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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, 2008

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 registrant 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

(Registrant’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, 2008, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $24,573,153 based on the closing sale price on June 30, 2008 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 24, 2009

Common Stock, $001 par value per share    7,683,531 shares

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Document

  

Parts Into Which Incorporated

Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 7, 2009 (Proxy Statement)

   Part III

 

 

 


Table of Contents

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

Our M&I Electric business 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. We also provide a full range of electrical and instrumentation, construction and installation services to our customers. The principal markets and representative customers that we serve include:

 

   

Oil and gas

 

   

Offshore drilling—Transocean, Diamond Offshore, Aban, Ensco, Trinidad, Pride, Noble

 

   

Land drilling—Century Drilling, Nabors Drilling, Trailblazer Drilling, Xtreme Drilling, Saxon Drilling, Trinidad Drilling

 

   

Pipelines—Chevron, Williams, Enbridge

 

   

Marine and Shipyards—Tidewater, Candies Shipbuilders, Hornbeck, L-3, Keppel Fels, Marinette Marine, Orange Shipyard, Bollinger

 

   

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

 

   

Refining and Petrochemical—Valero, Goodyear, Motiva

 

   

Industrial/Commercial

 

   

Water and wastewater—City of Houston, City of Beaumont

 

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Heavy Industrial—Honeywell, Simpson Paper, Firestone

 

   

Data Centers

 

   

Energy

 

   

Alternative-EWT, International, Deepwater Wind, Chevron Geothermal

 

   

Co-generation-Bear Island Paper

 

   

Transmission and Distribution-Thermal Energy Corporation

AAT manufactures patented zone cabling and wireless enclosures for routing of telecommunications cabling, fiber optics and wireless solutions to the workplace environment. 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 and distributors 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 that was established in 1985.

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. We also seek new markets for our products such as power generated from alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear.

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 at low and medium voltages. 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, 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

 

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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. 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 Det Norske Veritas (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 generally review and analyze most of 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.

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Revenues

      

Technical Products and Services

   $ 34,067,808     $ 30,050,000     $ 32,918,000  

Electrical and Instrumentation Const.

     23,162,992       20,251,000       12,501,000  

AAT

     8,156,354       5,364,000       0  
                        

Total

     65,387,154       55,665,000       45,419,000  
                        

Gross Profit

      

Technical Products and Services

     5,180,820       3,870,000       6,256,000  

Electrical and Instrumentation Const.

     1,353,379       (622,000 )     1,606,000  

AAT

     1,852,575       1,251,000       0  
                        

Total

     8,386,774       4,499,000       7,862,000  
                        

Income before Income taxes:

      

Technical Products and Services

     4,446,452       3,433,000       6,256,000  

Electrical and Instrumentation Const.

     (561,346 )     (1,688,000 )     1,606,000  

AAT

     186,218       277,000       0  

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses

     (1,516,595 )     (1,157,000 )     (3,982,000 )
                        

Total

   $ 2,554,729     $ 865,000     $ 3,880,000  
                        

 

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International Sales

In general, approximately 25% to 35% 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 three industry trade shows each year—the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, the American Wind Energy Association(“AWEA”) Annual Conference and the International Work Boat Show held in New Orleans. We have appointed several sales agents and distributors in the U.S. and in a number of foreign countries.

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 American Access segment markets its zone cabling products through an exclusive marketing agreement with Chatsworth Products, Inc. (“CPI”) which began under an original agreement in May 2003 that ran through May 2008. The agreement was extended to April 2013. 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 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 9001-2000 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 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.

 

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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 invested 16 million Yuan (approximately $2 million) in this joint venture. in which M&I will provide technology and services to BOMAY. The investment in BOMAY as of December 31, 2008 is $4,972,005 and includes $2,258,273 equity in 2008 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. 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 income of $2,258,273 and $1,348,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively. 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. We were paid $330,000 in 2008 in connection with this fee. We recorded sales of $738,061 to BOMAY in 2008. We had an account receivable of $24,691 from BOMAY as of December 31, 2008.

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 $363,071, $351,700 and $184,588 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 ,respectively. Sales made to the joint venture were $178,157, $536,638 and $103,285 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Accounts receivable from MIEFE were $218,494, $40,336 and $101,684 at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, 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 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

 

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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 Power, Siemens, Eaton, GE, ABB Volta, AZZ and Powell Industries

In drive systems—National Oilwell Varco, Louisiana Electric Rig,, ABB, Siemens and LeTourneau Technologies

In technical testing services-Infrasource/Dashiel and Electrical Controller Products ( Square D)

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,

    2008    

  

    2007    

$21.5

   $34.0

The principal reason for the decline in backlog from the prior year is the approximately $10 million reduction in new school construction work. The Company announced its withdrawal from that market in late 2007 due to the poor earnings prospects that existed.

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.

 

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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 27, 2009, we had 401 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 2008 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 40% of our sales in 2008, 2007 and 2006. 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 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

 

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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 and the President of M&I.

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 2008 due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and in 2005 due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Although we did not suffer a material loss as a result of these disruptions due to its 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.

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 17% of our revenues in 2008 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: Singapore, Australia, Mexico, Algeria, Ecuador and Dubai. This percentage was approximately 20% during in 2007. The decline from the prior year reflects the higher proportion of domestic sales provided by the American

 

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Access segment. 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.

