UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File No. 000-24575

 

 

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Florida    59-3410234

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6410 Long Drive, Houston, TX 77087

(Address of principal executive offices)

(713) 644-8182

(Issuer’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.001 par value per share

  The NASDAQ Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   x

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨

   Accelerated filer   ¨

Non-accelerated filer   ¨

   Smaller reporting company   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

As of June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $13,363,633 based on the closing sale price on June 29, 2007 as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System National Market System.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

  

Outstanding at March 28, 2008

Common Stock, $001 par value per share

   7,661,241 shares

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Document

  

Parts Into Which Incorporated

Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 8, 2008 (Proxy Statement)

   Part III

 

 

 


The Description of Business section and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Many of the forward-looking statements are located in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any current or historical fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the Company’s actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the subsection entitled “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

PART I

 

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Company Background and Corporate Structure

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (“the Company”, “AETI”, “our”, “us” or “we”) was incorporated on October 21, 1996 as a Florida corporation under the name American Access Technologies, Inc. On May 15, 2007, we completed a business combination (the “M&I Merger”) with M&I Electric Industries, Inc. and changed our name to American Electric Technologies, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 6410 Long Drive, Houston, Texas 77085 and our telephone number is 713-644-8182. Prior to the M&I Merger our business consisted of the operations of the American Access segment described below.

Our corporate structure currently consists of American Electric Technologies, Inc., which owns 100% of both M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (“M&I”) and American Access Technologies, Inc. (“AAT”). We report financial data for three operating segments: the Technical Products and Services (“TP&S”) segment and the Electrical and Instrumentation Construction (“E&I”) segment which together encompass the operations of M&I including its South Coast Electric Systems, LLC subsidiary and the American Access (“AAT”) segment which encompasses the operations of American Access including its Omega Metals division.

Products and Services

M&I has provided sophisticated custom-designed and built-to-order power delivery, control and drive systems for energy, marine and industrial applications since 1946. These products are used to safely distribute and control the flow of electricity from the power source to machinery, equipment and other critical processes. The principal markets and representative customers that we serve include:

 

   

Oil and gas

 

   

Offshore drilling—Transocean,, Diamond Offshore, Aban, Ensco

 

   

Land drilling—Century Drilling, Nabors Drilling, Nicklos Drilling, Parker Drilling, Saxon Drilling

 

   

Pipelines—Chevron, Williams, Enbridge

 

   

Service, transport and production vessels—Tidewater, Candies Shipbuilders, Hornbeck, L-3

 

   

Land and offshore production—Exxon Mobil, Pogo, Samedan Oil

 

   

Refining and Petrochemical—Valero, Goodyear, Motiva

 

   

Heavy industrial

 

   

Water and wastewater—City of Houston

 

   

Shipbuilding—Keppel Fels, Marinette Marine, Orange Shipyard

 

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We also provide a full range of electrical and instrumentation, construction and installation services to these markets.

AAT manufactures patented zone cabling and wireless enclosures for routing of telecommunications cabling, fiber optics and wireless solutions to the workplace environment and the Omega Metals division of AAT provides precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly services to a diverse client base primarily in the Southeast . Representative customers of AAT include Chatsworth Products, Inc., Tyco Electronics and Panduit.

We have adopted a strategy of international expansion and have developed the expertise to provide products which comply with international electrical design and test standards. Our products are offered in a number foreign countries through a network of overseas sales agents that we have appointed. We have also expanded internationally through a 40% interest in a joint venture which commenced manufacturing operations in China in 2007 and a 49% interest in a joint venture in Singapore.

Our business strategy is to grow our business and operations in our various market sectors, seek out new markets for our products and services, while at the same time increasing earnings and cash flow per share to enhance overall stockholder value. We upgrade and innovate our products to include leading edge technologies as they become available, such as computerized control systems. We also seek new markets for our products such as power generated from alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass.

We are organized into three reportable business segments, based on the nature of our products and services:

The Technical Products and Services (“TP&S”) segment designs and manufactures products for the safe and efficient distribution of power in industrial and commercial facilities. Our switchgear products control the flow of power and protect electrical equipment such as motors, transformers and cables. Our variable speed drives are electronic controls used to adjust the speed and torque of an electric motor to match an end application. Products offered by this segment include low and medium voltage switchgear, generator control and distribution switchgear, motor control centers, powerhouses, bus duct, variable frequency direct current drives, variable speed alternating current drives, program logic control (“PLC”) based automation systems, human machine interface (“HMI”) and specialty panels. Our products are built for application voltages from 480 volts to 38,000 volts and are used in a wide variety of industries. Our customers for these products are large and sophisticated users of electrical energy for industrial purposes. The primary markets we serve include the oil and gas exploration and production industry encompassing offshore and land drilling, pipelines, service and production vessels, and land and offshore production, as well as the petrochemical and refining industry. Other markets include water and wastewater facilities and shipbuilding.

All of our power distribution and control products are custom-designed and built-to-order to our customers’ requirements for specific installations and we do not maintain an inventory of such products. We work closely with our customers to design each project to safely and efficiently supply electric service and protection products for their specific needs.

Besides providing customers with our own designed and manufactured power distribution and control systems we provide a variety of technical services to assist our customers with their power distribution and control systems including retrofits, upgrades, installation and startup, testing and troubleshooting of substations, switchgear, drives and control systems.

The Electrical and Instrumentation Construction (“E&I”) segment provides a full range of electrical and instrumentation construction and installation services to both land and marine based markets including the oil and gas industry, the water and wastewater facilities industry and other commercial and industrial markets. This segment’s services include electrical and instrumentation turnarounds, maintenance, renovation and new construction. Applications include installation of switchgear, AC and DC motors, drives, motor controls, lighting systems and high voltage cable. Marine based oil and gas services include complete electrical system rig-ups,

 

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modifications, start-ups and testing for vessels, drilling rigs, and production modules. We have the technical expertise to provide these products in compliance with a number of applicable industry standards such as NEMA (“National Electrical Manufacturers Association”) and ANSI (“American National Standards Institute”) or IEC (“International Electrotechnical Commission”) equipment to meet ABS (“American Bureau of Shipping”), USCG (“United States Coast Guard”), Lloyd’s Register, a provider of marine certification services, and DNV (a leading certification body/registrar for management systems certification services) standards. These services are generally provided to customers within the vicinity of Houston, Texas and occasionally on a worldwide basis.

The American Access (“AAT”) segment consists of our historic business prior to the M&I Merger. This segment manufactures and markets zone cabling enclosures and manufactures custom formed metals products. The zone cabling product line provides state-of-the-art flexible cabling and wireless solutions for the high-speed communication networks found throughout office buildings, hospitals, schools, industrial complexes and government buildings. Our patented enclosures mount in ceilings, walls, raised floors, and certain modular furniture to facilitate the routing of telecommunication network cabling, fiber optics and wireless solutions in a streamlined, flexible, and cost effective fashion. Omega Metals operates a precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly operation and provides services such as precision “CNC” (“Computer Numerical Controlled”) punching, laser cutting, bending, assembling, painting, powder coating and silk screening to a diverse client base including, engineering, technology and electronics companies, primarily in the Southeast.

Segment Financial Data

The following table sets forth certain financial data concerning our operating segments. The American Access segment was added in the second quarter of 2007 upon the closing of the M&I Merger.

We do not separately review and analyze our assets on a segment basis for TP&S and E&I and therefore all assets for these segments are recorded within the corporate segment’s records. Depreciation expense is apportioned to the segments based on management’s best estimate. Corporate unallocated expenses include compensation costs and other expenses that cannot be meaningfully associated with the individual segments. Except for Equity in Joint Venture Income, all other costs, expenses and other income have been allocated to the segments based on sales which management believes is the best available basis to apportion these elements of income and expense to the segments.

 

($ thousands)

   2007     2006     2005  

Revenues:

      

Technical products and services

   $ 30,050     $ 32,918     $ 22,742  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     20,251       12,501       12,179  

Other

     —         —         23  

American Access

     5,364       —         —    
                        
   $ 55,665     $ 45,419     $ 34,944  

Gross Profit:

      

Technical products and services

   $ 3,870     $ 6,256     $ 4,070  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     (622 )     1,606       1,813  

Other

     —         (511 )     (424 )

American Access

     1,251       —         —    
                        
   $ 4,499     $ 7,351     $ 5,459  

Income before income taxes:

      

Technical products and services

   $ 3,433     $ 6,256     $ 4,070  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     (1,688 )     1,606       1,813  

American Access

     277       —         —    

Corporate and other unallocated expenses

     (1,157 )     (3,982 )     (3,811 )
                        
   $ 865     $ 3,880     $ 2,072  

 

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International Sales

In general, approximately 35% to 40% of TP&S sales are sold into international markets. These sales are made in US dollars and are generally settled prior to shipment or are secured by irrevocable letters of credit. All E&I sales are made in the United States although some services are performed internationally. All of AAT’s sales are made in the United States.

Marketing

We market our Technical Products and Services in the United States through direct contact with potential customers by our internal sales organization consisting of five full-time sales and support employees who report to M&I’s President. In addition, the marine, marine drilling and international markets are served by three full time employees who report to the Sr. Vice President of Business Development. We also exhibit at two industry trade shows each year—the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston and the International Work Boat Show held in New Orleans. We have appointed several sales agents in the U.S. and in a number of foreign countries. In 2008, we plan to exhibit at additional trade shows in target market areas such as at the Windpower Conference and Exhibition in Houston in June and the Power-Gen International Conference in Orlando in December.

Our E&I business is generally obtained through a sealed bid process where the lowest bid from pre-qualified contractors wins the job. We also act as a subcontractor and provide bids to general contractors for specialized parts of larger projects.

Our TP&S and E&I segments contract on a fixed-price or cost- plus basis. Fixed-price contracts are for a fixed sum to cover all costs and any profit element for a defined scope of work. Fixed-price contracts entail more risk to us because they require us to estimate in advance both the labor and material costs associated with executing the work. If our estimate is not accurate we may experience an inadequate profit or even a loss on the contract. As a result of inaccurate cost estimates on several fixed-price contracts in 2007 we improved our estimating process in an effort to assure more accurate estimating of fixed- price contracts.

Our American Access segment markets its zone cabling products through an exclusive marketing agreement with Chatsworth Products, Inc. (“CPI”) which began in May 2003 and runs through May 2008. Under this agreement CPI markets and American Access manufactures our zone cabling products and select products are co-branded with both CPI and American Access trademarks.

We expect this agreement to be renewed on substantially similar terms. We also have primary responsibility for sales of zone cabling products to original equipment manufacturers. Our Omega Metals division utilizes geographically-based independent manufacturers’ representatives to generate sheet metal fabrication sales. Omega Metals’ vice president of sales also calls on accounts and coordinates the sales efforts.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing processes at our various facilities include machining, fabrication, subassembly, system assembly and final testing. We have invested in various automated and semi-automated equipment for the fabrication and machining of various parts and assemblies that we incorporate into our products. Our quality assurance program includes various quality control measures from inspection of raw material, purchased parts and assemblies through on-line inspection. We perform system design, assembly and testing in-house. Our manufacturing operations in Beaumont, Texas and Keystone Heights, Florida are ISO 9001 certified.

Raw Materials and Suppliers

The principal raw materials for our products are copper, steel, aluminum and various manufactured electrical components. We obtain these products from a number of domestic and foreign suppliers. The market

 

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for most of the raw materials and parts we use is comprised of numerous participants and we believe that we can obtain each of the raw materials we require from more than one supplier. We do not have any long term contractual arrangements with the suppliers of our raw materials.

Joint Ventures

We have utilized joint ventures to drive growth in key international markets. We believe our joint ventures provide a prudent way to diversify and reduce the risk of international expansion, capitalize on the strengths and the relationships of our joint venture partners with potential customers, and achieve competitive efficiencies.

China . In March 2006, M&I entered into a joint venture with Baoji Oilfield Machinery Co., Ltd., (“BOMCO”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Corporation, and AA Energies, Inc. of Houston, Texas. , which markets oilfield equipment, to form BOMAY Electric Industries Co., Ltd., as an equity joint venture limited liability company organized in China. M&I is a 40% interest owner in BOMAY with 51% being owned by BOMCO and the remaining 9% owned by AA Energies. BOMAY was organized to manufacture land- and marine-based power systems for drilling rigs as well as low and medium voltage switchgear for the Chinese and global markets. M&I has committed 16 million Yuan (approximately $2 million) for this investment in which M&I will provide technology and services to BOMAY. The initial investment of 8 million Yuan (approximately $1 million) was made in June 2006 and our investment in BOMAY was $3,383,000 as of December 31, 2007 including $1,350,000 equity in 2007 income. Each of the BOMAY investors may be required to guarantee the bank loans of BOMAY in proportion to their investment. No guarantees have been provided by AETI. During the year ended 2006, M&I has had approximately $6 million in net sales to BOMCO, in large part due to the BOMAY relationship. BOMAY commenced construction of a 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the Xi’an, China Hi-tech Industries Development Zone in March 2007. The BOMAY factory was completed and initial production of products commenced in October 2007. We account for our interest in the BOMAY joint venture under the equity method of accounting for which we recognized $1,350,000 in 2007. The joint venture is obligated to pay M&I an amount equal to 0.7% of the joint venture’s initial three years sales as a technology transfer fee.

Singapore. We own 49% of M & I Electric Far East PTE Ltd. (“MIEFE”) which provides additional sales and technical support in for our products in southeast Asia. Our joint venture partner is Oakwell Engineering, Ltd. Our equity in income of the joint venture was $351,820, $184,588 and $73,500 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales made to the joint venture were $536,638, $103,285 and $1,158,235 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Accounts receivable from MIEFE were $40,336, $101,684, and $1,052,452 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales to the joint venture are made with terms and conditions similar to those of our other customers.

Competition

Our products and services are sold in highly competitive markets. We compete in all areas of our operations with a number of companies, some of which have financial and other resources comparable to or greater than us. Due to the demanding operating conditions in the energy sector and the high costs associated with construction delays and equipment failure, we believe customers in this industry prefer suppliers with a track record of reliable performance. We seek to build strong long-term relationships with our customers by maintaining our reputation as a provider of high-quality, efficient and reliable products and services, by developing new products and services and by responding promptly to our customers’ needs.

The principal competitive factors in our markets are product and service quality and reliability, lead time, price, technical expertise and reputation. We believe our principal competitive strengths include the following:

Our ability to provide technical products and services and electrical and instrumentation construction services are complementary, permitting us to offer customers total system responsibility for their electrical power

 

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control and distribution needs. Our ability to provide turn-key solutions and eliminate the need for our customers to deal with multiple suppliers and contractors on complex projects is an important competitive advantage.

Our power delivery, control and drive systems are custom-designed and are built-to-order to meet our customers’ specific requirements. We specialize in projects that are complex, require industry certification, short lead time or other non-standard elements, such as systems that must be fit into the confined space of a work boat or drilling rig.

We have a history of innovation in developing and commercializing new technologies into our products. Examples include digitally controlled drives, liquid-cooled high horsepower AC variable frequency drives which are optimized for space-constrained marine applications and American Access’ zone cabling solutions. We have also expanded the market for our products both internationally and to additional end-user markets.

Our commitment to providing quality products and services, fair pricing, innovation and customer service is the foundation to the long-standing customer relationships that we enjoy with an attractive customer base. Since 1946, we have provided over 10,000 power delivery systems to many of the leading companies involved in oil and gas exploration, drilling, production, pipelines, shipbuilding, oil refineries, petrochemicals, power generation, and steel industries in the U.S. Gulf Coast area.

We are led by an experienced management team with a proven track record. We believe the experience of our management team provides us with an in-depth understanding of our customers’ needs and enhances our ability to deliver customer-driven solutions. We believe our management has fostered a culture of loyalty, resulting in high employee retention rates for our professional and technical employees.

We have identified the following as our largest competitors:

In switchgear and control systems- Point 8, Tesla Power, Volta, AZZ and Powell Industries

In drive systems- National Oilwell Varco, Louisiana Electric Rig,, ABB, Siemens and Rowan

In technical testing services- Dashiel and Electric Controller Products

Backlog

Backlog represents the dollar amount of revenue we expect to realize in the future as a result of performing work under multi-month contracts. Backlog is not a measure defined by generally accepted accounting principles, and our methodology for determining backlog may not be comparable to the methodology used by other companies in determining their backlog. Backlog may not be indicative of future operating results. Not all of our potential revenue is recorded in backlog for a variety of reasons, including the fact that some contracts begin and end within a short-term period. Many contracts are subject to modification or termination by the customer. The termination or modification of any one or more sizeable contracts or the addition of other contracts may have a substantial and immediate effect on backlog.

We generally include total expected revenue in backlog when a contract for a definitive amount of work is entered into. We generally expect our backlog to become revenue within one year from the signing of a contract.

 

Backlog ($ millions) December 31,

    2007    

  

    2006    

$34.0

   $27.8

 

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Intellectual Property

We have a number of patents related to the technology of our zone cabling enclosures as well as trademarks and trade names utilized with our products and services. While proprietary intellectual property is important to the Company, management believes the loss or expiration of any intellectual property right would not materially impact the Company or any of its segments.

Environmental Laws

We are subject to various federal, state, and local laws enacted for the protection of the environment. We believe we are in compliance with such laws. Our compliance has, to date, had no material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position.

Employees

As of February 28, 2008, we had 569 employees. No employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and we consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks associated with an investment in our common stock and all of the other information in this 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

Customers in the oil and gas industry account for a significant portion of our sales. Reduced expenditures by customers in this industry are likely to reduce our revenues, profitability and cash flows.

Customers related to the oil and gas industry accounted for approximately 50% of our sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005. The oil and gas industry is a cyclical commodity business, with product demand and prices based on numerous factors such as general economic conditions and local, regional and global events and conditions that affect supply, demand and profits. While demand for our products and services has benefited from recent high demand and prices experienced by our customers in this industry, a decline in demand or prices for oil and gas will likely cause a decrease in demand for our products and services and result in a decline in our revenues, profit margins and cash flows.

Our products include complex systems for energy and industrial markets which are subject to operational and liability risks.

We are engaged in the manufacture and installation of complex power distribution and control systems for the energy and industrial markets. These systems are frequently complex and susceptible to unique engineering elements that are not tested in the actual operating environment until commissioned. As a result, we may incur unanticipated additional operating and warranty expenses that were not anticipated when the fixed-price contracts were estimated and executed resulting in reduced profit margins on such projects.

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive, which may result in a loss of market share or decrease in revenue or profit margin.

Our products and services are provided in a highly competitive environment and we are subject to competition from a number of similarly sized or larger businesses which may have greater financial and other resources than are available to us. Factors that affect competition include timely delivery of products and

 

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services, reputation, manufacturing capabilities, price, performance and dependability. Any failure to adapt to a changing competitive environment may result in a loss of market share and a decrease in revenue and profit margins.

We often utilize fixed-price contracts which could adversely affect our financial results.

We currently generate, and expect to continue to generate, a significant portion of our revenues under fixed price contracts. We must estimate the costs of completing a particular project to bid for such fixed price contracts. The cost of labor and materials, however, may vary from the costs we originally estimated. These variations, along with other risks inherent in performing fixed price contracts, may result in actual revenue and gross profits for a project differing from those we originally estimated and could result in reduced profitability and losses on projects. Depending upon the size of fixed price contracts, variations from estimated contract costs can have a significant impact on our operating results for any fiscal quarter or year.

We rely on a few key employees whose absence or loss could disrupt our operations or be adverse to our business.

Our continued success is dependent on the continuity of several key management, operating and technical personnel. The loss of these key employees would have a negative impact on our future growth and profitability. We have not entered into written employment agreements with any of our key personnel other than our Chief Financial Officer, the CEO of M&I and two executives at our American Access subsidiary.

Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely impacted by rapid growth.

We have experienced a significant increase in the sales of our products and services since 2004. We cannot be certain that our personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our operations as they expand to meet continued growth. Any future growth also will impose significant additional responsibilities on members of our senior management, including the need to recruit and integrate new senior level managers and executives. We cannot be certain that we can recruit and retain such additional managers and executives. To the extent that we are unable to manage our growth effectively, or are unable to attract and retain additional qualified management, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could lead to a loss of revenue or profitability.

Our ability to provide high-quality products and services on a timely basis requires that we employ an adequate number of skilled personnel. Accordingly, our ability to increase our productivity and profitability will be limited by our ability to employ, train and retain skilled personnel necessary to meet our requirements. We, like many of our competitors, are currently experiencing shortages of qualified personnel. We cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain an adequate skilled labor force necessary to operate efficiently and to support our growth strategy or that our labor expenses will not increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of skilled personnel.

Natural disasters, terrorism, acts of war, international conflicts or other disruptions could harm our business and operations.

Natural disasters, acts or threats of war or terrorism, international conflicts, and the actions taken by the United States and other governments in response to such events could cause damage to or disrupt our business operations or those of our customers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.

We manufacture products and operate plants in Mississippi, Texas and Florida. Operations were disrupted in 2005 due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Although we did not suffer a material loss as a result of these disruptions due to insurance coverage and advance preparations, it is not possible to predict future similar events or their consequences, any of which could decrease demand for our products, make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products, or disrupt our supply chain.

 

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We generate a significant portion of our revenues from international operations and are subject to the risks of doing business outside of the United States.

