these companies, we provide shipping agency services to a variety
of
shipping companies from Greece, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, Switzerland,
Norway, the United States, Thailand and South Korea. We have provided shipping
agencies services for vessels carrying bulk and break-bulk cargoes, raw
materials, consumer goods, and vehicles.
Our
Strengths
We
believe that the following strengths differentiate us from our competitors
in
China’s shipping agency industry:
·
Presence
in all of China’s commercial ports
.
China
currently has 76 commercial ports. We have set up branches in five ports
and
have contractual agents in the rest. Our company, Penavico and Sinoagent
are the
only shipping agencies that have agents in all of China’s ports.
·
Strength
of personnel and administration
.
Most of
our employees have marine business working experience, and all of our
managers/chief operators once served in either Penavico or Sinoagent prior
to
joining our company. With these professionals and experienced staff, we believe
that we can provide competitive services to our customers.
·
Reputation
for reliability and responsiveness to customer requests
.
Our
operators are constantly on duty so that we can respond quickly to any
customer’s inquiries regardless of any time difference between our customers and
us. Our marketing staff also pays regular visits to customers so that we
can
continually improve our services in response to customer
feedback.
·
Reputation
for financial responsibility
.
In
order to engage in business in China as a shipping agency, we must demonstrate
financial responsibility to customers, our business partners, ports and local
governmental agencies. We believe our ability to meet our financial obligations
has encouraged customers to choose to do business with us and has resulted
in
the growth of a strong network of service partners in the 76 ports in which
we
provide shipping agency services.
·
Strength
of information management system
.
We
consistently collect and update port information from local ports so that
we can
share current and accurate port information with our clients through our
network.
·
Quality
of services provided to customers
.
Unlike
agencies that provide local agent services in one particular port, we provide
our customers with both general agent and local agent services in all of
China’s
commercial ports. Our general agent services provide our customers with accurate
port information, which helps our customers make their way smoothly through
loading and discharging cargo. Our local agent services have generally resulted
in shorter port stays and faster working rates for our customers’ ships,
reducing their overall port charges.
·
Positive
relationships with third parties in local ports
.
In
local ports, we maintain positive relationships with stevedore companies,
pilot
stations, towage companies and other local service providers, which helps
our
customers enjoy faster loading and discharging rates and a smoother berthing
and
unberthing process.
·
Strong
network of local shipping agents in ports without branch
offices
.
In
addition to having branch offices in five major Chinese commercial ports,
we
also have a strong network of other shipping agents. Using feedback from
customers and our knowledge of the Chinese shipping agency industry, we can
compare and select the most competitive agents as our local
agents.
Our
Challenges
The
successful execution of our strategies is subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, including those relating to:
·
our
limited operating history in general and our recent profitability;
·
limited
funds with which to build a nationwide port network in China, to recruit
and
retain quality personnel, to advertise our services and to develop new
information technology for use in providing shipping agency
services;
·
the
growth of the shipping agency industry in China and the entrance of new Chinese
and foreign competitors into the market;
·
our
ability to respond to competitive pressures; and
·
regulatory
environment in China.
Please
see “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a
detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties.
Competition
Our
ability to be successful in our industry depends on our ability to compete
effectively with companies that may be more well-capitalized than we are or
may
provide shipping agency services we do not or cannot provide to our customers.
While China’s shipping agency industry has a variety of small shipping agencies,
our two primary competitors are Penavico and Sinoagent. Both of these companies
are state-owned in part and much larger than we are and derive significantly
more revenue from shipping agency services in China.
·
Penavico
.
Penavico was formed in 1953, as a state-owned shipping agency affiliated
with
COSCO. Beginning in 1955, Penavico took over China’s shipping agency business
from the foreign agents that previously did business in China and, until
1985,
Penavico was the only shipping agency operating in China. Penavico now has
more
than 80 local agencies and 300 business networks across China. Penavico
maintains offices in America, Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Penavico’s shipping agency business, bulk ships and container ships currently
account for approximately 64.5% of China’s market.
·
Sinoagent
.
Sinoagent was formed in 1985 as a specialized subsidiary of Sinotrans Limited
Company (“Sinotrans”), a company that provides integrated ocean transportation,
land transport, airfreight, warehousing, express services, shipping agency
and
freight forwarding services. Due to its relationship with Sinotrans, Sinoagent
is able to provide a seamless, integrated set of services to its customers.
We
believe that Penavico’s and Sinoagent’s primary strengths include the
following:
·
the
establishment of a complete port network in mainland China;
·
the
presence of a large base of clients; and
·
the
availability of funding and financial support from state-owned financial
institutions.
Regulations
on Foreign Exchange
Foreign
Currency Exchange
.
Pursuant to the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated in 1996 and
amended in 1997 and various regulations issued by SAFE, and other relevant
PRC
government authorities, RMB is freely convertible only to the extent of current
account items, such as trade related receipts and payments, interests and
dividends. Capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans
and
repatriation of investment, require prior approval from SAFE or its provincial
branch for conversion of RMB into a foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars,
and
remittance of the foreign currency outside the PRC. Payments for transactions
that take place within the PRC must be made in RMB. Unless otherwise approved,
PRC companies must repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad.
Foreign-invested enterprises may retain foreign exchange in accounts with
designated foreign exchange banks subject to a cap set by SAFE or its local
counterpart. Unless otherwise approved, domestic enterprises must convert all
of
their foreign currency receipts into RMB.
Dividend
Distribution
.
The
principal regulations governing divided distributions by wholly foreign-owned
enterprises and Sino-foreign equity joint ventures include:
·
Wholly
Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended;
·
Wholly
Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended;
·
Sino-Foreign
Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law (1979), as amended; and
·
Sino-Foreign
Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1983), as amended.
Under
these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Sino-foreign equity
joint ventures in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated
profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards
and
regulations. Additionally, these foreign-invested enterprises are required
to
set aside certain amounts of their accumulated profits each year, if any, to
fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash
dividends.
Regulation
of foreign exchange in certain onshore and offshore
transactions
.
Under
recent notices issued by SAFE, PRC residents are required to register with
and
receive approvals from SAFE in connection with offshore investment activities.
SAFE has stated that the purpose of these notices is to ensure the proper
balance of foreign exchange and the standardization of cross-border flow of
funds.
In
January 2005, SAFE issued a notice stating that SAFE approval is required for
any sale or transfer by PRC residents of a PRC company’s assets or equity
interests to foreign entities in exchange for the equity interests or assets
of
the foreign entities. The notice also states that, when registering with the
foreign exchange authorities, a PRC company acquired by an offshore company
must
clarify whether the offshore company is controlled or owned by PRC residents
and
whether there is any share or asset link between or among the parties to the
acquisition transaction.
In
April
2005, SAFE issued another notice further explaining and expanding upon the
January notice. The April notice clarified that, where a PRC company is acquired
by an offshore company in which PRC residents directly or indirectly hold
shares, such PRC residents must (i) register with the local SAFE branch
regarding their respective ownership interests in the offshore company, even
if
the transaction occurred prior to the January notice, and (ii) file
amendments to such registration concerning any material events of the offshore
company, such as changes in share capital and share transfers. The April notice
also expanded the statutory definition of the term “foreign acquisition,” making
the notices applicable to any transaction that results in PRC residents directly
or indirectly holding shares in the offshore company that has an ownership
interest in a PRC company. The April notice also provided that failure to comply
with the registration procedures set forth therein may result in the imposition
of restrictions on the PRC company’s foreign exchange activities and its ability
to distribute profits to its offshore parent company.
On
October 21, 2005, SAFE issued a new public notice concerning PRC residents’
investments through offshore investment vehicles. This notice took effect on
November 1, 2005 and replaces prior SAFE notices on this topic. According
to the November 2005 notice:
·
any
PRC
resident that created an off-shore holding company structure prior to the
effective date of the November notice must submit a registration form to
a local
SAFE branch to register his or her ownership interest in the offshore company
on
or before May 31, 2006;
·
any
PRC
resident that purchases shares in a public offering of a foreign company
would
also be required to register such shares an notify SAFE of any change of
their
ownership interest; and
·
following
the completion of an off-shore financing, any PRC shareholder may transfer
proceeds from the financing into China for use within China.
In
accordance with the October 2005 notice, on December 12, 2007, Mr. Cao Lei
and Mr. Zhang Mingwei obtained appropriate registration from their local
SAFE offices.
Employees
As
of
December 31, 2007, we had 54 employees, 52 of whom were based in China. Of
the
total, 12 were in management, two were in technical support, five were in sales
and marketing, 16 were in financial affairs and administration, and 19 were
in
operation and disbursement. We believe that our relations with our employees
are
good. We have never had a work stoppage, and our employees are not subject
to a
collective bargaining agreement.
We
currently operate in six facilities throughout China. Our headquarters are
located in Beijing. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Contractual Obligations and Commercial
Commitments.”
Office
|
|
Address
|
|
Rental
Term
|
|
Space
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beijing,
PRC
|
|
Room
1208, Tower D
Ye
Qing Plaza No. 9
Wangjing
(North) Road
Chao
Yang District
Beijing,
PRC 100102
Floor
16, Building D
YeQing
Plaza, No. 9
Wangjing
(North) Road
Chaoyang
District
Beijing,
PRC 100102
|
|
Expires
01/19/2010
Expires
1/13/2010
|
|
400
m
2
1558
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fangchenggang,
PRC
|
|
2
nd
Floor, Duty-Free Store Building
South
Gate of Fangcheng Port
Fangcheng,
PRC 538001
|
|
Long
term
|
|
200
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flushing,
NY
|
|
36-09
Main Street
Suite
9C-2
Flushing,
New York 11354
|
|
Expires
07/31/2009
|
|
60
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ningbo,
PRC
|
|
Room
1611, Hai Guang Plaza
No.
298 Zhong Shan West Road
Hai
Shu District
Ningbo,
PRC 315011
|
|
Expires
11/01/2008
|
|
45
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qingdao,
PRC
|
|
Room
2101 Building A, No. 10
Xiang
Gang (Middle) Road,
Qingdao,
PRC 266071
|
|
Expires
12/31/2008
|
|
186
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qinhuangdao,
PRC
|
|
Room
Bo203, 18
th
Floor
Jin
Yuan International Commercial Building
No.
146 He Bei Street, Hai Gang District
Qinhuangdao,
PRC 0066000
|
|
Expires
01/21/2010
|
|
127
m
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tianjin,
PRC
|
|
Room
A-1905, Tianwei Plaza
No.
111 Xin Gang Road
Tang
Gu District
Tianjin,
PRC 300456
|
|
Expires
12/15/2008
|
|
69
m
2
|
Executive
Officers and Directors
The
following table sets forth our executive officers and directors, their ages
and
the positions held by them:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions
Held
|
|
Appointment
Year
|
Mr. Cao
Lei
|
|
43
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Director
|
|
2001
|
Mr.
Zhang Mingwei
|
|
54
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Director
|
|
2007
|
Mr. Huang
Zhi Kang
|
|
30
|
|
Vice
President
|
|
2002
|
Ms.
Liu Si Xia
|
|
29
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
2003
|
Mr.
Dennis O. Laing
|
|
62
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
Mr.
Charles Thomas Burke
|
|
74
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
Mr.
Wang Jing
|
|
58
|
|
Director
|
|
2007
|
Cao
Lei.
Mr. Cao
is our Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Mr. Cao founded Sino-China in
2001 and has been the Chief Executive Officer since that time. Mr. Cao has
been Chief Executive officer of our company since its formation. Prior to
founding Sino-China, Mr. Cao was a Chief Representative of
Wagenborg-Lagenduk Scheepvaart BV, Holland, from 1992-1993, Director of the
Penavico-Beijing’s shipping agency from 1987 through 1992, and a seaman for
Cosco-Hong Kong from 1984 through 1987. Mr. Cao will receive his EMBA
degree in 2008 from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Zhang
Mingwei
.
Mr. Zhang has extensive knowledge and experience in accounting from the
perspective as an academician and a practicing accountant. Mr. Zhang joined
our
company as its Chief Financial Officer and a Director in September 2007. He
also
currently serves as a professor at the School of Accounting at Tianjin
University of Finance and Economics, a position he assumed in August 2007.
From
May 2001 until December 2007, Mr. Zhang was a partner in Baker Tilly China,
an
international public accounting firm. From July 1994 to June 2003, he served
as
a Lecturer at Monash University in Australia. Mr. Zhang received a Bachelor’s
degree and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Tianjin University of Finance
and Economics. He also received a Master’s degree in Commerce from The
University of Newcastle. Mr. Zhang is a Certified Management Accountant in
Australia.
Huang
Zhi Kang
.
Mr.
Huang has served Sino-Global as a Vice President since 2002. From 1999 to 2002,
Mr. Huang served in various roles with Sinoagent. Mr. Huang received a bachelor
degree in 1999 from Guangxi University.
Liu
Si Xia
.
Ms. Liu
has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 2003. From 2000 to 2003, she
served as a ship operator for Sky-Sailing Shipping Co., Ltd and World Shipping
Group Co., Ltd. Ms. Liu Si Xia received her bachelor degree from Shanghai
Maritime University in 2000.
Dennis
O. Laing
.
Mr.
Laing joined our Board of Directors in 2007. Mr. Laing has practiced law in
Richmond, Virginia for over 30 years. Mr. Laing’s law practice centers upon
business and corporate law with special interest in energy, healthcare and
technology sectors. Mr. Laing received a bachelor’s degree in government from
the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Richmond.
Mr.
Laing currently serves as a director of e-Future Information Technology Inc.,
an
enterprise solutions software and services company that is listed on the NASDAQ
Capital Market.
C.
Thomas Burke.
Mr.
Burke
joined our Board of Directors in 2007. Mr. Burke currently operates Burke
International, LLC, a consulting group. Previously, Mr. Burke served as the
Senior Adviser to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kawasaki Kisen
Kaisha (“K” Line America, Inc.), an ocean carrier company with over 400 ships in
a fleet serving the world. In 2003, Mr. Burke was elected the Chairman of the
National Maritime Security Discussion Agreement, which is composed of 45 members
including ocean carriers, terminal operators and operating port authorities.
In
1990, President Bush appointed Mr. Burke as a Commissioner of the Panama Canal
Study Commission. In 1986, U.S. Secretary of Transportation appointed Mr. Burke
to the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Strategic Planning
Advisory Committee. In 1998, Mr. Burke served the Regan Administration as
Transportation Management Officer, Agency for International Development, U.S.
Department of State. In 1976, President Carter appointed Mr. Burke as Special
Assistant for International Affairs, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department
of
Agriculture. Mr. Burke received a bachelor degree from Northeastern
University.
Wang
Jing
.
Mr. Wang joined our Board of Directors in 2007. Mr. Wang currently serves
as Chief Economist to China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. and has held this
position since December 2002. Mr. Wang was a Chinese Project Advisor for
the World Bank from 1990 until 1994. From 1998 through 2000, Mr. Wang was
the vice director of Tianjin Security and Futures Supervision Office, in charge
of initial public offerings and listing companies. Mr. Wang is an
independent director for Tianjin Binhai Energy & Development Co. Ltd.,
(Shenzhen/
深圳交易所
:
000695); Tianjin Marine Shipping Co., Ltd. (SSE/
上海琿券交易所
:
600751); and ReneSola Company (LSE: SOLA). Mr. Wang received a Bachelor
degree in Economics from Tianjin University of Finance and
Economics.
Executive
Compensation
The
following table shows the annual compensation paid by us to Mr. Cao Lei, our
Chief Executive Officer for the years ended June 30, 2006 and 2007. No other
officer had a salary during either of the previous two years of more than
$100,000.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and principal position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Mr. Cao Lei,
Principal Executive Officer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
141,445
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
141,445
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
$
|
130,354
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
130,354
|
|
Stock
Option Pool
We
have
authorized the establishment of a pool for stock options for our employees.
This
pool will contain between [______] and [______] options to purchase our common
stock, equal to 10% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding
at
the conclusion of this offering. The options will vest at a rate of 20% per
year
for five years and have an exercise price of the market price of our shares
on
the date the options are granted. Our Board of Directors and shareholders have
approved the adoption of a stock option plan to be implemented following the
closing of this offering. We expect to grant options to certain employees as
of
the closing of this offering; however, we have not yet determined the number
of
options or the individuals to whom to grant such options. Any options granted
as
of the closing of this offering will have an exercise price of $[______] per
option.
Board
of Directors and Board Committees
Our
board
of directors consists of five members. We expect that all current directors
will
continue to serve after this offering. The directors will be divided into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors
permits. Class I directors shall face re-election at our annual general meeting
of shareholders in 2008 and every three years thereafter. Class II directors
shall face re-election at our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2009
and
every three years thereafter. Class III directors shall face re-election at
our
annual general meeting of shareholders in 2010 and every three years thereafter.
If
the
number of directors changes, any increase or decrease will be apportioned among
the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly
as
possible. Any additional directors of a class elected to fill a vacancy
resulting from an increase in such class will hold office for a term that
coincides with the remaining term of that class. Decreases in the number of
directors will not shorten the term of any incumbent director. These board
provisions could make it more difficult for third parties to gain control of
our
company by making it difficult to replace members of the Board of Directors.
We
may
enter into contracts or transactions in which one or more directors are
interested; provided, however that the nature of the interest of any director
in
any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to the
consideration of the transaction and that the transaction meets the requirements
of Virginia Code Section 13.1-691, which provides that such transactions are
not
voidable due to a director conflict of interest if one of the following three
statements is true:
·
The
material facts of the transaction and the director’s interest were disclosed or
known to our board of directors or a committee of our board and our board
or
committee authorized, approved, or ratified the transaction;
·
The
material facts of the transaction and the director’s interest were disclosed to
the shareholders entitled to vote and they authorized, approved, or ratified
the
transaction; or
·
The
transaction was fair to our company.
A
general
notice or disclosure to the directors or otherwise contained in the minutes
of a
meeting or a written resolution of the directors or any committee thereof that
a
director is a shareholder of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded
as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient
disclosure and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give
special notice relating to any particular transaction.
There
are
no membership qualifications for directors. Further, there are no share
ownership qualifications for directors unless so fixed by us in a general
meeting.
Currently,
three committees have been established under the board: the audit committee,
the
compensation committee and the nominating committee. The audit committee is
responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes
of
our company and audits of the financial statements of our company, including
the
appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors.
The compensation committee of the board of directors reviews and makes
recommendations to the board regarding our compensation policies for our
officers and all forms of compensation, and also administers our incentive
compensation plans and equity-based plans (but our board retains the authority
to interpret those plans). The nominating committee of the board of directors
is
responsible for the assessment of the performance of the board, considering
and
making recommendations to the board with respect to the nominations or elections
of directors and other governance issues. Each of these three committees
consists solely of our independent directors: Mr. Laing, Mr. Burke and
Mr. Wang.
There
are
no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which our directors are
selected or nominated.
Board
of Directors Observers
In
connection with this offering, we have agreed to allow our underwriter to
designate two non-voting observers to our Board of Directors until the earlier
of the date that:
·
the
investors that purchase shares in this offering beneficially own less than
10%
of our outstanding shares; or
·
the
trading price per share is at least $[______] per share for any consecutive
15
trading day period.
Although
our underwriter’s observers will not be able to vote, they may nevertheless
significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to the Board of
Directors for approval. We have agreed to reimburse the observers for their
expenses for attending our Board meetings, subject to a maximum reimbursement
of
$6,000 per meeting and $12,000 annually per observer. The observers will be
required to certify that such travel expenses are not reimbursed by any other
party. No other compensation will be paid to the observers. As of the date
of
this prospectus, Mr. L. McCarthy Downs, III and Mr. Zhu Ming are
serving as our underwriter’s observers to our Board of Directors.
We
have
no other arrangement or understandings pursuant to which any of our other
directors are selected or nominated.
Duties
of Directors
Under
Virginia law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to the company to discharge
their duties as directors, including their duties as committee members, in
accordance with their good faith business judgment of the best interests of
our
company.
Director
Compensation
All
directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until
their successors have been duly elected and qualified. There are no family
relationships among our directors or executive officers. Officers are elected
by
and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employee directors do
not
receive any compensation for their services. Non-employee directors are entitled
to receive $2,000 per Board of Directors meeting attended. In addition,
non-employee directors are entitled to receive compensation for their actual
travel expenses for each Board of Directors meeting attended. These non-employee
directors will be required to certify that such travel expenses are not
reimbursed by any other party.
Employment
Agreements
Sino-China
has employment agreements with each of Mr. Cao Lei, Mr. Zhang Mingwei, Mr.