Foreign Currency Transaction Risk

AETI has investments in its Singapore joint venture, M&I Electric Far East PTE, Ltd., and its Chinese joint venture, BOMAY. The functional currencies of these joint ventures are the Singapore dollar and Yuan, respectively. The investments are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each quarterly and annual reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments, if any, are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in AETI’s consolidated balance sheet.

In the past several years, our investments in China and Singapore have benefitted from the general weakness of the U.S. dollar resulting in the recognition of foreign currency translation gains. During the latter part of 2008, disruptions in the global financial markets caused the U.S. dollar to strengthen, particularly against the Singapore dollar.

Other than the aforementioned items, we are not materially exposed to foreign currency exchange risks 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

None

 

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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.

Not applicable

 

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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, 2008
   Year Ended
December 31, 2007

1 st Quarter

   $ 4.94    $ 3.56    $ 7.70    $ 4.30

2 nd Quarter

   $ 7.85    $ 4.49    $ 6.03    $ 4.00

3 rd Quarter

   $ 6.32    $ 1.00    $ 11.60    $ 4.88

4 th Quarter

   $ 3.37    $ 1.65    $ 7.99    $ 3.81

As of March 4, 2009, there were 79 shareholders of record.

The Company did not declare or pay cash dividends in either fiscal 2008 or 2007. 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 of $ except share and per share data)

 

       Years Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2006    2005    2004

Net Sales

     65,387.2      55,664.5      45,418.7      34,944.6      24,409.5

Net Income

     1,656.8      590.2      2,438.3      1,348.5      60.1

Earnings per common share:

              

Basic

   $ 0.22    $ 0.08    $ 0.40    $ 0.23    $ 0.01

Diluted

   $ 0.21    $ 0.08    $ 0.40    $ 0.23    $ 0.01

Cash dividends declared per common share

     —        —        —      $ 24.41      —  

Shares used in computing earnings per share share:

              

Basic

     7,662,811      7,058,529      6,079,692      5,933,728      6,000,442

Diluted

     7,707,091      7,059,447      6,079,692      5,933,728      6,002,419

Cash and equivalents

     148.6      593.5      2,031.1      1,079.3      1,271.2

Total assets

     38,697.5      36,338.1      23,156.4      17,355.9      13,613.1

Long term debt (including current maturities)

     4,648.1      5,500.0      500.0      500.0      500.0

Total liabilities

     15,769.0      15,192.1      9,455.8      6,110.5      3,665.1

Total stockholders’ equity

     22,928.5      21,146.0      13,700.7      11,245.4      9,902.4

 

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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.

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 . M&I holds a 40% and 49% interests in Chinese and Singapore joint ventures, respectively. These ventures are stand-alone operating companies and enhance our ability to provide products to these markets. Income from these ventures is reported utilizing the equity method of accounting and is included in the TP&S segment’s earnings before taxes.

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, 2006, 2007 and 2008, AETI benefited from an improvement in overall market conditions. Although AETI enters 2009 with a relatively strong backlog, it is not possible to predict demand trends for its products and services in 2009 and beyond because of the global recessionary trends and disruptions in financial markets.

Results of Operations

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007

Consolidated Comparison

Revenues and Gross Profit . Total consolidated net sales increased $9.7 million, or 17.5%, to $65.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 over the prior year. The increase occurred across all segments although the $2.8 million or 52.1% increase in American Access was primarily due to the May 2007 merger described above. Consolidated cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $57.0 million, a $5.8 million increase, or 11.4%, 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 2008 declined as a percentage of sales by approximately 4.7%. This reflects an increased percentage of higher margin technical services sales and lower warranty and startup costs for the liquid cooled AC drives that negatively impacted 2007. Consolidated gross profit during the year ended December 31, 2008 significantly increased from $4.5 million for 2007 to $8.4 million in 2008. 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 12.8% during 2008, compared to 8.1% for the prior year. This improvement reflects the changes in cost of goods sold described above.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses . Total consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $8.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $2.0 million over the prior year. Approximately $0.7 million of the increase relates to the fact that AAT’s overhead expenses were not included prior to May 15, 2007. Selling expenses, primarily compensation , increased by $0.6 million. Charges for incentive plans, stock-based and otherwise increased by $0.2 million, repairs associated with Hurricane Ike approximated $0.1 million and consulting charges related to the ERP system implementation increased $0.1 million. AETI expended approximately $0.2 million in Sarbanes Oxley compliance costs. The balance of the increase in this category was occasioned by the inclusion of a full year of public company compliance costs.

Other Income and Expense . Consolidated other income and expense in 2008 declined by $0.3 million due to the realized gain on sale of marketable securities of $1.0 million in 2007 and increased interest expense($0.1 million) partially offset by increased earnings from the Chinese and Singapore joint ventures aggregating $0.9 million.

Provision for Income Taxes . Income tax expense increased by $0.6 million consistent with the increase in earnings before income tax. The effective tax rate of 35% was slightly higher than the prior year.

Net Income . Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1.7 million as compared to $0.6 million for the prior year. The increase in net income is a reflection of increased sales and gross profit partially offset by lower other income and increased selling, general and administrative expenses.