Approximately 40% of our revenues in 2006 were generated from projects and business operations outside of the United States, primarily provided to the upstream oil and gas industry in the following countries: Russia, Djibouti, Singapore, Australia, India, Ecuador, Dubai and Peru. This percentage was approximately 20% during in 2007. The decline from the prior year reflects a $6 million sale to China that occurred in 2006. The oil and gas industry operates in both remote and potentially politically unstable locations, and numerous risks and uncertainties affect our non-United States operations. These risks and uncertainties include changes in political, economic and social environments, local labor conditions, changes in laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments, as well as United States laws affecting activities of United States companies abroad, including tax laws and enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights. In addition, the costs of providing our services can be adversely and/or unexpectedly impacted by the remoteness of the locations and other logistical factors.

We entered into a joint venture with a Chinese energy services company in 2006. This investment represents our initial experience operating in China and as a result we may encounter unforeseen or unexpected operating, financial, political or cultural factors that could impact its business plans and the expected profitability from such investment. We will face risks if China loses normal trade relations with the United States and it may be adversely affected by the diplomatic and political relationships between the United States and China. As a result of the relatively weak Chinese legal system in general and the intellectual property regime in particular, we may face additional risk with respect to the protection of its intellectual property in China. Changes in China’s political and economic policies could adversely affect our investment and business opportunities in China.

Increases in raw material prices will increase our operating costs, and we may be unable to pass all these increases on to our customers in the form of higher prices for our products.

Copper, steel and aluminum represent a significant element of our material cost. Significant increases in the prices of these materials can reduce our estimated operating margins if we are unable to recover such increases from customer revenues.

Foreign Currency Transaction Risk

AETI maintains an investment in its Singapore joint venture, M&I Electric Far East PTE, Ltd. The functional currency of this joint venture is the Singapore dollar. The amount of its investment is translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each quarterly reporting period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in AETI’s consolidated balance sheet.

The investment in marketable securities consists of common shares of Oakwell Engineering, AETI’s partner in MIEFE. Oakwell is a distributor of electrical and energy-related products. These shares trade on the Singapore Stock Exchange and are denominated in Singapore dollars.

We completed an investment of 16.0 million Yuan (approximately $2.0 million) in our Chinese joint venture, BOMAY, in March, 2007. The functional currency of this joint venture is the Chinese Yuan. BOMAY’s financial statements will be translated into United States dollars at the rate prevailing at the end of each quarterly reporting period and any resulting adjustment will be recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Under the terms of the Equity Joint Venture Contract, we were obligated to make a total investment of 16.0 million Yuan (approximately $2.0 million) during the initial two years of the joint venture.

In the recent past, our investments in China and Singapore have benefitted from the general weakness of the U.S. dollar. There is no assurance that this trend will continue in the future.

 

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Other than the aforementioned items, we do not believe it is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk because all of our sales and purchases are denominated in United States dollars.

Commodity Price Risk

We are subject to market risk from fluctuating market prices of certain raw materials. While such materials are typically available from numerous suppliers, commodity raw materials are subject to price fluctuations. We endeavor to recoup these price increases from our customers on an individual contract basis to avoid operating margin erosion. Although historically we have not entered into any contracts to hedge its commodity risk, we may do so in the future. Commodity price changes can have a material impact on our prospective earnings and cash flows.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table describes the material facilities of our company and its subsidiaries as of February 28, 2008. All such facilities are owned.

 

Location

  

General Description

   Acres    Approximate
Square Feet
of buildings
Houston, Texas    Company and M&I headquarters, manufacturing and storage    3    26,000
Beaumont, Texas    M&I manufacturing and storage    9    85,000
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi    M&I manufacturing    3    11,000
Keystone Heights, Florida    AAT offices and manufacturing    8.5    67,500

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

On November 7, 2007, the Company held its annual meeting of stockholders. At the meeting:

The following were elected as directors with the votes as indicated:

 

Director

 

Votes “For”

 

Votes “Abstaining or Withheld”

 

Broker Non-Votes

Arthur G. Dauber

  7,007,703   34,715   0

Paul N. Katz

  7,007,743   34,675   0

Peter Menikoff

  7,007,333   35,085   0

J. Hoke Peacock II

  7,007,600   34,818   0

Stuart Schube

  7,007,023   35,395   0

Howard W. Kelley

  7,007,553   34,865   0

Lamar Nash

  7,007,209   35,209   0

An amendment to Article XII of our By-laws to allow the Board of Directors, as well as the stockholders, to amend the By-laws was approved by a vote of 6,945,911 “for” votes, 91,073 “against” votes and 5,432 “abstaining” or “withheld” and no broker non-votes.

 

11


The issuance of up to 120,000 shares of common stock in connection with the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan was approved by a vote of 5,988,168 “for” votes, 54,824 “against” votes and 11,003 “abstaining” or “withheld” and no broker non-votes.

The 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Compensation Plan was approved by a vote of 6,009,687 “for” votes, 39,169 “against” votes and 5,139 “abstaining” or “withheld” and no broker non-votes.

The 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved by a vote of 6,018,975 “for” votes, 29,861 “against” votes and 5,159 “abstaining” or “withheld” and no broker non-votes.

The recommendation of the Company’s independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2007 was ratified by a vote of 7,030,247 “for” votes, 7,344 “against” votes and 4,830 “abstaining” or “withheld” and no broker non-votes.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “AETI”.

The following table sets forth quotations for the high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock, as reported by NASDAQ, for the periods indicated below, adjusted for a 1-for-5 reverse stock spit effective May 15, 2007:

 

         High            Low            High            Low    
     Year Ended
December 31, 2007
   Year Ended
December 31, 2006

1 st Quarter

   $ 7.70    $ 4.30    $ 9.15    $ 6.40

2 nd Quarter

   $ 6.03    $ 4.00    $ 8.40    $ 4.70

3 rd Quarter

   $ 11.60    $ 4.88    $ 7.25    $ 4.95

4 th Quarter

   $ 7.99    $ 3.81    $ 6.80    $ 4.15

As of March 28, 2008, there were 83 shareholders of record, not including approximately 3,300 beneficial holders whose stock is held in street name.

The Company did not declare or pay cash dividends in either fiscal 2007 or 2006. The Company anticipates that, for the foreseeable future, it will retain any earnings for use in the operation of its business. Our bank loan agreement restricts the payment of cash dividends to stockholders.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table summarizes our consolidated financial data for the periods presented. You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of this annual report. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of results of future operations. Since the M&I Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the purchase method of accounting, our financial statements reflect the historical results of M&I prior to the Merger and that of the combined company following the Merger and do not include the historical results of AAT prior to the Merger. All share and per share disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the exchange of shares in the Merger and the 1-for-5 reverse split of our common stock on May 15, 2007.

Fiscal years ended December 31,

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

     2007    2006    2005    2004    2003(a)

Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

              

Net Sales

   $ 55,664.5    $ 45,418.7    $ 34,944.6    $ 24,361.6    $ 25,328.0

Net Income

   $ 590.2    $ 2,438.3    $ 1,348.5    $ .5    $ 638.0

Earnings per common share:

              

Basic

   $ 0.08    $ 0.40    $ 0.23    $ 0.00    $ 0.10

Diluted

   $ 0.08    $ 0.40    $ 0.23    $ 0.00    $ 0.10

Cash dividends declared per common share

     —        —      $ 0.04      —        —  

Shares used in computing earnings per share

              

Basic

     7,058,529      6,079,692      5,933,728      6,000,442      6,121,371

Diluted

     7,059,447      6,079,692      5,933,728      6,002,419      6,121,371

Selected Balance Sheet data at year-end:

              

Cash and equivalents

   $ 593.5    $ 2,031.1    $ 1,079.3    $ 1,223.1    $ 1,857.2

Total assets

   $ 36,338.1    $ 23,156.4    $ 17,355.9    $ 13,769.2    $ 14,252.4

Long term debt (including current maturities)

   $ 5,500.0    $ 500.0    $ 500.0    $ 500.0    $ 500.0

Total liabilities

   $ 15,192.1    $ 9,455.8    $ 6,110.5    $ 3,665.1    $ 3,644.8

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 21,146.0    $ 13,700.7    $ 11,245.4    $ 10,104.1    $ 10,607.6

 

(a) unaudited

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, based on current expectations related to future events and AETI’s future financial performance that involves risks and uncertainties. AETI’s actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many important factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K.

Overview

In May 2007, M&I was a party to a reverse merger transaction in which it was legally acquired by American Access Technologies, Inc.(“AAT”). The shareholders of M&I were issued stock of AAT in amounts that in aggregate constituted approximately 80% of the total shares outstanding. As a result, the merger has been accounted for as an acquisition of AAT by M&I. Immediately following the merger, AAT’s name was changed to American Electric Technologies, Inc. Results of operations of AAT have been consolidated commencing with the merger date. References to operating results prior to the May 2007 merger date solely reflect M&I and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

AETI has experienced a substantial increase in the demand for its products and services over the past several years. In the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, AETI benefited from an improvement in overall market conditions, particularly in comparison to the activity levels experienced in 2003 and 2004. AETI is also experiencing some improvement in prices due to the overall demand for its products and services. AETI expects this trend will continue throughout the 2008 fiscal year.

In 2003, AETI, through its subsidiary, M&I, broadened its access to the Gulf Coast marine market by establishing a wholly owned subsidiary, South Coast Electric Systems, LLC, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. South Coast Electric leased a manufacturing facility on approximately 3 acres from affiliates of M&I and commenced the manufacture of low voltage switchgear and controls, primarily for the marine industry. M&I acquired the property and manufacturing facilities in October 2006 from related parties at its fair market value ($225,000). South Coast Electric’s revenues from the Bay St. Louis facility exceeded $1 million in the initial year of operations. In 2004, revenues increased to $1.5 million. The operations of the Bay St. Louis facility were significantly affected by Hurricane Katrina in the third quarter of 2005 and the plant suffered significant damage. As a result, the South Coast Electric revenues and operations did not continue to increase as expected or meet projections for 2005, and revenues for South Coast Electric in 2005 were $1.9 million. The facility was repaired and commenced full operations in January 2006. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, South Coast Electric had revenues of $4.0 million and $2.9 million. The backlog of orders at the Bay St. Louis facility was approximately $4.0 million at December 31, 2007, a small increase over 2006.

Beginning in the latter part of 2004, demand in M&I’s principal industrial and upstream and downstream energy markets began to increase in conjunction with economic expansion in the United States and the increase in oil and gas prices. As a result, new orders received for the Technical Products and Services segment during the fourth quarter of 2004 and the first and second quarters of 2005 were $17 million as compared to $10 million for the prior year period. This activity level continued throughout 2005 and 2006. During 2007, the North American drilling market flattened which caused this segments sales to be flat. However, a $ 6 million increase in the E&I Construction segment and the acquisition of the AAT segment enabled an overall sales increase of $10 million. As of December 31, 2007, AETI’s backlog was $34 million, an increase of $6.2 million over the comparable prior year period.

In March 2006, AETI’s subsidiary, M&I, entered into a contract with respect to the establishment of an equity joint venture with Baoji Oilfield Machinery Co., Ltd., referred to as BOMCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary

 

15


of the China National Petroleum Corporation, and AA Energies, Inc., located near Houston, Texas. Pursuant to this agreement, the companies have formed BOMAY Electric Industries Co., Ltd. (“BOMAY”), an equity joint venture limited liability company organized in China. M&I is a 40% interest owner in BOMAY with 51% being owned by BOMCO and the remaining 9% owned by AA Energies. BOMAY builds land and marine-based electrical systems for drilling rigs as well as low and medium voltage switchgear for the Chinese and global markets. M&I invested $2,033,000 for this investment in which M&I will provide technology and services to BOMAY. M&I will receive a technology fee of .7% of the venture’s initial three years revenues. Each of the BOMAY investors is required to guarantee the bank loans of BOMAY in proportion to their investment. No such guarantees have been provided and will be subject to AETI Board approval. During the year ended December 31, 2006 and prior to the start-up of BOMAY, M&I had approximately $6 million in net sales to BOMCO, in large part due to the BOMAY relationship. During 2007, BOMAY had sales of approximately $49 million and AETI recorded equity income of $1.4 million. At its February 2008 Board of Directors meeting, BOMAY declared a dividend for which M&I will receive approximately $0.9 million during the first half of 2008.

M&I has provided a compensation plan for the manager that will have local responsibility for its interests in the BOMAY venture that essentially will pay the manager 5% of M&I’s cumulative equity appreciation in the venture.

During 2006, AETI selected a new computer system to facilitate the streamlining and standardization of its business processes across each of its segments as well as to provide a platform to support and accelerate its growth. Phase I of this project comprising the financial systems was completed during 2007 at all AETI locations.

Results of Operations

Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to year ended December 31, 2006

Consolidated Comparison

Revenues and Gross Profit. AETI’s sales increased 23% or 10.2 million in 2007 from the prior year levels. The increase was occasioned by a $7.8 million increase in E&I construction revenues, primarily due to the entry into the commercial market in 2007. In addition, the acquisition of AAT contributed $5.4 million of sales that were not present in 2006. The TP&S segment reported a decline of $2.9 million due to sales to China in 2006 of $6 million that did not recur. The 2006 sales to China occurred prior to the start up of the Chinese joint venture. This activity is now conducted by the BOMAY joint venture and reflected as equity income. Gross profits declined by $2.9 million to $4.5 million in 2007 in comparison to prior year levels due to a 34% increase in cost of goods sold. This was due to several factors, the most significant of which was cost overruns at three commercial construction projects that aggregated $1.9 million. The overruns occurred primarily due to poor project management, a circumstance that has been rectified by replacement of personnel. In addition, the application of several new technologies, liquid cooled electrical drive systems for the marine industry and alternate current digital electrical drive systems, caused costs to increase over expected levels by $1.6 million. Management believes these additional costs will not be recurring and that gross profits will return to historical levels during the second half of 2008.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. These expenses were $2.1 million in 2007 or 51% higher than 2006. Consolidating the expenses from the AAT business caused an increase of $1.6 million and the additional costs associated with becoming a publicly traded company contributed an additional $0.5 million in expense. The addition of a senior marketing executive in conjunction with higher marketing and promotion expenses aggregated $0.3 million in 2007. Partially offsetting these cost increases was a reduction in management bonuses of $0.4 million due to the reduction in operating performance.

Other Income (Expense). Other Income was higher by $1.9 million in 2007 due to a $0.6 million increase in gains from the disposal of marketable securities. All such securities have been sold as of December 31, 2007. In addition, AETI’s equity in income from its joint venture affiliates increased $1.5 million in 2007 from the prior year, primarily due to the successful start up of its Chinese venture, BOMAY. This

 

16


venture reported sales of $49 million (that are not consolidated). AETI reduced the reported net income from this joint venture based on the uncertainties of the operating environment and its belief that warranty and electrical system start up costs have been underestimated. The Company had increased interest expense of $0.1 million in 2007 due to increased borrowings.

Taxes on Income. Income tax expense was reduced by $1.2 million in 2007 due to reduced pretax income.

Net Income. Net income was reduced by $1.8 million in 2007 due to the reduced gross profits and higher selling, general and administrative expenses explained above.

Divisional Comparisons

Technical Products & Services . The Technical Products & Services segment revenues decreased $2.9 million from $32.9 million for 2006 to $30.0 million for 2007. The Technical Products & Services segment business has been bolstered by the strength of the overall world economy and improvements in global drilling activity discussed above although activity in the North American drilling markets reflected a reduction in activity during the latter part of 2007. Approximately $6.0 million of the Technical Products & Services segment revenues during 2006 were derived from sales to a Chinese land drilling rig manufacturer. Sales to this customer in 2007 were recorded by BOMAY, the Chinese joint venture company. As reported above, BOMAY reported sales of $49 million in 2007 that are not consolidated.

Gross profits for the Technical Products & Services segment for 2007 were $3.9 million, a $2.4 million decrease over the prior year. This reduction is a result of reduced revenues but additionally reflected start up costs associated with two new product offerings, marine liquid cooled drives and drilling system alternate current digital drives. Technical Products & Services income before taxes for 2007 was $3.4 million compared to $6.3 million for 2006. This decrease in income is a result of lower sales and related gross profits partially offset by the improvement in equity income. In addition, $1.6 million of corporate overheads that had previously not been allocated were charged to the segment.

Electrical & Instrumentation Construction . The Construction segment reported sales of $20.3 million in 2007, an increase of $7.8 million over the prior year. The increase was due primarily to the Company’s increased activity in commercial markets. The commercial market increase primarily related to public school construction. The segment’s sales to the industrial, commercial and energy markets remained strong during 2007 as well. The backlog for the Construction segment was $18.7 million as of December 31, 2007, an increase of $7.0 million over the previous year.

Gross profits for the Construction segment for 2007 reflected a loss of $0.6 million, a decrease of $2.2 million from the prior year. The decline was due to losses of $1.2 million on three commercial construction contracts that resulted from poor project management. The expected gross profit on these contracts was approximately $1.0 million. The personnel associated with these contracts have been replaced and the contracts were substantially completed as of December 31, 2007. The Company expects its gross profits to return to historical levels in 2008. The Construction segment loss before taxes for 2007 was $1.7 million compared to income of $1.6 million for the previous year period. This decrease was due primarily to contract cost overruns referred to previously and the allocation of $1.1 million in corporate overheads that was not reflected in the prior year.

American Access Technologies

Revenues and Gross Profit. This segment’s sales increased $5.4 million over the prior year period due to its acquisition, effective May 15, 2007. The segment contributed gross profits of approximately $1.0 million to the consolidated results. When viewed on an annualized basis, this segment operated at essentially the same level of volume and profitability as it did in the prior year on a stand alone basis.

 

17


Year ended December 31, 2006 compared to year ended December 31, 2005

Consolidated Comparison

Revenues and Gross Profit . Total consolidated net sales increased $10.5 million, or 30%, to $45.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 over the prior year. The increase occurred primarily in the Technical Products & Services segment. Consolidated cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $38.1 million, an $8.6 million increase, or 29%, over the prior year. The increase in cost of sales is primarily due to increases in net sales over the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales in 2006 slightly decreased by approximately 0.3%. This reflects AETI’s general success in passing material price increases on to its customers in the form of price increases and a change in its sales mix since manufacturing revenues represented a higher portion of aggregate sales as compared to service revenues. Consolidated gross profit during the year ended December 31, 2006 significantly increased from $5.5 million for 2005 to $7.4 million in 2006. The increase in consolidated gross margin is a result, in part, of increased sales while reducing the percentage of the cost of sales. Consolidated gross profit as a percent of net sales was 16.2% during 2006, compared to 15.6% for the prior year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses . Total consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $0.5 million over the prior year. This increase is principally attributable to an increase in legal, accounting and consulting costs of $0.2 million accrued in conjunction with the merger. In addition, accruals for the management and executive bonus plans have increased $0.3 million based on performance during the year ended December 31, 2006 against plan targets established by M&I.

Other Income and Expense . Consolidated other income and expense in 2006 improved by $0.5 million over 2005 due to a realized gain on sale of marketable securities of $0.4 million and improved earnings from the Singapore joint venture.

Provision for Income Taxes . Income tax expense increased by $0.7 million consistent with the increase in gross profit. The effective tax rate of 37.2% was comparable to the prior year.

Net Income . Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $2.4 million as compared to $1.3 million for the prior year, representing an 81% increase. The increase in net income is a reflection of increased sales and gross profit as well as other income during 2006.

Divisional Comparisons

Technical Products & Services . The Technical Products & Services segment revenues increased $10.2 million from $22.7 million for 2005 to $32.9 million for 2006. The Technical Products & Services segment business has been bolstered by the strength of the overall world economy and improvements in global drilling activity discussed above. Approximately $6.0 million of the Technical Products & Services segment revenues during 2006 were derived from sales to a Chinese land drilling rig manufacturer.

Gross profits for the Technical Products & Services segment for 2006 were $6.3 million, a $2.2 million increase over the prior year. Technical Products & Services income before taxes for 2006 was $6.3 million compared to $4.1 million for 2005. This increase in income is a result of higher sales and related gross profits.

Electrical & Instrumentation Construction . The Construction segment reported sales of $12.5 million in 2006, an increase of $0.3 million over the prior year. The increase was due primarily to general increases in business activity offsetting the completion of a large commercial contract in September 2005. This contract contributed approximately $5.0 million to the Construction segment’s reported sales during 2005. Although the Construction segment sales reflect a modest increase during 2006 as compared to the prior year, the overall activity for the segment has begun to increase due to improvements in the industrial, commercial and energy markets. The backlog for the Construction segment was $11.7 million as of December 31, 2006, an increase of $8.7 million over the previous year.

 

18


Gross profits for the Construction segment for 2006 were $1.6 million, a decrease of $0.2 from the prior year. The Construction segment income before taxes for 2006 was $1.6 million compared to $1.8 million for the previous year period. This decrease was due primarily to start-up costs incurred with certain commercial contracts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2007, AETI’s cash and cash equivalents were $0.6 million as compared to $2.0 million as of December 31, 2006. Working capital was $14.4 million and $9.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Primarily as a result of this growth in working capital, AETI drew $5.0 million on its revolving credit facility during the year. As of December 31, 2007, AETI’s current ratio is 2.42 and debt to total capitalization ratio is 19.1%. The comparable ratios for December 31, 2006 were 2.04 and 3.5%. The change in both ratios is directly related to the increase in working capital and long term debt to finance it.

AETI’s long-term debt increased to $5.0 million during 2007 from $0.5 million in 2006. Interest payments are current on all funded debt. At 2007 year end, AETI had a $8.0 million revolving credit facility which expires in October, 2009. This facility replaced a $ 6.0 million line with essentially the same terms and conditions. For further information regarding the terms of AETI’s indebtedness, see Notes 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report.