Huang
Zhi Kang and Ms. Liu Si Xia. These employment agreements provide for employment
of each of the employees for one-year terms, currently all expiring on December
31, 2008. Under Chinese law, these employment agreements may only be terminated
without cause and without penalty by providing notice of non-renewal one month
prior to the date on which the employment agreement are scheduled to expire.
If
we fail to provide this notice or if we wish to terminate an employment
agreement in the absence of cause, then we are obligated to pay the employee
one
month’s salary for each year we have employed the employee. We are, however,
permitted to terminate an employee for cause without penalty to our company,
where the employee has committed a crime or the employee’s actions or inactions
have resulted in a material adverse effect to us.
Limitation
of Director and Officer Liability
Pursuant
to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, every director or officer and
the
personal representatives of the same shall be indemnified and secured harmless
out of our assets and funds against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges,
expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by him or her
in
or about the conduct of our business or affairs or in the execution or discharge
of his or her duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or
liabilities incurred by him in defending (whether successfully or otherwise)
any
civil proceedings concerning us or our affairs in any court whether in Virginia
or elsewhere. No such director or officer will be liable for: (a) the acts,
receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other such Director or officer
or agent; or (b) any loss on account of defect of title to any of our
property; or (c) account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon
which any of our money shall be invested; or (d) any loss incurred through
any bank, broker or other similar person; or (e) any loss occasioned by any
negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgment or
oversight on his or her part; or (f) any loss, damage or misfortune
whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or discharge of
the
duties, powers authorities, or discretions of his or her office or in relation
thereto, unless the same shall happen through his or her own dishonesty.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933
may
be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the
foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC
such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of
1933 and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.
The
following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership
of
our common stock as of April 9, 2008 and as adjusted to reflect the sale
of the
shares offered by us in this offering, for each person known by us to
beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock, and all of our executive
officers and directors individually and as a group. Beneficial ownership
is
determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting
or
investment power with respect to the securities. Except as indicated below,
and
subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
table
have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown
as
beneficially owned by them. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based
on
1,800,000 shares outstanding as of April 9, 2008 and [______] shares (minimum
offering) and [______] shares (maximum offering) outstanding after completion
of
this offering. Our major common shareholders’ voting rights will not differ from
other common shareholders’ rights. The address of each of the below shareholders
is c/o Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd., 36-09 Main Street, Suite 9C-2,
Flushing, New York, 11354.
Name
and Address
|
|
Title
of
Class
|
|
Amount
of
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
Percentage
Ownership
Before Offering
|
|
Percentage
Ownership After
Minimum Offering
|
|
Percentage
Ownership After
Maximum Offering
|
|
Mr. Cao
Lei
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Chi
Tai Shen
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr.
Zhu Ming
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr.
Zhang Mingwei
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
54,000
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Mark
A. Harris and
Mrs. Roslyn
O. Harris
(1)
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Richard
E. Watkins and
Mrs. Sharon
J. Watkins
(1)
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
(1)
Assumes
no sale by the shareholder pursuant to the resale registration statement being
filed concurrently herewith.
Contractual
Arrangements with Sino-China and Its Shareholders
PRC
law
currently limits foreign equity ownership of shipping agencies. To comply with
these foreign ownership restrictions, we operate our business in China through
a
series of contractual arrangements with Sino-China and its shareholders, Mr.
Cao
Lei and Mr. Zhang Mingwei. For a description of these contractual arrangements,
see “Our Corporate Structure - Contractual Arrangements with Sino-China and Its
Shareholders.”
Loan
to Mr. Cao Lei
Mr.
Cao
Lei, our Chief Executive Officer, previously owed our company an aggregate
of
$1,251,222. On December 31, 2007, Mr. Cao repaid this indebtedness with funds
generated by him selling an aggregate of [______] shares of his common stock
in
our company to two third-party investors for $1,250,000 (the “Private Sale”) and
repaying $1,222 to our company. In connection with the Private Sale, we have
agreed to grant the investors in the Private Sale a right to put the acquired
shares of common stock to our company in the event that such shares are not
registered in accordance with federal and applicable state securities laws
within 12 months of the Private Sale. During the term of this put right, we
have
agreed to place $1,250,000 in an escrow account. To the extent we complete
the
registration of such shares within 12 months of the Private Sale, the escrow
agent will release the funds to our account upon the closing of the initial
public offering of our common stock. In the event we do not register such shares
within this time period, the escrow agent will pay the funds to the investors
in
order to cause our company to purchase the shares of common stock held by the
investors for an aggregate payment of $1,250,000.
Our
underwriter in the public offering, Anderson & Strudwick, assisted
Mr. Cao in locating the private investors in the Private Sale. In payment
for the underwriter’s services with the Private Sale, the underwriter will
receive a cash commission of 7%, an accountable expense allowance of 1%
and a
right to purchase, for $0.001 per warrant, warrants to purchase 10% of
the
number of shares sold to the investors in the Private Sale, on the same
terms as
the underwriter warrants issued in the public sale. The warrants are exercisable
for 120% of the public offering price in the public offering. To the extent
the
underwriter assists with any resale of the shares issued in the Private
Sale,
the maximum commission or discount to be received by it in such capacity
will
not be greater than 8% for the sale of any securities being registered
pursuant
to SEC Rule 415.
Relationship
with our Underwriter
In
connection with this offering, we have agreed to allow our underwriter to
designate two non-voting observers to our Board of Directors until the earlier
of the date that:
·
the
investors that purchase shares in this offering beneficially own less than
10%
of our outstanding shares; or
·
the
trading price per share is at least $[______] per share for any consecutive
15
trading day period.
Mr.
Downs, our underwriter’s Senior Vice President, currently serves as one of the
underwriter’s observers to our Board of Directors. Our underwriter’s observers
may impact the decisions of our Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance
Committee of our Board of Directors, which is comprised solely of independent
directors, must approve any future transaction with our affiliates.
Future
Related Party Transactions
In
the
future, the Nominating Committee of our Board of Directors must approve all
related party transactions. All material related party transactions will be
made
or entered into on terms that are no less favorable to us than can be obtained
from unaffiliated third parties. Related party transactions that we have
previously entered into were not approved by independent directors, as we had
no
independent directors at that time.
Our
authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000 shares of common stock,
without
par value per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par
value
per share. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,800,000 shares of common
stock
are issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock have been
issued.
Our company may be obligated to purchase certain of these issued and outstanding
shares of common stock on the terms and under the conditions described
in
greater detail in the section titled “Related Party Transactions - Loan to Mr.
Cao.” The following summary description relating to our capital stock does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by our Articles
of
Incorporation and Bylaws.
Common
Stock
Holders
of common stock are entitled to cast one vote for each share on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. The
holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if
any,
as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor and subject to any preference of any then authorized and issued
preferred stock. See “Dividend Policy.” Such holders do not have any preemptive
or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. All holders of common stock
are entitled to share ratably in any assets for distribution to shareholders
upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, subject to
any
preference of any then authorized and issued preferred stock. There are no
conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common
stock. All outstanding shares are fully paid and nonassessable.
Authorization
of Blank Check Preferred Stock
Although
we are not offering any preferred stock in this offering, our articles of
incorporation and bylaws provide that, upon completion of this offering,
our
board of directors will be authorized to issue, without shareholder approval,
blank check preferred stock. Blank check preferred stock can operate as a
defensive measure known as a “poison pill” by diluting the stock ownership of a
potential hostile acquirer to prevent an acquisition that is not approved
by our
board of directors.
Limitations
on the Right to Own Shares
There
are
no limitations on the right to own our shares.
Disclosure
of Shareholder Ownership
There
are
no provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws governing the
ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Changes
in Capital
We
may
from time to time by ordinary resolution increase the share capital by such
sum,
to be divided into shares of such amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.
The
new shares shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment
of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares
in the original share capital. We may by ordinary resolution:
·
consolidate
and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than
our
existing shares;
·
convert
all or any of our paid up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into
paid
up shares of any denomination;
·
in
many
circumstances, sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them, into shares
of
smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the
amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be
the
same as it was in the case of the share form which the reduced share is derived;
and
·
cancel
any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not
been
taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its
share
capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled.
We
may by
special resolution reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve
fund in any manner authorized by law.
Stock
Options
Our
Board
of Directors and shareholders have approved the creation of a stock option
plan
to be implemented following the completion of this offering. This plan will
authorize the issuance of up to 10% of the number of shares outstanding after
this offering, which will result in a pool of between [______] and [______]
options. Pursuant to this plan, we may issue options to purchase our common
stock to our employees and directors. The Compensation Committee of the Board
of
Directors will administer the plan. The options will have exercise prices equal
to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Any options
granted as of the closing of this offering will have an exercise price of
$[______] per option. In addition, the options will vest over five years (20%
per year) and have terms of ten years.
Certain
Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock
Assuming
a maximum offering, after this offering, we will have [______] shares of common
stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock remaining authorized but unissued.
Authorized but unissued shares are available for future issuance without
shareholder approval, except where approval is required by applicable
requirements of the exchange on which our stock is traded. Issuance of these
shares will dilute your percentage ownership in us.
Prior
to
this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future
sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could
adversely affect market prices. Upon completion of this offering, we will have
outstanding an aggregate of [______] shares of common stock. Of these shares,
the [______] shares sold in the offering will be freely tradable without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any
shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 of the
Securities Act, may generally only be sold in compliance with the limitations
of
Rule 144 described below. All other outstanding shares not sold in this offering
will be deemed “restricted securities” as defined under Rule 144. Restrictive
securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they
qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144. Subject to the
lock-up agreements described below and the provisions of Rule 144, additional
shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows:
Approximate
Number of Shares
Eligible
for Future Sale
|
|
Date
|
[______]
|
|
After
the date of this prospectus, freely tradable shares sold in this
offering.
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
After
the date of this prospectus, the shares will have been registered
upon a
separate resale prospectus and will be freely tradable by certain
selling
shareholders listed in the resale prospectus.
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
After
_____, 2008, these shares will be automatically released from the
underwriter lock-up and will be tradable in compliance with Rule
144.
|
Rule
144
In
general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person, or persons whose
shares are aggregated, who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock
for
least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner, except if
the
prior owner was one of our affiliates, would be entitled to sell within any
three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
·
1%
of the
number of shares of our common stock and then outstanding (which will equal
approximately [______] shares immediately after this offering);
or
·
the
average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar
weeks
preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
Sales
under Rule 144 are also subject to manner of sale provisions and notice
requirements and to the availability of current public information about our
company.
Rule
144(k)
Under
Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates
at
any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned
the
shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period
of any prior owner except one of our affiliates, is entitled to sell the shares
without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation
or notice provisions of Rule 144.
Lock-Up
Agreements
The
shares held by our officers and directors are subject to lock-up agreements.
These lock-up agreements provide that the shareholder will not offer, sell,
contact to sell, grant an option to purchase, effect a short sale or otherwise
dispose of or engage in any hedging or other transaction that is designed or
reasonably expected to lead to a disposition of shares or any option to purchase
shares or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into common stock
for a
period of 190 days after the date of this prospectus. Though these shares may
be
eligible for earlier sale under the provisions of the Securities Act, of these
shares will not be saleable until 190 days after the date of this prospectus
as
a result of these lock-up agreements.
Registration
We
are
also concurrently registering for resale under a separate prospectus up to
[______] shares of our common stock held by the selling shareholders named
under
the prospectus. None of the shares is being offered by us, and we will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares. See “Related Party
Transactions - Loan to Mr. Cao Lei.”
We
have
engaged Anderson & Strudwick, Incorporated to conduct this offering on
a “best efforts, minimum/maximum” basis. The offering is being made without a
firm commitment by the underwriter, which has no obligation or commitment to
purchase any of our shares. Although they have not formally committed to do
so,
our affiliates may opt to purchase shares in connection with this offering.
To
the extent such individuals invest, they will purchase our shares with
investment intent and without the intent to resell. Any shares purchased by
our
affiliates shall contribute to the calculation of whether we achieved our
minimum offering. We have not placed limits on the number of shares eligible
to
be purchased by our affiliates.
Unless
sooner withdrawn or canceled by either us or the underwriter, the offering
will
continue until the earlier of (i) a date mutually acceptable to us and our
underwriter after which the minimum offering is sold or (ii) June 1, 2008
(the “Offering Termination Date”). Until the closing of the offering, all
proceeds from the sale of the shares will be deposited in escrow with SunTrust
Bank (the “Escrow Agent”). Investors must pay in full for all shares at the time
of investment. Proceeds deposited in escrow with the Escrow Agent may not be
withdrawn by investors prior to the earlier of the closing of the offering
or
the Offering Termination Date. If the offering is withdrawn or canceled or
if
the [______] share minimum offering are not sold and proceeds therefrom are
not
received by us on or prior to the Offering Termination Date, all proceeds will
be promptly returned by the Escrow Agent without interest or deduction to the
persons from which they are received (within one business day) in accordance
with applicable securities laws.
Pursuant
to that certain underwriting agreement by and between the underwriter and us,
the obligations of the underwriter to solicit offers to purchase the shares
and
of investors solicited by the underwriter to purchase the common stock are
subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel to the underwriter
and
to various other conditions which are customary in a transactions of this type,
including, that, as of the closing of the offering, there shall not have
occurred (a) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the publication of quotations on
the
NASDAQ Stock Market (National Market System or Capital Market); (ii) a
general moratorium on commercial banking activities in the State of New York
or
China; (iii) the engagement by the United States or China in hostilities
which have resulted in the declaration of a national emergency or war if any
such event would have a material adverse effect, in the underwriter’s reasonable
judgment, as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
solicitation of offers to consummate the offering with respect to investors
solicited by the underwriter on the terms and conditions contemplated herein.
We
have
agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments
the
underwriter may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The
underwriter is offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if
issued to and accepted by it, subject to conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriter of officers’
certificates and legal opinions. The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw,
cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
The underwriter intends to offer our shares to its retail customers in states
whereby we have qualified the issuance of such shares.
Commissions
and Discounts
The
underwriter has advised us that it proposes to offer the shares to the public
at
the initial public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus.
The
following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount to be
paid by us to the underwriter and the proceeds, before expenses, to us.
|
|
Per Share
|
|
Minimum Offering
|
|
Maximum Offering
|
|
Public
offering price
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
6,750,000
|
|
$
|
8,750,000
|
|
Underwriting
discount
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
472,500
|
|
$
|
612,500
|
|
Proceeds
to us, before expenses
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
$
|
6,277,500
|
|
$
|
8,137,500
|
|
The
expenses of this offering, not including the underwriting discount, are
estimated at $[______] and are payable by us. The underwriter may offer the
shares to certain securities dealers at the public offering price, less a
concession not in excess of $[______] per share. The underwriting agreement
further provides that the underwriter will receive from us an accountable
expense allowance of 1% of the aggregate public offering price of the shares,
which allowance amounts to $[______] assuming an offering price of $[______]
per
share and the closing of a maximum offering.
Underwriter
Warrants
We
have
sold to the underwriter at a price of $0.001 per warrant, underwriter warrants
to purchase 10% of the number of shares issued by us or eligible to be sold
by
the selling shareholders in connection with the offering. The underwriter
warrants will be exercisable at 120% the offering price per share for a period
of five years and may not be exercised, if at all, until the effectiveness
of
this registration statement. The underwriter warrants will not be sold during
the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or
be
the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction
that
would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any
person for a period of 180-days immediately following the date of effectiveness
or commencement of sales of the public offering, except to officers or partners
and shareholders of the underwriter. We have registered the underwriter warrants
and the shares of common stock underlying the underwriter warrants in connection
with this offering.
For
the
life of the underwriter warrants, the holders thereof are given, at nominal
costs, the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our common
stock with a resulting dilution in the interest of other shareholders. Further,
the holders may be expected to exercise the underwriter warrants at a time
when
we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain equity capital on terms more
favorable than those provided in the underwriter warrants.
The
underwriter warrants do not (i) allow the underwriter and related persons
to receive more shares or to exercise at a lower price than originally
agreed
upon at the time of the public offering, when the public shareholders have
not
been proportionally affected by a stock split, stock dividend, or other
similar
event; or (ii) allow the underwriter and related persons to receive or
accrue cash dividends prior to the exercise or conversion of the security.
In
addition, the anti-dilution provisions of the underwriter warrants are
in
compliance with Rule 2710(f)(2)(H)(vi) and (vii) of NASD Conduct
Rules.
Lock-Up
Agreements
Each
of
our existing shareholders other than
(i) Mark
A. and Roslyn O. Harris and (ii)
Richard
E. and Sharon J. Watkins has agreed with us not to sell or otherwise transfer
any shares for 190 days after the date of this prospectus. Specifically, we
and
our shareholders have agreed not to directly or indirectly:
·
offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares;
·
sell
any
option or contract to purchase any shares;
·
purchase
any option or contract to sell any shares;
·
grant
any
option, right or warrant for the sale of any shares, except pursuant to our
stock option plan;
·
lend
or
otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares;
·
request
or demand that we file a registration statement related to any of our shares;
·
enter
into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the
economic consequences of ownership of any shares whether any such swap or
transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in
cash
or otherwise.
These
lock-up agreements apply to our common stock and to securities convertible
into,
or exchangeable or exercisable for, or repayable with, our common stock. It
also
applies to our common stock owned now acquired later by the person executing
the
agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the
power of disposition.
Market
and Pricing Considerations
There
is
not an established market for our common stock. We negotiated with our
underw
riter
to
determine the offering price of our shares in this offering using a multiple
of
[______] times our trailing net income from continuing operations before
non-controlling interest in income for [______] months ended [______]. Noting
past offerings completed by our underwriter, we believe that this multiple
approximates the valuation multiples utilized in similar offerings for
similarly-sized companies.
In
addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors considered in determining
the applicable multiples were:
·
The
history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which
we
compete;
·
An
assessment of our management, its past and present operation, and the prospects
for, and timing of, our future revenues;
·
The
present state of our development; and
·
The
factors listed above in relation to market values and various valuation measures
of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.
Using
an
average of the valuation based upon trailing net income from continuing
operations before non-controlling interest in income for 2007, we calculated
an
approximate enterprise value of $[______]. This resulted in a per share price
of
$[______], based on 1,800,000 shares issued and outstanding prior to this
offering. We have used this price in connection with this offering.
An
active
trading market for our common stock may not develop. It is possible that after
this offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the
initial offering price.
Discretionary
Shares
The
underwriter will not sell any shares in this offering to accounts over which
it
exercises discretionary authority, without first receiving written consent
from
those accounts.
Listing
on the NASDAQ Capital Market
We
have
applied to list our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol
“SINO.” As this offering is a best-efforts offering, the NASDAQ Capital Market
has indicated that it is unable to admit our common stock for listing until
the
completion of the offering and, consequently, the satisfaction of NASDAQ Capital
Market listing standards. If so admitted, we expect our common stock to begin
trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on the day following the closing of this
offering. If our common stock is eventually listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market,
we will be subject to continued listing requirements and corporate governance
standards. We expect these new rules and regulations to significantly increase
our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs.
Price
Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
In
order
to facilitate the offering of the shares, the underwriter may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our
common stock. Specifically, the underwriter may sell more shares than it is
obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a naked short
position. The underwriter must close out a covered short sale by purchasing
shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created
if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the
price
of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect
investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating
the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares in the open
market to stabilize the price of the common stock. These activities may raise
or
maintain the market price of our common stock above independent market levels
or
prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the shares. The underwriter
is not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these
activities at any time.
We
and
the underwriter have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Certain
matters related to the offer and sale of the shares under U.S. law, including
Virginia state law and federal securities law, will be passed on for both the
underwriter and our company by Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., Richmond,
Virginia. Certain legal matters relating to the offering as to Chinese law
will
be passed upon for us by Kang Da Law Office, 703 CITIC Building, Jinguomenwai
Street, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
Consolidated
financial statements as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the years then ended
appearing in this prospectus, have been included herein and in the registration
statement in reliance upon the report of Friedman LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority
of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
We
have
filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (previously SB-2)
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to our common stock offered by
this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration
statement. For further information regarding us and our common stock offered
hereby, please refer to the registration statement and the exhibits filed as
part of the registration statement.
In
addition, we file periodic reports with the SEC, including quarterly reports
and
annual reports which include our audited financial statements. This registration
statement, including exhibits thereto, and all of our periodic reports may
be
inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC
at
100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of the
registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, and all of our periodic
reports after payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. For additional
information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room, you may call
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website which provides
on-line access to reports and other information regarding registrants that
file
electronically with the SEC at the address: http://www.sec.gov.