Divisional Comparisons

Technical Products & Services . The Technical Products & Services segment revenues increased $4.0 million from $30.1 million for 2007 to $34.1 million for 2008. The Technical Products & Services segment business enjoyed an approximately $1.5 million increase in its services businesses, some of which was attributable to repair work due to Hurricane Ike. Although overall revenues were strong in 2008, there was a pronounced decline in land and marine drilling rig quotations and as a result the backlog for that segment is negligible as of year end. This decline was offset by marine based drive system sales. This unit entered 2009 with a backlog of $14.4 million, comparable to the prior year, however the outlook in most of its markets is very uncertain. The segment remains committed to development of products for the alternative energy markets and it expects to commercialize some of these products in 2009.

Gross profits for the Technical Products & Services segment for 2008 were $5.2 million, a $1.3 million increase over the prior year. The increase in gross profits is primarily associated with the sales change. Its gross profit percentage increased by 2.3% relating to lower startup and warranty charges on AC drive systems and the increased higher margin services work. Technical Products & Services income before taxes for 2008 was $4.4 million compared to $3.4 million for 2007. This increase in income is a result of higher sales and related gross profit as higher equity income from joint ventures ($0.8 million) was essentially offset by increased selling and general expenses.

Electrical & Instrumentation Construction . The Construction segment reported sales of $23.2 million in 2008, an increase of $2.9 million over the prior year. The increase was due primarily to marine and powerhouse construction contracts. Approximately $10 million in each period related to new school construction projects which will not occur in 2009. The segment expects to replace most of this business with increases in wastewater construction, powerhouse projects and entry into a new market. The backlog for the Construction segment was $7.1 million as of December 31, 2008, an $11 million decline from 2007, the decrease almost exclusively due to the withdrawal from the new school construction market.

Gross profits for the Construction segment for 2008 were $1.4 million, an improvement of $2.0 million from the prior year. A substantial portion of this increase beyond the expected margin on the sales increase occurred because of an industrial contract in 2007 that incurred excess costs of $0.6 million. The Construction

 

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segment loss before taxes for 2008 was $0.6 million compared to a loss of $1.7 million for the previous year period. This improvement was due primarily to the change in gross profits from the prior year . The segment lost approximately $1 million in both 2007 and 2008 due to contracts in the new school construction market. The segment does not expect to incur losses from the remainder of this business in 2009.

American Access Technologies. This segment’s sales increased from $5.4 million to $8.2 million due primarily to inclusion of a full year of sales in 2008 since the acquisition became effective May 15, 2007. The segment contributed gross profits of approximately $1.9 million to the consolidated results, an increase of $0.6 million from the prior year which is consistent with the sales increase. Gross profit percentages declined slightly, by 1%, as the unit experienced considerable material price inflation during the middle part of the year. AAT commenced a program to increase its value added manufacturing customer base in 2008 which it believes will lead to enhanced revenues and operating margins in the future. In conjunction with this strategy, AAT sold almost $200,000 in products to the TP&S segment, an amount that should increase in 2009.

Year ended December31, 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 3 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 $6.2 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 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.

 

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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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2008, AETI’s cash and cash equivalents were $0.1 million as compared to $0.6 million as of December 31, 2007. It is AETI’s operating practice to maintain cash balances as low as feasible while it has long term debt outstanding. Working capital was $14.8 and $14.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Primarily as a result of this moderation in growth in working capital, AETI was

 

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able to repay $1.0 million on its revolving credit facility during the year. As of December 31, 2008, AETI’s current ratio is 2.34 and debt to total capitalization ratio is 16.5%. The comparable ratios for December 31, 2007 were 2.3 and 19.1%.

AETI’s long-term debt declined $0.5 million during 2008 from $5.0 million in 2007. Interest payments are current on all funded debt. At 2008 year end, AETI had a $10.0 million revolving credit facility which expires in June, 2010. This facility replaced an $8.0 million line with essentially the same terms and conditions except the maturity was extended from September, 2009. For further information regarding the terms of AETI’s indebtedness, see Notes 9 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report.

Operating Activities

During 2008, AETI generated cash from operations in the amount of $0.5 million, a substantial increase over the $5.5 million utilization in 2007. Income from operations plus depreciation generated $1.3 million. This amount was augmented by a refund of income taxes of $0.6 million and increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $0.9 million. Cash was utilized for increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $0.8 million and $1.4 million respectively. In 2007, the operating loss, net of depreciation consumed $0.9 million in cash flow. In addition, increases in accounts receivable and tax expenditures of $5.9 and $1.5 million, respectively utilized operating cash flow. Partially offsetting this utilization was reduced inventories of $0.5 million, increased accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1.4 million, decreases in cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings, $0.5 million, and deferred income tax benefits of $0.5 million and non-cash charges to operating income of $0.1 million.

Investing Activities

During 2008, AETI generated $0.6 million in cash flow from investing activities as compared to utilization of $1.3 million in 2007. Principal elements of these investing activities included capital expenditures of $0.6 million offset by $1.2 million in dividends from joint ventures in 2008. In 2007, capital expenditures of $1.1 million and a $1.0 million investment in the China joint venture were partially offset by proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, $1.2 million. Disposals of equipment were not significant in any period.