Operating Activities

During 2007, AETI utilized cash from operations of $6.0 million as compared to $2.1 million generated in 2006. The increase in 2007 was the result of increased business activity levels which caused increases in accounts receivable and inventories which were largely offset by increases in milestone billings and accounts payable and accrued expenses. The 2006 results reflect increased income as working capital items generally netted out. The cash generated from operations during 2006 was utilized to fund the growth in accounts receivable ($2.1 million), inventories ($0.6 million) and costs and earnings in excess of billings related to uncompleted contracts ($0.8 million). An increase in accounts payable ($1.0 million) and billings in excess of costs and earnings on uncompleted contracts ($1.8 million) partially funded this growth in working capital and improved the liquidity position.

Investing Activities

During 2007, AETI utilized $0.7 in investing activities. Principal elements of these investing activities included capital expenditures of $1.2 million, investment in the China joint venture of $1.0 million, partially offset by sales of marketable securities of $1.2 million and a $0.3 dividend from the Singapore joint venture. During 2006, the company used $1.2 million in investing activities due to capital expenditures related to hurricane damage (partially funded by insurance proceeds), the initial investment in China which was partially offset by $0.6 million in proceeds from marketable security sales and merger-related expenses. The preponderance of the expenditures in each year were spent on the Technical Products & Services segment. Disposals of equipment were not significant in any period. In the first quarter of 2006, AETI received $804,000 from its hurricane insurance carrier and this amount was included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2005.

In October 2006, M&I purchased the manufacturing facility for South Coast Electric for $225,000.

Financing Activities

During 2007, the company generated cash flow from financing activities of $5.3 million comprised of $5.0 million in bank loans and $0.3 million in proceeds from stock option exercises. During 2006, AETI generated $42,147 primarily from the net proceeds arising from the sales of treasury stock. Net cash used in financing activities was $197,390 and $148,160 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. In 2005, a dividend of $1 per share or $245,813 was paid. The rest of the financing activities reflected the net effects of treasury share sales and purchases.

 

19


Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2007, AETI had the following contractual obligations (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligation

   Total    Less than
1 year
   1-3 years    3-5 years    More than
5 years

Long-Term Debt Obligations

   5,500    500    5,000    —      —  
                        

Outlook for Fiscal 2008

AETI was disappointed by the reduced operating results in 2007 but believes that they were generally attributable to several factors for which corrective action was taken or related to newer design applications for which initial cost overruns should not recur. The company’s backlogs in its TP&S and E&I Construction segments are at historical highs and with a return to expected margins combined with improved profitability at AAT and continued growth by the Chinese joint venture, the company is optimistic that 2008 operating results will be substantially improved over 2007. Although AETI is concerned about an apparent slowdown in the U.S. economy generally, most of our product and service demand relates to meeting increased global energy demand which we do not foresee abating in the near future. A significant portion of the company’s anticipated sales and income relate to foreign energy activity, particularly in Canada, the Mideast and Asia.

AETI has experienced a substantial increase in its working capital needs which it had been able to finance through operating cash flows without any increased indebtedness until 2007. We expect to be able to finance 2008’s capital expenditures and working capital growth through operating cash flows. AETI believes its existing cash, working capital and unused capacity under its credit facility combined with operating earnings will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs in the immediate future.

Effects of Inflation

AETI has experienced significant price increases in its crucial raw materials, particularly copper and steel, and electrical components since the beginning of 2005. At this point, the company has been generally successful in recovering these increases from its customers in the form of increased prices. As a result, AETI has not experienced margin erosion due to inflationary pressures. AETI cannot be assured that the competitive environment will enable it to recover these cost increases in the future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States inherently involves judgments and estimates that directly impact the reported values of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. In addition, these assumptions affect the disclosures of AETI’s commitments and contingencies. The company estimates rely upon historical experience and other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the existing circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates with the benefit of hindsight. The following crucial accounting policies and estimates are important in the preparation of the company’s financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

AETI reports earnings from fixed-price and modified fixed-price long-term contracts on the percentage-of-completion method. Earnings are accrued based on the ratio of labor cost incurred to total estimated labor costs. Costs include direct material, direct labor, and job related overhead. Losses expected to be incurred on contracts are charged to operations in the period such losses are determined. A contract is considered complete when all costs except insignificant items have been incurred and the facility has been accepted by the customer. Revenue from non-time and material jobs of a short-term nature (typically less than one month) is

 

20


recognized on the completed-contract method after considering the attributes of such contract. This method is used because these contracts are typically completed in a short period of time and the financial position and results of operations do not vary materially from those which would result from use of the percentage-of-completion method. The asset, “Work-in-process,” which is included in inventories, represents the cost of labor, material, and overhead in excess of amounts billed on jobs accounted for under the completed-contract method. For contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, the asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts,” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed and the liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized.

Concentration of Market Risk and Geographic Operations

Financial instruments which potentially subject AETI to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. Our market risk is dependent primarily on the strength of the oil and gas and energy related industries. We grant credit to customers and generally do not require collateral. Procedures are in effect to monitor the credit worthiness of its customers. During 2007, no customers accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues. During 2006, one customer accounted for 13% of revenues, almost all of which was paid by year-end. During 2005, one customer represented approximately 16% of revenues. At December 31, 2005, this one customer had no outstanding receivables.

As previously described, AETI has investments in China and Singapore that aggregated $3.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively as of December 31, 2007.

Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

Foreign currency translations are included as a separate component of comprehensive income. We have determined the local currency of its foreign joint ventures to be the functional currency. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation, the assets and liabilities of its foreign equity investees, denominated in foreign currency, are translated into United States dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date; revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Related translation adjustments are reported as comprehensive income which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, whereas gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in results of operations.

Federal Income Taxes

The liability method is used in accounting for federal income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The realizability of deferred tax assets are evaluated annually and a valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not give rise to future benefits in the company’s tax returns. AETI’s federal income tax returns through December 31, 2004 have been audited by the Internal Revenue Service. As a result of the reverse merger referred to above, the company recognized a deferred tax asset of $2,858,000 based on an estimate of the extent to which net operating loss carryforwards will be realizable.

Other Assets

Other assets include, among other items, an Underwriter’s Laboratory certification that is being amortized over a three year period. At December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, accumulated amortization of this intangible asset was $10,562, $6,133 and $1,705, respectively. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $4,429, $4,429 and $1,705, respectively. This intangible will be fully amortized during 2007.

 

21


Bad Debts

Earnings are charged with a provision for doubtful accounts based on a current review of the collectibility of the accounts. This provision is reviewed by management periodically.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Transaction Risk

AETI maintains an investment in its Singapore joint venture, M&I Electric Far East PTE, Ltd. The functional currency of this joint venture is the Singapore dollar. The amount of its investment is translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each quarterly reporting period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in AETI’s consolidated balance sheet.

The investment in marketable securities as of December 31, 2006 consisted of common shares of Oakwell Engineering, AETI’s partner in MIEFE. Oakwell is a distributor of electrical and energy-related products. These shares trade on the Singapore Stock Exchange and are denominated in Singapore dollars.

We completed an investment of 16.0 million Yuan (approximately $2.0 million) in our Chinese joint venture, BOMAY, in March, 2007. The functional currency of this joint venture is the Chinese Yuan. BOMAY’s financial statements will be translated into United States dollars at the rate prevailing at the end of each quarterly reporting period and any resulting adjustment will be recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Under the terms of the Equity Joint Venture Contract, we were obligated to make a total investment of 16.0 million Yuan (approximately $2.0 million) during the initial two years of the joint venture. Each of the BOMAY investors is required to guaranty the bank loans of BOMAY in proportion to their investment.

Other than the aforementioned items, we do not believe it is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk because all of our sales and purchases are denominated in United States dollars.

Commodity Price Risk

We are subject to market risk from fluctuating market prices of certain raw materials. While such materials are typically available from numerous suppliers, commodity raw materials are subject to price fluctuations. We endeavor to recoup these price increases from our customers on an individual contract basis to avoid operating margin erosion. Although historically we have not entered into any contracts to hedge its commodity risk, we may do so in the future. Commodity price changes can have a material impact on our prospective earnings and cash flows.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the Index on page F-1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained herein.

 

22


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

On June 11, 2007, we were advised that Tedder, James, Worden & Associates, P.A.(“Tedder”) had ceased the practice of public accounting and certain of its partners merged with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.(“M&P”) We considered this a resignation of Tedder. as our independent auditor. Neither our audit committee nor our board of directors recommended or approved the resignation of Tedder,

The audit reports of Tedder on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

In connection with the audits of our consolidated financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and through June 11, 2007 there were: (1) no disagreements between the Company and Tedder on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Tedder would have caused Tedder to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the Company’s financial statements for such years, and (2) no disagreements with Tedder, whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the former accountant’s satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with its reports.

A letter from Tedder to the SEC indicating its agreement with the above disclosures has been filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2007.

On June 14, 2007, our Audit Committee appointed M&P as our independent auditor. During our two most recent fiscal years and through June 11, 2007, neither the Company, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with M&P regarding either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements; or any matter that was either a subject of disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(A) of Regulation S-B and the related instructions to that Item) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(B) of Regulation S-B).

On December 5, 2007, our Audit Committee dismissed M&P as our independent auditor. During the two most recently completed fiscal years and the subsequent interim period preceding the dismissal of M&P there were no disagreements with M&P on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of M&P would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with any reports it would have prepared on our financial statements.

M&P did not issue any reports on our financial statements for either of the past two fiscal years. The reports on our financial statements for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 were issued by Tedder, certain of whose partners merged with M&P effective June 1, 2007, and did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

The Registrant’s Audit Committee approved the dismissal of M&P.

The Registrant requested M&P to furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the statements of Registrant herein and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the response of M&P has been filed as Exhibit 16.1 of our current report on Form 8-K on December 10, 2007.

 

23


On December 5, 2007, we engaged Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP as our new independent accountant to audit our financial statements. During the two most recent fiscal years, and the subsequent interim period through the date of such engagement, neither the Company, nor someone on its behalf, consulted with Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-B.

 

ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the direction of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007. No change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ending December 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

While American Access was the legal acquirer of M&I, for financial reporting purposes, the M&I Merger was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the purchase method of accounting, with M&I treated as the accounting acquirer of American Access. Accordingly, our historical financial statements prior to May 15, 2007 are the historical financial statements of M&I. Given the nature and significance of M&I’s operations in relation to that of American Access, management has not yet completed its final evaluation of the effectiveness of M&I’s internal controls over financial reporting. Following the merger, we began to integrate senior management of the two organizations with the appointment of the CEO and CFO of M&I as CEO and CFO, respectively, of the combined company now known as American Electric Technologies, Inc. In addition, management initiated the integration of the accounting staff and functions of American Access and M & I Electric, including an upgrade to MAS 500 enterprise management software, which project was not fully implemented as of December 31, 2007. Management considered excluding M&I from management’s report on internal control over financial reporting in accordance with SEC guidance which allows management to exclude an acquired business from management’s report on internal control over financial reporting in the year of acquisition. Considering the materiality of M&I’s financial position and operating results to our consolidated financial statements, a report which excluded the evaluation of the internal controls of M&I would not be meaningful and could be confusing with respect to the scope of the internal controls evaluated. Accordingly, we are not including management’s report on internal controls over financial reporting. We expect to be in compliance with Item 308 of Regulation S-K as of December 31, 2008.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

In February 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors established 2008 salary and target bonus applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other current executive officers whose compensation will be disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of stockholders as follows:

 

Named Executive

   2008 Base Salary    2008 Target Bonus

Arthur G. Dauber

   $ 240,000    $ 100,000

John H. Untereker

   $ 168,400    $ 80,000

Neal T. Hare

   $ 176,400    $ 80,000

James J. Steffek

   $ 176,400    $ 80,000

Charles M. Dauber

   $ 165,000    $ 75,000

Joseph F. McGuire

   $ 127,500    $ 20,000

Timothy C. Adams

   $ 150,000    $ 30,000

Actual bonus amounts payable to each executive will be based on the achievement of company and individual performance goals established for each executive. Targeted performance must be achieved at the 75% level for that component of the bonus to be earned and must be achieved at the 100% level for the full bonus to be earned. Some of each executive’s individual goals may require a subjective evaluation and judgment with

 

24


respect to achievement of these goals. Company performance targets range from 50% to 75% of total bonus with individual goals encompassing the remainder. After the completion of the 2008 fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officer will review each executive’s performance against 2008 company and individual performance goals. Based on this assessment, the CEO will then recommend to the Compensation Committee what percentage of each executive’s target bonus the executive should receive. The Compensation Committee, without the CEO’s participation, will evaluate the CEO’s performance (and determines his bonus) by reviewing the CEO’s success in achieving the company and personal performance goals established by the committee in 2008.

In February, 2008, the Board of Directors granted stock options and restricted stock units to each of the named executives except for Messrs. Arthur Dauber, Hare and Steffek. The amount of these grants are subject to the same performance criteria as described above regarding cash bonuses.

 

25


PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors

Information regarding our directors is incorporated by reference to the “Proposal 1—Election of Directors” and “Nominees of the Board of Directors” sections of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our December 31, 2007 fiscal year end.

Executive Officers

Information regarding executive officers is incorporated by reference to the “Executive Officers” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Code of Ethics” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Audit Committee; Audit Committee Financial Expert

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Audit Committee” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Material Changes in Nominating Procedures

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Information about the Nominating Process” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” sections of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

26


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth certain information concerning shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007.

 

Plan Category

   Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options

(a)
    Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options

(b)
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   491,600     $ 8.26    300,000 (1)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   1,340 (2)   $ 11.50    —    

Total

   492,940     $ 8.28    300,000  

 

(1) Consists of 300,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2007 Employee Incentive Equity Plan for services by eligible employees, independent contractors and consultants. Such shares may be issued pursuant to the grant or issue of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance stock units and stock-based awards under the plan.
(2) Consists of warrants to purchase shares of our common stock issued to registered broker dealers for investment banking services.

Balance of this information is incorporated by reference to the “Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Director Independence” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” sections of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Proposal No. 2—To ratify the selection of the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

27


PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1. Consolidated Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

See Table of Contents preceding page F-1.

2. Financial Statement Schedule

All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

3. Exhibits

A list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report on Form 10-K (or incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed or furnished by us) is provided in the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature pages of this report. We will furnish copies of exhibits for a reasonable fee (covering the expense of furnishing copies) upon request. Stockholders may request exhibits copies by contacting: John H. Untereker, Corporate Secretary, American Electric Technologies, Inc., 6410 Long Drive, Houston, Texas 77085.

 

28


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: March 28, 2008   AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  By:   

/ S /    A RTHUR G. D AUBER        

    Arthur G. Dauber
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title(s)

 

Date

/ S /    A RTHUR G. D AUBER        

Arthur G. Dauber

  

President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  March 28, 2008

/ S /    J OHN H. U NTEREKER        

John H. Untereker

  

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)

  March 28, 2008

/ S /    P AUL N. K ATZ        

Paul N. Katz

   Director   March 28, 2008

/ S /    H OWARD W. K ELLEY        

Howard W. Kelley

   Director   March 28, 2008

/ S /    P ETER M ENIKOFF        

Peter Menikoff

   Director   March 28, 2008

/ S /    L AMAR N ASH        

Lamar Nash

   Director   March 28, 2008

/ S /    J. H OKE P EACOCK II        

J. Hoke Peacock II

   Director   March 28, 2008

/ S /    S TUART S CHUBE        

Stuart Schube

   Director   March 28, 2008

 

29


A MERICAN E LECTRIC T ECHNOLOGIES , I NC . AND S UBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Table of Contents

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-1

Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries (formerly American Access Technologies, Inc.) as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/    Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P.

Houston, Texas

March 28, 2008

 

F-1


Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

M & I Electric Industries, Inc. and Subsidiary:

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of M & I Electric Industries, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of M & I Electric Industries, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/    Tedder, James, Worden & Associates, P.A.

Orlando, Florida

March 9, 2007

 

F-2


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

    2007   2006     2005  
Assets      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 593,494   $ 2,031,114     $ 1,079,260  

Accounts receivable—trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $558,660, $279,899 and $241,375, respectively

    15,830,379     9,063,523       7,035,893  

Accounts receivable—other

    29,145     142,838       924,419  

Income taxes receivable

    819,403     597       —    

Inventories, net

    3,023,087     2,369,458       1,747,092  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

    3,139,065     3,599,296       2,827,158  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    401,815     266,816       369,570  

Advances to employees

    61,104     42,225       48,596  

Deferred income taxes

    473,408     331,698       245,935  
                     

Total current assets

    24,370,900     17,847,565       14,277,923  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    5,357,526     2,502,937       1,670,220  

Marketable securities

    —       736,943       940,607  

Other assets, net

    170,375     12,173       18,884  

Advances to and investment in joint ventures

    4,265,738     1,632,824       448,236  

Deferred tax asset

    2,173,526     —         —    

Deferred merger costs

    —       423,994       —    
                     

Total assets

  $ 36,338,065   $ 23,156,436     $ 17,355,870  
                     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

  $ 5,397,310   $ 3,993,281     $ 3,238,410  

Accrued payroll and benefits

    1,125,551     964,332       707,987  

Other accrued expenses

    586,879     549,967       419,695  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

    2,582,375     2,559,319       797,130  

Short-term notes payable

    500,000     —         —    

Income taxes payable

    —       662,301       341,311  
                     

Total current liabilities

    10,192,115     8,729,200       5,504,533  

Notes payable

    5,000,000     500,000       500,000  

Deferred income taxes

    —       226,565       105,915  
                     

Total liabilities

    15,192,115     9,455,765       6,110,448  
                     

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Series A common stock; $1.00 par value, 999,000 shares authorized, 266,858 shares issued and 248,610 shares outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005

    —       266,858       266,858  

Series B common stock; $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 250 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005

    —       250       250  

Common stock; $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,661,241, shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007

    7,661     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

    7,294,910     652,502       615,895  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    104,008     383,694       408,914  

Retained earnings

    13,739,371     13,149,148       10,710,826  
                     
    21,145,950     14,452,452       12,002,743  

Less treasury stock, at cost; 18,248 and 20,524 shares of Series A common stock, respectively

    —       (751,781 )     (757,321 )
                     

Total stockholders’ equity

    21,145,950     13,700,671       11,245,422  
                     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 36,338,065   $ 23,156,436     $ 17,355,870  
                     

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Net sales

   $ 55,664,545     $ 45,418,712     $ 34,944,618  

Cost of sales

     51,164,604       38,067,720       29,486,359  
                        

Gross profit

     4,499,941       7,350,992       5,458,259  
                        

Operating expenses:

      

General and administrative

     4,462,282       3,039,628       2,598,319  

Selling

     1,750,356       1,063,775       968,509  
                        

Total operating expenses

     6,212,638       4,103,403       3,566,828  
                        

Income from operations

     (1,712,697 )     3,247,589       1,891,431  
                        

Other income (expense):

      

Equity in income of joint ventures

     1,700,000       184,588       73,500  

Gain on sale of marketable securities

     1,035,062       428,286       116,036  

Interest expense

     (175,850 )     (45,655 )     (35,934 )

Other, net

     18,616       65,167       26,674  
                        

Total other income (expense)

     2,577,828       632,386       180,276  
                        

Income before income tax expense

     865,131       3,879,975       2,071,707  
                        

Income tax expense

     274,908       1,441,653       723,197  
                        

Net income

   $ 590,223     $ 2,438,322     $ 1,348,510  
                        

Net income per common share, basic and diluted:

   $ 0.08     $ 0.40     $ 0.23  
                        

Weighted-average shares:

      

Basic

     7,058,529       6,079,692       5,933,728  

Diluted

     7,059,447       6,079,692       5,933,728  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

    Series A
Common
Stock
Amount
    Series B
Common
Stock
Amount
    Common Stock   Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury Stock     Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
      Shares   Amount         Shares     Amount    

Balance, December 31, 2004

  $ 266,858     $ 250     —     $ —     $ 598,808   $ 418,697     $ 9,608,129     21,730     $ (788,657 )   $ 10,104,085  

Purchase of treasury stock

    —         —       —       —       —       —         —       499       (21,353 )     (21,353 )

Sale of treasury stock

    —         —       —       —       17,087     —         —       (1,678 )     52,689       69,776  

Dividends paid

    —         —       —       —       —       —         (245,813 )   —         —         (245,813 )

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income

    —         —       —       —       —       —         1,348,510     —         —         1,348,510  

Net unrealized losses on securities

    —         —       —       —       —       (9,783 )     —       —         —         (9,783 )
                         

Total comprehensive income

                      1,338,727  
                                                                     

Balance, December 31, 2005

    266,858       250     —       —       615,895     408,914       10,710,826     20,551       (757,321 )     11,245,422  

Purchase of treasury stock

    —         —       —       —       —       —         —       5,013       (246,522 )     (246,522 )

Sale of treasury stock

    —         —       —       —       36,607     —         —       (7,316 )     252,062       288,669  

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income

    —         —       —       —       —       —         2,438,322     —         —         2,438,322  

Net unrealized losses on securities

    —         —       —       —       —       (25,220 )     —       —         —         (25,220 )
                         

Total comprehensive income

                      2,413,102  
                                                                     

Balance, December 31, 2006

    266,858       250     —       —       652,502     383,694       13,149,148     18,248       (751,781 )     13,700,671  

Reverse acquisition of American Access

    (266,858 )     (250 )   7,595,241     7,595     6,358,074     —         —       (18,248 )     751,781       6,850,342  

Exercise of stock options

    —         —       66,000     66     257,334     —         —       —         —         257,400  