EXPENSES
RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
The
following table sets forth the main estimated expenses in connection with this
offering, other than the underwriting discounts, expenses and commissions,
which
we will be required to pay. All amounts are estimates other than the SEC’s
registration fee, NASD filing fee and NASDAQ Capital Market listing
fee.
SEC
registration fee
|
|
$
|
467.27
|
|
FINRA
filing fee
|
|
|
1,688.96
|
|
NASDAQ
listing fee
|
|
|
50,000.00
|
|
Blue
Sky Fees
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Legal
fees and expenses for Chinese counsel
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Legal
fees and expenses for U.S. counsel
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Accounting
fees and expenses
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Printing
fees
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized
to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this
prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or
representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered
hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful
to
do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its
date.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
Summary
|
|
|
1
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
|
|
6
|
|
Forward-Looking
Statements
|
|
|
18
|
|
Our
Corporate Structure
|
|
|
19
|
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
|
|
23
|
|
Dividend
Policy
|
|
|
24
|
|
Exchange
Rate Information
|
|
|
25
|
|
Dilution
|
|
|
26
|
|
Selected
Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
and
Operating Data
|
|
|
28
|
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
|
|
29
|
|
Our
Business
|
|
|
41
|
|
Description
of Property
|
|
|
47
|
|
Management
|
|
|
48
|
|
Principal
Shareholders
|
|
|
52
|
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
|
|
53
|
|
Description
of Share Capital
|
|
|
54
|
|
Shares
Eligible for Future Sale
|
|
|
56
|
|
Underwriting
|
|
|
57
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
|
|
60
|
|
Experts
|
|
|
60
|
|
Where
You Can Find More Information
|
|
|
60
|
|
Expenses
Relating to this Offering
|
|
|
60
|
|
Index
to Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-1
|
|
Until
_____, 2008 (90 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers
that
effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in
this
offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to
the
dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and
with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING
AMERICA,
LTD.
Common
Stock
[______]
Share Minimum
[______]
Share Maximum
Prospectus
Anderson &
Strudwick,
Incorporated
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
|
|
|
PAGE
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
F-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007, 2006 and as of December 31,
2007
(unaudited)
|
|
|
F-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2007, 2006,
for the
Six Months Ended December 31, 2007 (unaudited) and 2006
(unaudited)
|
|
|
F-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 2007, 2006,
and for
the Six Months Ended December 31, 2007 (unaudited) and 2006
(unaudited)
|
|
|
F-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended June 30,
2007, 2006 and for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2007
(unaudited)
|
|
|
F-6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-7
|
|
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Sino-Global
Shipping America, Ltd.
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sino-Global Shipping
America,
Ltd.
and
Affiliate as of June 30, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated related
statements
of operations,
cash
flows and shareholders' equity for the years then ended. Sino-Global
Shipping
America, Ltd.'s
management
is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility
is to
express
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting
Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the
audit to
obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material
misstatement.
The
company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit
of its
internal control
over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control
over
financial reporting
as
a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances,
but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness
of the
company's internal control over financial
reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining,
on a
test basis,
evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting
principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the
overall
financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis
for our
opinion.
In
our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly,
in all material
respects,
the consolidated financial position of Sino-Global Shipping America,
Ltd. and
Affiliate as
of
June
30, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and
their
cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/
Friedman LLP
New
York,
New York
April
9,
2008
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
526,091
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
981,242
|
|
Advances
to suppliers
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
586,641
|
|
|
278,957
|
|
|
176,271
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
739,943
|
|
|
130,004
|
|
|
823,903
|
|
Other
receivables
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
169,970
|
|
|
134,751
|
|
|
542,445
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
12,976
|
|
|
9,913
|
|
|
13,510
|
|
Due
from related party
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
1,249,722
|
|
|
681,126
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,285,343
|
|
|
1,590,777
|
|
|
2,537,371
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash-Escrow
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
467,218
|
|
|
214,896
|
|
|
591,438
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,752,561
|
|
|
1,805,673
|
|
|
4,378,809
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and Shareholders’ Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
payable, bank
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
45,791
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
Advances
from customers
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
717,007
|
|
|
494,202
|
|
|
381,749
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
861,562
|
|
|
212,168
|
|
|
1,100,666
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
59,490
|
|
|
35,313
|
|
|
56,654
|
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,987
|
|
|
684
|
|
|
30,307
|
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
92,911
|
|
|
414,981
|
|
|
282,008
|
|
Total
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,788,748
|
|
|
1,257,348
|
|
|
1,851,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interest
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
308,610
|
|
|
(66,362
|
)
|
|
313,683
|
|
Mandatorily
redeemable stock
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
stock
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,625
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,653,323
|
|
|
612,807
|
|
|
962,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,655,203
|
|
|
614,687
|
|
|
963,742
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,752,561
|
|
|
1,805,673
|
|
|
4,378,809
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
For
the years ended
June
30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,090,879
|
|
|
8,924,786
|
|
|
8,144,189
|
|
|
5,044,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
of services
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,509,669
|
)
|
|
(6,391,123
|
)
|
|
(6,534,171
|
)
|
|
(3,719,890
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,165,332
|
)
|
|
(1,714,617
|
)
|
|
(908,511
|
)
|
|
(554,668
|
)
|
Selling
expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
(153,797
|
)
|
|
(192,825
|
)
|
|
(94,242
|
)
|
|
(74,728
|
)
|
Other
operating costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,163
|
)
|
|
(10,110
|
)
|
|
(522
|
)
|
|
(759
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,829,961
|
)
|
|
(8,308,675
|
)
|
|
(7,537,446
|
)
|
|
(4,350,045
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,260,918
|
|
|
616,111
|
|
|
606,743
|
|
|
694,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on disposal of investment
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2,491
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
income (expense), net
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
22,125
|
|
|
(35,912
|
)
|
|
42,574
|
|
|
(33,123
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,125
|
|
|
(38,403
|
)
|
|
42,574
|
|
|
(33,123
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income before taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,283,043
|
|
|
577,708
|
|
|
649,317
|
|
|
661,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
(138,291
|
)
|
|
(21,227
|
)
|
|
(30,741
|
)
|
|
(63,134
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest
in
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,144,752
|
|
|
556,481
|
|
|
618,576
|
|
|
598,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interest in income
|
|
|
|
|
|
(104,237
|
)
|
|
(26,643
|
)
|
|
(60,037
|
)
|
|
(55,400
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
|
543,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
-Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
-Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
For
the years ended
June
30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Operating
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
|
543,030
|
|
Adjustment
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
90,602
|
|
|
31,644
|
|
|
73,482
|
|
|
35,016
|
|
Non-controlling
interest in income
|
|
|
104,237
|
|
|
26,643
|
|
|
60,037
|
|
|
55,400
|
|
Changes
in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in advances to supplier
|
|
|
(307,684
|
)
|
|
(118,371
|
)
|
|
410,370
|
|
|
192,802
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in accounts receivable
|
|
|
(609,939
|
)
|
|
573
|
|
|
(83,960
|
)
|
|
(224,196
|
)
|
Decrease
(increase) in other receivables
|
|
|
(35,219
|
)
|
|
(95,078
|
)
|
|
(372,475
|
)
|
|
29,836
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(3,063
|
)
|
|
4,490
|
|
|
(534
|
)
|
|
(5,453
|
)
|
Increase
(decrease) in advances from customers
|
|
|
222,805
|
|
|
219,158
|
|
|
(335,258
|
)
|
|
309,062
|
|
Increase
in accounts payable
|
|
|
649,394
|
|
|
59,556
|
|
|
239,104
|
|
|
214,393
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in accrued expenses
|
|
|
24,177
|
|
|
17,389
|
|
|
(2,836
|
)
|
|
4,442
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in income taxes payable
|
|
|
11,303
|
|
|
(213
|
)
|
|
18,320
|
|
|
59,821
|
|
(Decrease)
increase in other current liabilities
|
|
|
(322,070
|
)
|
|
43,458
|
|
|
189,097
|
|
|
(329,637
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
865,059
|
|
|
719,087
|
|
|
753,886
|
|
|
884,516
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
expenditures and other additions
|
|
|
(342,924
|
)
|
|
(151,829
|
)
|
|
(197,702
|
)
|
|
(257,224
|
)
|
Due
from related party
|
|
|
(568,596
|
)
|
|
(498,126
|
)
|
|
1,249,722
|
|
|
(431,973
|
)
|
Cash
escrow
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,250,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(911,520
|
)
|
|
(649,955
|
)
|
|
(197,980
|
)
|
|
(689,197
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
payable, bank
|
|
|
(54,209
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(45,791
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Capital
Contribution of non-controlling interest
|
|
|
226,928
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
226,928
|
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
172,719
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(45,791
|
)
|
|
226,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of exchange rate change in cash
|
|
|
43,807
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
(54,964
|
)
|
|
12,916
|
|
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
170,065
|
|
|
70,446
|
|
|
455,151
|
|
|
435,163
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
285,580
|
|
|
526,091
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
|
526,091
|
|
|
356,026
|
|
|
981,242
|
|
|
791,189
|
|
Supplemental
cash flows disclosure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
|
10,019
|
|
|
6,579
|
|
|
543
|
|
|
6,277
|
|
Income
taxes paid
|
|
|
134,870
|
|
|
24,562
|
|
|
34,366
|
|
|
12,858
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
Common
stock
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
as of July 1, 2005
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
82,969
|
|
|
84,849
|
|
Shares
issued, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
|
529,838
|
|
Balance
as of June 30, 2006
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
612,807
|
|
|
614,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
|
1,040,516
|
|
Balance
as of June 30, 2007
|
|
|
1,880
|
|
|
1,653,323
|
|
|
1,655,203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
issued, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
|
558,539
|
|
Mandatorily
redeemable stock accrual
|
|
|
(255
|
)
|
|
(1,249,745
|
)
|
|
(1,250,000
|
)
|
Balance
as of December 31, 2007 (Unaudited)
|
|
|
1,625
|
|
|
962,117
|
|
|
963,742
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD. AND AFFILIATE
1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Sino-Global
Shipping America, Ltd. (the “Company”), previously known as Sino-Global-Shipping
(America) Ltd., was incorporated under section 402 of the Business Corporation
Laws of the United States of America in New York on February 2, 2001.
On
September 18, 2007, the Company amended the Article of Incorporation and Bylaws
to merge into a new Corporation, Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. in
Virginia.
The
Company’s principal geographic market is in the People’s Republic of China
(“PRC”). As PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of
shipping agency service businesses, the Company provides its services in the
PRC
through Sino-Global Shipping Agency Ltd. (“Sino-China”), a Chinese legal entity,
which holds the licenses and permits necessary to operate shipping services
in
the PRC. Sino-China is located in Beijing and has branches in Ningbo, Qingdao,
Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Fangchenggang. Sino-China holds four local shipping
service licenses in China to serve as a local shipping agent in Ningbo, Qingdao,
Tianjin, and Fangchenggang. Sino-China has applied for a local shipping agent
license in Qinhuangdao. The Company provides general shipping agency services
in
76 ports in China.
For
the
purpose of providing better and more convenient services, the Company formed
a
wholly foreign-owned enterprise, Trans Pacific Shipping Limited (“Trans
Pacific”), in Beijing on November 13, 2007. Trans Pacific and
Sino-China
do not
have a parent-subsidiary relationship. Instead, Trans Pacific will operate
with
Sino-China
through
a variety of contractual agreements.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a)
Basis of presentation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(“US GAAP”).
The
agency relationship between the Company and Sino-China and its branches is
governed by a series of contractual arrangements pursuant to which the Company
has substantial control over Sino-China.
Sino-China
is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and the Company is the primary
beneficiary. On November 14, 2007, the Company entered into agreements
with
Sino-China, pursuant to which the Company receives 90% of Sino-China’s net
income. The Company does not receive any payment from Sino-China unless
Sino-China recognizes net income during its fiscal year. These agreements
do not
entitle the Company to any consideration if Sino-China incurs a net loss
during
its fiscal year. In accordance with these agreements, Sino-China pays consulting
and marketing fees equal to 85% and 5%, respectively, of its net income
to the
Company’s new wholly owned foreign subsidiary, Trans Pacific, and Trans Pacific
supplies the technology and personnel needed to service Sino-China. Sino-China
was designed to operate in China for the benefit of the Company.
The
accounts of Sino-China are consolidated in the accompanying financial statements
pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46
(Revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - an Interpretation of
ARB No. 51”. As a VIE, Sino-China’s sales are included in the Company’s total
sales, its income from operations is consolidated with the Company’s, and the
Company’s net income from continuing operations before non-controlling interest
in income includes all of Sino-China’s net income. The Company’s non-controlling
interest in its income is then subtracted in calculating the net income
attributable to the Company. Because of the contractual arrangements, the
Company had a pecuniary interest in Sino-China that requires consolidation
of
the Company’s and Sino-China’s financial statements.
Mr.
Cao
Lei owns more than 70% of both Sino-China and the Company (before completion
of
the offering) and was able to cause the Company and Sino-China to enter into
the
2007 agreements at any point in time. Accordingly, the Company has consolidated
Sino-China’s income because the entities are under common control in accordance
with SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. For this reason, the Company has
included 90% of Sino-China’s net income in the Company’s net income as discussed
above as though the 2007 agreements were in effect from the inception of
Sino-China, and only the 10% of Sino-China’s net income not paid to the Company
represents the non-controlling interest in Sino-China’s
income.
(b)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The
carrying amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements for current
assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term
nature of these financial instruments.
(c)
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US
GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of
revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are adjusted
to reflect actual experience when necessary. Significant accounting estimates
reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include revenue
recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, and useful lives of property
and
equipment.
Since
the
use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process,
our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting
policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their
application.
(d)
Translation
of Foreign Currency
The
accounts of the Company and Sino-China and each of its branches are measured
using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity
operates (the “functional currency”). The Company’s functional currency is US
dollars (“$”) while Sino-China reports its financial position and results of
operations in Renminbi (“RMB”). The accompanying consolidated financial
statements are presented in US dollars. Foreign currency transactions are
translated into US dollars using the fixed exchange rates in effect at the
time
of the transaction. Generally foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from
the settlement of such transactions are recognized in the consolidated
statements of operations. The Company translates foreign currency financial
statements of Sino-China in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard (“SFAS”) No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”. Assets and liabilities
are translated at current exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China at
the balance sheet dates and revenues and expenses are translated at average
exchange rates in effect during the periods. Resulting translation adjustments
are recorded as other comprehensive income (loss) and accumulated as a separate
component of equity included in Non-controlling interest.
(e)
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash
and
cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, and other highly liquid investments
which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use, and which have maturities of
three months or less when purchased. The Company maintains cash and cash
equivalents with various financial institutions mainly in the PRC and the United
States.
Balances
in the United States are insured up to $100,000 at each bank.
(f)
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Historical cost comprises its purchase price and any directly
attributable costs of bringing the assets to its working condition and location
for its intended use. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over
the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings
|
|
20
years
|
|
|
5-10
years
|
Furniture
and office equipment
|
|
3-5
years
|
The
carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired by the Company
when
the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from such asset is less than its
carrying value. If impairment is identified, a loss is recognized based on
the
amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the
long-lived asset. Fair market value is determined primarily using the
anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved
or based on independent appraisals. Management has determined that there were
no
impairments at the balance sheet dates.
(g)
Revenue recognition
The
Company charges shipping agency fees in two ways: (1) fixed fees that are
predetermined with the customer, and (2) cost-plus fees that are calculated
based on the actual costs incurred plus a markup. The Company generally require
payments in advance from customers and bill them on the balances within 30
days
after the transactions are completed. Revenues are recognized from shipping
agency services upon completion of services, which coincides with the date
of
departure of the relevant vessel from port. Advance payments and deposits
received from customers prior to the provision of services and recognition
of
the related revenues are presented as current liabilities.
Some
contracts contain a provision stating that revenues are recognized for actual
expenses incurred plus a profit margin. When the services are completed but
the
information on the actual expenses is not available at the end of the fiscal
period, we estimate revenues and expenses based on our previous experience
with
similar vessels and port charges.
In
accordance with EITF 99-19, the Company reports its revenue on the gross amounts
billed to customers based on several criteria: (1) the Company assumes all
credit risk for the amounts billed to customers, (2) the Company has multiple
suppliers for services ordered by customers and discretion to select the
supplier that provides the services, and (3) the Company determines the nature,
type or specifications of the services ordered by customers and the Company
is
responsible for fulfilling these services.
(h)
Accounts receivable
Accounts
receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company
maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. The Company
reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and
specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectibility of individual
balances. In evaluating the collectibility of individual receivable balances,
the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, customer’s
historical payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic
trends. The amount of the provision, if any is recognized in the consolidated
statement of operations within “General and administrative expenses”. Management
has determined that an allowance was not required at the balance sheet dates.
Accounts are written off after exhaustive efforts at collection.
(i)
Taxation
Because
the Company and Sino-China are incorporated in different jurisdictions, we
file
separate income tax returns. The Company uses the liability method of accounting
for income taxes in accordance with US GAAP. Deferred taxes, if any are
recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between
the
tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the
consolidated financial statements.
Effective
July 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). —
an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The
Interpretation addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed
or
expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial
statements. Under FIN 48, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain
tax
position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be
sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical
merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements
from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has
a
greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate
settlement. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and
requires increased disclosures.
PRC
Enterprise Income Tax
PRC
domestic companies are governed by the Enterprise Income Tax Laws of the PRC
and
profits are generally subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 33%.
Sino-China’s income tax is accrued at the end of every quarter based on taxes
payable for the current period and paid in the following month.
PRC
Business Tax and Surcharges
Revenues
from services provided by Sino-China and its branches are subject to the PRC
business tax of 5% and some surcharges. Business tax and surcharges are paid
on
gross revenues generated from our shipping services.
In
addition, under the PRC regulations, Sino-China is required to pay the city
construction tax (7%) and education surcharges (3%) based on the calculated
business tax payments.
Sino-China
has complied with EITF 06-3 and reports its revenues net of PRC’s business tax
and surcharges for all the periods presented in the consolidated statements
of
operations.
New
Corporate Income Tax Law
The
5th
Session of the 10th National People’s Congress amended the PRC Corporate Income
Tax Law that became effective on January 1, 2008. The newly amended Corporate
Income Tax Law introduces a wide range of changes which include, but are not
limited to, the unification of the income tax rate for domestic-invested and
foreign-invested enterprises at 25%, which reduces the Company’s income tax rate
from 33% to 25% in 2008. In addition, according to the amended detailed
implementation and administrative rules, the new PRC Corporate Income Tax Law
will broaden the tax restrictions in terms of categories and extents for
domestic companies.
(j)
Leases
Leases
have been classified as operating leases. Capital leases that transfer
substantially all the benefits and risks incidental to the ownership of assets
are accounted for as if there was an acquisition of an asset and incurrence
of
an obligation at the inception of the lease. All other leases are accounted
for
as operating leases wherein rental payments are expensed as
incurred.
(k)
Earnings per share
Earnings
per share is calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to
holders of common shares by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common
shares were exercised or converted into common shares. Convertible, redeemable
preference shares are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share
on an “if-converted” basis, when the impact is dilutive. Contingent exercise
price resets are accounted for in a manner similar to contingently issuable
shares. Common share equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted
earnings per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive.
Earnings
per share data has been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to
reflect the recapitalization of the Company further discussed in Note
11.
(l)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In
March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This statement requires enhanced
disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby
improves the transparency of financial reporting. The Statement is effective
for
financial statements for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after
November 15, 2008 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Non-controlling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51”, which is
effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption
is prohibited, and, accordingly, the Company has not yet adopted SFAS
160. The objective of this Statement is to improve the relevance, comparability,
and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides
in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and
reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and
for the
deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The Company is currently assessing the
impact
of SFAS 160; the Company believes the adoption of this standard will have
a
material effect on its consolidated shareholders’ equity. The Company’s
shareholders’ equity will increase by the amount of the non-controlling interest
currently reported outside of equity. However, the adoption of SFAS 160
is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company’s net
income.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”,
which is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition
date is
on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning
on or
after December 15, 2008. This Statement establishes principles and requirements
for how the acquirer (a) recognizes and measures in its financial statements
the
identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling
interest in the acquiree; (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired
in
the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and (c) determines
what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements
to
evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.
The
Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 141R; however,
the Company
does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material effect
on
its consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an
option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
SFAS
No. 159’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial
instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related
assets
and liabilities differently. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation
and
disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies
that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets
and
liabilities. SFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information
that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more
easily
understand the effect of the Company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings.