Financing Activities

During 2008 the Company utilized cash for financing activities in connection with the payment of long term debt of $1.5 million. In addition, payments on a long term capital lease aggregated $76,430 and AETI received proceeds on common stock issuances of $21,687. In 2007, cash was generated from financing activities in the amount of $5.3 million due to an increase in long term debt, $5 million and the balance provided by proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2008, AETI had the following contractual obligations (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligation

   Total    Less than
1 year
   2-3 years    3-5 years    More than
5 years

Capital Lease

   $ 648    127    253    268   

Long-Term Debt Obligations

   $ 4,000    0    4,000    —      —  
                          

Total

   $ 4,648    127    4,253    268    —  
                          

Outlook for Fiscal 2009

AETI will enter 2009 with a backlog of $21.5 million and this will provide a sound revenue base through the early part of the second quarter. After that time, the short term demand for our products and services is very

 

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uncertain due to global recessionary conditions and the disruptions in the financial markets. We took aggressive action in the latter part of 2008 to improve our cost structure and reduce our breakeven levels by approximately 15% to an annual run rate of $50 million. We will closely monitor our backlog and order activity and continue to adjust our cost structure and expenditures accordingly as conditions change. We expect our service businesses, including the E&I Construction segment to be able to moderate some of the expected activity decline. In addition we expect to benefit from some of our recent product and business development activities, including alternative energy markets. We will continue our initiatives in these markets. Our joint ventures have reported slow-downs in their primary markets but we continue to believe that opportunities exist for alternative energy products, particularly in China to replace the traditional decline.

We expect to be able to finance 2009’s capital expenditures and working capital needs primarily 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

The significant price increases in its crucial raw materials, particularly copper and steel, and electrical components that occurred in recent years declined significantly in the latter part of 2008. The Company had 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. Future inflationary pressures will likely be largely dependent on the worldwide demand for these basic materials which cannot be predicted at this time.

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 costs incurred to total estimated 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 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 overheads 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

 

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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 2008 or 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.

As previously described, AETI has investments in China and Singapore that aggregated $4.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively as of December 31, 2008.

Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

Foreign currency translations are included as a separate component of comprehensive income. We have determined the local currency of our 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 our 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 $2,852,000 based on an estimate of the extent to which net operating loss carry forwards will be realizable.

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 our 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 are translated into United States dollars at the rate prevailing at the end of each quarterly

 

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reporting period and any resulting adjustment is 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.

 

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure 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, 2008. Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008 based on these criteria. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

On January 1, 2009, Paul Katz resigned as a director.

 

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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 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days after our December 31, 2008 fiscal year end.

Executive Officers

Information regarding executive officers is incorporated by reference to the “Executive Officers” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Material Changes in Nominating Procedures

On February 6, 2009 we adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws which changed the nominating procedures for the election of directors. Stockholders are now required to provide advance notice to the Company of director nominations intended to be made at a stockholder meeting. Such notice must be received by the Secretary not later than (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, not later than the close of business on the 60th day and not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (or if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or 60 days after such anniversary date, such notice must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure thereof was made) and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the seventh business day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders. Any such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make a nomination; (b) a representation that the stockholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and a statement of the number of shares of the corporation that are beneficially owned by the stockholder; (c) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (d) as to each person the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, the name and address of such person and such other information regarding such nominee as would be required in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had such nominee been nominated by the Board, and a description of any arrangements or understandings, between the stockholder and such nominee and any other persons (including their names), pursuant to which the nomination is to be made; and (e) the consent of each such nominee to serve as a director if elected.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” sections of our Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

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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, 2008.

 

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

   449,597     $ 8.37    116,463 (1)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   1,340 (2)   $ 11.50    —    

Total

   450,937     $ 8.37    116,463  

 

(1) Consists of 300,000 shares of common stock originally available for issuance under the 2007 Employee Incentive Equity Plan for services by eligible employees, independent contractors and consultants. Such shares have been reduced by grants of stock options and restricted units including grants approved at the February, 2009 Compensation Committee meeting.
(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 2009 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 2009 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 registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009” section of our Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

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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 Index on 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.

 

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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 26, 2009   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 26, 2009

/ S /    J OHN H. U NTEREKER        

John H. Untereker

  

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

  March 26, 2009

/ S /    H OWARD W. K ELLEY        

Howard W. Kelley

   Director   March 26, 2009

/ S /    P ETER M ENIKOFF        

Peter Menikoff

   Director   March 26, 2009

/ S /    L AMAR N ASH        

Lamar Nash

   Director   March 26, 2009

/ S /    J. H OKE P EACOCK II        

J. Hoke Peacock II

   Director   March 26, 2009

/ S /    S TUART S CHUBE        

Stuart Schube

   Director   March 26, 2009

 

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Table of Contents

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

Consolidated Financial Statements

December  31, 2008 and 2007

Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

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 Cash Flows

   F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7

 

F-1


Table of Contents

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 M & I Electric Industries, Inc. and subsidiary) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years 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 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 American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We were not engaged to examine management’s assertion about the effectiveness of American Electric Technologies, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

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

Houston, Texas

March 25, 2009

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

     2008    2007

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 148,598    $ 593,494

Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance of $535,433 and $558,660, respectively

     16,290,406      15,830,379

Accounts receivable-other

     343,644      29,145

Income taxes receivable

     59,754      617,871

Inventories, net

     4,387,672      3,023,087

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

     3,481,270      3,139,065

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     289,073      401,815

Due from employees

     49,437      61,104

Deferred income taxes

     724,923      473,408
             

Total current assets

     25,774,777      24,169,368

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5,604,108      5,357,526

Other assets, net

     155,340      170,375

Advances to and investments in joint ventures

     5,984,236      4,265,738

Deferred tax asset

     1,179,051      2,375,058
             

Total assets

   $ 38,697,512    $ 36,338,065
             

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 6,077,050    $ 5,397,310

Accrued payroll and benefits

     1,546,726      1,125,551

Other accrued expenses

     368,134      586,879

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     2,887,561      2,582,375