Issuance of non-qualified stock option

    —         —       —       —       27,000     —         —       —         —         27,000  

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income

    —         —       —       —       —       —         590,223     —         —         590,223  

Sale and recognition of gain on marketable equity securities

    —         —       —       —       —       (383,694 )     —       —         —         (383,694 )

Translation gain

    —         —       —       —       —       104,008       —       —         —         104,008  
                         

Total comprehensive income

                      310,537  
                                                                     

Balance, December 31, 2007

  $ —       $ —       7,661,241   $ 7,661   $ 7,294,910   $ 104,008     $ 13,739,371     —         —       $ 21,145,950  
                                                                     

 

       2007     2006     2005  

Disclosure of reclassification amount:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

   $ 651,368     $ 403,068     $ 106,253  

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income

     1,035,062       428,286       116,038  
                        

Net unrealized (losses) gains on securities

   $ (383,694 )   $ (25,220 )   $ (9,783 )
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

    2007     2006     2005  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

  $ 590,223     $ 2,438,322     $ 1,348,510  

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

     

Provisions for bad debt

    124,460       38,524       189,361  

Depreciation and amortization

    926,494       517,896       490,512  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    (5,241 )     (6,769 )     (3,750 )

Gain on sale of marketable equity securities

    (1,035,062 )     (428,286 )     (116,036 )

Equity in income of joint ventures

    (1,700,000 )     (184,588 )     (73,500 )

Loss on hurricane damage

    —         —         12,025  

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

    476,440       49,265       (157,345 )

Stock-based compensation

    27,000       —         —    

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Accounts receivable

    (5,879,701 )     (2,088,404 )     (2,063,038 )

Income taxes receivable/payable

    (1,481,107 )     320,393       524,116  

Inventories

    451,307       (622,366 )     (1,027,631 )

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

    460,231       (772,138 )     (911,306 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    144,149       105,136       (4,253 )

Advances to employees

    (18,879 )     6,371       (26,131 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    1,377,514       974,636       1,221,010  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

    23,056       1,762,189       605,090  
                       

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (5,519,196 )     2,110,181       7,634  
                       

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (1,253,066 )     (1,346,765 )     (601,243 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

    17,742       7,250       28,394  

Proceeds from insurance settlement

    —         803,831       335,935  

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

    1,169,565       592,352       164,222  

Advances to and investments in joint ventures

    (1,033,000 )     (1,000,000 )     —    

Proceeds from joint venture dividends

    262,599       —         118,647  

Transaction costs related to merger

    (339,744 )     (257,142 )     —    
                       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (1,175,904 )     (1,200,474 )     45,955  
                       

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Dividends paid

    —         —         (245,813 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    257,400       —         —    

Advances from revolving credit facility

    5,000,000       —         —    

Proceeds from sale of treasury stock

    —         288,669       69,776  

Purchase of treasury stock

    —         (246,522 )     (21,353 )
                       

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    5,257,400       42,147       (197,390 )
                       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,437,620 )     951,854       (143,801 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    2,031,114       1,079,260       1,223,061  
                       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 593,494     $ 2,031,114     $ 1,079,260  
                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

     

Interest paid

  $ 175,850     $ 44,491     $ 34,239  
                       

Income taxes paid

  $ 1,279,575     $ 810,626     $ 403,637  
                       

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:

     

Accrued merger costs

  $ —       $ 166,852     $ —    
                       

Common stock issued and debt assumed in merger

  $ 7,498,982     $ —       $ —    
                       

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1)    Organization and Nature of Business

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (“AETI” or the “Company”) is the surviving financial reporting entity from a reverse acquisition of an 80% interest in American Access Technologies, Inc. (“American Access” or “AAT”) by the shareholders of M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (“M&I”) on May 17, 2007. Immediately upon the completion of the reverse acquisition, American Access Technologies, Inc. changed its name to American Electric Technologies, Inc. The accompanying financial statements present the historical financial results of M&I (See Note 17). AETI is a Florida corporation and M&I, AETI’s wholly owned subsidiary, a Texas corporation. M&I has a wholly owned subsidiary, South Coast Electric Systems, LLC (“SC”), a Delaware Limited Liability Company, and joint venture interests in Singapore and China.

The Company has facilities, sales offices and repair depots in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida and minority interests in joint ventures that have facilities in Singapore and Xian, China. The Company owns the Texas facilities, comprised of 12 acres and 101,000 square feet, the Mississippi facility, comprised of 3 acres and 11,000 square feet and the Florida facility, comprise of a 67,500 square foot manufacturing facility situated on 8  1 / 2 acres of land. The Company leases the Louisiana facility, a 400 square foot rented supply facility.

AETI is comprised of three segments: Technical Products and Services (“TP&S”), Electrical and Instrumentation Construction (“E&I”) and American Access Technologies (“AAT”). The TP&S segment develops, manufactures, markets and provides switchgear and variable speed drives. These products are designed to distribute the flow of electricity, protect electrical equipment such as motors, transformers and cables, and provide variable speed drives to both AC (“alternating current”) and DC (“direct current”) motors. Products offered by this segment include low and medium voltage switchgear, generator control and distribution switchgear, motor control centers, powerhouses, bus duct, variable frequency AC drives, variable speed DC drives, program logic control (“PLC”) based automation systems, human machine interface (“HMI”) and specialty panels. The products, built for application voltages from 480 volts to 38,000 volts, are used in a wide variety of industries. Services provided by TP&S include electrical equipment retrofits, upgrades, startups, testing and troubleshooting of substations, switchgear, drives and control systems.

The E&I segment provides a full range of electrical and instrumentation construction and installation services to both land and marine based markets of the oil and gas industry, the water and wastewater facilities industry and other commercial and industrial markets. The E&I segment provides services on both a fixed-price and a time-and-materials basis. The segment’s services include electrical and instrumentation turnarounds, maintenance, renovation and new construction. Applications include installation of switchgear, AC and DC motors, drives, motor controls, lighting systems and high voltage cable. Marine based oil and gas services include complete electrical system rig-ups, modifications, start-ups and testing for vessels, drilling rigs, and production modules. These services can be manufactured and installed utilizing NEMA (“National Electrical Manufacturers Association”) and ANSI (“American National Standards Institute”) or IEC (“International Electrotechnical Commission”) equipment to meet ABS (“American Bureau of Shipping”), USCG (“United States Coast Guard”), Lloyd’s Register, a provider of marine certification services, and DNV (a leading certification body/registrar for management systems certification services) standards.

The AAT segment manufactures and markets zone cabling enclosures and formed metals products. The zone cabling product line develops and manufactures patented “zone cabling” and wireless telecommunication enclosures. These enclosures mount in ceilings, walls, raised floors, and certain modular furniture to facilitate the routing of telecommunications network cabling, fiber optics and wireless solutions to the workspace environment. AAT also operates a precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly operation and provides services such as precision “CNC” (“Computer Numerical Controlled”) stamping, bending, assembling, painting, powder coating and silk screening to a diverse client base including, but not limited to, engineering, technology and electronics companies, primarily in the Southeast.

 

F-7


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

M&I’s wholly owned subsidiary, South Coast Electric Systems, LLC, is a Delaware Limited Liability Company organized on February 20, 2003. With the exception of electrical contracting, it is engaged in the same lines of business as M&I, but it participates in different market segments.

M&I has a joint venture, M&I Electric Far East PTE Ltd. (see Note 7) which provides additional sales, manufacturing and technical support internationally. This venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. M&I became a party to another joint venture in 2006, BOMAY, in which it will hold a 40% interest. This joint venture provides electrical systems primarily for land and marine based drilling rigs in China.

(2)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Electric Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, M&I. Significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made by management include:

 

   

Percentage of completion estimates on long-term contracts

 

   

Estimates of the provision for doubtful accounts

 

   

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment

 

   

Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets

Reclassifications

Certain items are reclassified in the 2005 and 2006 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2007 presentation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company includes fair value information in the notes to financial statements when the fair value of its financial instruments is different from the book value. When the book value approximates fair value, no additional disclosure is made, which is the case for financial instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Company assumes the book value of those financial instruments that are classified as current approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. For non-current financial instruments, the Company uses quoted market prices or, to the extent that there are no available quoted market prices, market prices for similar instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value. The Company maintains cash in bank accounts that, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company closely monitors the financial condition of these banks and has not experienced a loss associated with its accounts.

 

F-8


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Bad Debts

Earnings are charged with a provision for doubtful accounts based on periodic reviews of the collectibility of the accounts. This provision for doubtful accounts is adjusted, if appropriate based on these periodic reviews. Management believes that accounts receivable reflect the net realizable value after considering the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Inventories include raw materials, work in process and finished goods. The majority of raw material inventories are valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market value. The raw material inventory related to switchgear materials is valued at the lower of weighted-average cost or market value. Finished goods are valued at the lower of specific identification cost or market value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets after giving effect to salvage values.

Management reviews property and equipment for the possible impairment of long-lived assets, whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated future cash flows are projected to be less than the carrying amount, an impairment write-down (representing the carrying amount of the long-lived asset which exceeds the present value of estimated expected future cash flows) would be recorded as a period expense. As of December 31, 2007, there were no impairments.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of equity securities, all of which are classified as available for sale. The securities are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and have been valued at fair value in accordance with provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities . Any unrealized gains or losses are accounting for as a component of equity and is included accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheet. Any realized gains or losses on these securities are included in Other Income (Expense).

Accounts Receivable—Related Party and Other

During 2005, the Company sustained damages to facilities and operations when hurricanes Rita and Katrina passed through portions of Beaumont, Texas and Bay St Louis, Mississippi. At December 31, 2005, Other Accounts Receivable includes approximately $804,000 related to insurance claims filed with the Company’s insurance carrier. The Company received these insurance claims in 2006. The following summarizes the net activity related to amounts lost or damaged during the hurricanes.

 

Insurance proceeds received and receivable

   $ 1,139,766  
        

Less reimbursement from insurance companies for:

  

Property, plant and equipment

     556,385  

Inventory

     274,457  

Other reimbursable items

     320,949  
        

Total reimbursements

     1,151,791  
        

Net loss reflected in 2005 statement of income

   $ (12,025 )
        

 

F-9


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The net loss of $12,025 is reflected in the 2005 Consolidated Statement of Operations within the caption of Other Income (Expense), net.

During 2006, M&I received approximately $64,000 in insurance proceeds related to wind damage occasioned by Hurricane Katrina. This amount is recorded in the 2006 Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other Income (Expense), net after deducting approximately $25,000 in additional damage costs.

Other Assets

 

Intangible Assets

   Estimated
Useful
Lives (Years)
   Cost    Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Value

Patents

   18    $ 103,183    $ 45,369    $ 57,814

Customer agreements

        111,000      —        111,000

Other

        1,561      —        1,561
                       
      $ 215,744    $ 45,369    $ 170,375
                       

Amortization expense related to patents held by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $5,000, $6,000 and $5,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31

   Amount

2008

   $ 5,700

2009

     5,700

2010

     5,700

2011

     5,700

2012

     5,700

Federal Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for by applying the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be reported to the taxing authorities. Deferred tax assets are evaluated annually and a valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that, the deferred tax assets will not give rise to future benefits in the Company’s tax returns.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes . FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 are to be applied to all material tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. Only tax positions that meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. FIN 48 is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007. The Company has reviewed its tax positions and determined that adoption of FIN 48 does not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

 

F-10


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

Foreign currency translations are included as a separate component of comprehensive income. The Company has determined the local currency of its foreign joint venture to be the functional currency. In accordance with SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation , the assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries, denominated in foreign currency, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date; revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Related translation adjustments are reported as comprehensive income, which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, whereas gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company reports earnings from firm-price and modified firm price long-term contracts on the percentage-of-completion method. Earnings are recorded based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs. In 2006, the Company determined that labor incurred provides an improved measure of percentage of completion. This change in the application of an accounting principle did not have a material cumulative impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results. Costs include direct material, direct labor, and job related overhead. Losses expected to be incurred on contracts are charged to operations in the period such losses are determined. A contract is considered complete when all costs except insignificant items have been incurred and the customer has accepted the product or project. Revenue from non-time and material jobs that will be completed within approximately one month are recognized on the completed-contract method. This method is used because these contracts are typically completed in a short period and the financial position and results of operations do not vary materially from those that would result from use of the percentage-of-completion method.

The Company records revenue from its field and technical service and repair operations on a completed service basis after customer acknowledgement that the service has been completed and accepted. Approximately 14 % of the Company’s consolidated revenues are recorded on this basis. In addition, the Company sells certain purchased parts and products. These revenues are recorded when the product is shipped and title passes to the customer. Less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenues are recorded on this basis.

The asset, “Work-in-process,” which is included in inventories, represents the cost of labor, material, and overhead in excess of amounts billed on jobs accounted for under the completed-contract method. For contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, the asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts,” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed and the liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized.

Contract revenue recognition inherently involves estimation, including the contemplated level of effort to accomplish the tasks under the contract, the cost of the effort, and an ongoing assessment of progress toward completing the contract. From time to time, as part of the normal management processes, facts develop that require revisions to estimated total costs or revenues expected. The cumulative impact of any revisions to estimates and the full impact of anticipated losses on contracts accounted for under SOP 81-1 are recognized in the period in which they become known. Projected losses on all other contracts are recognized as the services and materials are provided.

 

F-11


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Shipping and handling fees, if billed to customers, are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are expensed as incurred. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are classified as cost of sales.

Concentration of Market Risk and Geographic Operations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. The Company’s market risk is dependent primarily on the strength of the oil and gas and energy related industries. The Company grants credit to customers and generally does not require security except in the case of certain international contracts. Procedures are in effect to monitor the credit worthiness of its customers. During 2007, no single customer represented 10% or more of Company revenue. During 2006, one customer represented approximately 13% of revenues. At December 31, 2006, this customer had no material outstanding receivables. During 2005, the Company had sales to one customer that represented 16% of consolidated net sales.

The Company sells its products and services in domestic and international markets; however, significant portions of the Company’s sales are concentrated with customers located in the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast region accounts for approximately 76%, 60% and 62% of the Company’s revenue during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “ Fair Value Measurements ,” to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements by defining fair value, establishing a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expanding disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. It clarifies the extent to which fair value is used to measure recognized assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain measurements on earnings for the period. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and is applied on a prospective basis. On February 6, 2008, the FASB announced it will issue a FASB Staff Position (FSP) to allow a one-year deferral of adoption of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The FSP will also amend SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS 13, “ Accounting for Leases ,” and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements. The FSP is expected to be issued in the near future. The Company does not believe adoption of this standard will have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “ The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ,” which is an elective, irrevocable election to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. The election may only be applied at specified election dates and to instruments in their entirety rather than to portions of instruments. Upon initial election, the entity reports the difference between the instruments’ carrying value and their fair value as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. At each subsequent reporting date, an entity reports in earnings, unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and is applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption of SFAS 159 is permitted provided the entity also elects to adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 as of the early adoption date selected for SFAS 159. The Company has elected not to adopt the provisions of SFAS 159 at this time.

 

F-12


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In June 2007, the FASB ratified EITF 06-11 Accounting for the Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards . See discussion of Income Taxes above.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a revision and replacement of SFAS 141(“SFAS 141R”), “ Business Combinations ,” to increase the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. SFAS 141R replaces SFAS 141, “ Business Combinations ” but, retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used and an acquirer be identified for all business combinations. SFAS 141R expands the definition of a business and of a business combination and establishes how the acquirer is to: (1) recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquired company; (2) recognize and measure the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and (3) determine what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is applicable to 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, and is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is prohibited. SFAS 141R will impact the Company only if it elects to enter into a business combination subsequent to December 31, 2008.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “ Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 ,” to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and to make certain consolidation procedures consistent with the requirements of SFAS 141R. It defines a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary as an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented by requiring consolidated net income to include amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 establishes a single method of accounting for changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary which does not result in deconsolidation. SFAS 160 also requires expanded disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. SFAS 160 shall be applied prospectively, with the exception of the presentation and disclosure requirements which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 160 would have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(3)    Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

     2007     2006    2005

Raw Materials

   $ 1,286,016     $ 857,366    $ 470,973

Work-in-process

     1,440,069       1,512,092      1,276,119

Finished goods

     359,313       —        —  

Allowance

     (62,311 )     —        —  
                     

Total inventories

   $ 3,023,087     $ 2,369,458    $ 1,747,092
                     

 

F-13


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(4)    Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of the following at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

     2007    2006    2005

Cost

   $ —      $ 134,503    $ 298,569

Gross unrealized gain

     —        602,440      642,038

Gross unrealized loss

     —        —        —  
                    

Fair market value

   $ —      $ 736,943    $ 940,607
                    

During 2007, the Company sold its investment in marketable securities. Cash proceeds from the sale were $1,169,565, resulting in a realized gain of $1,035,062. The unrealized gains at December 31, 2006 and 2005, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, net of deferred federal income taxes of approximately $219,000 and $233,000, respectively.

(5)    Costs, Estimated Earnings, and Related Billings on Uncompleted Contracts

Contracts in progress at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 consisted of the following:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts

   $ 12,038,266     $ 12,394,462     $ 11,470,134  

Estimated earnings

     2,229,680       2,575,714       786,581  
                        
     14,267,946       14,970,176       12,256,715  

Billings on uncompleted contracts

     (13,711,256 )     (13,930,199 )     (10,226,687 )
                        
   $ 556,690     $ 1,039,977     $ 2,030,028  
                        

Costs, estimated earnings, and related billing on uncompleted contracts consisted of the following at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2006:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

   $ 3,139,065     $ 3,599,296     $ 2,827,158  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on Uncompleted contracts

     (2,582,375 )     (2,559,319 )     (797,130 )
                        
   $ 556,690     $ 1,039,977     $ 2,030,028  
                        

 

F-14


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(6)    Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

Category

   Estimated
Useful
Lives Years
   2007    2006    2005

Buildings and improvements

   15-25    $ 3,859,235    $ 1,413,605    $ 826,663

Office equipment and furniture

   2-7      1,157,744      925,748      801,365

Automobiles and trucks

   2-5      767,579      744,809      660,774

Machinery and shop equipment

   2-10      4,135,271      2,161,737      2,107,883
                       

Total

        9,919,829      5,245,899      4,396,685

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

        4,975,557      3,394,684      2,954,477
                       
        4,944,272      1,851,215      1,442,208

Land

        348,880      245,021      204,267

Construction in progress

        64,374      406,701      23,745
                       
      $ 5,357,526    $ 2,502,937    $ 1,670,220
                       

During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, depreciation and amortization charged to operations amounted to $926,494, $517,896 and $490,512, respectively. Of these amounts, $765,332, $359,497 and $340,327 was charged to cost of sales while $161,162, $154,070 and $145,756 was charged to selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

As disclosed in Note 2, the Company experienced losses from two gulf coast hurricanes in 2005. As of December 31, 2005, fixed assets were reduced by approximately $600,000 based on the damage estimates. The Company was fully insured for this loss and restored the fixed assets to the same or improved condition in 2006.

(7)    Advances to and Investment in Joint Ventures

The Company owns 49% of M&I Electric Far East PTE Ltd. (“MIEFE”) which provides additional sales and technical support in Asia. The Company’s equity in income of the joint venture was $351,700, $184,588 and $73,500 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales made to the joint venture were $536,638, $103,285 and $1,158,235 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Accounts Receivable from MIEFE were $40,336, $101,684 and $1,052,452 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Sales to the joint venture are made on an arms length basis and inter-company profits, if any are eliminated in consolidation.

 

F-15


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Summary financial information of MIEFE in U.S. dollars was as follows at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

     2007    2006    2005

Assets:

        

Total current assets

   $ 2,804,000    $ 2,351,000    $ 3,054,000

Total non-current assets

     14,000      40,000      36,000
                    

Total assets

   $ 2,818,000    $ 2,391,000    $ 3,090,000
                    

Liabilities and equity:

        

Total current liabilities

   $ 1,134,000    $ 971,000    $ 2,135,000

Total partnership equity

     1,684,000      1,420,000      955,000
                    

Total liabilities and partnership equity

   $ 2,818,000    $ 2,391,000    $ 3,090,000
                    

Gross sales

   $ 5,742,000    $ 3,539,000    $ 2,248,000

Net income

     718,000      371,000      150,000

The Company’s equity in net income

     351,700      178,420      73,500

The Company executed a joint venture agreement and holds a 40% interest in a Chinese company, BOMAY, that builds electrical systems for sale in China. The majority partner in this joint venture is a subsidiary of the major Chinese oil company. M&I made an investment of $1 million in 2006 and made an additional $1 million investment in 2007. The Company’s equity in income of the joint venture was $1,348,300, and $6,168 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The joint venture was essentially in start-up mode in 2006. Summary financial information for BOMAY in U.S. dollars was as follows at December 31, 2007:

 

     2007    2006    2005

Assets:

        

Total current assets

   $ 27,756,000    $ 5,499,000    $ —  

Total non-current assets

     3,366,000      47,000      —  
                    

Total assets

   $ 31,122,000    $ 5,546,000    $ —  
                    

Liabilities and equity:

        

Total current liabilities

   $ 20,122,000    $ 2,960,000    $ —  

Total partnership equity

     11,000,000      2,586,000      —  
                    

Total liabilities and partnership equity

   $ 31,122,000    $ 5,546,000    $ —  
                    

Gross sales

   $ 49,370,000    $ 2,216,000    $ —  

Net income

     3,397,000      13,000      —  

The Company’s equity in net income

     1,348,300      6,168      —  

The Company made certain adjustments to the reported results that it believes are necessary to comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.