It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and
liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair value on the face
of
the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an
entity’s
first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is
permitted
as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity
makes
that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to
apply
the provisions of Statement 157. The Company did not early adopt SFAS No.
159.
The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 159; however,
the
Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material
effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard applies
under
other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements,
but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will
become
effective for the Company in fiscal 2009. The Company is currently assessing
the
impact of SFAS No. 157; however, the Company does not believe the adoption
of
this standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial
statements.
(m)
Stock-Based Compensation
The
Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement
No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share Based Payments” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). SFAS
No.123(R) supersedes SFAS 123 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion
No. 25,”Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS No. 95,
“Statement of Cash Flows.” The Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders
have approved the creation of a stock option plan to be implemented after the
Company has completed its public offering. This plan will authorize the issuance
of up to 10% of the number of shares outstanding after the Company has completed
its public offering. Pursuant to the anticipated plan, the Company may issue
options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company
and its affiliates. The Company will fair value share-based awards to be granted
under the new plan. Accordingly, compensation will be measured on the grant
date
using appropriate valuation models.
3.
ADVANCES
TO SUPPLIERS/ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS.
(a)
Advances to Suppliers
Advances
to suppliers represent costs of services and fees paid to suppliers in advance
in connection with the agency services fees income to be recognized.
(b)
Advances from Customers
Advances
from customers represent money received from customers in advance in connection
with the agency services fees income to be recognized.
4.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets at June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006 and December
31, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Rent
|
|
|
6,653
|
|
|
5,024
|
|
|
12,181
|
|
Communication
|
|
|
2,298
|
|
|
1,459
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
prepaid expenses
|
|
|
4,025
|
|
|
3,430
|
|
|
1,329
|
|
|
|
|
12,976
|
|
|
9,913
|
|
|
13,510
|
|
5.
DUE FROM RELATED PARTY AND CASH-ESCROW
On
December 31, 2007, Mr. Cao repaid $1,251,222 to the Company, primarily with
funds generated by him selling an aggregate of 244,618
shares
of
his common stock in the Company to two third-party investors for $1,250,000
(the
“Private Sale”). In connection with the Private Sale, the investors were granted
a right to sell the acquired shares of common stock to the Company in the event
that such shares are not registered in accordance with federal and applicable
state securities laws within 12 months of the Private Sale. During the term
of
this put right, the Company agreed to place $1,250,000 in an escrow account.
To
the extent that the Company completes the registration of the shares within
12
months of the Private Sale, the escrow agent will release the funds to the
Company’s account upon closing of the initial public offering of the Company’s
common stock. In the event that the Company does not register the shares within
such time period, the escrow agent will pay the funds to the investors in order
to cause the Company to purchase the shares of common stock held by the
investors for an aggregate payment of $1,250,000.
6.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment at June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2007 are as
follows:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Land
and building
|
|
|
65,280
|
|
|
62,177
|
|
|
68,059
|
|
Motor
vehicles
|
|
|
445,488
|
|
|
141,947
|
|
|
626,355
|
|
Computer
equipment
|
|
|
53,175
|
|
|
39,887
|
|
|
61,463
|
|
Office
equipment
|
|
|
15,147
|
|
|
11,017
|
|
|
17,831
|
|
Furniture
& Fixtures
|
|
|
11,601
|
|
|
10,538
|
|
|
11,252
|
|
System
|
|
|
15,321
|
|
|
14,593
|
|
|
18,027
|
|
Leasehold
improvement
|
|
|
17,071
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
17,797
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
623,083
|
|
|
280,159
|
|
|
820,784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
155,865
|
|
|
65,263
|
|
|
229,346
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
467,218
|
|
|
214,896
|
|
|
591,438
|
|
7.
LOANS PAYABLE, BANK
The
Company has a line of credit up to $100,000 with Hong Kong Shanghai Banking
Corporation (“HSBC”) in New York, which bears interest at a variable interest
rate. At June 30, 2007, 2006 and December 31, 2007, the amounts payable to
the
bank were $45,791, $100,000 and $0, respectively. Interest expense for the
years
ended June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006, and for the six months ended December 31,
2007 were $9,824, $5,434 and $4,776, respectively.
8
.
ACCRUED EXPENSES
Under
the
PRC regulations, Sino-China is required to accrue welfare benefits calculated
as
14% of the total salaries. It is also required for Sino-China to pay the city
construction tax (7%) and education surcharges (3%) based on the calculated
business tax payments.
Accrued
expenses at June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2007 are as
follows:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Accrued
welfare benefits
|
|
|
53,419
|
|
|
31,561
|
|
|
55,714
|
|
Other
surcharge and taxes payable
|
|
|
6,071
|
|
|
3,752
|
|
|
940
|
|
|
|
|
59,490
|
|
|
35,313
|
|
|
56,654
|
|
9.
OTHER
RECEIVABLES/OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
(a)
Other Receivables
Other
receivables represent amounts to be received from customers for advance payments
made to the port agent for reimbursed charges to be incurred in connection
with
the costs of services.
(b)
Other Current Liabilities
Other
current liabilities represent mainly advance payments received from customers
for reimbursed port agent charges to be incurred.
10.
COMMITMENTS
The
Company leases certain office premises under non-cancelable leases. In December
2007, the Company leased additional office premises under two non-cancelable
leases which expire through January 13, 2010 for approximately $317,000 per
year. Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended June 30, 2007
and
2006, and for the six-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and December 31,
2006, were $121,777, $115,857, $70,779, and $61,645, respectively.
Future
minimum lease payments under the Company’s other non-cancelable operating leases
agreements are as follows:
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
Year
ending June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
2009
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
2010
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
121,000
|
|
11
.
CAPITAL STOCK
The
predecessor of the Company which was incorporated in New York State had 200
shares of common stock issued and outstanding, without par value. Upon the
merger into a Virginia shell corporation on September 18, 2007, each share
of
common stock in the predecessor company was exchanged for 9,000 shares of common
stock in the Company. The New York State company ceased to exist after the
merger. As of December 31, 2007, the authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, 1,800,000 of which
are issued and outstanding, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without
par
value, none of which are issued and outstanding.
The
Company may be obligated to purchase certain of these issued and outstanding
shares of common stock on the terms and under the conditions further
discussed
in Note 5. Accordingly, the common stock of the Company that has been
transferred to investors with put rights at December 31, 2007, is classified
outside of permanent equity. Mandatorily redeemable stock is reported
at its
redemption value of $1,250,00 in the accompanying balance
sheet."
Common
stock issued and outstanding at June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006 (both such dates
prior to the recapitalization of the Company in the merger completed on
September 18, 2007) and December 31, 2007 (after such recapitalization) were
as
follows:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
Cao
Lei
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
1,357,382
|
|
Chi
Tai Shen
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
Zhu
Ming
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
Zhang
Mingwei
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
54,000
|
|
Mark
A. Harris and Roslyn O. Harris
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
122,309
|
|
Richard
E. Watkins and Sharon J. Watkins
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
122,309
|
|
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
12
.
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
Non-controlling
interest at June 30, 2007, June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2007 consists of
the
following:
|
|
June
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-in
capital
|
|
|
357,444
|
|
|
130,515
|
|
|
357,444
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
45,121
|
|
|
1,313
|
|
|
(9,843
|
)
|
Deficit
|
|
|
(96,772
|
)
|
|
(201,008
|
)
|
|
(36,734
|
)
|
Other
adjustments
|
|
|
2,817
|
|
|
2,818
|
|
|
2,816
|
|
|
|
|
308,610
|
|
|
(66,362
|
)
|
|
313,683
|
|
In
October 2006, Sino-China increased its paid-in capital of
Sino-China
from
RMB1,080,000 (equivalent to $130,515) to RMB2,860,000 (equivalent to $357,444),
after obtaining the Chinese authority’s approvals.
13.
LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF INVESTMENT
Sino-China
invested
RMB60,000 (equivalent to $7,249) in Beijing Global Sainuo Software Development
Ltd on September 11, 2003. The invested entity was liquidated on May 22, 2006
and
Sino-China
received
RMB50, 000 (equivalent to $6,040) back, resulting in an investment loss of
$2,491.
14.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES), NET
Other
income and expenses for the two years ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006,
for
the six months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
For
the years ended
June
30,
|
|
For
the six months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
3,861
|
|
|
1,655
|
|
|
346
|
|
|
1,985
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(11,623
|
)
|
|
(14,750
|
)
|
|
(543
|
)
|
|
(6,278
|
)
|
Bank
charge
|
|
|
(6,925
|
)
|
|
(7,391
|
)
|
|
(6,709
|
)
|
|
(2,393
|
)
|
Foreign
translation
|
|
|
36,812
|
|
|
(15,426
|
)
|
|
49,480
|
|
|
(26,436
|
)
|
|
|
|
22,125
|
|
|
(35,912
|
)
|
|
42,574
|
|
|
(33,122
|
)
|
15.
INCOME TAXES
The
income tax provisions for the years ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006,
for
the six months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
For
the years ended
June
30,
|
|
For
the six months ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USA
|
|
|
(63,039
|
)
|
|
(13,336
|
)
|
|
(25,894
|
)
|
|
(35,155
|
)
|
China
|
|
|
(75,252
|
)
|
|
(7,891
|
)
|
|
(4,847
|
)
|
|
(27,979
|
)
|
Deferred
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
(138,291
|
)
|
|
(21,227
|
)
|
|
(30,741
|
)
|
|
(63,134
|
)
|
16.
MAJOR CUSTOMERS
For
the
years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the six-months ended December 31,
2007 and 2006, approximately 52%, 32%, 46% and 60%, respectively, of the
Company’s revenues were from one customer. We provide services to this customer
under an exclusive agency agreement that is terminable on three months’ notice
and that expires on December 31, 2009. Any termination of this agency services
agreement would materially harm our operations. For the year ended June 30,
2007, an additional customer accounted for approximately 11% of the Company’s
revenue.
[ALTERNATE
PAGE]
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any
state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED __________ ___, 2008
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
[______]
Shares of Common Stock
This
prospectus relates to the resale by the selling shareholders of up to [______]
shares of our common stock. The selling shareholders may sell common stock
from
time to time in the principal market on which our stock is traded at the
prevailing market price or in negotiated transactions. We will not receive
any
proceeds from the sales by the selling shareholders.
No
public
market currently exists for our shares. We have applied for approval for
quotation on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SINO” for the shares of
common stock we are offering.
The
selling shareholders holding [______] shares offered through this prospectus
may
sell their shares once our common stock has been registered and listed on the
NASDAQ Capital Market or another national exchange. Once, and if, our common
stock begins to be traded or quoted on any stock exchange, market, or trading
facility, the selling shareholders may sell their shares from time to time
at
the market price prevailing on the exchange, market, or trading facility, or
at
prices related to such prevailing market prices, or in negotiated transactions
or a combination of such methods of sale.
Investing
in our common stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on
page 6
of
this prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Prospectus
dated _____, _____
[ALTERNATE
PAGE]
No
dealer, salesperson or other person is
authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in
this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or
representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered
hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful
to
do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its
date.
|
|
|
1
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
|
|
6
|
|
Forward-Looking
Statements
|
|
|
18
|
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
|
|
23
|
|
Dividend
Policy
|
|
|
24
|
|
Exchange
Rate Information
|
|
|
25
|
|
Selling
Shareholders
|
|
|
63
|
|
Selected
Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
and
Operating Data
|
|
|
28
|
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
|
|
29
|
|
Our
Business
|
|
|
41
|
|
Description
of Property
|
|
|
47
|
|
Management
|
|
|
48
|
|
Principal
Shareholders
|
|
|
52
|
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
|
|
53
|
|
Description
of Share Capital
|
|
|
54
|
|
Shares
Eligible for Future Sale
|
|
|
56
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
|
|
60
|
|
Experts
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-
|
|
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA,
LTD.
Common
Stock
Prospectus
The
Offering
Common
stock offered by selling shareholders
|
|
[______]
shares
(1)
|
|
|
|
Common
stock outstanding
|
|
1,800,000
shares
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock
by the
selling shareholders.
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ
Market Symbol
|
|
We
have applied to use the symbol “SINO” for our common
stock.
|
(1)
|
Consists
of [______] shares of our common stock that were sold to the selling
shareholders by Mr. Cao Lei and are subject to a put agreement and
escrow
agreement between each of the selling shareholders and our company.
|
(2)
|
Based
on 1,800,000 shares of our common stock outstanding as of the date
of this
prospectus. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding
excludes
up to [______] shares of our common stock to be offered on a best
efforts,
minimum/maximum offering concurrently
herewith.
|
[ALTERNATE
PAGE]
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The
selling shareholders are selling all of the shares covered by this prospectus
for their own accounts. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
shares.
[ALTERNATE
PAGE]
The
following table provides, as of the date of this prospectus, information
regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock held by each of the
selling shareholders, including:
|
·
|
the
number of shares owned by each shareholder prior to this offering;
|
|
·
|
the
percentage owned by each shareholder prior to completion of the
offering;
|
|
·
|
the
total number of shares that are to be offered for each shareholder
;
|
|
·
|
the
total number of shares that will be owned by each shareholder upon
completion of the offering;
and
|
|
·
|
the
percentage owned by each shareholder upon completion of the offering.
|
On
December 31, 2007, Mr. Cao Lei sold, in the aggregate, [______] shares of
his common stock in our company to two investors. Mr. Cao completed this
transaction in order to repay debt to our company prior to the filing of this
registration statement. Mr. Cao paid the proceeds from the sale to our
company, and we entered into a put agreement with each of the investors, which
provided that we would purchase the investors’ shares in our company in the
event we did not register our common stock in accordance with federal and
applicable state securities laws within one year from the date of the stock
purchase from Mr. Cao. In order to ensure that our company purchases the
shares, we have placed funds in escrow sufficient to complete the purchase,
if
necessary.
For
this
reason, we have agreed to register a total of [______] shares of our common
stock held by the selling shareholders. We are registering the shares under
this
prospectus.
Name
of Selling
Shareholder
|
|
Number
of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior
to
Offering
|
|
Percentage
of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior
to
the
Offering
(1)
|
|
Number
of Shares of Common Stock Registered for Sale
Hereby
|
|
Number
of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned after Completion of
the
Offering
(2)
|
|
Percentage
of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned after Completion of
the
Offering
(2)
|
|
Mr.
Mark A. Harris and Mrs. Roslyn O. Harris
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Mr.
Richard E. Watkins and Mrs. Sharon J. Watkins
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
[______
|
]
|
(1)
|
Based
on 1,800,000 shares of our common stock outstanding as of the date
of this
prospectus. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding
excludes
up to [______] shares of our common stock to be offered on a best
efforts,
minimum/maximum offering concurrently herewith.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the amount of shares that will be held by the selling shareholders
after
completion of this offering based on the assumption that all shares
registered for sale hereby will be sold. However, the selling shareholders
may offer all, some or none of the shares pursuant to this prospectus,
and
to our knowledge there are currently no agreements, arrangements
or
understandings with respect to the sale of any of the shares that
may be
held by the selling shareholders after completion of this
offering.
|
The
selling shareholders acquired the shares for their own accounts in the ordinary
course of business, and at the time they acquired the shares, they had no
agreements, plans or understandings, directly or indirectly, to distribute
the
shares.
None of
the selling shareholders, to our knowledge, has had a material relationship
with
our company other than as a shareholder at any time within the past three years.
[ALTERNATE
PAGE]
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
Once,
and
if, our common stock begins to be traded or quoted on any stock exchange,
market, or trading facility, the selling shareholders, who hold an aggregate
of
[_____] shares of our common stock offered through this prospectus, may sell
their shares from time to time at the market price prevailing on the exchange,
market, or trading facility, or at prices relating to the prevailing market
prices, or in negotiated transactions or a combination of such methods of sale.
The selling shareholders may use any one or more of the following methods when
selling shares:
|
·
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
|
·
|
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares
as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
|
·
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for
its
account;
|
|
·
|
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
|
·
|
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
|
·
|
settlement
of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus;
|
|
·
|
broker-dealers
may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number
of such
shares at a stipulated price per share;
|
|
·
|
a
combination of any such methods of sale;
|
|
·
|
through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
|
|
·
|
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
|
In
connection with the sale of our common stock or interest therein, the selling
shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions which may in turn engage in short sales of the common
stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling
shareholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers, which in turn may sell the securities. The selling
shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act in connection with such sales. Because the selling shareholders
may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act,
they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling
shareholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this
prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale. Each selling
shareholder has informed us that it does not have any agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the common
stock.
We
are
required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the
registration of the shares. We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders
against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities.
The
resale shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states, the resale shares may not be sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from
the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied
with.
The maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or
independent broker/dealer will not be greater than 8% for the sale of any
securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged
in
the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market
making activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two business
days prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling
shareholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit
the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the selling
shareholders or any other person.
Our
underwriter in the public offering, Anderson & Strudwick, assisted
Mr. Cao in locating the private investors in the Private Sale. In payment
for the underwriter’s services with the Private Sale, the underwriter will
receive a cash commission of 7%, an accountable expense allowance of 1%
and a
right to purchase, for $0.001 per warrant, warrants to purchase 10% of
the
number of shares sold to the investors in the Private Sale, on the same
terms as
the underwriter warrants issued in the public sale. The warrants are exercisable
for 120% of the public offering price in the public offering. To the extent
the
underwriter assists with any resale of the shares issued in the Private
Sale,
the maximum commission or discount to be received by it in such capacity
will
not be greater than 8% for the sale of any securities being registered
pursuant
to SEC Rule 415.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 24.
INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 13.1-697
of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act permits corporations to indemnify
an
individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was a director against
liability incurred in the proceeding if the director:
|
1.
|
Conducted
himself in good faith; and
|
a.
In
the
case of conduct in his official capacity with the corporation, that his conduct
was in its best interests; and
b.
In
all
other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests;
and
|
3.
|
In
the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to
believe
his conduct was
unlawful.
|
Our
articles of incorporation contain the following provision relating to
indemnification of our officers and directors:
The
Corporation shall indemnify (a) any person who was, is or may become a
party to any proceeding, including a proceeding brought by a shareholder in
the
right of the Corporation or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the
Corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer
of
the Corporation, or (b) any director or officer who is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, trustee, partner or officer of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or
other enterprise, against any liability incurred by him in connection with
such
proceeding unless he engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of
criminal law. A person is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan
at
the Corporation’s request if his duties to the Corporation also impose duties
on, or otherwise involve securities by, him to the plan or to participants
in or
beneficiaries of the plan. The Board of Directors is hereby empowered, by a
majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Directors, to enter into a contract
to indemnify any Director or officer in respect of any proceedings arising
from
any act or omission, whether occurring before or after the execution of such
contract.
Expenses
incurred by a person who is otherwise entitled to be indemnified by us in
defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding
shall be paid by us in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit
or
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not
entitled to be indemnified by us.
Our
bylaws provide that we may indemnify every person who was or is a party or
is or
was threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that
he
or she is or was our employee or agent or, while our employee or agent, is
or
was serving at our request as an employee or agent or trustee or another
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including counsel
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding,
to
the extent permitted by applicable law.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons, we have been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
ITEM 25.
OTHER
EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The
following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions, if any, payable by the Registrant relating to the
sale of common stock being registered. The selling shareholders will not pay
any
portion of these costs and expenses. All amounts are estimates other than the
SEC’s registration fee, NASD filing fee and NASDAQ Capital Market listing
fee.
SEC
registration fee
|
|
$
|
467.27
|
|
FINRA
filing fee
|
|
|
1,688.96
|
|
NASDAQ
listing fee
|
|
|
50,000.00
|
|
Blue
Sky Fees
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Legal
fees and expenses for Chinese counsel
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Legal
fees and expenses for U.S. counsel
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Accounting
fees and expenses
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
Printing
fees
|
|
|
[______
|
]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
[______
|
]
|
ITEM 26.
RECENT
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
In
the
past three years, we issued the following securities in transactions that were
not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Act”):
Sino-Global
Shipping (America) Ltd., the predecessor to our company (the “Predecessor
Company”), was incorporated in New York in February 2001. Following its
formation, the Predecessor Company failed to formally issue any shares of common
stock despite its active operation. On September 18, 2007, the Predecessor
Company remedied this omission by issuing shares of common stock as
follows:
Shareholder
|
|
Number
of Shares
|
|
Mr.
Cao Lei
|
|
|
178
|
|
Mr.
Chi Tai Shen
|
|
|
8
|
|
Mr.