Short-term notes payable

     126,588      500,000
             

Total current liabilities

     11,006,059      10,192,115

Notes payable

     4,521,502      5,000,000

Deferred compensation

     241,482      —  
             

Total liabilities

     15,769,043      15,192,115
             

Commitments and contingencies (See note 13)

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock; $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,665,635 and 7,661,241 shares issued and outstanding December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     7,665      7,661

Additional paid-in capital

     7,316,593      7,294,910

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     207,991      104,008

Retained earnings

     15,396,220      13,739,371
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     22,928,469      21,145,950
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 38,697,512    $ 36,338,065
             

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

     2008     2007  

Net sales

   $ 65,387,154     $ 55,664,545  

Cost of sales

     57,000,380       51,164,604  
                

Gross profit

     8,386,774       4,499,941  
                

Operating expenses:

    

General and administrative

     5,807,251       4,462,282  

Selling

     2,345,124       1,750,356  
                

Total operating expenses

     8,152,375       6,212,638  
                

Income (loss) from operations

     234,399       (1,712,697 )
                

Other income (expense):

    

Equity in income of joint ventures

     2,554,561       1,700,000  

Gain on sale of marketable securities

     —         1,035,062  

Interest expense

     (278,981 )     (175,850 )

Other, net

     44,750       18,616  
                

Total other income (expense)

     2,320,330       2,577,828  
                

Income before income tax expense

     2,554,729       865,131  
                

Income tax expense

     897,880       274,908  
                

Net income

   $ 1,656,849     $ 590,223  
                

Net income per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.22     $ 0.08  
                

Diluted

   $ 0.21     $ 0.08  
                

Weighted-average shares:

    

Basic

     7,662,811       7,058,529  

Diluted

     7,707,091       7,059,447  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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American Electric Technologies, Inc, and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

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

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 options

    —         —       —       —       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  

Common stock issued to ESPP (Note 12)

    —         —       4,394     4     21,683     —         —     —         —         21,687  

Comprehensive income:

                   

Net income

    —         —       —       —       —       —         1,656,849   —         —         1,656,849  

Translation gain

    —         —       —       —       —       103,983       —     —         —         103,983  

Total comprehensive income

                      1,760,832  
                                                                   

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $ —       $ —       7,665,635   $ 7,665   $ 7,316,593   $ 207,991     $ 15,396,220   —       $ —       $ 22,928,469  
                                                                   
                   

 

        

Disclosure of reclassification amount for 2007:

  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

   $ 651,368  

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income

     (1,035,062 )
        

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities

   $ (383,694 )
        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc, and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 1,656,849     $ 590,223  

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

    

Provision for bad debt

     142,202       124,460  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,098,039       926,494  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

     (5,955 )     (5,241 )

Gain on sale of marketable securities

     —         (1,035,062 )

Equity income from joint venture

     (2,554,561 )     (1,700,000 )

Deferred compensation costs

     45,991       —    

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

     886,210       274,908  

Stock based compensation

     —         27,000  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable (including other)

     (905,061 )     (5,898,580 )

Income taxes receivable/payable

     558,155       (1,279,575 )

Inventories

     (1,364,585 )     451,307  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

     (342,205 )     460,231  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     122,500       144,149  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     882,170       1,377,514  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     305,186       23,056  
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     524,935       (5,519,116 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (615,703 )     (1,253,066 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     6,834       17,742  

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

     —         1,169,565  

Advances to and investments in joint ventures

     —         (1,033,000 )

Proceeds from joint venture dividends

     1,193,781       262,599  

Transaction costs related to merger

     —         (339,744 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     584,912       (1,175,904 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from sale of common stock

     21,687       —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     —         257,400  

Advances from (repayments to) revolving credit facility

     (1,000,000 )     5,000,000  

Capital lease obligation payment

     (76,430 )     —    

Principal payments on notes payable

     (500,000 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,554,743 )     5,257,400  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (444,896 )     (1,437,620 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     593,494       2,031,114  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 148,598     $ 593,494  
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 278,981     $ 175,850  
                

Income taxes paid

   $ 30,000     $ 1,279,575  
                

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:

    

Common stock issued and debt assumed in merger

   $ —       $ 7,498,982  
                

Assets acquired with direct financing lease

   $ 724,520     $ —    
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

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. by the shareholders of M&I Electric Industries, Inc. (“M&I”) on May 15, 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 Mississippi based company, and joint venture interests in Singapore and China. On January 1, 2008, AETI established a wholly owned subsidiary through which it conducts its American Access Technology segment’s business.

The Company has facilities and sales offices in Texas, 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, comprised of a 67,500 square foot manufacturing facility situated on 8  1 / 2 acres of land.

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 manufacturers and markets zone cabling enclosures and manufacturers 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.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

M&I’s wholly-owned subsidiary, South Coast Electric Systems, LLC, is a Mississippi based 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 minority interests in M&I Electric Far East PTE Ltd. (“MIEFE”) and BOMAY Electrical Industries Company, Ltd. (“BOMAY”). MIEFE is a Singapore company that provides sales, manufacturing and technical support internationally. BOMAY provides electrical systems primarily for land and marine based drilling rigs in China. These ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

(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

Reclassification

Certain items are reclassified in the 2007 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2008 presentation.