 

F-16


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company’s investment in and advances to its joint ventures were as follows as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

     2007     2006    2005  

Investment in MIEFE joint venture:

       

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 17,469     $ 17,469    $ 17,469  

Additional amounts invested

     —         —        —    
                       

Total investment at end of year

     17,469       17,469      17,469  
                       

Undistributed earnings

       

Balance at beginning of year

     609,187       430,767      475,914  

Equity in earnings of MIEFE

     351,700       178,420      73,500  

Dividend distributions

     (262,599 )     —        (118,647 )
                       

Total undistributed earnings at end of year

     698,288       609,187      430,767  
                       

Total investment in MIEFE at end of year

     715,757       626,656      448,236  
                       

Investment in BOMAY joint venture

       

Balance at beginning of year

     1,000,000       —        —    

Additional amounts invested

     1,033,000       1,000,000      —    
                       

Total investment at end of year

     2,033,000       1,000,000      —    
                       

Undistributed earnings

       

Balance at beginning of year

     6,168       —        —    

Equity in earnings of BOMAY

     1,348,300       6,168      —    

Dividend distributions

     —         —        —    
                       

Total undistributed earnings at end of year

     1,354,468       6,168      —    
                       

Foreign currency translation adjustments

       

Balance at beginning of year

     —         —        —    

Change during the year

     162,513       —        —    
                       

Total foreign currency translation adjustments

     162,513       —        —    
                       

Total investment in BOMAY at end of year

     3,549,981       1,006,168      —    
                       

Total investments in joint ventures

   $ 4,265,738     $ 1,632,824    $ 448,236  
                       

(8)    Income Taxes

The components of profit (loss) before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

 

     2007     2006    2005

United States

   $ (834,869 )   $ 3,695,387    $ 1,998,207

Foreign

     1,700,000       184,588      73,500
                     

Total profit/(loss) before taxes in joint ventures

   $ 865,131     $ 3,879,975    $ 2,071,707
                     

 

F-17


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

 

     2007     2006    2005  

Current provision:

       

United States

   $ (179,288 )   $ 1,197,338    $ 795,072  

States (United States)

     (22,244 )     192,791      84,814  
                       

Total current provision

     (201,532 )     1,390,129      879,886  
                       

Deferred provision:

       

United States

     429,080       46,557      (146,721 )

States (United States)

     47,360       4,967      (9,968 )
                       

Total deferred provision

     476,440       51,524      (156,689 )
                       

Total tax provision

   $ 274,908     $ 1,441,653    $ 723,197  
                       

Significant components of the Company’s deferred federal income taxes were as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Deferred tax assets

      

Accrued liabilities

   $ 137,217     $ 158,695     $ 91,435  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     202,850       101,632       87,643  

Basis of property, plant and equipment

     —         88,961       159,581  

Long-term contracts

     110,716       87,668       85,036  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     3,240,934       —         —    

Other

     22,625       2,260       —    
                        

Total deferred tax assets

     3,714,382       439,216       423,695  
                        

Deferred tax liabilities

      

Basis of marketable equity securities

     —         (218,746 )     (233,124 )

Basis of investment in foreign joint ventures

     (804,364 )     (115,337 )     (50,551 )

Basis of property, plant and equipment

     (204,579 )     —         —    

Effect of foreign currency translation

     (58,505 )     —         —    
                        
     1,067,448       (334,083 )     (283,675 )
                        

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 2,646,934     $ 105,133     $ 140,020  
                        

The difference between the effective income tax rate reflected in the provision for income taxes and the amounts, which would be determined by applying the statutory income tax rate of 34%, is summarized as follows:

 

     2007     2006    2005  

Tax provision at 34% United States statutory rate

   $ 294,144     $ 1,319,191    $ 704,388  

Effect of state taxes

     16,074       87,842      46,008  

Nondeductible expenses

     21,786       17,667      11,504  

Other

     (57,096 )     16,953      (38,703 )
                       

Total tax provision

   $ 274,908     $ 1,441,653    $ 723,197  
                       

 

F-18


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(9)    Revolving Credit Agreement

The Company maintains a revolving credit agreement with a bank. The borrowings are not to exceed the lower of $8,000,000 or the sum of 80% of eligible accounts receivable plus 40% of the aggregate amount of eligible inventory. As of December 31, 2007, $5,000,000 was outstanding. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were no outstanding borrowings. The agreement matures in October 2009. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at the LIBOR rate (4.22% at December 31, 2007) plus 1.75% per year. The agreement is collateralized by trade accounts receivable, inventories, and work-in-process.

The terms of the note include covenants which are customary for these types of facilities, including certain financial covenants and restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions, including those that could result in the incurrence of additional liens and indebtedness; the making of loans, guarantees or investments; sales of assets; and payments of dividends or repurchases of our capital stock.

(10)    Notes Payable to Stockholders

As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company had uncollateralized notes payable to stockholders of $500,000. The notes mature during December 2008 and bear interest at prime rate plus 1% (8.25%, 9.25% and 8.25% at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively). Interest on the notes is paid quarterly. Interest expense related to these notes was $45,952, $45,655 and $35,934 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(11)     Leases

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements. The Company’s Mississippi facility that is used by the subsidiary is leased from a related party under a non-cancelable agreement, which expires during February 2008. The Company purchased this facility and equipment for $225,000 in October 2006 and accordingly there were no future lease payments due under this arrangement as of December 31, 2006.

Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, amounted to approximately $488,000, $502,000, and $692,000, respectively, which included approximately $0, $27,400 and $32,500 paid to a related party, respectively.

(12)     Common Stock

Prior to the merger, the Company had two series of common stock. The Series A common stock had the right to elect one less than a majority of the directors of the Company while Series B common stock had the right to elect a majority of the directors of the Company. Neither the Series A nor the Series B common stock had cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Except as previously noted, the two series of common stock had identical rights.

Prior to the merger, employees, directors or their family members held all shares of the Company’s outstanding stock. The Company’s stock was restricted in that the stockholders could not transfer or encumber shares without the consent of the Company, except that stockholders could transfer shares to their minor children or grandchildren or to another current stockholder. Transfers to minor children, grandchildren, or non-employee spouses who were not currently stockholders could not be less than 400 shares. Generally, upon any termination of employment, the stockholder was obligated to sell and the Company was obligated to purchase at book value, up to a maximum of 10,000 shares per year, all of the outstanding stock owned by the stockholder.

During 2006 and 2005, the Company sold 7,316 and 1,678 of treasury stock to employees, stockholders, and directors for a total of $252,062 and $52,689, respectively.

 

F-19


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

See Note 15 regarding existing stock options outstanding and Note 17 regarding stock in connection with merger.

(13)     Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims incident to the ordinary course of its business. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of such matters will not materially affect the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.

On September 1, 1999, the Company created a group medical and hospitalization minimum premium insurance program for employees of M&I. For the policy year ended August 2008, the Company is liable for all claims each year up to $50,000 per insured, or $1,375,000 in the aggregate. An outside insurance company insures any claims in excess of these amounts. The Company’s expense for this minimum premium insurance programs totaled approximately $813,054, $788,000 and $622,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Insurance reserves include in accrued liabilities were approximately $120,000, $222,000 and $121,000 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The employees of AAT are covered by an insured plan with respect to medical coverage.

The Company’s American Access segment has purchased additional shop equipment in March, 2008 to increase capacity and productivity with a total value of approximately $700,000. The purchase will be financed with a capital lease for five years with equal monthly payments of approximately $14,000. At the conclusion of the lease, the Company will own the equipment after exercising a purchase option and making a nominal payment.

(14)     Employee Benefit and Bonus Plans

The employees of M&I are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan sponsored by the Company. The plan is a defined contribution 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) that covers all full-time employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Employees may contribute up to 20% of their annual gross pay through salary deferrals. The Company may provide discretionary contributions to the Plan as determined by the Board of Directors. During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company made contributions of approximately $133,000, $157,000 and $121,000, respectively.

M&I maintains an “Executive Performance” bonus plan, which covers officers and certain key employees. Under the plan, the participants receive a percentage of a bonus pool based primarily on pre-tax income in relation to budget. The Board of Directors approves the executive performance plan at the beginning of each year. During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded approximately $304,000, $792,000 and $584,000 under the plan, respectively, of which approximately $304,000, $329,000 and $286,000 was included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The Company plans to extend this plan to employees of AAT as of 2008.

 

F-20


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(15)     Stock Options

Following is a summary of the stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and the related activity.

 

    2007     2007 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  2006     2006 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  2005     2005 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at beginning of year

  762,140     $ 7.38   1,131,814     $ 7.60   1,314,480     $ 12.80

Options granted

  26,880     $ 4.55   —       $ —     241,300     $ 9.75

Options exercised

  (66,000 )   $ 3.90   (76,333 )   $ 5.00   —       $ —  

Options forfeited

  —       $ —     (185,204 )   $ 8.00   (800 )   $ 7.65

Options expired

  (230,080 )   $ 6.14   (108,137 )   $ 10.20   (423,166 )   $ 25.10
                                   

Outstanding at end of year

  492,940     $ 8.28   762,140     $ 7.65   1,131,814     $ 7.60
                                   

Exercisable at end of year

  492,940     $ 8.28   762,140     $ 7.65   1,131,814     $ 7.60
                                   

On February 8, 2008, the Board of Directors approved the grant of 83,750 non-qualified stock options and 83,750 shares of restricted stock units to members of management and key employees. The valuation date of these grants was February 29, 2008 when the stock had a value of $4.09. The grants are subject to the substantial achievement of 2008 budgeted performance and other individual metrics. In addition, the awards vest in 25% increments over the next four years.

(16)     Segment Reporting

The Company follows SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” which dictates the way the Company reports information about its operating segments.

Management has organized the Company around products and services and has three reportable segments: Technical Products and Services (“TP&S”), Electrical and Instrumentation Construction (“E&I”) and American Access Technologies (“AAT”). TP&S develops, manufactures, provides and markets switchgear and variable speed drives. The service component of this segment includes retrofitting equipment upgrades, startups, testing and troubleshooting electrical substations, switchgear, drives and control systems. Additionally, joint venture equity income is included in TP&S income before income taxes because their operations are exclusively involved in TP&S activities. The E&I segment installs electrical equipment for the energy, water, industrial, marine and commercial markets. The AAT segment manufacturers and markets zone cabling products and manufactures formed metal products of varying designs.

 

F-21


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Following are selected financial details regarding the Company’s reportable segments (Dollars in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

    2007     2006     2005  

Revenues:

     

Technical products and services

    30,050       32,918       22,742  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

    20,251       12,501       12,179  

Other

    —         —         23  

American Access

    5,364       —         —    
                       
  $ 55,665     $ 45,419     $ 34,944  
                       

Gross Profit:

     

Technical products and services

    3,870       6,256       4,070  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

    (622 )     1,606       1,813  

Other

    —         (511 )     (424 )

American Access

    1,251       —         —    
                       
  $ 4,499     $ 7,351     $ 5,459  
                       

Income before income taxes:

     

Technical products and services

    3,433       6,256       4,070  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

    (1,688 )     1,606       1,813  

American Access

    277       —         —    

Corporate and other unallocated expenses

    (1,157 )     (3,982 )     (3,811 )
                       
  $ 865     $ 3,880     $ 2,072  
                       

The Company’s management does not separately review and analyze assets on a segment basis. Depreciation expense is apportioned to cost of goods sold based on management’s best estimate. Selling, general and administrative expenses are not allocated to its business segments because these expenses are centrally controlled and incurred and could only be reasonably apportioned to the segments on an arbitrary basis and would therefore not be meaningful.

Approximately 37%, 38% and 35% of Technical Products and Services were sold into international markets in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These sales are made in US dollars and are generally settled prior to shipment or are secured by irrevocable letters of credit. All of Electrical and Instrumentation Construction sales are made in the United States. The Company’s only assets that are held outside the United States is the Singapore affiliate (Note 7) and its Investment in Marketable Securities (Note 4). The functional currency of the Singapore affiliate is the Singapore dollar and the marketable security is traded in Singapore dollars.

No single customer constituted more than 10 % of the Company’s revenues except Bomco (13%) in 2006, Wal-Mart (16%) in 2005, Konsberg (13%) and Bombardier (11%) in 2004.

(17)     Merger

Prior to May 15, 2007, we were known as American Access Technologies, Inc. (“American Access”, “AAT”). On May 15, 2007, we completed a business combination (the “Merger”) with M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (“M&I”). Because the stockholders of M&I were issued approximately 80% of the voting stock of the combined company in the Merger, for accounting purposes, AAT was deemed to be the acquired entity in the Merger, and the Merger was accounted for as a reverse acquisition. Upon completion of the merger, all

 

F-22


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

outstanding shares of M&I stock were exchanged for 6,079,692 shares (as adjusted for the reverse stock split discussed below) of American Access common stock at par value of $0.001.

In connection with the Merger, the name of the Company was changed to American Electric Technologies, Inc. and a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of our common stock was affected. All share and per share disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the exchange of shares in the Merger, and the 1-for-5 reverse split of our common stock on May 15, 2007.

The financial statements reflect the historical results of M&I prior to the Merger and that of the combined company following the Merger, and do not include the historical results of AAT prior to the Merger. For this twelve and three month period ended December 31, 2007, the results of operations reported for the Company includes a full twelve months of operations for M&I and seven and one half months of operations for AAT (May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007).

On December 1, 2006, American Access had 1,515,549 shares of common stock outstanding (as adjusted for the reverse stock split discussed above). The market price of American Access common stock based on the five-day average of the closing prices of American Access’ common stock around and including the announcement date of the proposed transaction (November 27, 2006 through December 1, 2006, inclusive) was $5.45 per share (as adjusted for the reverse stock split discussed above).

Upon completion of a thorough analysis, and in agreement with the opinions of its financial advisers, Management determined that the market price of American Access common stock did not represent fair value of American Access as an entity. Based on the opinion of professional investment advisers, which noted that the shares issued in the merger were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were restricted securities which could not be sold in the open market without the satisfaction of Rule 144 restrictions, management concluded that it would be appropriate to discount the market price by 18% to determine the fair value of such shares for calculating the purchase price of the merger. The purchase price is based on the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the closing date of the merger and M&I’s final transaction costs to complete the merger.

The total purchase price of the Merger is as follows:

 

Fair value of American Access outstanding common stock (net of 18% discount)

   $ 6,772,372

Fair value of American Access stock options and warrants

     78,000

Capitalized transaction costs of M&I

     988,354
      

Total purchase price

   $ 7,838,726
      

Consistent with the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase price is allocated to the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of American Access based on their estimated fair values as of the merger closing date. The Purchase Price was $7,838,726, which approximated the fair market value of the assets acquired.

The primary factors M&I considered in its acquisition of American Access include the strategic value of an enhanced portfolio of products and services, access to a workforce with technical expertise and a favorable cost structure, access to an expanded management team and the opportunity to extend operations to a region outside the Gulf coast.

 

F-23


American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The allocation of the purchase price as of May 15, 2007 for the acquired assets and liabilities of American Access is as follows:

 

Assets acquired:

  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 1,011,615

Inventories, net

     1,104,936

Other current assets

     101,657

Property and equipment

     2,540,518

Intangible assets

     48,000

Customer agreements

     135,000

Deferred tax assets

     2,858,000

Other assets

     39,000
      

Total assets acquired

   $ 7,838,726
      

Liabilities assumed and consideration paid:

  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 648,610

Common stock and options issued

     6,850,372

Net cash transaction costs paid

     339,744
      

Total liabilities assumed and consideration paid

   $ 7,838,726
      

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of the Company’s consolidated results of operations as if the merger was completed on January 1 of 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

     2007     2006    2005

Revenue

   $ 58,634,561     $ 51,001,436    $ 40,267,886

Net income

     (31,874 )     607,580      1,695,359

Pro forma net income per share basic and diluted

   $ (0.00 )   $ 0.10    $ 0.29

Weighted average shares outstanding:

       

basic

     7,058,529       6,079,692      5,933,728

diluted

     7,059,447       6,079,692      5,933,728

(18)    Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

Below is the Company’s summary results of operations on a quarterly basis for the two most recent fiscal years (dollars in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

     2007 Quarters
     First    Second    Third    Fourth     Total

Revenue

   $ 12,318.3    $ 13,756.2    $ 13,117.4    $ 16,472.6     $ 55,664.5

Gross profit

     1,388.4      1,808.2      1,532.5      (229.2 )     4,499.9

Net income (loss)

     738.5      685.8      309.4      (1,143.5 )     590.2

Earnings per share:

             

Basic and fully diluted

     0.12      0.10      0.04      (0.15 )     0.08
     2006 Quarters
     First    Second    Third    Fourth     Total

Revenue

   $ 12,868.7    $ 11,514.3    $ 9,986.1    $ 11,049.6     $ 45,418.7

Gross profit

     2,018.6      1,916.1      2,058.7      1,357.6       7,351.0

Net income (loss)

     707.8      671.2      481.0      578.3       2,438.3

Earnings per share:

             

Basic and fully diluted

     0.11      0.10      0.08      0.10       0.40

 

F-24


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

3(a)    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement of Form SB-2—File No. 333-43589.)
3(b)    Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for quarter ended September 30, 1998.)
3(c)    Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 18, 2007)
3(d)    Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 18, 2007)
3(e)    Bylaws of the Registrant.
10.1       Employee 2000 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 8.16 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-QSB as filed April 20, 2000.)*
10.2       Directors 2000 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 8.17 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-QSB as filed April 20, 2000.)*
10.3       2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007)*
10.4       Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007)*
10.5       2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007)*
10.6       Amended 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 11, 2003.)*
10.7       Amended 2000 Director Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 11, 2003.)*
10.8       Manufacturing and Marketing Agreement dated May 8, 2003 between registrant and Chatsworth Products, Inc. (portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidentiality.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 11, 2003.)
10.9       Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 8, 2003 between registrant and Chatsworth Products, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 11, 2003.)
10.10    Standstill Agreement dated May 8, 2003 between registrant and Chatsworth Products, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 11, 2003.)
10.11    2004 Employee Stock Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 4, 2004.)*
10.12    2004 Director Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 4, 2004.)*
10.13    Form of Employees Stock Option Agreement under 2004 Employee Stock Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8; file number 333-118178.)*
10.14    Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under 2004 Director Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8; file number 333-118178.)*


10.16    Summary of Non-Employee Director compensation—August 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed August 14, 2007)*
10.17    Purchase Order for laser cutting machine. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-QSB, filed March 23, 2005.)
10.18    Summary of compensation for named executive officers—February 2008*
10.19    Executive officer vacation benefit agreement dated March 3, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed May 12, 2006.)*
10.20    Executive officer vacation benefit agreement dated March 3, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, filed May 12, 2006.)*
10.22    Employment Agreement with Timothy C. Adams dated November 27, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB filed March 12, 2007)*
10.23    Loan Agreement between Registrant and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. dated October 31, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007)
10.24    Consulting Agreement with Stuart Schube and Acorn Ventures, Inc. dated November 13, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007) *
10.25    Form of Employee Stock Option Award Agreement under 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.*
10.26    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.*
10.27    Employment Agreement between Charles M. Dauber and Registrant.*
10.28    Employment Agreement between John H. Untereker and Registrant. *
10.29    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 1, 2006, by and among the Registrant, AAT Merger Subs, Inc. and M & I Electric Industries, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB, filed March 12, 2007)
10.30    Form of Director Stock Option Amendment dated December 14, 2006, under 2004 Director Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB filed March 12, 2007)*
14         Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-QSB, filed March 21, 2004.)
21         Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1      Consent of Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
31.1      Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer.
31.2      Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications of the Principal Financial Officer.
32.1      Section 1350 Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Exhibit 3(e)

BY-LAWS

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(as of November 8, 2007)

ARTICLE I - OFFICES

Section 1. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Florida shall initially be at: 164 Golf Club Drive, Longwood, Florida, or as further directed by the Board of Directors. The registered agent in charge thereof shall be Bobby E. Story.

Section 2. The corporation may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II - SEAL

Section 1. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Florida”.

ARTICLE III - STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at the registered office of the corporation in this state or at such place, either within or without this state, as may be selected from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS: The annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on the 15th of June of in each year if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next secular day following at 10:00 o’clock A.M., when they shall elect a Board of Directors and transact such other business and may elect a Board of Directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the annual meeting for election of directors is not held on the date designated therefore, the directors shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient.

Section 3. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: Elections of the directors of the corporation shall be by written or verbal ballot.


Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Presidency, or the Board of Directors, or stockholders entitled to cast at least one-fifth of the votes which all stockholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting. At any time, upon written request of any person or persons who have duly called a special meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the date of the meeting, to be held not more than sixty days after receipt of the request, and to give due notice thereof. If the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to fix the date of the meeting and give notice thereof, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call and matters germane thereto unless all stockholders entitled to vote are present and consent.

Written notice of a special meeting of stockholders stating the time and place and object thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at least 10 days before such meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by statute in a particular case.

Section 5. QUORUM: A majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Section 6. PROXIES: Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally. All proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the meeting before being voted upon.

 

2


Section 7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS: Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

Unless otherwise provided by law, written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

Section 8. CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETINGS: Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

Section 9. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS: The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. No share of stock upon which any installment is due and unpaid shall be voted at any meeting. The list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS

Section 1. The business and affairs of this corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors, at least two (2) in number. The board may be expanded to a total of seven upon adoption of such a resolution by the majority of the directors. The directors need not be residents of this state or stockholders in the corporation. They shall be elected by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders of the corporation, and each director shall be elected for the term of one year, and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier resignation or removal.