Zhu Ming
|
|
|
8
|
|
Mr.
Zhang Mingwei
|
|
|
6
|
|
On
September 8, 2007, the Predecessor Company reincorporated into the Commonwealth
of Virginia by merging with and into our company. In connection with this
merger, each shareholder in the Predecessor Company received 9,000 shares of
common stock in our company for each share of common stock held in the
Predecessor Company.
The
sales
and issuances of the securities in the above transactions were deemed to be
exempt under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof as
transactions not involving any public offering.
ITEM 27.
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Number
|
|
Exhibit
|
1.1
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement***
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd.*
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws
of Sino-Global Shipping America,
Ltd.*
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen
Certificate for Common Stock***
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Form
of Underwriter Warrant (included in Exhibit
10.3)*
|
5.1
|
|
Form
of Opinion of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.**
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form
of Lock-Up Agreement.*
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Form
of Escrow Agreement.*
|
10.3
|
|
Form
of Warrant Agreement with Anderson & Strudwick,
Incorporated**
|
10.4
|
|
Agency
Agreement by and between the Registrant and Beijing Shou Rong Forwarding
Service Co., Ltd.*
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Put
Agreement by and between the Registrant and
Mark
A. and Roslyn O. Harris
.*
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Escrow
Agreement by and among the Registrant,
Mark
A. and Roslyn O. Harris and SunTrust Bank, N.A.*
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Put
Agreement by and between the Registrant and Richard E. and Sharon
J.
Watkins.*
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Escrow
Agreement by and among the Registrant, Richard E. and Sharon J.
Watkins
and SunTrust Bank, N.A.*
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Exclusive
Management Consulting and Technical Services Agreement by and between
Trans Pacific and Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Exclusive
Marketing Agreement by and between Trans Pacific and
Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Proxy
Agreement by and among Cao Lei, Zhang Mingwei, the Registrant and
Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Equity
Interest Pledge Agreement by and among Trans Pacific, Cao Lei and
Zhang
Mingwei.*
|
10.13
|
|
Exclusive
Equity Interest Purchase Agreement by and among the Registrant, Cao
Lei,
Zhang Mingwei and Sino-China.*
|
10.14
|
|
First
Amended and Restated Exclusive Management Consulting and Technical
Services Agreement by and between Trans Pacific and
Sino-China.***
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
First
Amended and Restated Exclusive Marketing Agreement by and between
Trans
Pacific and Sino-China.***
|
21.1
|
|
List
of subsidiaries.*
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Friedman LLP, independent auditors.***
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. (included in Exhibit
5.1).**
|
99.1
|
|
Stock
Option Plan***
|
*
Previously
filed.
**
To
be
filed by amendment.
***
Filed
herewith.
ITEM 28.
UNDERTAKINGS
The
Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)
to
file,
during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement to:
(i)
include
any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
(ii)
reflect
in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually or together, represent
a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee”
table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)
include
any additional or changed information with respect to the plan of
distribution.
(b)
that,
for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c)
to
file a
post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the securities
that
remain unsold at the end of the offering.
(d)
that
insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registration of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person to the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
(e)
that,
for
the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser,
each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration
statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying
on
Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall
be
deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date
it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement
made
in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference
into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to
such
first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration
statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made
in
any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the
requirements of filing on Form S-1 and authorized this registration statement
to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the City of Beijing, The People’s
Republic of China on April 9, 2008.
|
|
|
|
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Cao
Lei
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
In
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities stated on April 9, 2008.
/s/
Cao
Lei
Cao
Lei
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer) and Director
|
|
April
9, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Zhang
Mingwei
Zhang
Mingwei
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Dennis
O. Laing
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.
Thomas Burke
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Wang
Jing
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
By:
/s/
Cao
Lei
|
|
|
|
Cao
Lei, attorney-in-fact
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Exhibit
|
1.1
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement***
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd.*
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws
of Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd.*
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen
Certificate for Common Stock***
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Form
of Underwriter Warrant (included in Exhibit 10.3)*
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Form
of Opinion of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.**
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form
of Lock-Up Agreement.*
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Form
of Escrow Agreement.*
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
Form
of Warrant Agreement with Anderson & Strudwick,
Incorporated*
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Agency
Agreement by and between the Registrant and Beijing Shou Rong
Forwarding
Service Co., Ltd.*
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Put
Agreement by and between the Registrant and
Mark
A. and Roslyn O. Harris
.*
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Escrow
Agreement by and among the Registrant,
Mark
A. and Roslyn O. Harris and SunTrust Bank, N.A.*
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Put
Agreement by and between the Registrant and Richard E. and Sharon
J.
Watkins.*
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Escrow
Agreement by and among the Registrant, Richard E. and Sharon
J.
Watkins
and SunTrust Bank, N.A.*
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Exclusive
Management Consulting and Technical Services Agreement by and
between
Trans Pacific and Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Exclusive
Marketing Agreement by and between Trans Pacific and
Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Proxy
Agreement by and among Cao Lei, Zhang Mingwei, the Registrant
and
Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Equity
Interest Pledge Agreement by and among Trans Pacific, Cao Lei
and Zhang
Mingwei.*
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
|
Exclusive
Equity Interest Purchase Agreement by and among the Registrant,
Cao Lei,
Zhang Mingwei and Sino-China.*
|
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
First
Amended and Restated Exclusive Management Consulting and Technical
Services Agreement by and between Trans Pacific and
Sino-China.***
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
First
Amended and Restated Exclusive Marketing Agreement by and between
Trans
Pacific and Sino-China.***
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
List
of subsidiaries.*
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Friedman LLP, independent auditors.***
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. (included in Exhibit
5.1).**
|
|
|
|
99.1
|
|
Stock
Option Plan***
|
*
Previously
filed.
**
To
be
filed by amendment.
***
Filed
herewith.
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
(a
Virginia corporation)
Minimum
Offering: ___________ Shares of Common Stock
Maximum
Offering: ____________ Shares of Common Stock
($_____
per share)
UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT
[
], 2008
Anderson
& Strudwick, Incorporated
707
East
Main Street, 20
th
Floor
Richmond,
Virginia 23219
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned, Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd., a Virginia corporation (the
“Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with you as follows:
1.
Introduction
.
This
Agreement sets forth the understandings and agreements between the Company
and
you whereby, subject to the terms and conditions herein contained, you will
offer to sell, on a “best efforts, minimum/maximum” basis on behalf of the
Company as provided in Section 4.(a) (the “Offering”), at an offering price of
U.S. $_____ per share, a minimum of _________ shares of common stock and a
maximum of ________ shares of common stock, to be issued by the Company (the
“Shares”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus prepared by the Company
and
dated [_________] (the “Prospectus”).
2.
Representations
and Warranties of the Company
.
The
Company makes the following representations and warranties to you:
(a)
Registration
Statement and Prospectus
.
The
Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the
“Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-148611) (as
defined below, the “Registration Statement”) conforming to the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the applicable
rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Commission. Such
amendments to such Registration Statement as may have been required prior to
the
date hereof have been filed with the Commission, and such amendments have been
similarly prepared. Copies of the Registration Statement, any and all amendments
thereto prepared and filed with the Commission, and each related Preliminary
Prospectus, and the exhibits, financial statements and schedules, as finally
amended and revised, have been delivered to you for review. The term
“Registration Statement” as used in this Agreement shall mean the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1, including the Prospectus, any documents
incorporated by reference therein, and all financial schedules and exhibits
thereto, as amended on the date that the Registration Statement becomes
effective. The term “Prospectus” as used in this Agreement shall mean the
prospectus relating to the Shares in the form in which it was filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act or, if no filing pursuant
to
Rule 424(b) of the 1993 Act is required, shall mean the form of the final
prospectus included in the Registration Statement when the Registration
Statement becomes effective. The term “Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any
prospectus included in the Registration Statement before it becomes effective.
The terms “effective date” and “effective” refer to the date the Commission
declares the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Section 8 of the
1933
Act.
(b)
A
registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. ______________) in respect of
the registration of the Shares under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “1934 Act”), has been filed with the Commission; such
registration statement in the form heretofore delivered to you has been declared
effective by the Commission in such form; no other document with respect to
such
registration statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission; no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement has been
issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated, or to the
knowledge of the Company after due inquiry threatened, by the Commission (the
various parts of such registration statement, including all exhibits thereto,
each as amended at the time such part of the registration statement became
effective, being hereinafter called the “Form 8-A Registration Statement”); and
the Form 8-A Registration Statement when it became effective conformed, and
any
further amendments thereto will conform, in all material respects to the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and did not and will not, as of the applicable effective date,
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading.
(c)
Adequacy
of Disclosure
.
Each
Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material
respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations,
and
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall
not
apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by you expressly for use
in
the Registration Statement. When the Registration Statement shall become
effective, when the Prospectus is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the
Rules and Regulations, when any amendment to the Registration Statement becomes
effective, when any supplement to the Prospectus is filed with the Commission
and on the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), (i) the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto
will conform in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations, and (ii) neither the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty
shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by you expressly
for use in the Registration Statement.
(d)
No
Stop Order
.
The
Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus with respect to the Shares, and no proceedings for that
purpose have been instituted or threatened by the Commission or the state
securities or blue sky authority of any jurisdiction.
(e)
Company;
Organization and Qualification
.
The
Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing
as a
corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia with all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to conduct its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and to own and
operate its properties, investments and assets, as described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus. The Company is not in violation of any provision
of
its articles of incorporation and bylaws or other governing documents and is
not
in default under or in breach of, and does not know of the occurrence of any
event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would
constitute a default under or breach of, any term or condition of any material
agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which any of its
properties, investments or assets is bound, except as disclosed in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus. Except as noted in the Prospectus, the
Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any other corporation,
association, or other entity. The Company has furnished to you copies of its
articles of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, and all such copies are true,
correct and complete and contain all amendments thereto through the Closing
Date.
(f)
Validity
of Shares
.
The
Shares have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and upon issuance,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, with no personal liability
attaching to the ownership thereof, and will conform to the description thereof
contained in the Prospectus. The preferences, rights and limitations of the
Shares are set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Share
Capital.” No party has any preemptive rights with respect to any of the Shares
or any right of participation or first refusal with respect to the sale of
the
Shares by the Company. No person or entity holds a right to require or
participate in the registration under the 1933 Act of the Shares pursuant to
the
Registration Statement; and, except as set forth in the Prospectus, no person
holds a right to require registration under the 1933 Act of any Shares of the
Company at any other time. The form of certificates evidencing the Shares
complies with all applicable requirements of Virginia law.
(g)
Capitalization
.
The
authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth
in the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Share Capital.” All of the
issued and outstanding Shares of the Company have been duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and are non-assessable. Except as disclosed in the
Prospectus, there is no outstanding option, warrant or other right calling
for
the issuance of, and no commitment, plan or arrangement to issue, any shares
of
capital stock of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable
for capital stock of the Company.
(h)
Full
Power
.
The
Company has full legal right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement among the Company, SunTrust Bank (the “Escrow Agent”)
and you (the “Escrow Agreement”), to issue and deliver the Shares as provided
herein and in the Prospectus and to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein and in the Prospectus. Each of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement
has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and constitutes
a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with
its
terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by
(i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, liquidation, reorganization, or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in equity or at law, (ii) general equity
principles, and (iii) limitations imposed by federal and state securities laws
or the public policy underlying such laws regarding the enforceability of
indemnification or contribution provisions.
(i)
Disclosed
Agreements
.
All
agreements between or among the Company and third parties expressly referenced
in the Prospectus are legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent
enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
liquidation, reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in equity
or
at law, (ii) general equity principles and (iii) limitations imposed
by federal or state securities laws or the public policy underlying such laws
regarding the enforceability of indemnification or contribution provisions.
(j)
Consents
.
Except
as disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, each consent,
approval, authorization, order, license, certificate, permit, registration,
designation or filing by or with any governmental agency or body or any other
third party necessary for the valid authorization, issuance, sale and delivery
of the Shares, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, except such as may be required under
the
1933 Act, 1934 Act, or under state securities laws has been made or obtained
and
is in full force and effect.
(k)
Litigation
.
There
is not pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated,
any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation before or by any court
or any governmental authority or agency to which the Company may be a party,
or
to which any of the properties or rights of the Company may be subject, that
is
not described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and (i) that may
reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in the condition
(financial or otherwise) or business of the Company; or (ii) that may
reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect any of the material
properties of the Company; or (iii) that may reasonably be expected to
adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is there any meritorious basis
therefor.
(l)
Financial
Statements
.
The
financial statements of the Company together with related schedules and notes
included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus present fairly the
financial position of the Company as of the dates indicated and the results
of
operations and cash flows for the periods specified. Such financial statements
have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved. The financial
statement schedules included in the Registration Statement and the amounts
in
the Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Summary -- Summary Financial
Information” and “Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial and Operating Data” fairly present the information shown
therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with the financial
statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. No other
financial statements or schedules are required by Form S-1 or otherwise to
be
included in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Preliminary
Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma financial information (including the related
notes) included in the Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus complies as
to
form in all material respects to the applicable accounting requirements of
the
1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations, and management of the Company believes
that the assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments are reasonable. Such
pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts
in
the compilation of the information and such information fairly presents with
respect to the Company the financial position, results of operations and other
information purported to be shown therein at the respective dates and for the
respective periods specified.
(m)
Independent
Accountants
.
Friedman LLP, who have audited certain financial statements of the Company
and
its subsidiaries, are, to the Company’s knowledge, independent public
accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
(n)
Disclosed
Liabilities
.
The
Company has not sustained, since June 30, 2007, any material loss or
interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood, hurricane, accident,
or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
dispute or arbitrators’ or court or governmental action, order, or decree,
otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given
in
the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and except as otherwise stated in
the
Registration Statement and Prospectus or as set forth on the Disclosure
Schedule, there has not been (i) any material change in the capital stock,
long-term debt, obligations under capital leases, or short-term borrowings
of
the Company, (ii) any material adverse change, or any development that
could be reasonably be seen as involving a prospective material adverse change
in or affecting the business, prospects, properties, assets, results of
operations or condition (financial or other) of the Company, (iii) any
liability or obligation, direct or contingent, incurred or undertaken by the
Company that is material to the business or condition (financial or other)
of
the Company, except for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business, (iv) any declaration or payment of any dividend or
distribution of any kind on or with respect to the capital stock of the Company,
or (v) any transaction that is material to the Company, except transactions
in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus.
(o)
Required
Licenses and Permits
.
Except
as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company owns, possesses, has obtained or
in
the ordinary course of business will obtain, and has made available for your
review, all material permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, consents,
orders, approvals, and other authorizations of governmental or regulatory
authorities as are necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate
its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted, or as
contemplated in the Prospectus to be conducted (the “Permits”), and the Company
has not received any notice of proceedings relating to revocation or
modification of any such Permits.
(p)
Internal
Accounting Measures
.
The
Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as
such term is defined in Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Exchange Act), which
(i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company
is
made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal
financial officer by others within the Company; and (ii) are effective in all
material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.
The
Company’s system of internal accounting controls provides reasonable assurance
that: (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”); (C) access to assets is
permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization; (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate actions are taken with
respect to any differences; and (E) the Company has made and kept books, records
and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of assets of such entity and provide a sufficient
basis for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
There (x) are not any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record,
process, summarize, and report financial data or (y) has not been any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have
a
significant role in the Company’s internal controls. Since the date of the most
recent evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, there
have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that
could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions
with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Upon the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will be in compliance
in all material respect with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
that are effective and applicable to the Company as an “issuer” as defined under
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(q)
Taxes
.
The
Company has timely paid all taxes that have become due and have no tax
deficiency asserted against the Company, and the Company does not know of any
tax deficiency that is likely to be asserted against the Company that if
determined adversely to the Company, would, either individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects,
properties, assets, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Company. All tax liabilities are adequately provided for on the books
of
the Company.
(r)
Compliance
with Instruments
.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement,
the compliance with the terms and provisions hereof and the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated herein, therein and in the Registration Statement
and
Prospectus by the Company, do not and will not violate or constitute a breach
of, or default under (i) the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the
Company; (ii) any of the material terms, provisions, or conditions of any
material instrument, agreement, or indenture to which the Company is a party
or
by which it is bound or by which its business, assets, investments or properties
may be affected; or (iii) any order, statute, rule, or regulation applicable
to
the Company, or any of its business, investments, assets or properties, of
any
court or (to the knowledge of the Company) any governmental authority or agency
having jurisdiction over the Company, or any of its business, investments,
properties or assets; and to the knowledge of the Company do not and will not
result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge, claim, or encumbrance
upon any property or asset of the Company.
(s)
Insurance
.
The
Company maintains insurance (issued by insurers of recognized financial
responsibility) of the types and in the amounts generally deemed adequate for
its business and, to the knowledge of the Company, consistent with insurance
coverage maintained by similar companies and similar businesses, all of which
insurance is in full force and effect.
(t)
Work
Force
.
To the
knowledge of the Company, no general labor problem exists or is imminent with
the employees of the Company.
(u)
Securities
Matters
.
The
Company and its officers, directors, or affiliates have not taken and will
not
take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might reasonably
be expected to, cause or result in or constitute the stabilization or
manipulation of any security of the Company or to facilitate the sale or resale
of the Shares.
(v)
Payment
of Commissions and Fees
.
Except
as stated in or contemplated by the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any
affiliate of the Company has paid or awarded, nor will any such person pay
or
award, directly or indirectly, any commission or other compensation to any
person engaged to render investment advice to a potential purchaser of Shares
as
an inducement to advise the purchase of Shares.
(w)
Intellectual
Property
.
Except
as disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company owns,
possesses, licenses or has other rights to use the patents and patent
applications, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, technology,
know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
proprietary rights) and other intellectual property (or could acquire such
intellectual property upon commercially reasonable terms) necessary to conduct
its business in the manner in which it is being conducted (collectively, the
“Company Intellectual Property”). Except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, to the Company’s knowledge, none of the patents owned
or licensed by the Company is unenforceable or invalid, and, to the Company’s
knowledge, none of the patent applications owned or licensed by the Company
would be unenforceable or invalid if issued as patents; to the Company’s
knowledge, the Company is not obligated to pay a royalty, grant a license,
or
provide other consideration to any third party in connection with the Company
Intellectual Property other than as disclosed in the Prospectus. Except as
disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company has not
received any notice of violation or conflict with rights of others with respect
to the Company Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, there are no pending or to the Company’s knowledge,
threatened actions, suits, proceedings or claims by others that the Company
is
infringing any patent, trade secret, trade mark, service mark, copyright or
other intellectual property or proprietary right. Except as disclosed in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, the products or processes of the Company
referenced in the Prospectus do not, to the knowledge of the Company, violate
or
conflict with any intellectual property or proprietary right of any third
person.
(x)
Forward-Looking
Statements
.
No
forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and
Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without
a
reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(y)
Industry
Data
.
All
industry-related and market-related statistics obtained from independent
industry publications and reports and included in the Registration Statement
and
the Prospectus agree with the sources from which they are derived.
(z)
Related
Party Transactions
.
No
relationship exists between or among the Company and any director, officer,
stockholder or affiliate of the Company which is required by the 1933 Act and
rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act to be described
in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which is not so described and
described as required in material compliance with such requirement. There are
no
outstanding loans, advances (except advances for business expenses in the
ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to
or
for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of
their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus.
(aa)
Delivery
of Control Agreements
.
Each of
the Company, Trans Pacific Shipping Limited (“Trans Pacific”) and Sino-Global
Shipping Agency Ltd. (previously Sino-Global Shipping Ltd.) (“Sino-China”) has
the legal right, power and authority (corporate and other) to enter into and
perform its obligations under each of the agreements described under the caption
“Our Corporate Structure” in the Prospectus and filed as Exhibits 10.9 through
10.13 to the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Control Agreements”) to
which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of, and has authorized, executed and
delivered, each of the Control Agreements to which it is a party; and each
of
the Control Agreements constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of
the
applicable party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. The execution by each of the
Company, Trans Pacific and Sino-China of the Control Agreements will not
(i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed
of
trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such company
is
a party or by which it is bound or to which any of the properties or assets
of
such company is subject; (ii) result in any violation of the organizational
documents or business licenses of such company; and (iii) will not result
in a violation of any laws, regulations, rules, orders, decrees, guidelines
or
notices of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), except that, with respect to
(i) or (iii), such conflict, breach or violation would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on such company.
(bb)
Enforceability
of Control Agreements
.