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, 2008 and 2007. 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.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Bad Debts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The estimate is based on management’s assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts and includes consideration for credit worthiness and financial condition of those specific customers. We also will review historical experience with the customer, the general economic environment and the aging of our receivables. We record an allowance to reduce receivables to the amount that we reasonably believe to be collectible. Based on our historical collection experience, we currently feel our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with material value determined using an average cost method. Inventory costs for finished goods and work-in-process include direct material, direct labor, production overhead and outside services. TP&S and E&I indirect overhead is apportioned to work in process based on direct labor incurred. AAT production overhead, including indirect labor, is allocated to finished goods and work-in-process based on material consumption.

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, 2008, there were no impairments.

Other Assets

 

Intangible Assets

   Estimated
Useful
Lives (Years)
   Cost    Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Value

Patents

   18    $ 94,986    $ 50,646    $ 44,340

Customer Agreements

      $ 111,000      —        111,000
                       
      $ 205,986    $ 50,646    $ 155,340
                       

Amortization expense related to patents held by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $5,200 and $5,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

 

For the year ending December 31:

   Amount

2009

   $ 5,700

2010

     5,700

2011

     5,700

2012

     5,700

2013

     5,700

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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 did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

Foreign currency translations are included as a separate component of comprehensive income. We have determined the local currency of our foreign joint ventures to be the functional currency. In accordance with SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation , the assets and liabilities of our foreign equity investees, 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 for its Technical Products segment. 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

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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. Revenue associated with the American Access segment is generally recognized when manufactured products are shipped and right of ownership passes.

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.

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 2008 and 2007, no single customer represented 10% or more of Company revenue.

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 60% and 76% of the Company’s revenue during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, 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 12, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS157-2 to allow a

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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 FASB also issued FSP FAS157-1, which amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS 13, “ Accounting for Leases ,” and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements. 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 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 because it would not have a material impact on its 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 noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (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

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “ Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 ,” to enhance the current disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations, and how derivative instruments and related hedge items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is encouraged. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 161 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, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008     2007  

Raw materials

   $ 1,143,816     $ 1,286,016  

Work-in-process

     3,020,633       1,875,069  

Finished goods

     770,733       359,313  

Allowance

     (547,510 )     (497,311 )
                

Total inventories

   $ 4,387,672     $ 3,023,087  
                

(4)    Marketable Securities

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. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007 the Company did not own any marketable securities.

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

Contracts in progress at December 31, 2008, and 2007 consisted of the following:

 

     2008     2007  

Cost incurred on uncompleted contracts

   $ 14,493,011     $ 12,038,266  

Estimated earnings

     3,181,392       2,229,680  
                
     17,674,403       14,267,946  

Billings on uncompleted contracts

     (17,080,694 )     (13,711,256 )
                
   $ 593,709     $ 556,690  
                

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Costs, estimated earnings, and related billing on uncompleted contracts consisted of the following at December 31, 2008, and 2007:

 

     2008     2007  

Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

   $ 3,481,270     $ 3,139,065  

Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     (2,887,561 )     (2,582,375 )
                
   $ 593,709     $ 556,690  
                

(6)    Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2008, and 2007:

 

Category

   Estimated
useful
lives (years)
   2008    2007

Buildings and improvements

   15-25    $ 4,023,869    $ 3,859,235

Office equipment and furniture

   2-7      1,376,882      1,157,744

Automobiles and trucks

   2-5      753,669      767,579

Machinery and shop equipment

   2-10      4,996,961      4,135,271
                
        11,151,381      9,919,829

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

        5,998,210      4,975,557
                
        5,153,171      4,944,272

Land

        348,880      348,880

Construction in progress

        102,057      64,374
                
      $ 5,604,108    $ 5,357,526
                

During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, depreciation and amortization charged to operations amounted to $1,098,762 and $926,494, respectively. Of these amounts, $707,707 and $765,332 was charged to cost of sales while $385,055 and $161,162 was charged to selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(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 $363,071 and $351,700 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Sales made to the joint venture were $178,157 and $536,638 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accounts Receivable from MIEFE were $218,494 and $40,336 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Sales to the joint venture are made on an arms length basis and intercompany profits, if any are eliminated in consolidation.

 

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Table of Contents

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, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008    2007

Assets:

     

Total current assets

   $ 3,839,000    $ 2,804,000

Total non-current assets

     29,000      14,000
             

Total assets

   $ 3,868,000    $ 2,818,000
             

Liabilities and equity:

     

Total current liabilities

   $ 1,789,000    $ 1,134,000

Total partnership equity

     2,079,000      1,684,000
             

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 3,868,000    $ 2,818,000
             

Gross sales

   $ 3,297,000    $ 5,742,000

Net income

   $ 753,000    $ 718,000

The Company has 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 a 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 $2,258,273 and $1,348,300 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Summary financial information for BOMAY in U.S. dollars was as follows at December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008    2007

Assets:

     

Total current assets

   $ 42,030,000    $ 27,756,000

Total non-current assets

     4,810,000      3,366,000
             

Total assets

   $ 46,840,000    $ 31,122,000
             

Liabilities and equity:

     

Total current liabilities

   $ 32,744,000    $ 20,122,000

Total partnership equity

     14,096,000      11,000,000
             

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 46,840,000    $ 31,122,000
             

Gross sales

   $ 55,032,000    $ 49,370,000

Net income

   $ 5,626,000    $ 3,397,000

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.