 

3


Section 2. REGULAR MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Board shall be held without notice at the registered office of the corporation, or at such other time and place as shall be determined by the Board

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special Meetings of the Board may be called by the President with 1 day notice to each director, either personally, by telephone, by mail, or by telegram. Special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of a majority of the directors in office.

Section 4. QUORUM: A majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 5. CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING; Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings, and have an office or offices, outside of this state.

Section 6. CONFERENCE TELEPHONE: One or more directors may participate in a meeting of the Board, of a committee of the Board or of the stockholders, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other; participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 7. COMPENSATION: Directors as such, shall not receive any stated salary for their services, but by resolution of the board, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.

Section 8. REMOVAL: Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares than entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that when cumulative voting is permitted, if less than the entire Board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire Board of Directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he is a part.

 

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ARTICLE V OFFICERS

Section 1. The executive officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the directors and shall consist of a President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose a Chairman, one or more Vice Presidents and such other officers as it shall deem necessary. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 2. SALARIES: Salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. TERM OF OFFICE: The officers of the corporation shall hold office for one year and until their successors are chosen and have qualified. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interest of the corporation will be served thereby.

Section 4. PRESIDENT: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation; he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and directors; he shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, subject; however, to the right of the directors to delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the President, to any other officer or officers of the corporation. He shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation. He shall be EX-OFFICIO a member of all committees, and shall have the general power and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation.

Section 5. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board and all meetings of the stockholders and act as clerk thereof, and record all the votes of the corporation and the minutes of all its transactions in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for all committees of the Board of Directors when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President, and under whose supervision he shall be. He shall keep in safe custody the corporate seal of the corporation, and when authorized by the Board, affix the same to any instrument requiring it.

 

5


Section 6. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation, and shall keep the moneys of the corporation in a separate account to the credit of the corporation. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.

ARTICLE VI VACANCIES

Section 1. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws.

Section 2. RESIGNATIONS EFFECTIVE AT FUTURE DATE, When one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

ARTICLE VII - CORPORATE RECORDS

Section 1. Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to Inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in this state or at its principal place of business.

 

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ARTICLE VIII - STOCK CERTIFICATES, DIVIDENDS, ETC.

Section 1. STOCK CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED STOCK. The corporation shall maintain a stock ledger setting forth the owners of all of the issued and outstanding stock of the corporation. The Board of Directors may appoint a transfer agent and registrar for one or more classes of stock of the corporation and may make or authorize such agents to make all such rules and regulations deemed expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of stock. The stock of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may authorize the issue of some or all of the stock of any or all of the classes or series of its stock without certificates. Any such authorization shall not apply to stock already represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Every owner of stock of the corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors and which complies with the applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Florida. Within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of stock without certificates, the corporation shall send the registered stockholder a written statement containing the information required to be set forth or stated on a certificate pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Florida.

Section 2. TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Each request for the transfer of issued and outstanding stock shall be in such form and with such proof of authority and authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Transfers of stock represented by a certificate shall require the surrender of the certificate therefor duly endorsed. The transfer of any stock of the corporation shall be subject to any applicable restrictions on the transfer or registration of transfer of stock of the corporation.

Section 3. LOST STOLEN OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATES. Any person claiming a stock certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed shall make an affidavit or affirmation of the fact in such manner as the Board of Directors may require and shall, if the Board of Directors so requires, give the corporation and its transfer agent a bond of indemnity in form and amount, and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the Board of Directors, as the Board of Directors may require, whereupon the corporation may issue (i) a new certificate or certificates of stock or (ii) uncertificated stock in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 4. RECORD DATE: In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action.

If no record date is fixed: (a) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

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(b) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first written consent is expressed.

(c) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. (d) A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 5. DIVIDENDS: The Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends upon the outstanding shares of the corporation, from time to time and to such extent as they deem advisable, in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by statute and the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 6. RESERVES: Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside out of the net profits of the corporation such sum or sums as the directors, from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the directors may abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. CHECKS: All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 2. FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end December 31st each year.

Section 3. NOTICE: Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person, it may be given to such person, either personally or by sending a copy thereof through the mail, or by telegram, charges prepaid, to his address appearing on the books of the corporation, or supplied by him to the corporation for the purpose of notice. If the notice is sent by mail or by telegraph, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States mail or with a telegraph office for transmission to such person. Such notice shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting of stockholders, the general nature of the business to be transacted.

Section 4. WAIVER OF NOTICE: Whenever any written notice is required by statute, or by the Certificate or the By-Laws of this corporation a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Except in the case of a special meeting of stockholders, neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of the meeting need be specified in the waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person either in person or by proxy, at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

Section 5. DISALLOWED COMPENSATION: Any payments made to an officer or employee of the corporation such as a salary, commission, bonus, interest, rent, travel or entertainment expense incurred by him, which shall be disallowed in whole or in part as a deductible expense by the Internal Revenue Service, shall be reimbursed by such officer or

 

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employee to the corporation to the full extent of such disallowance. It shall be the duty of the directors, as a Board, to enforce payment of each such amount disallowed. In lieu of payment by the officer or employee, subject to the determination of the directors, proportionate amounts may he withheld from his future compensation payments until the amount owed to the corporation has been recovered.

Section 6. RESIGNATIONS: Any director or other officer may resign at any time, such resignation to be in writing and to take effect from the time of its receipt by the corporation, unless some time be fixed in the resignation and then from that date. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

ARTICLE X ANNUAL STATEMENT

Section 1. The President and the Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting a full and complete statement of the business and affairs of the corporation for the preceding year. Such statement shall be prepared and presented in whatever manner the Board of Directors shall deem advisable and need not be verified by a Certified Public Accountant.

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE:

Section 1. (a) RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer, of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, Joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Florida Business Corporation Act, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, Judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in paragraph (b) hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition: provided, however, that, if the Florida Business Corporation Act requires the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

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(b) RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT: If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Section is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Florida Business Corporation Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Florida Business Corporation Act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or Its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard or conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard or conduct.

(c) Notwithstanding any limitation to the contrary contained in sub-paragraphs (a) and 8 (b) of this section, the corporation shall to the fullest extent permitted by the Florida Business Corporation Act, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any By-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(d) INSURANCE: The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Florida Business Corporation Act.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These by-laws may be repealed or amended, and new by-laws may be adopted by either the board of directors or the stockholders, but the board of directors may not amend or repeal any by-law adopted by the stockholders if the stockholders specifically provide that such by-law is not subject to amendment or repeal by the directors.

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary American Electric Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing are a true and correct copy of the By-laws or the Corporation as of date hereof.

The undersigned has executed this Certificate as of November 8, 2007.

 

   
John H. Untereker, Secretary

 

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Exhibit 10.18

Summary of compensation for named executive officers – February 2008

In February 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors established 2008 salary and target bonus applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other current executive officers as follows:

 

Named Executive

   2008 Base Salary    2008 Target Bonus

Arthur G. Dauber

   $ 240,000    $ 100,000

John H. Untereker

   $ 168,400    $ 80,000

Neal T. Hare

   $ 176,400    $ 80,000

James J. Steffek

   $ 176,400    $ 80,000

Charles M. Dauber

   $ 165,000    $ 75,000

Joseph F. McGuire

   $ 127,500    $ 20,000

Timothy C. Adams

   $ 150,000    $ 30,000

Actual bonus amounts payable to each executive will be based on the achievement of company and individual performance goals established for each executive. Targeted performance must be achieved at the 75% level for that component of the bonus to be earned and must be achieved at the 100% level for the full bonus to be earned. Some of each executive’s individual goals may require a subjective evaluation and judgment with respect to achievement of these goals. Company performance targets range from 50% to 75% of total bonus with individual goals encompassing the remainder. After the completion of the 2008 fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officer will review each executive’s performance against 2008 company and individual performance goals. Based on this assessment, the CEO will then recommend to the Compensation Committee what percentage of each executive’s target bonus the executive should receive. The Compensation Committee, without the CEO’s participation, will evaluate the CEO’s performance (and determines his bonus) by reviewing the CEO’s success in achieving the company and personal performance goals established by the committee in 2008.

The executives have also received grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and are eligible to receive employee benefits generally available to all employees of the Company.

Messrs. Untereker, Charles M. Dauber, and Adams have employment agreements with the company. The other executives are “at will” employees.

Exhibit 10.25

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby grants to Grantee, and the Grantee hereby accepts, an option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Option”) pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein.

1. Identifying Provisions: As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

(a) Grantee: _______________________________________

(b) Date of Grant: __________________________________

(c) Shares subject to Option: _________________________

(d) Purchase price per share: __________________________

(e) Expiration Date: _________________________________

The Option is not intended to be and shall not be treated as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

2. Calculation and vesting of shares available for purchase: Subject to the provisions herein, the Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) (i) As soon as reasonably practical after the publication of the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2008, the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) shall determine and notify the Grantee of the extent to which the performance measures set forth in Grantee’s 2008 Salary/Bonus goals (the “Performance Measures”) have been achieved and the number of Shares subject to Option which shall be eligible to vest and be purchased through the exercise of the Option pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(a)(ii) below (the “Available Option Shares”). The Shares subject to Option that do not become Available Option Shares pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 2(a)(i) shall be deemed to have expired and to have been terminated as of December 31, 2008. The determination of the Committee concerning the achievement of the Performance Measures and the Available Option Shares shall be final and binding upon the Company, the Grantee and all other persons entitled to exercise the Option herein.

(ii) The Option will become exercisable (“vest”) as to 25% of the Available Option Shares on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and as to an additional 25% of the Available Option Shares at the end of each successive one year period following the first anniversary of the Date of Grant. The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the Option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all Available Option Shares for which it is vested until the earlier of the Expiration Date or the termination of the Option under Section 3 hereof.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option shall vest in full and become immediately exercisable as to 100% of the Shares subject to Option on the date of a Change of Control of the Company which occurs prior to the determination of the Available Option Shares and as to 100% of the Available Option Shares on the date of a Change of Control of the Company which occurs after the determination of the Available Option Shares. For the purpose of this Agreement, Change of Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than those beneficial owners who acquired their securities from the Company in connection with the acquisition of M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (the “M&I Holders”), the descendants and heirs of the M&I Holders, trusts for the benefit of the M&I Holders, and their respective estates, guardians, conservators or committees.

(ii) A change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors occurring within a twelve (12)-month period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company);


(iii) Approval of the stockholders of the Company of a merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger, reorganization or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent outstanding immediately after such merger, reorganization or consolidation;

(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets;

(v) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

3. Restrictions on Exercise: The following additional provisions shall apply to the exercise of this Option:

(i) Termination of Employment. If the Grantee ceases to be an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for any reason other than death or total and permanent disability only that portion of this Option exercisable at the time of such termination may thereafter be exercised, and it may not be exercised more than ninety (90) days after such termination nor after the Expiration Date of this Option, whichever date is sooner, unless such termination is by reason of the Grantee’s permanent and total disability, in which case such period of ninety (90) days shall be extended to one (1) year. For the purposes of this Agreement, (i) a transfer of Grantee’s employment from the Company to a subsidiary of the Company or vice versa, or from one subsidiary to another, without an intervening period, shall not be deemed a termination of employment; (ii) if Grantee is granted an authorized leave of absence, Grantee shall be deemed to have remained in the employ of the company by which employed during such leave of absence; and (iii) Grantee’s employment by a subsidiary of the Company shall be considered terminated on the date that the company by which Grantee is employed is no longer a subsidiary of the Company. This Agreement does not give Grantee the right to continued employment by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity. The Company and its subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate Grantee’s employment at any time and for any reason even if such termination results in forfeiture of Options granted herein.

(ii) Death of Grantee. If the Grantee shall die during the term of this Option, the Grantee’s legal representative or representatives, or the person or persons entitled to do so under the Grantee’s last will and testament or under applicable intestate laws, shall have the right to exercise this Option, but only for the number of shares as to which the Grantee was entitled to exercise this Option in accordance with Section 2 hereof on the date of the Grantee’s death, and such right shall expire and this Option shall terminate one (1) year after the date of the Grantee’s death or on the Expiration Date of this Option, whichever date is sooner. In all other respects, the right to exercise this Option shall terminate upon such death.

4. Non-Transferable: The Grantee may not transfer this Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Option shall not be otherwise transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or disposed of in any way, whether by operation of law or otherwise, and shall be exercisable during the Grantee’s lifetime only by the Grantee or his duly appointed guardian or legal representative.

5. Adjustments and Corporate Reorganizations: In the event that the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are hereafter changed by reason of recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, combination or exchange of shares of Common Stock or the like, or by the issuance of dividends payable in shares of Common Stock, an appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Committee, in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Option and the Option Price per share. In the event of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another company, or the conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another company, this Option shall upon exercise thereafter entitle the Grantee to such number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property to which a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company would have been entitled to upon such consolidation, merger or conveyance; and in any such case appropriate adjustment, as determined by the Committee shall be made as set forth above with respect to any future changes in the capitalization of the Company or its successor entity. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, this Option will automatically terminate as of the date of liquidation or termination, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof. If a fraction of a share of Common Stock would result from any such adjustment, the adjustment shall be revised to the next higher whole share of Common Stock.

6. Exercise, Payment for and Delivery of Stock: This Option may be exercised by the Grantee or other person then entitled to exercise it by giving four (4) business days’ written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares to be purchased and the total Option Price. The Option Price on exercise of this Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (i) in cash or its equivalent; (ii) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired shares of Company common stock having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price; (iii) by tendering unexercised Options issued hereunder having a fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the Option Price; (iv) by a combination of (i), (ii) and (iii); or (v) any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion subject to such rules and regulations as the Committee may establish. The fair market value of an Option on a particular date shall be equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on such date over the Option Price of such Option on such date.

 

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7. Conditions to Payment with Stock: Payment of the Option Price or any portion thereof may be made through the tender to the Company of shares of Company Common Stock, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances and duly endorsed for transfer, which shares, if acquired from the Company, shall have been held for at least six months at the time of tender and which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the exercise price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, provided, however, that such payment in stock instead of cash shall not be effective and shall be rejected by the Company if (i) the Company is then prohibited from purchasing or acquiring shares of the class of its stock thus tendered to it, or (ii) the right or power of the person exercising the Option to deliver such shares in payment of said purchase price is subject to the prior interests of any other person (excepting the Company), as indicated by legends upon the certificate(s) or as known to the Company. If the Company rejects the payment in stock, the tendered notice of exercise shall not be effective hereunder unless promptly after being notified of such rejection the person exercising the Option pays the purchase price in acceptable form.

8. Rights in Shares Before Issuance and Delivery: No person shall be entitled to the privileges of stock ownership in respect of any shares issuable upon exercise of this Option, unless and until such shares have been issued to such person as fully paid shares.

9. Requirements of Law and of Stock Exchanges; Payment of Withholding Taxes: By accepting this Option, the Grantee represents and agrees for himself and his transferees by will or the laws of descent and distribution that, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is in effect as to shares purchased upon any exercise of this Option, (i) any and all shares so purchased shall be acquired for his personal account and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution, and (ii) each notice of the exercise of any portion of this Option shall be accompanied by a representation and warranty in writing, signed by the person entitled to exercise the same, that the shares are being so acquired in good faith for his personal account and not with view to or for sale in connection with any distribution.

No certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon exercise of this Option shall be issued and delivered prior to the admission of such shares to listing on notice of issuance on any stock exchange or other securities market on which shares of that class are then listed, nor unless and until, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such securities may be issued and delivered without causing the Company to be in violation of or incur any liability under any federal, state or other securities law, any requirement of any securities exchange listing agreement to which the Company may be a party, or any other requirement of law or of any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

This Option may not be exercised unless Grantee has paid or has made provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, federal, state and local income taxes, or any other taxes (other than stock transfer taxes) which the Company may be obligated to collect as a result of the issue or transfer of Common Stock upon such exercise of the Option.

10. Certain Definitions: Terms not defined herein will have the same meanings as in the Plan.

11. Stock Option Plan: The Option granted herein is subject to, and the Company and the Grantee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan under which the Option was granted, as the same shall have been amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, provided that no such amendment shall deprive the Grantee, without his consent, of this Option or any of his rights hereunder. Pursuant to said Plan, the board of directors of the Company or its Committee established for such purposes is vested with final authority to interpret and construe the Plan and the Option granted herein, and is authorized to adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. A copy of the Plan in its present form is available for inspection during business hours by the Grantee or other persons entitled to exercise this Option at the Company’s principal office.

12. Notices: Any notice to be given to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary at its principal office, and any notice to be given to the Grantee shall be addressed to him at the address given beneath his signature hereto or at such other address as the Grantee may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice shall be deemed duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited, postage and registry or certification fee prepaid, in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

13. Laws Applicable to Construction: This Agreement, and any dispute arising from the relationship between the parties to this Agreement, shall be governed by Texas law, excluding any laws that direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws.

14. Consent to Jurisdiction, Forum Selection and Waiver of Jury Trial: The Company and the Grantee hereto agree that all actions or proceedings arising in connection with this Agreement shall be tried and litigated exclusively in the State and Federal courts located in the County of Harris, State of Texas. The aforementioned choice of venue is intended by the parties to be mandatory and not permissive in nature, thereby precluding the possibility of litigation between the parties with respect to or arising out of this Agreement in any jurisdiction other than that specified in this paragraph. Each party hereby waives any right it may have to assert the doctrine of forum non conveniens or similar doctrine or to object to venue with respect to any proceeding brought in accordance with

 

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this paragraph, and stipulates that the State and Federal courts located in the County of Harris, State of Texas shall have in personam jurisdiction and venue over each of them for the purpose of litigating any dispute, controversy, or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement. Each party hereby authorizes and accepts service of process sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against it as contemplated by this paragraph by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to its address for the giving of notices as set forth in this Agreement. Any final judgment rendered against a party in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive as to the subject of such final judgment and may be enforced in other jurisdictions in any manner provided by law. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND AS SEPARATELY BARGAINED-FOR-CONSIDERATION, EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and made effective the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.     GRANTEE:    
By         Address:        
  Arthur G. Dauber        
  President            

 

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Exhibit 10.26

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby grants to Grantee, and the Grantee hereby accepts, an award of restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein.

1. Identifying Provisions: As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

(a) Grantee: ______________________________________

(b) Date of Grant: _________________________________

(c) RSUs Granted: ________________________________

2. Delivery of Shares: Each RSU which has vested in accordance with the provisions in this Agreement will be exchanged for one (1) share of Company common stock issued to Grantee as soon as practicable after each RSU vests in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

3. Vesting of Restricted Stock Units: Subject to the provisions herein, the Restricted Stock Units granted by this Agreement will vest in the Grantee in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) As soon as reasonably practical after the publication of the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2008, the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) shall determine and notify the Grantee of the extent to which the performance measures set forth in Grantee’s 2008 Salary/Bonus goals (the “Performance Measures”) have been achieved and the number of RSUs which shall be eligible to vest (the “Eligible to Vest RSUs”) upon satisfaction of Grantee’s continued employment pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(b) below. The RSUs that do not become Eligible to Vest RSUs pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Section 3(a) shall be deemed to have been forfeited as of December 31, 2008. The determination of the Committee concerning the achievement of the Performance Measures and the number of RSUs which shall be eligible to vest shall be final and binding upon the Company, the Grantee and all other persons entitled to receive shares upon vesting of RSUs.

(b) Subject only to the specific exceptions set forth below, 25% of the Eligible to Vest RSUs shall vest in the Grantee on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and an additional 25% of the Eligible to Vest RSUs shall vest in the Grantee at the end of each successive one year period following the first anniversary of the Date of Grant. RSUs scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain event will not vest in Grantee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Agreement, unless Grantee shall have been continuously employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting is to occur.

(ii) Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth in Section 3(b), the RSUs shall vest in full as to 100% of the RSUs granted on the date of a Change of Control of the Company which occurs prior to the determination of the Eligible to Vest RSUs and as to 100% of the Eligible to Vest RSUs on the date of a Change of Control of the Company which occurs after the determination of the Eligible to Vest RSUs. For the purpose of this Agreement, Change of Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, other than those beneficial owners who acquired their securities from the Company in connection with the acquisition of M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (the “M&I Holders”), the descendants and heirs of the M&I Holders, trusts for the benefit of the M&I Holders, and their respective estates, guardians, conservators or committees.

(b) A change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors occurring within a twelve (12)-month period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company);


(c) Approval of the stockholders of the Company of a merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger, reorganization or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving entity’s parent outstanding immediately after such merger, reorganization or consolidation;

(d) Approval by the stockholders of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets;

(e) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(iii) Notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth in Section 3(b), in the event of the Grantee’s death or permanent and total disability while an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company prior to the determination of the Eligible to Vest RSUs the RSUs shall vest in full as to 100% of the RSUs granted on Grantee’s termination of employment. If Grantee’s death or permanent and total disability occurs after determination of Grantee’s Eligible to Vest RSUs, then 100% of the Eligible to Vest RSUs shall vest in full on Grantee’s termination of employment.

(iv) Subject to the foregoing, the balance of the RSUs that have not vested at the time of Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for any reason will be forfeited and deemed cancelled as of the date of such termination and Grantee will have no further rights in such unvested RSUs.