Each of
the Control Agreements is in proper legal form under the laws of the PRC for
the
enforcement thereof against either the Company, Trans Pacific or Sino-China,
as
the case may be, in the PRC without further action; and to ensure the legality,
validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of each of the Control
Agreements in the PRC, it is not necessary that any such document be filed
or
recorded with any court or other authority in the PRC or that any stamp or
similar tax be paid on or in respect of any of the Control
Agreements.
(cc)
Environmental
Laws
.
None of
the Company, Trans Pacific or Sino-China is in violation of any statute, any
rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any
court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of
hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration
of
the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances
(collectively, “environmental laws”), owns or operates any real property
contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws,
is
liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental
laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws, which
violation, contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the
aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Company, Trans Pacific or
Sino-China; and none of the Company, Trans Pacific or Sino-China is aware of
any
pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.
(dd)
Control
Agreement Payments
.
Except
as disclosed in the Prospectus, Sino-China may make all payments to Trans
Pacific and/or to the Company contemplated under the Control Agreements and
as
described in the Prospectus, consistent with the current laws and regulations
of
the PRC (which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect) in
U.S.
dollars (subject to the successful completion of PRC formalities required for
such remittances). All such payments will not be subject to withholding or
other
taxes under the laws and regulations of the PRC and are otherwise free and
clear
of any other tax, withholding or deduction in the PRC, and without the necessity
of obtaining any Governmental Authorization in the PRC.
(ee)
Improper
Uses of Funds
.
To the
knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, none of the Company, Trans Pacific
or Sino-China, or any director, officer, agent, employee or other person
associated with or acting on behalf of the Company, Trans Pacific or Sino-China,
has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment
or other unlawful expenses relating to a political activity, made any direct
or
indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or
employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision
of
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or made any bribe, payoff, influence
payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or rebate.
(ff)
Absence
of Business Changes
.
None of
the Company, Trans Pacific or Sino-China has entered into any memorandum of
understanding, letter of intent, definitive agreement or any similar agreements
with respect to a merger or consolidation or a material acquisition or
disposition of assets, technologies, business units or businesses.
3.
Representations
and Warranties of Anderson & Strudwick
.
You
represent and warrant to the Company that:
(a)
You
are a
member, in good standing, of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”), and are duly registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act, and
under the laws of each state in which you propose to offer the Shares, except
where such registration would not be required by law.
(b)
This
Agreement when accepted and approved will be duly authorized, executed and
delivered by you and is a valid and binding agreement of you, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be
limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, liquidation, reorganization,
or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, regardless of whether
such enforceability is considered in equity or at law, (ii) general equity
principles, and (iii) limitations imposed by federal and state securities laws
or the public policy underlying such laws regarding the enforceability of
indemnification or contribution provisions.
(c)
The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Prospectus relating to
the
Offering will not violate or constitute a breach of, or default under, your
articles of incorporation or bylaws, or any material instrument, agreement,
or
indenture to which you are a party, or violate any order applicable to you
of
any federal or state regulatory body or administrative agency having
jurisdiction over you or your property.
4.
Sale
of Shares
.
(a)
Exclusive
Agency
.
The
Company hereby appoints you as its exclusive agent to offer for sale, and hereby
agrees to sell during the Offering Period (as defined in Section 4.(c)), a
minimum of _________ Shares and a maximum of _____________ Shares, and on the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained but subject to
the
terms and conditions herein set forth, you accept such appointment and agree
to
use your best efforts as agent to offer the Shares for sale for the account
of
the Company, on a cash basis only at the offering price of $______ per Share.
During the Offering Period (as defined below), the Company will not sell or
agree to sell any debt or equity securities otherwise than through you. Subject
to your commitment to the sell the Shares on a “best efforts, minimum/maximum
basis” as provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent you from
entering into an agency agreement, underwriting agreement, or other similar
agreement governing the offer and sale of securities with any other issuer
of
securities, and nothing contained herein shall be construed in any way as
precluding or restricting your right to sell or offer for sale securities issued
by any other person, including securities similar to, or competing with, the
Shares. It is understood between the parties that there is no firm commitment
by
you to purchase any or all of the Shares.
(b)
Obligation
to Offer Shares
.
Your
obligation to offer the Shares is subject to receipt by you of written advice
from the Commission that the Registration Statement is effective, is subject
to
the Shares being qualified for offering under applicable laws in the states
as
may be reasonably designated by you, is subject to the absence of any
prohibitory action by any governmental body, agency, or official, and is subject
to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Registration
Statement.
(c)
Offering
Termination Date
.
The
“Offering Period” shall commence on the day that the Prospectus is first made
available to prospective investors in connection with the offering for sale
of
the Shares and shall continue until the “Offering Termination Date,” which shall
be the earliest of (i) the date the maximum number of Shares (_______) offered
have been sold, (ii) June 1, 2008, or (iii) such other date mutually agreeable
to the parties hereto. The Company and you agree that unless the minimum number
of Shares (_______) offered are sold on or before the Offering Termination
Date,
the agency between the Company and you will terminate, and the full proceeds
that have been paid for the Shares will be returned to the purchasers.
(d)
Escrow
Agent
.
Prior
to the sale of all of the Shares, all funds received from purchasers of the
Shares shall be placed in an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) with the
Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the form of which is attached
as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and all payments of, from or on
account of such funds shall be made pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. In the
event that the minimum number of Shares are not sold on or before the Offering
Termination Date, all funds then held in the Escrow Account shall be returned
promptly to the respective purchasers as provided in the Escrow Agreement.
(e)
Closing
Date
.
As and
when the closing of the Offering is effected, which shall be on or before the
Offering Termination Date, and proceeds from the Shares sold are received and
accepted, on such date (the “Closing Date”) and at such time and place as
determined by you (which determination shall be subject to the satisfaction
on
such date of the conditions contained herein), the funds received from
purchasers will be delivered by the Escrow Agent to the Company, by wire
transfer of immediately available funds.
(f)
Selling
Commissions and Expense
.
In
consideration for your execution of this Agreement and for the performance
of
your obligations hereunder, the Company agrees to pay you as
follows:
(i)
by
wire
transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date, if any, a Selling
Commission computed at the rate of seven percent (7.0%) of the public offering
price of the Shares sold by you;
(ii)
at
the
closing of the offering, you will have the right to purchase Underwriter
Warrants for the purchase of Shares, equal to ten percent (10%) of the number
of
Shares sold by you in the Offering at a purchase price of $0.001 per share
underlying the Underwriter Warrants, substantially in the form of
Exhibit
A
attached
to this Agreement. NASD Rule 2710(g)(1) generally provides that any securities
of the Company that are unregistered and acquired by you or your related persons
(A) during the 180-day period prior to the filing of the Registration
Statement or (B) after such filing and deemed to be underwriting
compensation by the FINRA shall not be sold during the Offering, or sold,
transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging,
short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the
effective economic disposition of the securities (each, a “Transfer”) by any
person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness
of the Registration Statement or commencement of sales in the Offering;
provided, however, such restriction does not apply to Transfers to your officers
or partners (each, a “Permitted Transferee”) during such time period if the
securities so Transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction noted above;
and
(iii)
by
wire
transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date, if any, an
accountable expense allowance computed at the rate of one percent (1%) of the
public offering price of the Shares sold by you; such expenses include, but
are
not limited to fees and expenses of your counsel, due diligence expenses and
other expenses not prohibited by NASD Rule 2710.
(g)
Finder’s
Fees
.
Except
as set forth in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, neither you nor the
Company, directly or indirectly, shall pay or award any finder’s fee,
commission, or other compensation to any person engaged by a potential purchaser
for investment advice as an inducement to such advisor to advise the purchase
of
the Shares or for any other purpose.
(h)
Delivery
of Share Certificates
.
Delivery of certificates in definitive form representing the Shares shall be
made at the offices of Anderson & Strudwick’s clearing firm, Pershing
Securities, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Company and
you, on such date as you may request (the “Date of Delivery”). The certificates
representing the Shares shall be in such denominations and registered in such
names as you may request in writing at least three full business days before
the
Date of Delivery. The certificates representing the Shares will be made
available for examination and packaging at such place as shall be agreed upon
by
the Company and you, not later than at least two (2) full business days prior
to
each Date of Delivery.
5.
Covenants
.
(a)
Covenants
of the Company
.
The
Company covenants with you as follows:
(i)
Notices
.
The
Company immediately will notify you, and confirm such notice in writing, (A)
of
any fact that would make inaccurate any representation or warranty by the
Company, and (B) of any change in facts on which your obligation to perform
under this Agreement is dependent.
(ii)
Effectiveness
of Registration Statement
.
The
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective (if not yet effective at the date and time this Agreement is executed
and delivered by the parties hereto). If the Company elects to rely upon Rule
430A of the Rules and Regulations or the filing of the Prospectus is otherwise
required under Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, and subject to the
provisions of Section 5.(a)(iii) of this Agreement, the Company will comply
with
the requirements of Rule 430A and will file the Prospectus, properly completed,
pursuant to the applicable provisions of Rule 424(b) within the time prescribed.
The Company will notify you immediately, and confirm the notice in writing,
(w) when the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the
Prospectus, or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (x) of the
receipt of any comments from the Commission, (y) of any request by the
Commission to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the
Prospectus or for additional information, and (z) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
Prospectus or the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering
or
sale in any jurisdiction, or of the institution or threatening of any proceeding
for any such purposes. The Company will use all reasonable efforts to prevent
the issuance of any such stop order or of any order preventing or suspending
such use and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal thereof
at
the earliest possible moment.
(iii)
Amendments
to Registration Statement and Prospectus
.
The
Company will not at any time file or make any amendment to the Registration
Statement, or any amendment or supplement (i) to the Prospectus, if the Company
has not elected to rely upon Rule 430A, or (ii) if the Company has elected
to
rely upon Rule 430A, to either the Prospectus included in the Registration
Statement at the time it becomes effective or to the Prospectus filed in
accordance with Rule 424(b), in either case if you shall not have previously
been advised and furnished a copy thereof a reasonable time prior to the
proposed filing, or if you or your counsel shall reasonably object to such
amendment or supplement; provided, however, that if you shall have objected
to
such amendment or supplement, you shall cease your efforts to sell the Shares
until an amendment or supplement is filed.
(iv)
Delivery
of Registration Statement
.
The
Company has delivered to you or will deliver to you, without expense to you,
at
such locations as you shall request, as soon as the Registration Statement
or
any amended Registration Statement is available, such number of signed copies
of
the Registration Statement as originally filed and of amended Registration
Statements, if any, copies of all exhibits and documents filed therewith, and
signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, as you may reasonably
request.
(v)
Delivery
of Prospectus
.
The
Company will deliver to you at its expense, from time to time, as many copies
of
each Preliminary Prospectus as you may reasonably request, and the Company
hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933
Act. The Company will deliver to you at its expense, as soon as the Registration
Statement shall have become effective and thereafter from time to time as
requested during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered
under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as supplemented
or
amended) as you may reasonably request. The Company will comply to the best
of
its ability with the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations so as to permit
the
completion of the distribution of the Shares as contemplated in this Agreement
and in the prospectus. If the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time
prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus
in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any
events shall have occurred as result of which the Prospectus as then amended
or
supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in
light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus
is
delivered not misleading or, if for any reason it shall be necessary during
the
same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the
1933 Act, the Company will notify you and upon your request prepare and furnish
without charge to you and to any dealer in securities as many copies as you
may
from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement
to
the Prospectus that will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance, and in case you are required to deliver a prospectus in connection
with sales of any of the Shares, upon your request but at your expense, the
Company will prepare and deliver to you as many copies as you may request of
an
amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933
Act.
(vi)
Blue
Sky Qualification
.
The
Company, in good faith and in cooperation with you, will use its best efforts
to
qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the applicable “blue sky” or
securities laws of such jurisdictions as you from time to time may reasonably
designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect until the date on which
the Company ceases to be obligated to maintain the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
obligated to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which
it is
not so qualified or to make any undertakings in respect of doing business in
any
jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. The Company will file
such
statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction
in
which the Shares have been qualified as above provided.
(vii)
Application
of Net Proceeds
.
The
Company will apply the net proceeds received from the sale of the Shares in
all
material respects as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of
Proceeds.”
(viii)
Cooperation
with Your Due Diligence
.
At all
times prior to the Offering Termination Date, the Company will cooperate with
you in such investigation as you may make or cause to be made of all the
business and operations of the Company in connection with the sale of the
Shares, and will make available to you in connection therewith such information
in its possession as you may reasonably request, all of which you agree to
safeguard as the confidential information of the Company and to refrain from
using for any purpose adverse to the interests of the Company.
(ix)
Transfer
Agent
.
The
Company will maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary under applicable
jurisdictions, a registrar (which may be the same entity as the transfer agent)
for its Shares.
(x)
Nasdaq
.
The
Company will use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the quotation of its
Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
(xi)
Actions
of Company, Officers, Directors, and Affiliates
.
The
Company will not and will use its best efforts to cause its officers, directors,
and affiliates not to (i) take, directly or indirectly, prior to termination
of
the offering contemplated by this Agreement, any action designed to stabilize
or
manipulate the price of any security of the Company, or that may cause or result
in, or that might in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in,
the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company,
to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares, (ii) other than under
this Agreement, sell, bid for, purchase, or pay anyone any compensation for
soliciting purchases of the Shares or (iii) pay or agree to pay to any person
any compensation for soliciting any order to purchase any other securities
of
the Company.
(xii)
Non-Voting
Observers
.
Up
until such time as (A) the investors in the Offering own less than ten percent
(10%) of our outstanding voting securities or (B) the closing price of one
of
our Shares equals or exceeds U.S. $______ for a period of fifteen consecutive
trading days, you will have the right, but not the obligation, to designate
not
more than two persons to serve as non-voting observers to our Board of
Directors. This right shall be subject to our approval, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Board of Directors meetings must be held at least
quarterly. The Company shall reimburse observers to the Board of Directors
up to
$6,000 for travel expenses for each meeting attended, up to a maximum payment
of
$12,000 per year per observer.
(b)
Your
Covenants
.
You
covenant with the Company as follows:
(i)
Information
Provided
.
You
have not provided and will not provide to the purchasers of Shares any written
or oral information regarding the business of the Company, including any
representations regarding the Company’s financial condition or financial
prospects, other than such information as is contained in the Prospectus. You
further covenant that you will use your best efforts to comply in the offering
of the Shares with such purchaser suitability requirements as may be imposed
by
state securities or blue sky requirements.
(ii)
Prospectus
Supplements
.
Until
the termination of this Agreement, if any event affecting the Prospectus, the
Company or you shall occur which, in the opinion of counsel to the Company,
should be set forth in a supplement to the Prospectus, you agree to distribute
each supplement of the Prospectus to each person who has previously received
a
copy of the Prospectus from you and you further agree to include such supplement
in all future deliveries of the Prospectus. You agree that following notice
from
the Company that a supplement to the Prospectus is necessary, you will cease
further efforts to sell the Shares until such a supplement is prepared and
delivered to you.
(iii)
Compliance
with Laws, Etc
.
In your
sale of the Shares, you will comply in all material respects with applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations and the rules and regulations
of
applicable self-regulatory organizations (provided, however, that you shall
be
deemed not to have breached this covenant if your failure to so comply is based
on a breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties or
covenants contained in this Agreement and you shall have complied with Section
5.(b)(ii) above.
6.
Payment
of Expenses
.
Whether
or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this
Agreement is terminated, and subject to the provisions of Section 10 of this
Agreement, the Company hereby agrees that it will pay all fees and expenses
incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (excluding
fees and expenses of counsel for you, except as specifically set forth below),
including (a) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits), as originally filed and as
amended, the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Prospectus and any amendments
or
supplements thereto, and the cost of furnishing copies thereof to you, (b)
the
preparation, printing, and distribution of this Agreement, any selected dealer
agreement, the certificates representing the Shares, the blue sky memoranda,
and
any instruments relating to any of the foregoing, (c) the issuance and delivery
of the Shares, including any transfer taxes payable thereon, (d) the fees and
disbursements of the Company’s counsel and accountants, (e) the qualification of
the Shares under applicable securities laws in accordance with Section 5.(a)
of
this Agreement and any filing fee paid in connection with the review of the
offering by the NASD, including filing fees and fees and disbursements made
in
connection therewith and in connection with the blue sky memoranda supplied
to
you by counsel for the Company, (f) all costs, fees, and expenses in connection
with the application for qualifying the Shares for quotation on the Nasdaq
Capital Market, (g) the transfer agent’s and registrar’s fees and all
miscellaneous expenses referred to in the Registration Statement, (h) costs
related to travel and lodging incurred by the Company and its representatives
relating to meetings with and presentations to prospective purchasers of the
Shares reasonably determined by you to be necessary or desirable to effect
the
sale of the Shares to the public, (i) any escrow arrangements in connection
with
the transactions described herein, including any compensation or reimbursement
to the Escrow Agent for its services as such, (j) all other costs and expenses
incident to the performance of the Company’s obligations hereunder that are not
otherwise specifically provided for in this Section.
7.
Conditions
of Your Obligations
.
Your
obligations hereunder shall be subject to, in your discretion, the following
terms and conditions:
(a)
Effectiveness
of Registration Statement
.
The
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:30 p.m.
on
the date of this Agreement or, at such later time or on such later date as
you
may agree to in writing; and as of the Closing Date no stop order suspending
the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the
1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or
shall
be pending or, to your knowledge or the knowledge of the Company, shall be
contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission
for additional information shall have been complied with to the satisfaction
of
your counsel.
(b)
Closing
Date Matters
.
On the
Closing Date, (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as they may
then be amended or supplemented, shall contain all statements that are required
to be stated therein under the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations and in
all
material respects shall conform to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the
Rules and Regulations; the Company shall have complied in all material respects
with Rule 430A (if it shall have elected to rely thereon) and neither the
Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, as they may then be amended or
supplemented, shall contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, (ii) there shall not have been, since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement,
any material adverse change in the business, prospects, properties, assets,
results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company
whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (iii) no action,
suit
or proceeding at law or in equity shall be pending or, to the Company’s
knowledge, threatened against the Company that would be required to be set
forth
in the Prospectus other than as set forth therein and no proceedings shall
be
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company
before or by any federal, state or other commission, board or administrative
agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding could materially
adversely affect the business, prospects, assets, results of operations or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company other than as set forth in
the
Prospectus, (iv) the Company shall have complied with all agreements and
satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied on or prior
to the Closing Date, and (v) the representations and warranties of the Company
set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement shall be accurate in all material
respects as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date. On the Closing
Date, you shall have received a certificate executed by the President of the
Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and with respect to the
following additional matters: (A) the Registration Statement has become
effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness
of
the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus
has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or
are
pending or, to his knowledge, threatened under the 1933 Act; and (B) he has
reviewed the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, when the
Registration Statement became effective and at all times subsequent thereto
up
to the delivery of such certificate, the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto contained all statements
and information required to be included therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading and neither the Registration Statement nor
the
Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required
to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and, since the effective date of the Registration Statement, there has occurred
no event required to be set forth in an amended or supplemented Prospectus
that
has not been so set forth.
(c)
Opinion
of Kang Da
.
At the
Closing Date, you shall receive the opinion of Kang Da Law Offices, counsel
for
the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect
of
Exhibit
B
.
(d)
Opinion
of Your Counsel
.
At the
Closing Date, you shall receive the favorable opinion of Kaufman & Canoles,
P.C., your counsel, with respect to such matters as you may reasonably require,
to the effect of
Exhibit
C
,
and the
Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may
reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass on such matters.
(e)
Independent
Public Accountants
.