 

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Table of Contents

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, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008     2007  

Investment in MIEFE joint venture:

    

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 17,469     $ 17,469  

Additional amounts invested

     —         —    
                

Total investment at end of year

     17,469       17,469  
                

Undistributed earnings:

    

Balance at beginning of year

     698,288       609,187  

Equity in earnings of MIEFE

     363,071       351,700  

Dividend distributions

     (178,843 )     (262,599 )
                

Total undistributed earnings at end of year

     882,516       698,288  
                

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

    

Balance at beginning of year

     103,122       —    

Change during the year

     9,124       103,122  
                

Total foreign currency translation adjustments

     112,246       103,122  
                

Total investment in MIEFE at end of year

     1,012,231       818,879  

Investment in BOMAY joint venture:

    

Balance at beginning of year

     2,033,000       1,000,000  

Additional amounts invested

     —         1,033,000  
                

Total investment at end of year

     2,033,000       2,033,000  
                

Undistributed earnings:

    

Balance at beginning of year

     1,354,468       6,168  

Equity in earnings of BOMAY

     2,258,273       1,348,300  

Consolidation adjustment

     128,708       —    

Dividend distributions

     (1,014,938 )     —    
                

Total undistributed earnings at end of year

     2,726,511       1,354,468  
                

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

    

Balance at beginning of year

     59,391       —    

Change during the year

     153,103       59,391  
                

Total foreign currency translation adjustments

     212,494       59,391  
                

Total investment in BOMAY at end of year

     4,972,005       3,446,859  
                

Total investment in joint ventures

   $ 5,984,236     $ 4,265,738  
                

(8)    Income Taxes

The components of profit before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     2008    2007  

United States

   $ 168    $ (834,869 )

Foreign

     2,554,561      1,700,000  
               

Total profit / (loss) before taxes

   $ 2,554,729    $ 865,131  
               

 

F-16


Table of Contents

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, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     2008    2007

Current Provision:

     

United States

   $ —      $ —  

Foreign

     —        —  

States (United States)

     11,670      —  
             

Total current provision

     11,670      —  
             

Deferred Provision:

     

United States

     820,000      249,792

Foreign

     —        —  

States (United States)

     66,210      25,116
             

Total deferred provision

     886,210      274,908
             

Total provision for income taxes

   $ 897,880    $ 274,908
             

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

 

     2008     2007  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Accrued liabilities

   $ 223,187     $ 137,217  

Provision for bad debt

     192,756       202,850  

Property and equipment

     33,661       —    

Long-term contracts

     10,439       110,716  

Net operating loss

     2,357,329       3,442,466  

Section 263A

     207,362       —    

Other

     134,749       22,625  
                

Net deferred tax assets

     3,159,483       3,915,874  

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Equity in foreign investments

     (1,138,762 )     (804,364 )

Property and equipment

     —         (204,579 )

Translation gain

     (116,747 )     (58,505 )
                

Net deferred tax liability

     (1,255,509 )     (1,067,448 )
                

Net deferred assets

   $ 1,903,974     $ 2,848,426  
                

The net operating loss deferred tax asset includes the estimated benefit of $9,428,894 in net operating losses acquired from American Access Technologies, Inc, subject to the utilization limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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:

 

     2008     2007  

Tax provision at 34% U.S. statutory rate

   $ 868,608     $ 306,000  

State taxes

     72,167       20,328  

Nondeductible expense

     17,000       21,786  

DP expense (benefit)

     —         (29,048 )

Other

     (59,895 )     (44,158 )
                

Total tax provision

   $ 897,880     $ 274,908  
                

(9)    Revolving Credit Agreement

Effective June 30, 2008, the Company amended its revolving credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. As amended, the bank provides us with a revolving credit line not to exceed the lower of $10,000,000 or the sum of 80% of eligible accounts receivable plus 40% of the aggregate amount of eligible inventory, not to exceed $500,000. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, $4,000,000 and $5,000,000 was outstanding, respectively under this agreement.

Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at an annual rate based on the 30 day LIBOR rate (1.08% at December 31, 2008) plus 1.75%. The agreement is collateralized by trade accounts receivable, inventories, and work-in-process. Our M&I and AAT subsidiaries are guarantors of the loan. Loans under the agreement must be repaid no later than June 30, 2010.

The terms of the agreement include covenants which provide for customary restrictions, 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. At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with all restrictive covenants.

(10)    Notes Payable to Stockholders

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had uncollateralized notes payable to certain stockholders of $500,000. The notes matured and were paid in full in December 2008. The notes accrued interest at prime rate plus 1% (8.25% at December 31, 2007). Interest expense related to these notes was $32,633 and $45,952 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(11)    Leases

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements, primarily related to the performance of service contracts. Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, amounted to approximately $749,000 and $750,000, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In March, 2008, the Company entered into a capital lease in order to finance shop equipment and related training expenses related to its American Access segment. The lease term commenced in June, 2008 when the equipment was installed and operational. The lease obligation and capitalized amount at inception were $724,520, the lease term is 60 months. Future minimum lease payments are as follows:

 

Lease commitments for the years ending December, 31,    Amount  

2009

   $ 172,963  

2010

     172,963  

2012

     172,963  

2013

     166,209  

2014

     54,121  
        

Total future minimum payments

     739,219  

Less imputed interest

     (91,131 )
        

Net present value of future minimum lease payments

   $ 648,088  
        

(12)    Common Stock

The Company had issued two series of common stock prior to the merger described in Notes 1 and 17. The Series A common stock has the right to elect one less than a majority of the directors of the Company while Series B common stock has the right to elect a majority of the directors of the Company. Both the Series A and Series B common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Except as previously noted, the two series of common stock have identical rights. These shares were exchanged at the merger date.