4. Employment Matters: For the purposes of this Agreement, (i) a transfer of Grantee’s employment from the Company to a subsidiary of the Company or vice versa, or from one subsidiary to another, without an intervening period, shall not be deemed a termination of employment; (ii) if Grantee is granted an authorized leave of absence, Grantee shall be deemed to have remained in the employ of the company by which employed during such leave of absence; and (iii) Grantee’s employment by a subsidiary of the Company shall be considered terminated on the date that the company by which Grantee is employed is no longer a subsidiary of the Company. This Agreement does not give Grantee the right to continued employment by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity. The Company and its subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate Grantee’s employment at any time and for any reason even if such termination results in forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units granted herein.

5. Adjustments and Corporate Reorganizations: In the event that the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are hereafter changed by reason of recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, combination or exchange of shares of Common Stock or the like, or by the issuance of dividends payable in shares of Common Stock, an appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Committee, in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon vesting of the RSUs. In the event of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another company, or the conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another company, the RSUs shall upon vesting thereafter entitle the Grantee to such number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property to which a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company would have been entitled to upon such consolidation, merger or conveyance; and in any such case appropriate adjustment, as determined by the Committee shall be made as set forth above with respect to any future changes in the capitalization of the Company or its successor entity. If a fraction of a share of Common Stock would result from any such adjustment, the adjustment shall be revised to the next higher whole share of Common Stock.

6. Tax Matters: Grantee agrees to make arrangements acceptable to the Compensation Committee to pay any withholding or other taxes that may be due as a result of the vesting of Restricted Stock Units granted herein. In the event that the Company determines that any federal, state, local or foreign tax or withholding payment is required relating to the vesting of RSUs granted herein, the Company shall have the right to require such payments from Grantee prior to delivery of Company common stock to the Grantee, or withhold such amounts from other payments due to Grantee from the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

7. Requirements of Law and of Stock Exchanges: No certificate or certificates for shares of Company common stock shall be delivered to Grantee prior to the admission of such shares to listing on notice of issuance on any stock exchange or other securities market on which shares of that class are then listed, nor unless and until, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such securities may be issued and delivered without causing the Company to be in violation of or incur any liability under any federal, state or other securities law, any requirement of any securities exchange listing agreement to which the Company may be a party, or any other requirement of law or of any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

8. Stock Incentive Plan: The Restricted Stock Units granted herein are subject to, and the Company and the Grantee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan under which the Restricted Stock Units were granted, as the same shall have been amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, provided that no such amendment shall deprive the Grantee, without Grantee’s consent, of Grantee’s rights hereunder. Pursuant to said Plan, the board of directors of the Company or its Compensation Committee established for such purposes is vested with final authority to interpret and construe the Plan and the Restricted Stock Units granted herein, and is authorized to adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. A copy of the Plan in its present form is available for inspection during business hours by the Grantee at the Company’s principal office. Terms not defined herein will have the same meanings as in the Plan.

 

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9. Notices: Any notice to be given to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary at its principal office, and any notice to be given to the Grantee shall be addressed to Grantee at the address given beneath Grantee’s signature hereto or at such other address as the Grantee may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice shall be deemed duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited, postage and registry or certification fee prepaid, in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

10. Laws Applicable to Construction: This Agreement, and any dispute arising from the relationship between the parties to this Agreement, shall be governed by Texas law, excluding any laws that direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws.

11. Consent to Jurisdiction, Forum Selection and Waiver of Jury Trial: The Company and the Grantee hereto agree that all actions or proceedings arising in connection with this Agreement shall be tried and litigated exclusively in the State and Federal courts located in the County of Harris, State of Texas. The aforementioned choice of venue is intended by the parties to be mandatory and not permissive in nature, thereby precluding the possibility of litigation between the parties with respect to or arising out of this Agreement in any jurisdiction other than that specified in this paragraph. Each party hereby waives any right it may have to assert the doctrine of forum non conveniens or similar doctrine or to object to venue with respect to any proceeding brought in accordance with this paragraph, and stipulates that the State and Federal courts located in the County of Harris, State of Texas shall have in personam jurisdiction and venue over each of them for the purpose of litigating any dispute, controversy, or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement. Each party hereby authorizes and accepts service of process sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against it as contemplated by this paragraph by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to its address for the giving of notices as set forth in this Agreement. Any final judgment rendered against a party in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive as to the subject of such final judgment and may be enforced in other jurisdictions in any manner provided by law. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND AS SEPARATELY BARGAINED-FOR-CONSIDERATION, EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and made effective the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.     GRANTEE:    
By         Address:        
  Arthur G. Dauber        
  President            

 

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Exhibit 10.27

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

I, Charles M. Dauber, agree to the terms and conditions of employment with American Electric Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “ Company ”), set forth in this Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”).

1. Term of Employment . My employment under this Agreement shall commence on March 1, 2007 (“ Effective Date ”) and end on the second anniversary of the Effective Date (“ Expiration Date ”), or such earlier date on which my employment is terminated under Section 5 of this Agreement. If the Company continues to employ me beyond the Expiration Date without entering into a written agreement extending the term of this Agreement, all obligations and rights under this Agreement shall prospectively lapse as of the Expiration Date, except the Company’s obligation to pay me two years salary and expected bonus under 5.a. Change of Control, the Company’s ongoing indemnification obligation under Section 4(g), my confidentiality and other obligations under Section 6, and our mutual waiver under Section 8, and I thereafter shall be an at-will employee of the Company.

2. Nature of Duties . Company’s Board of Directors will elect me Senior Vice-President of Company. As such, I shall work exclusively for the Company and shall have all of the customary powers and duties associated with that position. I will be responsible for all industrial marketing, marine/drilling markets, Research & Development Product(s) – Corporate (AETI), South Coast Electric Systems and information systems – Corporate (AETI). I will have joint involvement in the management of investor relations – Corporate (AETI), Corporate Strategic Plan- AETI) and International. I agree that the Company may alter my duties from time to time. I shall devote my full business time and effort to the performance of my duties for the Company, which I shall perform faithfully and to the best of my ability. I shall be subject to the Company’s policies, procedures and approval practices, as generally in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, it shall not be a breach or violation of this Agreement for me to (i) serve on non-profit, civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, (iii) serve on the board of directors of a non-competing company, or (iv) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with or significantly detract from the performance of my responsibilities to the Company in accordance with this agreement.

3. Place of Performance . I shall be based at the Company’s headquarters in Houston, Texas, except for required travel on the Company’s business.

4. Compensation and Related Matters .

 

a. Base Salary

   $ 165,000.00

b. Expected Bonus

     75,000.00

Total Expected Compensation

   $ 240,000.00

 

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c. The Expected Bonus will be paid to me if Company meets its annual budget and operating plan objectives. A greater bonus may be paid if performance is above target based on the operating plan objectives at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Company.

d. I will be eligible to participate in the Company’s stock ownership plan on the same basis as the Company other senior managers.

e. Signing bonus of $10,000.00.

f. Automobile Allowance . The Company shall provide an automobile, or shall provide to me an automobile allowance equal to $700.00 per month.

g. Standard Benefits . During my employment, I shall be entitled to continue to participate in all executive benefit plans and programs, including paid vacations, and other benefits generally available to other similarly situated Company executives in accordance with the terms of those plans and programs and applicable law. The Company shall have the right to terminate or change any such plan or program at any time.

h. Moving Expenses. Typical use of professional moving company for all personal possessions.

i. Indemnification . The Company shall extend to me the same indemnification arrangements as are generally provided to other similarly situated Company executives, including after termination of my employment.

j. Expenses . I shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and customary travel and business expenses I incur in connection with my employment, but I must incur and account for those expenses in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company.

k. Sarbanes-Oxley Act Loan Prohibition . To the extent that any Company benefit, program, practice, arrangement, or this Agreement would or might otherwise result in my receipt of an illegal loan (“ Loan ”), the Company shall use reasonable efforts to provide me with a substitute for the Loan that is lawful and of at least equal value to me. If this cannot be done, or if doing so would be significantly more expensive to the Company than making the Loan, the Company need not make the Loan to me or provide me substitute for it.

 

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5. Termination .

a. Rights and Duties . If my employment is terminated, I shall be entitled to the amounts or benefits shown on the applicable row of the following table, subject to the balance of this Section 5. The Company and I shall have no further obligations to each other, except the Company’s Change of Control obligation, the Company’s ongoing indemnification obligation under Section 4(g), my confidentiality and other obligations under Section 6, and our mutual waiver under Section 8, or as set forth in any written agreement I subsequently enter into with the Company.

 

DISCHARGE FOR CAUSE    Payment or provision when due of (1) any earned but unpaid base salary, expense reimbursements, and vacation days accrued prior to termination of employment, and (2) other unpaid vested amounts or benefits under Company compensation, incentive, and benefit plans.
DISABILITY    Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that I also shall be potentially eligible for disability benefits under any Company-provided disability plan in which I then participate.

DISCHARGE OTHER

THAN FOR CAUSE OR

DISABILITY

   Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that, in exchange for my execution of a release in accordance with this section, my base salary, but not my employment, shall continue for up to 12 months and Company will pay COBRA health insurance premiums for me and my family for a like period while I seek other employment. This salary and insurance will be paid 1/12 th monthly and will cease upon my commencement of other employment.
RESIGNATION    Same as for “Discharge other than for cause or disability.”
DEATH    Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that payments shall be made to the person or entity prescribed by Company policies.

EXPIRATION OF

AGREEMENT

   Same as for “Discharge other than for cause or disability.”
CHANGE OF CONTROL    Payment of two year’s salary and expected bonus as specified in 4.a. and b. in the event of a change of control after which my employment was ended by either party, plus forward vesting of any equity option held by me and Company will pay COBRA health insurance premiums for me and my family for eighteen (18) months after my employment ends.

 

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b. Discharge for Cause . The Company may terminate my employment at any time if it believes in good faith that it has Cause to terminate me. “ Cause ” shall include, but not be limited to:

i. my refusal to follow the Company’s lawful directions or my material failure to perform my agreed upon duties (other than by reason of physical or mental illness, injury, or condition), in either case, after I have been given notice of my default and a reasonable opportunity to cure my default;

ii. my material failure to comply with Company policies;

iii. my engaging in conduct that is or may be unlawful or disreputable, to the possible detriment of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their predecessors and successors (“ Group ”), or my own reputation;

iv. my seeking, exploring, or accepting a full time position with another business enterprise or venture without the Company’s written consent at any time more than 90 days before the Expiration Date; or

v. my engaging in activities on behalf of an enterprise which competes or plans to compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

c. Termination for Disability . Except as prohibited by applicable law, the Company may terminate my employment on account of Disability, or may transfer me to inactive employment status, which shall have the same effect under this Agreement as a termination for Disability. “ Disability ” means a physical or mental illness, injury, or condition that prevents me from performing my duties, as determined under Company policies relating to disability applicable to me and other similarly situated employees.

d. Discharge Other Than for Cause or Disability . The Company may terminate my employment at any time for any reason, and without advance notice. If I am terminated by the Company other than for Cause under Section 5(b) or for Disability under Section 5(c), I will only receive the special benefits provided for a Discharge other than for Cause under Section 5(a) if I sign a general release form furnished to me by the Company (which may include any provision customary in formal settlement agreements and general releases, including such things as my release of the Company and all conceivably related persons or entities (“affiliates”) from all known and unknown claims, my covenant never in the future to pursue any released claim, my promise never to seek employment with the Company or any affiliate in the future, my promise not to solicit current or former customers, employees, suppliers or, to the

 

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fullest extent lawful, engage in business activities that compete with the Company or any affiliate, or disclose or use any of their proprietary or trade secret information) within 60 days after my employment ends and I do not thereafter properly revoke the release.

e. Resignation . I promise not to resign my employment before the Expiration Date without giving the Company at least 30 days advance written notice. If I resign, the Company may accept my resignation effective on the date set forth in my notice or any earlier date.

f. Death . If I die while employed under this Agreement, the payments required by Section 5(a) in the event of my death shall be made.

g. Change of Control. “Change of Control” as used herein occurs (i) if one or more persons or entities acting in concert acquire stock in the Company that constitutes, in the aggregate, more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or voting power of the stock of the Company, and such persons or entities did not own more than 50 percent before such acquisition, (ii) if there is a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more entities and thereafter, shares of the surviving entity are less than fifty percent (50%) owned by the Company or Company’s shareholders as of the date of the execution of this Agreement, or (iii) if there is a transfer of substantially all of the property of the Company to another entity neither directly nor indirectly controlled by the Company’s present shareholders. (For purposes of this provision, “controlled” means ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock.)

h. Amounts Owed to the Company . Any amounts payable to me under this section shall first be applied to repay any amounts I owe the Company.

6. Confidentiality . I acknowledge that as an integral part of the Company’s business, the Company has developed, and will develop, at a considerable investment of time and expense, marketing and business plans and strategies, procedures, methods of operation and marketing, financial data, lists of actual and potential customers and suppliers, and independent sales representatives and related data, technical procedures, engineering and product specifications, plans for development and expansion, and other confidential and sensitive information, and I acknowledge that the Company has a legitimate business interest in protecting the confidentiality of such information. I acknowledge that I will be entrusted with such information as well as confidential information belonging to customers, suppliers, and other third parties.

a. “Trade Secrets” are defined as information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, formulae,

 

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patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, product plans, or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers which are not commonly known by or available to the public and which information: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

b. “Confidential Information” is defined as information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, other than Trade Secrets, which is material and valuable to the Company and not generally known by the public.

c. Promise Not to Disclose . I promise never to use or disclose any Trade Secret before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own. I agree that this promise shall never expire. I further promise that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 2 years after its termination, I will not, without the prior written approval of the Company, disclose any Confidential Information before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own.

d. Promise Not to Solicit . To prevent me from inevitably breaking this promise, I further agree that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 24 months after its termination: (1) as to any customer or supplier of the Group with whom I had dealings or about whom I acquired proprietary information during my employment, I will not solicit or attempt to solicit (or assist others to solicit) the customer or supplier to do business with any person or entity other than the Group; and (2) I will not solicit or attempt to solicit (or assist others to solicit) for employment any person who is, or within the preceding 12 months was, an officer, manager, employee, or consultant of the Group.

e. Promise Not to Engage in Certain Employment . I agree that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 24 months after its termination, I will not accept any employment or engage in any activity, without the written consent of the Board if the loyal and complete fulfillment of my duties would inevitably require me to reveal or utilize Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, as reasonably determined by the Board.

f. Return of Information . When my employment with the Company ends, I will promptly deliver to the Company, or, at its written instruction, destroy, all documents, data, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, reports, electronic mail, recordings, and copies thereof, of or pertaining to it or any other Group member in my possession or control. In addition, during my employment with the Company or the Group and thereafter, I

 

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agree to meet with Company personnel and, based on knowledge or insights I gained during my employment with the Company and the Group, answer any question they may have related to the Company or the Group.

g. Promise to Discuss Proposed Actions in Advance . To prevent the inevitable use or disclosure of Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, I promise that, before I disclose or use Trade Secrets or Confidential Information and before I commence employment, solicitations, or any other activity that could possibly violate the promises I have just made, I will discuss my proposed actions with an attorney for the Company, who will advise me in writing whether my proposed actions would violate these promises.

h. Intellectual Property . Intellectual property (including such things as all ideas, concepts, inventions, plans, developments, software, data, configurations, materials (whether written or machine-readable), designs, drawings, illustrations, and photographs, that may be protectable, in whole or in part, under any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property law), developed, created, conceived, made, or reduced to practice during my Company employment (except intellectual property that has no relation to the Group or any Group customer that I developed, purely on my own time and at my own expense), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and I hereby assign all my rights, title, and interest in any such intellectual property to the Company.

i. Execution of Innovation Agreement . I agree to the terms of the Company’s Assignment of Inventions agreement, which is attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1 , and I promise to execute it contemporaneously with this Agreement.

j. Enforcement of This Section . This section shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. I acknowledge that (a) my services are of a special, unique, and extraordinary character and it would be very difficult or impossible to replace them, (b) this section’s terms are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate interests, (c) this section’s restrictions will not prevent me from earning or seeking a livelihood, (d) this section’s restrictions shall apply wherever permitted by law, and (e) my violation of any of this section’s terms would irreparably harm the Company. Accordingly, I agree that, if I violate any of the provisions of this section, the Company shall be entitled to, in addition to other remedies available to it, an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining me from committing or continuing any such violation, without the need to prove the inadequacy of money damages or post any bond or for any other undertaking.

 

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7. Notice .

a. To the Company . I will send all communications to the Company in writing, addressed as follows (or in any other manner the Company notifies me to use):

If Mailed:   American Electric Technologies, Inc.

          6410 Long

          Houston, TX 77087

          Attention: Arthur G. Dauber

With a copy to:

        J. Hoke Peacock II

        470 Orleans

        Beaumont, TX 77701

b. To Me . All communications from the Company to me relating to this Agreement must be sent to me in writing as follows (or in any other manner that I notify the Company) at my Company office or in any other manner I notify the Company to use.

 

If mailed:

  

Charles M. Dauber

5102 Valerie St.

Bellaire, TX 77401

c. Time Notice Deemed Given . Notice shall be deemed to have been given when delivered or, if earlier (1) when mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (2) faxed with confirmation of delivery, in either case, addressed as required in this section.

8. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company and I both hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement and agree that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not before a jury.

9. Golden Parachute Limitation . I agree that my payments and benefits under this Agreement and all other contracts, arrangements, or programs shall not, in the aggregate, exceed the maximum amount that may be paid to me without triggering golden parachute penalties under Section 280G and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as determined in good faith by the Company’s independent auditors. If any benefits must be cut back to avoid triggering such penalties, my benefits shall be cut back in the priority order designated by the Company. If an amount in excess of the limit set forth in this section is paid to me, I will repay the excess amount to the Company upon demand, with interest at the rate provided for in Internal Revenue Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B). The Company and I agree to cooperate with each other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of golden parachute penalties with respect to payments or benefits I receive.

 

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10. Amendment . No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by a duly authorized Company officer and me. Thus, for example, promotions, commendations, and/or bonuses shall not, by themselves, modify, amend, or extend this Agreement. A waiver of any conditions or provisions of this Agreement in a given instance shall not be deemed a waiver of such conditions or provisions at any other time.

11. Interpretation; Exclusive Forum . The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas (excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws). Any litigation, with respect to such matters may only be brought in the courts of Harris County, Texas.

12. Successors . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, me and my estate, but I may not assign or pledge this Agreement or any rights arising under it, except to the extent permitted under the terms of the benefit plans in which I participate. Without my consent, the Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliate or successor that agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement, after which any reference to the “Company” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to the affiliate or successor, and the Company thereafter shall have no further primary, secondary or other responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement of any kind.

13. Taxes . The Company shall withhold taxes from payments it makes pursuant to this Agreement as it determines to be required by applicable law.

14. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or more restrictive than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then only as to enforcement of this Agreement within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.

15. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

16. Entire Agreement . All oral or written agreements or representations, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement, and this Agreement supersedes the terms of any previous employment agreement between the Company and myself. However, this Agreement does not override other written agreements I have executed simultaneously with this Agreement relating to specific aspects of my employment, such as conflicts of interest.

 

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17. Former Employers . I am not subject to any employment, confidentiality, or other agreement or restriction that would prevent me from fully satisfying my duties under this Agreement or that would be violated if I did so. Without the Company’s prior written approval, I promise I will not:

a. disclose proprietary information belonging to a former employer or other entity without its written permission;

b. contact any former employer’s customers or employees to solicit their business or employment on behalf of the Group; or

c. distribute announcements about or otherwise publicize my employment with the Group.

I will indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any liabilities, including defense costs, it may incur because I am alleged to have broken any of these promises or improperly revealed or used such proprietary information or to have threatened to do so, or if a former employer challenges my entering into this Agreement or rendering services pursuant to it.

18. Department of Homeland Security Verification Requirement . If I have not already done so, I agree to timely file all documents required by the Department of Homeland Security to verify my identity and my lawful employment in the United States. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if I fail to meet any such requirements promptly after receiving a written request from the Company to do so, I agree that my employment shall terminate immediately and that I shall not be entitled to any compensation from the Company of any type.

Remainder of page intentionally left blank

 

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I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ME RELATING TO THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE CONTAINED IN IT AND THAT I HAVE ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT ITSELF.

I UNDERSTAND THAT ORGAIN, BELL & TUCKER, L.L.P. (OB&T) REPRESENTED THE COMPANY, NOT ME, IN NEGOTIATING THIS CONTRACT. TO THE EXTENT OB&T HAS REPRESENTED ME, IS REPRESENTING ME, OR REPRESENTS ME IN THE FUTURE, I IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST OBJECTIONS I MAY HAVE TO ITS REPRESENTATION OF THE COMPANY AS TO ANY MATTERS RELATING TO MY EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION OF THIS CONTRACT.

I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, THAT I UNDERSTAND ALL OF IT, AND THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ALL ATTACHED SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS, WITH MY PRIVATE LEGAL COUNSEL AND HAVE AVAILED MYSELF OF THAT OPPORTUNITY TO THE EXTENT I WISHED TO DO SO. I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT I AM GIVING UP MY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

Date: January ____, 2008.     American Electric Technologies, Inc.
      By:   /s/ Arthur G. Dauber
      Name: Arthur G. Dauber
      Title: President

 

Date: January ____, 2008.     /s/ Charles M. Dauber
    Charles M. Dauber

Signature Page to Employment Agreement

 

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Schedule 1

ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS

1. I will promptly disclose in writing to the Company all Inventions. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Invention ” shall mean any discovery, whether or not patentable, as well as improvements thereto, which is conceived or first practiced by me, alone or in a joint effort with others, whether prior to or following execution of this Agreement, which: (i) may be reasonably expected to be used in a product of the Company; (ii) results from work that I have been assigned as part of my duties as an employee of the Company; (iii) is in an area of technology which is the same as or substantially related to the areas of technology with which I am involved; (iv) is useful, or which the Company reasonably expects may be useful, in any manufacturing or product design process of the Company; or (v) utilizes any Confidential Information.