At the
time that this Agreement is executed by the Company, you shall have received
from Friedman LLP a letter, dated the date hereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to you, confirming that they are independent public accountants
with respect to the Company within the meanings of the 1933 Act and the Rules
and Regulations, and stating in effect that:
(i)
in
their
opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary financial information
and schedule included in the Registration Statement and covered by their opinion
therein comply as to form and in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations;
(ii)
on
the
basis of limited procedures (set forth in detail in such letter and made in
accordance with such procedures as may be specified by you) not constituting
an
audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting
of
(but not limited to) a reading of the latest available internal unaudited
financial statements of the Company, a reading of the minute books of the
Company, inquiries of officials of the Company responsible for financial and
accounting matters, and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified
in such letter, nothing came to their attention to cause them to believe that:
(A)
the
unaudited financial statements and supporting schedule and other unaudited
financial data of the Company included in the Registration Statement do not
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations or are not presented
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements included
in the Registration Statement;
(B)
any
other
unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included in the
Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the unaudited financial
statements from which such data and items were derived, and any such unaudited
data and items were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with
the
basis for the corresponding amounts in the audited financial statements included
in the Prospectus;
(C)
any
unaudited pro forma financial information included in the Prospectus does not
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations or the pro forma
adjustments have not been properly applied to historical amounts in the
compilation of that information;
(D)
at
a
specified date not more than five (5) days prior to the date of such letter,
there was any change in the capital stock or long-term debt or obligations
of
the Company or there were any decreases in net current assets or net assets,
shareholders’ equity, or other items specified by you from that set forth in the
Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2007, except as described in such
letter; and
(E)
for
the
period from December 31, 2007 to a specified date not more than five (5) days
prior to the date of such letter, there were any decreases in revenues or
operating income before interest, depreciation and amortization for the Company,
in each case as compared with the corresponding period of the preceding year,
except in each case for decreases that the Prospectus discloses have occurred
or
may occur or that are described in such letter; and
(iii)
in
addition to the procedures referred to in clause (ii) above and the examination
referred to in their reports including in the Registration Statement, they
have
carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain
amounts, percentages, and financial information specified by you that are
derived from the general accounting records of the Company, that appear in
the
Registration Statement or the exhibits or schedules thereto and are specified
by
you, and have compared such amounts, percentages, and financial information
with
the accounting records of the Company and with material derived from such
records and have found them to be in agreement.
(f)
Updated
Comfort Letter
.
At the
Closing Date, you shall have received from Friedman LLP a letter, in form and
substance satisfactory to you and dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect
that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to
Section 7.(e) above, except that the specified date referred to shall be a
date
not more than five (5) days prior to the Closing Date.
(g)
Post-Financial
Developments
.
In the
event that either of the letters to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.(e)
and
7.(f) above sets forth any changes, decreases or increases, it shall be a
further condition to your obligations that you shall have reasonably determined,
after discussions with officers of the Company responsible for financial and
accounting matters and with Friedman LLP, that such changes, decreases or
increases as are set forth in such letter do not reflect a material adverse
change in the capital stock, long-term debt, obligations under capital leases,
total assets, net current assets, or shareholders’ equity of the Company as
compared with the amounts shown in the latest consolidated pro forma balance
sheet of the Company, or a material adverse change in the revenues or operating
income before interest, depreciation and amortization for the Company in each
case as compared with the corresponding period of the prior year.
(h)
Additional
Information
.
On the
Closing Date, you shall have been furnished with all such documents,
certificates and opinions as you may reasonably request for the purpose of
enabling your counsel to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as
contemplated in this Agreement and the matters referred to in Section 7.(b),
and
in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness of, any of the
representations, warranties or statements of the Company, the performance of
any
of the covenants of the Company, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions
herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company at or prior to the
Closing Date in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the
Shares as contemplated in this Agreement, shall be satisfactory in form and
substance to you and to your counsel. The Company will furnish you with such
number of conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents
as you shall reasonably request. Any certificate signed by any officer, partner,
or other official of the Company and delivered to you or your counsel shall
be
deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to you as to the statements
made therein.
(i)
Adverse
Events
.
Subsequent to the date hereof, there shall not have occurred any of the
following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or the
Nasdaq Capital Market, (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in the People’s Republic of China or New York, (iii) the outbreak or
escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the People’s Republic
of China or the declaration by the United States or the People’s Republic of
China of a national emergency or war if the effect of any such event specified
in this clause (iii) in your reasonable judgment makes it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares
on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus, or (iv) such a
material adverse change in general economic, political, financial or
international conditions affecting financial markets in the United States or
the
People’s Republic of China having a material adverse impact on trading prices of
securities in general, as, in your reasonable judgment, makes it impracticable
or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering of the Shares or the delivery
of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(j)
FINRA
Review
.
The
FINRA, upon review of the terms of the public offering of the Shares, shall
not
have objected to such offering, the terms of the offering or your participation
in the offering.
(k)
Nasdaq
Quotation
.
The
Shares shall be approved for quotation on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
If
any of
the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not have been fulfilled when
and as required by this Agreement to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be
terminated by you on notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the
Closing Date, and such termination shall be without liability of any party
to
any other party, except as provided in Sections 6 and 10. Notwithstanding any
such termination, the provisions of Section 8 shall remain in effect.
8.
Indemnification
and Contribution
.
(a)
Indemnification
by the Company
.
The
Company will indemnify and hold you harmless against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities, joint or several, to which you may become subject
under
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Company
herein contained or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse you for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by you in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any
such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by you expressly for use therein; provided
further, that the indemnity agreement contained in Section 8.(a) with respect
to
any Preliminary Prospectus shall not inure to your benefit if you failed to
send
or give a copy of the Prospectus to such person at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of such Shares to such person in any case where such
delivery is required by the 1933 Act or the Rules and Regulations and if the
Prospectus would have cured any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
or
omission or alleged omission giving rise to such loss, claim, damage, or
liability. In addition to its other obligations under this Section 8.(a), the
Company agrees that, as an interim measure during the pendency of any such
claim, action, investigation, inquiry, or other proceeding arising out of or
based upon any statement or omission, or any alleged statement or omission,
described in this Section 8.(a), it will reimburse you on a monthly basis for
all reasonable legal and other expenses incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any such claim, action, investigation, inquiry,
or
other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as
to
the propriety and enforceability of the Company’s obligation to reimburse you
for such expenses and the possibility that such payments might later be held
to
have been improper by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any such interim
reimbursement payments that are not made to you within thirty (30) days of
a
request for reimbursement shall bear interest at the prime rate (or reference
rate or other commercial lending rate for borrowers of the highest credit
standing) published from time to time by The Wall Street Journal (the “Prime
Rate”) from the date of such request. This indemnity agreement shall be in
addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have. For purposes
of
this Section 8, the information set forth in the last paragraph on the front
cover page (insofar as such information relates to you) and under “Underwriting”
in any Preliminary Prospectus and in the Prospectus constitutes the only
information furnished by you to the Company for inclusion in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus, or the Registration Statement. The Company will
not,
without your prior written consent, settle or compromise or consent to the
entry
of any judgment in any pending or threatened action or claim or related cause
of
action or portion of such cause of action in respect of which indemnification
may be sought hereunder (whether or not you are a party to such action or
claim), unless such settlement, compromise, or consent includes an unconditional
release of you from all liability arising out of such action or claim (or
related cause of action or portion thereof). The indemnity agreement in this
Section 8.(a) shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to, and shall
inure to the benefit of, each person, if any, who controls you within the
meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act to the same extent as such agreement
applies to you.
(b)
Indemnification
by You
.
You
will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the
1933
Act, the 1934 Act, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon
any
breach of any warranty or covenant by you herein contained or any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each
case
to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus or any such amendment
or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by you expressly for use therein, or (ii)
you failed to deliver an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus that the
Company made available to you prior to the Closing Date and that corrected
any
statement or omission in a Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
the Prospectus which forms the basis for a claim against the Company; and will
reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the
Company in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, or action. In addition to its other obligations under this
Section 8.(b), you agree that, as an interim measure during the pendency of
any
such claim, action, investigation, inquiry, or other proceeding arising out
of
or based upon any statement or omission, or any alleged statement or omission,
described in this Section 8.(b), you will reimburse the Company on a monthly
basis for all reasonable legal and other expenses incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any such claim, action, investigation, inquiry,
or
other proceeding, notwithstanding the absence of a judicial determination as
to
the propriety and enforceability of your obligation to reimburse the Company
for
such expenses and the possibility that such payments might later been held
to
have been improper by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any such interim
reimbursement payments that are not made to the Company within thirty (30)
days
after a request for reimbursement shall bear interest at the Prime Rate from
the
date of such request. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any
liabilities that you may otherwise have. You will not, without the Company’s
prior written consent, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment in any pending or threatened action or claim or related cause of action
or portion of such cause of action in respect of which indemnification may
be
sought hereunder (whether or not the Company is a party to such action or
claim), unless such settlement, compromise, or consent includes an unconditional
release of the Company from all liability arising out of such action or claim
(or related cause of action or portion thereof). The indemnity agreement in
this
Section 8.(b) shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to, and shall
inure to the benefit of, each officer and director of the Company and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act
or
the 1934 Act to the same extent as such agreement applies to the Company.
(c)
Notices
of Claims; Employment of Counsel
.
Any
party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section
8
promptly shall notify in writing each party against which a claim is to be
made
under this Section 8 of the institution of such action but the omission so
to
notify such indemnifying party of any such action shall not relieve it from
any
liability it may have to any indemnified party except (i) to the extent that
the
omission to notify shall have caused or increased the indemnifying party’s
liability, and (ii) that the indemnifying party shall be relieved of its
indemnity obligation for expenses of the indemnified party incurred before
the
indemnifying party is notified. Such indemnifying party or parties shall assume
the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel (satisfactory
to
the indemnified party) and payment of fees and expenses. An indemnified party
shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party
unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing
by
the indemnifying party or parties in connection with the defense of such action
or the indemnifying party or parties shall not have employed counsel to have
charge of the defense of such action or such indemnified party or parties
reasonably shall have concluded that there may be defenses available to it
or
them that are different from or additional to those available to such
indemnifying party or parties (in which case such indemnifying party or parties
shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of
the
indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses
shall be borne by such indemnifying party or parties. Anything in this paragraph
to the contrary notwithstanding, an indemnifying party shall not be liable
for
any settlement of any such claim or action effected without its written consent.
(d)
Arbitration
.
It is
agreed that any controversy arising out of the operation of the interim
reimbursement arrangements set forth in Sections 8.(a) and 8.(b) hereof,
including the amounts of any requested reimbursement payments, the method of
determining such amounts and the basis on which such amounts shall be
apportioned among the indemnifying parties, shall be settled by arbitration
conducted pursuant to the Code of Arbitration Procedure of the NASD. Any such
arbitration must be commenced by service of a written demand for arbitration
or
a written notice of intention to arbitrate, therein electing the arbitration
tribunal. In the event the party demanding arbitration does not make such
designation of an arbitration tribunal in such demand or notice, then the party
responding to said demand or notice is authorized to do so. Any such arbitration
will be limited to the operation of the interim reimbursement provisions
contained in Sections 8.(a) and 8.(b) hereof and will not resolve the ultimate
propriety or enforceability of the obligation to indemnify for expenses that
is
created by the provisions of Sections 8.(a) and 8.(b).
(e)
Contribution
.
If the
indemnification provided for in Section 8.(a) or 8.(b) is unavailable to or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to
therein, then the Company on the one hand and you on the other shall contribute
to the amount paid or payable as a result of such losses, claims, damages,
or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and
you
on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law, then the Company and you shall contribute to such amount paid or payable
in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but
also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and you on the other
in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as
any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by
the
Company on the one hand and you on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the Offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Company bear to the total selling commissions received
by you in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact
or
the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company on the one hand or to information with respect to you
and furnished by you respectively, in writing specifically for inclusion in
the
Prospectus on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and you agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 8.(e) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account
of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 8.(e). The amount
paid or payable as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section 8.(e) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any such
party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) with respect to the transactions giving rise to
the
right of contribution provided in this Section 8.(e) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The obligations in this Section 8.(e) for you to contribute
are several in proportion to your respective underwriting obligations and not
joint. For purposes of this Section 8.(e), each person, if any, who controls
you
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights
to
contribution as you, and each director of the Company who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company.
9.
Representations
and Agreements to Survive
.
Except
as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by you, or on your behalf,
or by any controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall
survive until the fifth anniversary of the Offering Termination Date and the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
10.
Termination
of Agreement
.
(a)
Termination
of Agreement
.
You
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the
Closing Date (i) if any representation or warranty of the Company hereunder
shall be found to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect
when
made or the Company shall fail, refuse, or be unable to perform any of its
agreements hereunder or to fulfill any condition of your obligations hereunder,
(ii) if there shall have been since the respective dates as of which information
is given in the Registration Statement, a material adverse change, or any
development which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective
material adverse change, in or affecting the business, prospects, management,
properties, assets, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business,
(iii)
if trading on any national securities exchange shall have been suspended (other
than for reasons unrelated to the securities markets), or minimum or maximum
prices for trading generally shall have been fixed or maximum ranges for prices
for all securities shall have been required on any such exchange by such
exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority
having jurisdiction, (iv) if there has occurred or accelerated any outbreak
of
hostilities or other national or international calamity or crisis or change
in
economic or political conditions the effect of which on the financial markets
of
the United States is such as to make it, in your reasonable judgment,
impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the
Shares, (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by Virginia, New York
or
federal authorities, (vi) any federal or state statute, regulation, rule, or
order of any court or other governmental authority has been enacted, published,
decreed, or otherwise promulgated that in your sole judgment materially
adversely affects or will materially adversely affect the business or operations
of the Company, or (vii) any action has been taken by any federal, state, or
local government or agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs that
in
your reasonable opinion has a material adverse effect on the securities markets
in the United States. You shall have no liability to the Company pursuant to
this Agreement or otherwise as a result of any such termination.
(b)
Result
of Termination
.
(i)
If
(v) the Company abandons the Offering, (w) you terminate the Agreement
as a result of what you deem to be unsatisfactory results of your due diligence
review, (x) you terminate this Agreement upon the Company’s breach of any
term of this Agreement, (y) the Offering fails to close by June 1, 2008 (or
such later date agreed by the parties) for reasons within the control of the
Company, or (z) the Offering fails to close by June 1, 2008 (or such later
date agreed by the parties) for any reason beyond the control of the parties
other than your inability to sell the issue due to adverse market conditions,
then in addition to the Company’s obligations with respect to expenses as set
forth in Section 6, the Company will reimburse you on demand for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred and permissible under Rule
2710(f)(2)(D) of the NASD Rules, through and including the date of abandonment
or termination. The out-of-pocket expenses payable to you under this Section
10(b)(i) shall not exceed $75,000 for all matters undertaken before the date
of
abandonment or termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the amount reimbursable shall not exceed the amount of out-of-pocket
accountable expenses actually incurred by you in compliance with Rule
2710(f)(2)(D) of the NASD Rules.
(ii)
If
the
sale of the Shares provided for herein is not consummated because (x) you
abandon the Offering other than for what you deem to be unsatisfactory results
of your due diligence review or for breach of the Agreement by the Company,
(y) the Offering fails to close by June 1, 2008 for reasons solely in your
control, (z) the Offering fails to close by June 1, 2008 because of an
inability to sell the issue due to adverse market conditions, then you will
be
responsible for the fees and costs of your counsel and your other expenses
and
the Company will be responsible for all other fees and expenses. Thereafter,
neither party shall have any additional liability to the other except for such
liabilities, if any, as may exist or thereafter arise under Section 8.
11.
Notices
.
(a)
Method
and Location of Notices
.
All
communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
shall be in writing and shall be sent by overnight courier, hand-delivered
or
telecopied and confirmed as follows:
To
the
Company:
Sino-Global
Shipping Agency Ltd.
Room
1208, Tower D YeQing Plaza
No.
9
Wangjing North Road, Chao Yang District
Beijing,
100102
People’s
Republic of China
Telecopier
No.: (86)(10) 64391377
with
a
copy to:
Kang
Da
Law Offices
703
CITIC
Building
Jianguomenwai
Street
Beijing,
100004
People’s
Republic of China
Attention:
Wendy Guo, Esquire
Telecopier
No.: (86)(10) 85262826
To
you:
Anderson
& Strudwick, Incorporated
707
East
Main Street
20
th
Floor
Richmond,
Virginia 23219
Attention:
Mr. L. McCarthy Downs, III
Telecopier
No.: (804) 648-3404
with
a
copy to:
Kaufman
& Canoles, P.C.
Three
James Center, 12
th
Floor
1051
East
Cary Street
Richmond,
Virginia 23219
Attention:
Bradley A. Haneberg, Esquire
Telecopier
No.: (804) 771-5777
(b)
Time
of Notices
.
Notice
shall be deemed to be given by you to the Company or by the Company to you
when
it is sent by overnight courier, hand-delivered or telecopied as provided in
Section 11.(a).
12.
Parties
.
This
Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon you,
the Company and the controlling persons referred to in Section 8, and their
respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person
shall have or be construed to have a legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provision herein
contained.
13.
Governing
Law, Construction, and Time
.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Specified time of day refers to United States Eastern
Time. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.
14.
Description
Headings
.
The
descriptive headings of the several sections and paragraphs of this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.
15.
Counterparts
.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and if executed in more
than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall together constitute a
single instrument.
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between you and the Company,
please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon
this
letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
|
Very
truly yours,
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
By:
Name:
Cao
Lei
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Confirmed
and accepted as of the date first above written:
ANDERSON
& STRUDWICK, INCORPORATED
By:
Name:
L.
McCarthy Downs, III
Title:
Senior
Vice President
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of Warrant
EXHIBIT
B
Form
of Kang Da Opinion
EXHIBIT
C
Form
of Kaufman & Canoles Opinion
SINO-GLOBAL
SHIPPING AMERICA, LTD.
2008
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
Purpose
and Effective Date
.
(a)
The
purpose of the Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan
(the
“Plan”) is to further the long term stability and financial success of
Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. (the “Company”) by attracting and retaining
personnel, including employees, non-employee directors, and consultants, through
the use of stock incentives. It is believed that ownership of Company stock
will
stimulate the efforts of those employees upon whose judgment, interest and
efforts the Company is and will be largely dependent for the successful conduct
of its business.
(b)
The
Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Company
on March 6, 2008 (the “Effective Date”).
2.
Definitions
.
(a)
Act
.
The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b)
Affiliate
.
The
meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” under Rule 12b-2 of the Act.
(c)
Applicable
Withholding Taxes
.
The
aggregate amount of federal, state and local income and payroll taxes that
the
Company is required to withhold (based on the minimum applicable statutory
withholding rates) in connection with any exercise of an Option or the award,
lapse of restrictions or payment with respect to Restricted Stock.
(d)
Award
.
The
award of an Option or Restricted Stock under the Plan.
(e)
Beneficiary
.
The
person or persons entitled to receive a benefit pursuant to an Award upon the
death of a Participant.
(f)
Board
.
The
Board of Directors of the Company.
(g)
Cause
.
Dishonesty, fraud, misconduct, gross incompetence, gross negligence, breach
of a
material fiduciary duty, material breach of an agreement with the Company,
unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets,
or
conviction or confession of a crime punishable by law (except minor violations),
in each case as determined by the Committee, which determination shall be
binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “Cause” is defined in an employment
agreement between a Participant and the Company, “Cause” shall have the meaning
assigned to it in such agreement.
(h)
Change
of Control
.
(i)
The
acquisition by any unrelated person of beneficial ownership (as that term is
used for purposes of the Act) of 50% or more of the then outstanding shares
of
common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election
of
directors. The term “unrelated person” means any person other than (x) the
Company and its subsidiaries, (y) an employee benefit plan or related trust
sponsored by the Company or its subsidiaries, and (z) a person who acquires
stock of the Company pursuant to an agreement with the Company that is approved
by the Board in advance of the acquisition. For purposes of this subsection,
a
“person” means an individual, entity or group, as that term is used for purposes
of the Act;
(ii)
Any
tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of assets
or any combination of the foregoing transactions, and the Company is not the
surviving corporation; and
(iii)
A
liquidation of the Company.
(i)
Code
.
The
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(j)
Committee
.
The
Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k)
Company
.
Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd.
(l)
Company
Stock
.
The
common stock of the Company, without par value per share. In the event of a
change in the capital structure of the Company (as provided in Section 12
below), the shares resulting from such a change shall be deemed to be Company
Stock within the meaning of the Plan.
(m)
Consultant
.
A
person rendering services to the Company who is not an “employee” for purposes
of employment tax withholding under the Code.
(n)
Corporate
Change
.
A
consolidation, merger, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a sale
or
distribution of assets or stock (other than in the ordinary course of business)
of the Company; provided that, unless the Committee determines otherwise, a
Corporate Change shall only be considered to have occurred with respect to
Participants whose business unit is affected by the Corporate Change.
(o)
Date
of Grant
.
The
date as of which an Award is made by the Committee.
(p)
Disability
or Disabled
.
As to
an Incentive Stock Option, a Disability within the meaning of Code
Section 22(e)(3). As to all other Incentive Awards, the Committee shall
determine whether a Disability exists and such determination shall be
conclusive.
(q)
Fair
Market Value
.
(i)
If
Company Stock is traded on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ Stock
Market, the average of the highest and lowest registered sales prices of Company
Stock on such exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market;
(ii)
If
Company Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market, the average between
the
closing bid and asked prices as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market; or
(iii)
If
shares of Company Stock are not publicly traded, the Fair Market Value shall
be
determined by the Committee using any reasonable method in good faith.
Fair
Market Value shall be determined as of the applicable date specified in the
Plan
or, if there are no trades on such date, the value shall be determined as of
the
last preceding day on which Company Stock is traded.
(r)
Incentive
Stock Option
.
An
Option intended to meet the requirements of, and qualify for favorable Federal
income tax treatment under, Code Section 422.
(s)
Nonstatutory
Stock Option
.
An
Option that does not meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that is
otherwise not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option and is so designated.
(t)
Option
.
A right
to purchase Company Stock granted under the Plan, at a price determined in
accordance with the Plan.
(u)
Participant
.
Any
individual who receives an Award under the Plan.
(v)
Restricted
Stock
.
Company
Stock awarded upon the terms and subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 7 below.
(w)
Rule
16b-3
.
Rule
16b-3 of the Act, including any corresponding subsequent rule or any amendments
to Rule 16b-3 enacted after the effective date of the Plan.
(x)
10%
Shareholder
.
A
person who owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing more than 10% of
the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an
Affiliate. Indirect ownership of stock shall be determined in accordance with
Code Section 424(d).
3.
General
.
Awards
of Options and Restricted Stock may be granted under the Plan. Options granted
under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options.
4.
Stock
.
Subject
to Section 12 of the Plan, there shall be reserved for issuance under the
Plan a total of 292,613 unissued shares of Company Stock. Shares allocable
to
Options granted under the Plan that expire or otherwise terminate unexercised
and shares that are forfeited pursuant to restrictions on Restricted Stock
awarded under the Plan may again be subjected to an Award under this Plan.
For
purposes of determining the number of shares that are available for Awards
under
the Plan, such number shall, if permissible under Rule 16b-3, include the number
of shares surrendered by a Participant or retained by the Company (a) in
connection with the exercise of an Option or (b) in payment of Applicable
Withholding Taxes.
5.
Eligibility
.
(a)
Any
employee of, non-employee director of, or Consultant to the Company or its
affiliates, Sino-Global Shipping Agency, Ltd. or Trans Pacific Shipping Ltd.,
who, in the judgment of the Committee, has contributed or can be expected to
contribute to the profits or growth of the Company is eligible to become a
Participant. The Committee shall have the power and complete discretion, as
provided in Section 14, to select eligible Participants and to determine
for each Participant the terms, conditions and nature of the Award and the
number of shares to be allocated as part of the Award; provided, however, that
any award made to a member of the Committee must be approved by the Board.
The
Committee is expressly authorized to make an Award to a Participant conditioned
on the surrender for cancellation of an existing Award.
(b)
The
grant of an Award shall not obligate the Company to pay an employee any
particular amount of remuneration, to continue the employment of the employee
after the grant or to make further grants to the employee at any time
thereafter.
(c)
Non-employee directors and Consultants shall not be eligible to receive the
Award of an Incentive Stock Option.
(d)
The
maximum number of shares with respect to which an Award may be granted in any
calendar year to any employee during such calendar year shall be 25,000 shares
of Company Stock.
6.
Stock
Options
.
(a)
Whenever the Committee deems it appropriate to grant Options, notice shall
be
given to the Participant stating the number of shares for which Options are
granted, the Option price per share, whether the options are Incentive Stock
Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, and the conditions to which the grant
and
exercise of the Options are subject. This notice, when duly accepted in writing
by the Participant, shall become a stock option agreement between the Company
and the Participant.
(b)
The
Committee shall establish the exercise price of Options. The exercise price
of
an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value
of such shares on the Date of Grant, provided that if the Participant is a
10%
Shareholder, the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value of such shares on the Date of Grant. The
exercise price of a Nonstatutory Stock Option Award shall not be less than
100%
of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock covered by the Option
on
the Date of Grant.
(c)
Options may be exercised in whole or in part at such times as may be specified
by the Committee in the Participant’s stock option agreement. The Committee may
impose such vesting conditions and other requirements as the Committee deems
appropriate, and the Committee may include such provisions regarding a Change
of
Control or Corporate Change as the Committee deems appropriate.
(d)
The
Committee shall establish the term of each Option in the Participant’s stock
option agreement. The term of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be longer
than
ten years from the Date of Grant, except that an Incentive Stock Option granted
to a 10% Shareholder may not have a term in excess of five years. No option
may
be exercised after the expiration of its term or, except as set forth in the
Participant’s stock option agreement, after the termination of the Participant’s
employment. The Committee shall set forth in the Participant’s stock option
agreement when, and under what circumstances, an Option may be exercised after
termination of the Participant’s employment or period of service; provided that
no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after (i) three months from the
Participant’s termination of employment with the Company for reasons other than
Disability or death, or (ii) one year from the Participant’s termination of
employment on account of Disability or death. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, amend a previously granted Incentive Stock Option to provide for
more liberal exercise provisions, provided however that if the Incentive Stock
Option as amended no longer meets the requirements of Code Section 422,
and, as a result the Option no longer qualifies for favorable federal income
tax
treatment under Code Section 422, the amendment shall not become effective
without the written consent of the Participant.
(e)
An
Incentive Stock Option, by its terms, shall be exercisable in any calendar
year
only to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the
Date
of Grant) of Company Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable by the Participant for the first time during the calendar year
does
not exceed $100,000 (the “Limitation Amount”). Incentive Stock Options granted
under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and any parent or Subsidiary
of the Company shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the
Limitation Amount has been exceeded. The Board may impose such conditions as
it
deems appropriate on an Incentive Stock option to ensure that the foregoing
requirement is met. If Incentive Stock Options that first become exercisable
in
a calendar year exceed the Limitation Amount, the excess Options will be treated
as Nonstatutory Stock Options to the extent permitted by law.
(f)
If a
Participant dies and if the Participant’s stock option agreement provides that
part or all of the Option may be exercised after the Participant’s death, then
such portion may be exercised by the personal representative of the
Participant’s estate during the time period specified in the stock option
agreement.
(g)
If a
Participant’s employment or services is terminated by the Company for Cause, the
Participant’s Options shall terminate as of the date of the misconduct.
7.
Restricted
Stock Awards
.
(a)
Whenever the Committee deems it appropriate to grant a Restricted Stock Award,
notice shall be given to the Participant stating the number of shares of
Restricted Stock for which the Award is granted and the terms and conditions
to
which the Award is subject. This notice, when accepted in writing by the
Participant, shall become an Award agreement between the Company and the
Participant. Certificates representing the shares shall be issued in the name
of
the Participant, subject to the restrictions imposed by the Plan and the
Committee. A Restricted Stock Award may be made by the Committee in its
discretion without cash consideration.
(b)
The
Committee may place such restrictions on the transferability and vesting of
Restricted Stock as the Committee deems appropriate, including restrictions
relating to continued employment and financial performance goals. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Committee may provide performance or Change of
Control or Corporate Change acceleration parameters under which all, or a
portion, of the Restricted Stock will vest on the Company’s achievement of
established performance objectives. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, disposed of, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered until
the restrictions on such shares shall have lapsed or shall have been removed
pursuant to subsection (c) below.
(c)
The
Committee may provide in a Restricted Stock Award, or subsequently, that the
restrictions will lapse if a Change of Control or Corporate Change occurs.
The
Committee may at any time, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which
any or all restrictions will lapse or may remove restrictions on Restricted
Stock as it deems appropriate.
(d)
A
Participant shall hold shares of Restricted Stock subject to the restrictions
set forth in the Award agreement and in the Plan. In other respects, the
Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the
shares of Restricted Stock, including, but not limited to, the right to vote
such shares and the right to receive all cash dividends and other distributions
paid thereon. Certificates representing Restricted Stock shall bear a legend
referring to the restrictions set forth in the Plan and the Participant’s Award
agreement. If stock dividends are declared on Restricted Stock, such stock
dividends or other distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions
as
the underlying shares of Restricted Stock.
8.
Method
of Exercise of Options
.
(a)
Options may be exercised by giving written notice of the exercise to the
Company, stating the number of shares the Participant has elected to purchase
under the Option. Such notice shall be effective only if accompanied by the
exercise price in full in cash; provided that, if the terms of an Option so
permit, the Participant may (i) deliver Company Stock that the Participant
has owned for at least six months (valued at Fair Market Value on the date
of
exercise), or (ii) exercise any applicable net exercise provision contained
therein. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, any payment
of
the exercise price paid by delivery of Company Stock acquired directly or
indirectly from the Company shall be paid only with shares of Company Stock
that
have been held by the Participant for more than six months (or such longer
or
shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial
accounting purposes).
(b)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Awards shall always be granted
and exercised in such a manner as to conform to the provisions of Rule 16b-3.
9.
Applicable
Withholding Taxes
.
Each
Participant shall agree, as a condition of receiving an Award, to pay to the
Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment
of, all Applicable Withholding Taxes with respect to the Award. Until the
Applicable Withholding Taxes have been paid or arrangements satisfactory to
the
Company have been made, no stock certificates (or, in the case of Restricted
Stock, no stock certificates free of a restrictive legend) shall be issued
to
the Participant. As an alternative to making a cash payment to the Company
to
satisfy Applicable Withholding Tax obligations, the Committee may establish
procedures permitting the Participant to elect to (a) deliver shares of
already owned Company Stock (subject to such restrictions as the Committee
may
establish, including a requirement that any shares of Company Stock so delivered
shall have been held by the Participant for not less than six months) or
(b) have the Company retain that number of shares of Company Stock that
would satisfy all or a specified portion of the Applicable Withholding Taxes.
Any such election shall be made only in accordance with procedures established
by the Committee and in accordance with Rule 16b-3.
10.
Nontransferability
of Awards
.
(a)
In
general, Awards, by their terms, shall not be transferable by the Participant
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or except as described
below. Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by
the Participant or by his guardian or legal representative.
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of (a) and subject to federal and state
securities laws, the Committee may grant Nonstatutory Stock Options that permit
a Participant to transfer the Options to one or more immediate family members,
to a trust for the benefit of immediate family members, or to a partnership,
limited liability company, or other entity the only partners, members, or
interest-holders of which are among the Participant’s immediate family members.
Consideration may not be paid for the transfer of Options. The transferee of
an
Option shall be subject to all conditions applicable to the Option prior to
its
transfer. The agreement granting the Option shall set forth the transfer
conditions and restrictions. The Committee may impose on any transferable Option
and on stock issued upon the exercise of an Option such limitations and
conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.
11.
Termination,
Modification, Change
.
If not
sooner terminated by the Board, this Plan shall terminate at the close of
business on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. No Awards shall be
made
under the Plan after its termination. The Board may terminate the Plan or may
amend the Plan in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided that,
if
and to the extent required by Rule 16b-3, no change shall be made that increases
the total number of shares of Company Stock reserved for issuance pursuant
to
Awards granted under the Plan (except pursuant to Section 12), expands the
class of persons eligible to receive Awards, or materially increases the
benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, unless such change is
authorized by the shareholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Board may unilaterally amend the Plan and Awards as it deems appropriate
to
ensure compliance with Rule 16b-3 and to cause Incentive Stock Options to meet
the requirements of the Code and regulations thereunder. Except as provided
in
the preceding sentence, a termination or amendment of the Plan shall not,
without the consent of the Participant, adversely affect a Participant’s rights
under an Award previously granted to him.
12.
Change
in Capital Structure
.
(a)
In
the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares, spin-off,
reclassification, recapitalization, merger or other change in the Company’s
capital stock (including, but not limited to, the creation or issuance to
shareholders generally of rights, options or warrants for the purchase of common
stock or preferred stock of the Company), the number and kind of shares of
stock
or securities of the Company to be issued under the Plan (under outstanding
Awards and Awards to be granted in the future), the exercise price of options,
and other relevant provisions shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee,
whose determination shall be binding on all persons. If the adjustment would
produce fractional shares with respect to any Award, the Committee may adjust
appropriately the number of shares covered by the Award so as to eliminate
the
fractional shares.
(b)
In
the event the Company distributes to its shareholders a dividend
,
or
sells
or causes to be sold to a person other than the Company or a Subsidiary shares
of stock in any corporation (a “Spinoff Company”) which, immediately before the
distribution or sale, was a majority owned Subsidiary of the Company, the
Committee shall have the power, in its sole discretion, to make such adjustments
as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee may make adjustments in the
number and kind of shares or other securities to be issued under the Plan (under
outstanding Awards and Awards to be granted in the future), the exercise price
of Options, and other relevant provisions, and, without limiting the foregoing,
may substitute securities of a Spinoff Company for securities of the Company.
The Committee shall make such adjustments as it determines to be appropriate,
considering the economic effect of the distribution or sale on the interests
of
the Company’s shareholders and the Participants in the businesses operated by
the Spinoff Company, and subject to the proviso that any such adjustments or
new
options shall not be made or granted, respectively, that would result in
subjecting the Plan to variable plan accounting treatment. The Committee’s
determination shall be binding on all persons. If the adjustment would produce
fractional shares with respect to any Award, the Committee may adjust
appropriately the number of shares covered by the Award so as to eliminate
the
fractional shares.
(c)
To
the extent required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting
purposes, adjustments made by the Committee pursuant to this Section 12 to
outstanding Awards shall be made so that both (i) the aggregate intrinsic
value of an Award immediately after the adjustment is not greater than or less
than the Award’s aggregate intrinsic value before the adjustment and
(ii) the ratio of the exercise price per share to the market value per
share is not reduced.
(d)
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may take
the
foregoing actions without the consent of any Participant, and the Committee’s
determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons for all purposes.
The Committee shall make its determinations consistent with Rule 16b-3 and
the
applicable provisions of the Code.
13.
Change
of Control
.
In the
event of a Change of Control or Corporate Change, the Committee may take such
actions with respect to Awards as the Committee deems appropriate. These actions
may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(a)
At
the time the Award is made, provide for the acceleration of the vesting schedule
relating to the exercise or realization of the Award so that the Award may
be
exercised or realized in full on or before a date initially fixed by the
Committee;
(b)
Provide for the purchase or settlement of any such Award by the Company for
any
amount of cash equal to the amount which could have been obtained upon the
exercise of such Award or realization of a Participant’s rights had such Award
been currently exercisable or payable;
(c)
Make
adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to
reflect such Change of Control or Corporate Change; provided, however, that
to
the extent required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting
purposes, such adjustments shall be made so that both (i) the aggregate
intrinsic value of an Award immediately after the adjustment is not greater
than
or less than the Award’s aggregate intrinsic value before the Award and
(ii) the ratio of the exercise price per share to the market value per
share is not reduced; or
(d)
Cause
any such Award then outstanding to be assumed, or new rights substituted
therefore, by the acquiring or surviving legal entity in such Change of Control
or Corporate Change.
14.
Administration
of the Plan
.
(a)
The
Plan shall be administered by the Committee, who shall be appointed by the
Board. The Board may designate the Compensation Committee of the Board, or
a
subcommittee of the Compensation Committee, to be the Committee for purposes
of
the Plan. If and to the extent required by Rule 16b-3, all members of the
Committee shall be “Non-Employee Directors” as that term is defined in Rule
16b-3, and the Committee shall be comprised solely of two or more “outside
directors” as that term is defined for purposes of Code section 162(m). If any
member of the Committee fails to qualify as an “outside director” or (to the
extent required by Rule 16b-3) a “Non-Employee Director,” such person shall
immediately cease to be a member of the Committee and shall not take part in
future Committee deliberations. The Board of Directors may from time to time
may
appoint members of the Committee and fill vacancies, however caused, in the
Committee.
(b)
The
Committee shall have the authority to impose such limitations or conditions
upon
an Award as the Committee deems appropriate to achieve the objectives of the
Award and the Plan. Without limiting the foregoing and in addition to the powers
set forth elsewhere in the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and complete
discretion to determine (i) which eligible persons shall receive an Award
and the nature of the Award, (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock to
be covered by each Award, (iii) whether Options shall be Incentive Stock
options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iv) the Fair Market Value of
Company Stock, (v) the time or times when an Award shall be granted,
(vi) whether an Award shall become vested over a period of time, according
to a performance-based vesting schedule or otherwise, and when it shall be
fully
vested, (vii) the terms and conditions under which restrictions imposed
upon an Award shall lapse, (viii) whether a Change of Control or Corporate
Change exists, (ix) the terms of incentive programs, performance criteria
and other factors relevant to the issuance of Incentive Stock or the lapse
of
restrictions on Restricted Stock or Options, (x) when Options may be
exercised, (xi) whether to approve a Participant’s election with respect to
Applicable Withholding Taxes, (xii) conditions relating to the length of
time before disposition of Company Stock received in connection with an Award
is
permitted, (xiii) notice provisions relating to the sale of Company Stock
acquired under the Plan, and (xiv) any additional requirements relating to
Awards that the Committee deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no
“tandem stock options” (where two stock options are issued together and the
exercise of one option affects the right to exercise the other option) may
be
issued in connection with Incentive Stock Options.
(c)
The
Committee shall have the power to amend the terms of previously granted Awards
so long as the terms as amended are consistent with the terms of the Plan and,
where applicable, consistent with the qualification of an option as an Incentive
Stock Option. The consent of the Participant must be obtained with respect
to
any amendment that would adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the
Award, except that such consent shall not be required if such amendment is
for
the purpose of complying with Rule 16b-3 or any requirement of the Code
applicable to the Award.
(d)
The
Committee may adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The
Committee shall have the express discretionary authority to construe and
interpret the Plan and the Award agreements, to resolve any ambiguities, to
define any terms, and to make any other determinations required by the Plan
or
an Award agreement. The interpretation and construction of any provisions of
the
Plan or an Award agreement by the Committee shall be final and conclusive.
The
Committee may consult with counsel, who may be counsel to the Company, and
shall
not incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon
the
advice of counsel.
(e)
A
majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and all
actions of the Committee shall be taken by a majority of the members present.
Any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by all of the members,
and any action so taken shall be fully effective as if it had been taken at
a
meeting.
15.
Issuance
of Company Stock
.
The
Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate for shares
of
Company Stock before (i) the admission of such shares to listing on any
stock exchange on which Company Stock may then be listed, (ii) receipt of
any required registration or other qualification of such shares under any state
or federal securities law or regulation that the Company’s counsel shall
determine is necessary or advisable, and (iii) the Company shall have been
advised by counsel that all applicable legal requirements have been complied
with. The Company may place on a certificate representing Company Stock any
legend required to reflect restrictions pursuant to the Plan, and any legend
deemed necessary by the Company’s counsel to comply with federal or state
securities laws. The Company may require a customary written indication of
a
Participant’s investment intent. Until a Participant has been issued a
certificate for the shares of Company Stock acquired, the Participant shall
possess no shareholder rights with respect to the shares.
16.
Rights
Under the Plan
.
Title
to and beneficial ownership of all benefits described in the Plan shall at
all
times remain with the Company. Participation in the Plan and the right to
receive payments under the Plan shall not give a Participant any proprietary
interest in the Company or any Affiliate or any of their assets. No trust fund
shall be created in connection with the Plan, and there shall be no required
funding of amounts that may become payable under the Plan. A Participant shall,
for all purposes, be a general creditor of the Company. The interest of a
Participant in the Plan cannot be assigned, anticipated, sold, encumbered or
pledged and shall not be subject to the claims of his creditors.
17.
Beneficiary
.
A
Participant may designate, on a form provided by the Committee, one or more
beneficiaries to receive any payments under Awards of Restricted Stock or
Incentive Stock after the Participant’s death. If a Participant makes no valid
designation, or if the designated beneficiary fails to survive the Participant
or otherwise fails to receive the benefits, the Participant’s beneficiary shall
be the first of the following persons who survives the Participant: (a) the
Participant’s surviving spouse, (b) the Participant’s surviving
descendants,
per
stirpes
,
or
(c) the personal representative of the Participant’s estate.
18.
Notice
.
All
notices and other communications required or permitted to be given under this
Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if
delivered personally or mailed first class, postage prepaid, as follows:
(a) if to the Company—at its principal business address to the attention of
the Secretary; (b) if to any Participant—at the last address of the
Participant known to the sender at the time the notice or other communication
is
sent.
19.
Interpretation
.
The
terms of this Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan are subject to all
present and future regulations and rulings of the Secretary of the Treasury
relating to the qualification of Incentive Stock Options under the Code or
compliance with Code section 162(m), to the extent applicable, and they are
subject to all present and future rulings of the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or an Award
conflicts with any such regulation or ruling, to the extent applicable, the
Committee shall cause the Plan to be amended, and shall modify the Award, so
as
to comply, or if for any reason amendments cannot be made, that provision of
the
Plan and/or the Award shall be void and of no effect.