2. All Inventions developed while employed by the Company in the scope of such my employment and duties belong to and are the sole property of the Company and will be subject to this Agreement. I assign to the Company all right, title, and interest I may have or may acquire in and to all Inventions. I shall sign and deliver to the Company (during and after employment) any other documents that the Company considers reasonably necessary to provide evidence of (i) the assignment of all of my rights, if any, in any Inventions and (ii) the Company’s ownership of such Inventions.

3. I will assist the Company in applying for, prosecuting, obtaining, or enforcing any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention, all at the Company’s expense but without consideration to me in excess of my salary or wages. If the Company requires any assistance after termination of my employment, I will be compensated for time actually spent in providing that assistance at an hourly rate equivalent to my salary or wages during the last period of employment with the Company.

4. If the Company is unable to secure my signature on any document necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention, whether due to my mental or physical incapacity or any other cause, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf to execute and file any such document and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of patents, copyrights, or other rights or protections, with the same force and effect as if executed and delivered by me.

[signature page follows]


Employee:     American Electric Technologies, Inc.
/s/ Charles M. Dauber     /s/ Arthur G. Dauber
Signature of Employee     Signature of Authorized Company Representative
Charles M. Dauber     Arthur G. Dauber, President
Print Name of Employee     Name and Title of Representative
January         , 2008.     December         , 2007.
Date, but effective March 1, 2007     Date, but effective March 1, 2007

Signature Page to Assignment of Inventions Agreement

Exhibit 10.28

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

I, John H. Untereker, agree to the terms and conditions of employment with American Electric Technologies, Inc. a Florida corporation (the “ Company ”), set forth in this Employment Agreement (“ Agreement ”).

1. Term of Employment . My employment under this Agreement shall commence on February 7, 2008 (“ Effective Date ”) and end on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (“ Expiration Date ”), or such earlier date on which my employment is terminated under Section 5 of this Agreement. If the Company continues to employ me beyond the Expiration Date without entering into a written agreement extending the term of this Agreement, all obligations and rights under this Agreement shall prospectively lapse as of the Expiration Date, except the Company’s obligation to pay me one year’s salary and expected bonus under 5.a. Change of Control, the Company’s ongoing indemnification obligation under Section 4(g), my confidentiality and other obligations under Section 6, and our mutual waiver under Section 8, and I thereafter shall be an at-will employee of the Company.

2. Nature of Duties . Company’s Board of Directors will elect me Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. As such, I shall work exclusively for the Company and shall have all of the customary powers and duties associated with that position. I agree that the Company may alter my duties from time to time. I shall devote my full business time and effort to the performance of my duties for the Company, which I shall perform faithfully and to the best of my ability. I shall be subject to the Company’s policies, procedures and approval practices, as generally in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, it shall not be a breach or violation of this Agreement for me to (i) serve on non-profit, civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, or (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with or significantly detract from the performance of my responsibilities to the Company in accordance with this agreement.

3. Place of Performance . I shall be based at the Company’s headquarters in Houston, Texas, except for required travel on the Company’s business.

4. Compensation and Related Matters (as of December 1, 2007) .

 

a. Base Salary

   $ 167,500.00

b. Expected Bonus

     80,000.00

Total Expected Compensation

   $ 247,500.00

 

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c. The Expected Bonus will be paid to me if Company meets its annual budget. A greater or lesser bonus may be paid if performance is above or below budget in the discretion of the Board of Directors of Company.

d. Automobile Allowance . The Company shall provide an automobile, or shall provide to me an automobile allowance equal to $700.00 per month.

e. Standard Benefits . During my employment, I shall be entitled to continue to participate in all executive benefit plans and programs, including paid vacations, and other benefits generally available to other similarly situated Company executives in accordance with the terms of those plans and programs and applicable law. The Company shall have the right to terminate or change any such plan or program at any time.

f. Indemnification . The Company shall extend to me the same indemnification arrangements as are generally provided to other similarly situated Company executives, including after termination of my employment.

g. Expenses . I shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and customary travel and business expenses I incur in connection with my employment, but I must incur and account for those expenses in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company.

h. Sarbanes-Oxley Act Loan Prohibition . To the extent that any Company benefit, program, practice, arrangement, or this Agreement would or might otherwise result in my receipt of an illegal loan (“ Loan ”), the Company shall use reasonable efforts to provide me with a substitute for the Loan that is lawful and of at least equal value to me. If this cannot be done, or if doing so would be significantly more expensive to the Company than making the Loan, the Company need not make the Loan to me or provide me substitute for it.

5. Termination .

a. Rights and Duties . If my employment is terminated, I shall be entitled to the amounts or benefits shown on the applicable row of the following table, subject to the balance of this Section 5. The Company and I shall have no further obligations to each other, except the Company’s Change of Control obligation, the Company’s ongoing indemnification obligation under Section 4(g), my confidentiality and other obligations under Section 6, and our mutual waiver under Section 8, or as set forth in any written agreement I subsequently enter into with the Company.

 

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DISCHARGE

FOR CAUSE

   Payment or provision when due of (1) any earned but unpaid base salary, expense reimbursements, and vacation days accrued prior to termination of employment, and (2) other unpaid vested amounts or benefits under Company compensation, incentive, and benefit plans.
DISABILITY    Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that I also shall be potentially eligible for disability benefits under any Company-provided disability plan in which I then participate.

DISCHARGE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE

OR

DISABILITY

   Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that, in exchange for my execution of a release in accordance with this section, my base salary, but not my employment, shall continue for up to 12 months and Company will pay COBRA health insurance premiums for me and my family for a like period while I seek other employment. This salary and insurance will be paid 1/12 th monthly and will cease upon my commencement of other employment.
RESIGNATION    Same as for “Discharge for Cause.”
DEATH    Same as for “Discharge for Cause” EXCEPT that payments shall be made to the person or entity prescribed by Company policies.

EXPIRATION

OF AGREEMENT

   Same as for “Discharge for Cause.”

CHANGE OF

CONTROL

   Payment of two year’s salary and expected bonus as specified in 4.a. and b. in the event of a change of control after which my employment was ended by either party, plus forward vesting of any equity option held by me and Company will pay COBRA health insurance premiums for me and my family for eighteen (18) months after my employment ends. See addition to 5.d. regarding extension of Medical Coverages.

b. Discharge for Cause . The Company may terminate my employment at any time if it believes in good faith that it has Cause to terminate me. “ Cause ” shall include, but not be limited to:

i. my refusal to follow the Company’s lawful directions or my material failure to perform my duties (other than by reason of physical or mental illness, injury, or condition), in either case, after I have been given notice of my default and a reasonable opportunity to cure my default;

 

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ii. my material failure to comply with Company policies;

iii. my engaging in conduct that is or may be unlawful or disreputable, to the possible detriment of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their predecessors and successors (“ Group ”), or my own reputation;

iv. my seeking, exploring, or accepting a position with another business enterprise or venture without the Company’s written consent at any time more than 90 days before the Expiration Date; or

v. my engaging in activities on behalf of an enterprise which competes or plans to compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

c. Termination for Disability . Except as prohibited by applicable law, the Company may terminate my employment on account of Disability, or may transfer me to inactive employment status, which shall have the same effect under this Agreement as a termination for Disability. “ Disability ” means a physical or mental illness, injury, or condition that prevents me from performing my duties, as determined under Company policies relating to disability applicable to me and other similarly situated employees.

d. Discharge Other Than for Cause or Disability . The Company may terminate my employment at any time for any reason, and without advance notice. If I am terminated by the Company other than for Cause under Section 5(b) or for Disability under Section 5(c), I will only receive the special benefits provided for a Discharge other than for Cause under Section 5(a) if I sign a general release form furnished to me by the Company (which may include any provision customary in formal settlement agreements and general releases, including such things as my release of the Company and all conceivably related persons or entities (“affiliates”) from all known and unknown claims, my covenant never in the future to pursue any released claim, my promise never to seek employment with the Company or any affiliate in the future, my promise not to solicit current or former customers, employees, suppliers or, to the fullest extent lawful, engage in business activities that compete with the Company or any affiliate, or disclose or use any of their proprietary or trade secret information) within 60 days after my employment ends and I do not thereafter properly revoke the release. The Company or successor will provide health insurance at employee’s expense, until the employee reaches age 65 or until employee accepts other full-time employment should that occur sooner. Employee’s unvested stock options and restricted stock will become exercisable for up to one year subsequent to termination.

e. Resignation . I promise not to resign my employment before the Expiration Date without giving the Company at least 90 days advance written notice. If I resign, the Company may accept my resignation effective on the date set forth in my notice or any earlier date.

 

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f. Death . If I die while employed under this Agreement, the payments required by Section 5(a) in the event of my death shall be made.

g. Change of Control . “Change of Control” as used herein occurs (i) if one or more persons or entities acting in concert acquire stock in the Company that constitutes, in the aggregate, more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or voting power of the stock of the Company, and such persons or entities did not own more than 50 percent before such acquisition, (ii) if there is a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more entities and thereafter, shares of the surviving entity are less than fifty percent (50%) owned by the Company or Company’s shareholders as of the date of the execution of this Agreement, or (iii) if there is a transfer of substantially all of the property of the Company to another entity neither directly nor indirectly controlled by the Company’s present shareholders. (For purposes of this provision, “controlled” means ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock.)

h. Amounts Owed to the Company . Any amounts payable to me under this section shall first be applied to repay any amounts I owe the Company.

6. Confidentiality . I acknowledge that as an integral part of the Company’s business, the Company has developed, and will develop, at a considerable investment of time and expense, marketing and business plans and strategies, procedures, methods of operation and marketing, financial data, lists of actual and potential customers and suppliers, and independent sales representatives and related data, technical procedures, engineering and product specifications, plans for development and expansion, and other confidential and sensitive information, and I acknowledge that the Company has a legitimate business interest in protecting the confidentiality of such information. I acknowledge that I will be entrusted with such information as well as confidential information belonging to customers, suppliers, and other third parties.

a. “Trade Secrets” are defined as information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, product plans, or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers which are not commonly known by or available to the public and which information: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

 

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b. “Confidential Information” is defined as information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, other than Trade Secrets, which is material and valuable to the Company and not generally known by the public.

c. Promise Not to Disclose . I promise never to use or disclose any Trade Secret before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own. I agree that this promise shall never expire. I further promise that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 2 years after its termination, I will not, without the prior written approval of the Company, disclose any Confidential Information before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own.

d. Promise Not to Solicit . To prevent me from inevitably breaking this promise, I further agree that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 24 months after its termination: (1) as to any customer or supplier of the Group with whom I had dealings or about whom I acquired proprietary information during my employment, I will not solicit or attempt to solicit (or assist others to solicit) the customer or supplier to do business with any person or entity other than the Group; and (2) I will not solicit or attempt to solicit (or assist others to solicit) for employment any person who is, or within the preceding 12 months was, an officer, manager, employee, or consultant of the Group.

e. Promise Not to Engage in Certain Employment . I agree that, while this Agreement is in effect and for 24 months after its termination, I will not accept any employment or engage in any activity, without the written consent of the Board if the loyal and complete fulfillment of my duties would inevitably require me to reveal or utilize Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, as reasonably determined by the Board.

f. Return of Information . When my employment with the Company ends, I will promptly deliver to the Company, or, at its written instruction, destroy, all documents, data, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, reports, electronic mail, recordings, and copies thereof, of or pertaining to it or any other Group member in my possession or control. In addition, during my employment with the Company or the Group and thereafter, I agree to meet with Company personnel and, based on knowledge or insights I gained during my employment with the Company and the Group, answer any question they may have related to the Company or the Group.

 

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g. Promise to Discuss Proposed Actions in Advance . To prevent the inevitable use or disclosure of Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, I promise that, before I disclose or use Trade Secrets or Confidential Information and before I commence employment, solicitations, or any other activity that could possibly violate the promises I have just made, I will discuss my proposed actions with an attorney for the Company, who will advise me in writing whether my proposed actions would violate these promises.

h. Intellectual Property . Intellectual property (including such things as all ideas, concepts, inventions, plans, developments, software, data, configurations, materials (whether written or machine-readable), designs, drawings, illustrations, and photographs, that may be protectable, in whole or in part, under any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property law), developed, created, conceived, made, or reduced to practice during my Company employment (except intellectual property that has no relation to the Group or any Group customer that I developed, purely on my own time and at my own expense), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and I hereby assign all my rights, title, and interest in any such intellectual property to the Company.

i. Execution of Innovation Agreement . I agree to the terms of the Company’s Assignment of Inventions agreement, which is attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1 , and I promise to execute it contemporaneously with this Agreement.

j. Enforcement of This Section . This section shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. I acknowledge that (a) my services are of a special, unique, and extraordinary character and it would be very difficult or impossible to replace them, (b) this section’s terms are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate interests, (c) this section’s restrictions will not prevent me from earning or seeking a livelihood, (d) this section’s restrictions shall apply wherever permitted by law, and (e) my violation of any of this section’s terms would irreparably harm the Company. Accordingly, I agree that, if I violate any of the provisions of this section, the Company shall be entitled to, in addition to other remedies available to it, an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining me from committing or continuing any such violation, without the need to prove the inadequacy of money damages or post any bond or for any other undertaking.

 

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7. Notice .

a. To the Company . I will send all communications to the Company in writing, addressed as follows (or in any other manner the Company notifies me to use):

If Mailed:   M & I Electric Industries, Inc.

          6410 Long

          Houston, TX 77087

          Attention: Arthur G. Dauber

With a copy to:

        J. Hoke Peacock II

        470 Orleans

        Beaumont, TX 77701

b. To Me . All communications from the Company to me relating to this Agreement must be sent to me in writing as follows (or in any other manner that I notify the Company) at my Company office or in any other manner I notify the Company to use.

 

 If mailed:

  

John H. Untereker

39 Amulet Oaks Pl.

The Woodlands, TX 77382

c. Time Notice Deemed Given . Notice shall be deemed to have been given when delivered or, if earlier (1) when mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (2) faxed with confirmation of delivery, in either case, addressed as required in this section.

8. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company and I both hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement and agree that any such action or proceeding shall be tried before a court and not before a jury.

9. Golden Parachute Limitation . I agree that my payments and benefits under this Agreement and all other contracts, arrangements, or programs shall not, in the aggregate, exceed the maximum amount that may be paid to me without triggering golden parachute penalties under Section 280G and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as determined in good faith by the Company’s independent auditors. If any benefits must be cut back to avoid triggering such penalties, my benefits shall be cut back in the priority order designated by the Company. If an amount in excess of the limit set forth in this section is paid to me, I will repay the excess amount to the Company upon demand, with interest at the rate provided for in Internal Revenue Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B). The Company and I agree to cooperate with each other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of golden parachute penalties with respect to payments or benefits I receive.

 

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10. Amendment . No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by a duly authorized Company officer and me. Thus, for example, promotions, commendations, and/or bonuses shall not, by themselves, modify, amend, or extend this Agreement. A waiver of any conditions or provisions of this Agreement in a given instance shall not be deemed a waiver of such conditions or provisions at any other time.

11. Interpretation; Exclusive Forum . The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas (excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws). Any litigation, with respect to such matters may only be brought in the courts of Harris County, Texas.

12. Successors . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, me and my estate, but I may not assign or pledge this Agreement or any rights arising under it, except to the extent permitted under the terms of the benefit plans in which I participate. Without my consent, the Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliate or successor that agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement, after which any reference to the “Company” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to the affiliate or successor, and the Company thereafter shall have no further primary, secondary or other responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement of any kind.

13. Taxes . The Company shall withhold taxes from payments it makes pursuant to this Agreement as it determines to be required by applicable law.

14. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or more restrictive than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then only as to enforcement of this Agreement within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.

15. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

16. Entire Agreement . All oral or written agreements or representations, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement, and this Agreement supersedes the terms of any previous employment agreement between the Company and myself. However, this Agreement does not override other written agreements I have executed simultaneously with this Agreement relating to specific aspects of my employment, such as conflicts of interest.

17. Former Employers . I am not subject to any employment, confidentiality, or other agreement or restriction that would prevent me from fully satisfying my duties under this Agreement or that would be violated if I did so. Without the Company’s prior written approval, I promise I will not:

 

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a. disclose proprietary information belonging to a former employer or other entity without its written permission;

b. contact any former employer’s customers or employees to solicit their business or employment on behalf of the Group; or

c. distribute announcements about or otherwise publicize my employment with the Group.

I will indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any liabilities, including defense costs, it may incur because I am alleged to have broken any of these promises or improperly revealed or used such proprietary information or to have threatened to do so, or if a former employer challenges my entering into this Agreement or rendering services pursuant to it.

18. Department of Homeland Security Verification Requirement . If I have not already done so, I agree to timely file all documents required by the Department of Homeland Security to verify my identity and my lawful employment in the United States. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if I fail to meet any such requirements promptly after receiving a written request from the Company to do so, I agree that my employment shall terminate immediately and that I shall not be entitled to any compensation from the Company of any type.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ME RELATING TO THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE CONTAINED IN IT AND THAT I HAVE ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT ITSELF.

I UNDERSTAND THAT ORGAIN, BELL & TUCKER, L.L.P. (OB&T) REPRESENTED THE COMPANY, NOT ME, IN NEGOTIATING THIS CONTRACT. TO THE EXTENT OB&T HAS REPRESENTED ME, IS REPRESENTING ME, OR REPRESENTS ME IN THE FUTURE, I IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST OBJECTIONS I MAY HAVE TO ITS REPRESENTATION OF THE COMPANY AS TO ANY MATTERS RELATING TO MY EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION OF THIS CONTRACT.

I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, THAT I UNDERSTAND ALL OF IT, AND THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ALL ATTACHED SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS, WITH MY PRIVATE LEGAL COUNSEL AND HAVE AVAILED MYSELF OF THAT OPPORTUNITY TO THE EXTENT I WISHED TO DO SO. I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT I AM GIVING UP MY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

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Date: December      , 2007.     American Electric Technologies, Inc.
      By:   /s/ Arthur G. Dauber
      Name: Arthur G. Dauber
      Title: President

 

Date: December      , 2007.     /s/ John H. Untereker
    John H. Untereker

Signature Page to Employment Agreement

 

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Schedule 1

ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS

1. I will promptly disclose in writing to the Company all Inventions. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Invention ” shall mean any discovery, whether or not patentable, as well as improvements thereto, which is conceived or first practiced by me, alone or in a joint effort with others, whether prior to or following execution of this Agreement, which: (i) may be reasonably expected to be used in a product of the Company; (ii) results from work that I have been assigned as part of my duties as an employee of the Company; (iii) is in an area of technology which is the same as or substantially related to the areas of technology with which I am involved; (iv) is useful, or which the Company reasonably expects may be useful, in any manufacturing or product design process of the Company; or (v) utilizes any Confidential Information.

2. All Inventions developed while employed by the Company in the scope of such my employment and duties belong to and are the sole property of the Company and will be subject to this Agreement. I assign to the Company all right, title, and interest I may have or may acquire in and to all Inventions. I shall sign and deliver to the Company (during and after employment) any other documents that the Company considers reasonably necessary to provide evidence of (i) the assignment of all of my rights, if any, in any Inventions and (ii) the Company’s ownership of such Inventions.

3. I will assist the Company in applying for, prosecuting, obtaining, or enforcing any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention, all at the Company’s expense but without consideration to me in excess of my salary or wages. If the Company requires any assistance after termination of my employment, I will be compensated for time actually spent in providing that assistance at an hourly rate equivalent to my salary or wages during the last period of employment with the Company.

4. If the Company is unable to secure my signature on any document necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention, whether due to my mental or physical incapacity or any other cause, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in my behalf to execute and file any such document and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of patents, copyrights, or other rights or protections, with the same force and effect as if executed and delivered by me.

[signature page follows]


Employee:    

American Electric Technologies, Inc.

/s/ John H. Untereker     /s/ Arthur G. Dauber
Signature of Employee     Signature of Authorized Company Representative
John H. Untereker     Arthur G. Dauber, President
Print Name of Employee     Name and Title of Representative
December      , 2007.     December      , 2007.
Date     Date

Signature Page to Assignment of Inventions Agreement

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of Registrant

M&I Electric Industries, Inc., a Texas corporation

South Coast Electric Systems, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company

American Access Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-120092, 333-115667, and 333-111540) and on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-118178, 333-111393, 333-109006 and 333-149724) of American Electric Technologies, Inc. (formerly American Access Technologies, Inc.) of our report dated March 28, 2008 with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of American Electric Technologies, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/  Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP

Houston, Texas

March 28, 2008

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Arthur G. Dauber, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of American Electric Technologies, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Date: March 31, 2008

 

By:   /s/    A RTHUR G. D AUBER        
  Arthur G. Dauber
  Principal Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, John H. Untereker, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of American Electric Technologies, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Date: March 31, 2008

 

By:   /s/    J OHN H. U NTEREKER        
  John H. Untereker
  Principal Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Arthur G. Dauber, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report of American Electric Technologies, Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of American Electric Technologies, Inc.

March 31, 2008

 

By:   /s/    A RTHUR G. D AUBER        
  Arthur G. Dauber
  Principal Executive Officer

I, John H. Untereker, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report of American Electric Technologies, Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of American Electric Technologies, Inc.

March 31, 2008

 

By:   /s/    J OHN H. U NTEREKER        
  John H. Untereker
  Principal Financial Officer