During 2008, 4,394 shares of Company stock were issued in connection with an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that commenced in April 2008. In February 2009, approximately 13,000 shares were issued in connection with the 2008 Restricted Stock Units Plan.

(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 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 $1,139,451 and $813,054 during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Insurance reserves included in accrued liabilities were approximately $109,000 and $120,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(14)    Employee Benefit and Bonus Plans

The employees of the Company 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. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company made contributions of approximately $144,000 and $133,000, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company maintains an “Executive Performance” bonus plan, which covers approximately 40 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, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded approximately $476,000 and $304,000 under the plan, respectively, of which approximately $476,000 and $304,000 was included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(15)      Stock Options

Following is a summary of the stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related activity:

 

     2008     2008 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   2007     2007 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at beginning of year

   492,940     $ 8.70    762,140     $ 7.38

Options granted

   86,210     $ 4.09    26,880     $ 4.55

Options exercised

   0     $ —      (66,000 )   $ 3.90

Options forfeited

   (45,713 )   $ 4.09    —       $ —  

Options expired

   (82,500 )   $ 5.63    (230,080 )   $ 6.14
                         

Outstanding at end of year

   450,937     $ 8.37    492,940     $ 8.28
                         

Exercisable at end of year

   440,813     $ 8.47    492,940     $ 8.28
                         

On February 5, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the grant of 145,000 restricted stock units to members of management and key employees. The valuation date of these grants was February 27, 2009 when the stock had a value of $1.85. The grants are generally subject to the substantial achievement of 2009 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 governs the way the Company reports information about its operating segments.

Management has organized the Company around its 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.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Following are selected financial details regarding the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007  

Revenues:

    

Technical products and services

   $ 34,068     $ 30,050  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     23,163       20,251  

American Access

     8,156       5,364  
                
   $ 65,387     $ 55,665  
                

Gross Profit:

    

Technical products and services

     5,181       3,870  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     1,353       (622 )

American Access

     1,853       1,251  
                
   $ 8,387     $ 4,499  
                

Income before income taxes:

    

Technical products and services

     4,446       3,433  

Electrical and instrumentation construction

     (561 )     (1,688 )

American Access

     186       277  

Corporate and other unallocated expenses

     (1,516 )     (1,157 )
                
   $ 2,555     $ 865  
                

Selling, general and administrative expenses are directly allocated to its TP&S and E&I business segments based on their revenue because these expenses are centrally controlled and incurred. AAT’s selling general and administrative expenses are captured directly.

Approximately 26% and 37% of Technical Products and Services were sold into international markets in 2008 and 2007, 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 are the Singapore and Chinese affiliates (Note 7). The functional currencies of our affiliates are their respective local currencies.

(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 outstanding shares of M&I stock were exchanged for 6,079,692 shares (as adjusted for the reverse stock split discussed above) 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.

 

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Table of Contents

American Electric Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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. For year 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-22


Table of Contents

The allocation of the purchase price as of May 15, 2007 for the acquired assets and liabilities of the proposed merger 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 our consolidated results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2007 as if the merger had been completed on January 1, 2007:

 

Revenue

   $ 58,634,561  

Net income

   $ (31,874 )

Pro forma income per share basic and diluted

   $ —    

Weighted average shares outstanding:

  

Basic

     7,058,529  

Diluted

     7,059,447  

 

F-23


Table of Contents

(18)    Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

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

 

     2008 Quarters
     First    Second    Third    Fourth     Total

Revenues

   $ 16,977.8    $ 16,572.3    $ 14,827.6    $ 17,009.4     $ 65,387.1

Gross Profit

     2,229.8      2,241.5      1,464.7      2,450.8       8,386.8

Net income (loss)

     202.2      516.5      13.1      925.0       1,656.8

Earnings per share:

             

Basic

     0.030      0.070      0.002      0.120       0.220

Fully Diluted

   $ 0.030    $ 0.070    $ 0.002    $ 0.120     $ 0.210
     2007 Quarters
     First    Second    Third    Fourth     Total

Revenues

   $ 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    $ 0.08    $ (0.15 )   $ 0.08

 

F-24


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

  3.1

  Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 12, 2008)

  3.2

  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2009)

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.)*

10.15

  S 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)*

10.16

  Summary of compensation for named executive officers—February 2009*


Table of Contents
10.17   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)*
10.18   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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2007)
10.19   First Amendment to Loan Documents between Registrant, M&I Electric Industries, Inc., American Access Technologies, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. effective June 30, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 11, 2008)
10.20   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) *
10.21   Form of Employee Stock Option Award Agreement under 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.* (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2008)
10.22   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.* (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2008)
10.23   Employment Agreement commencing March 1, 2009 between Charles M. Dauber and Registrant.*
10.24   Employment Agreement between John H. Untereker and Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2008.)*
10.25   Deferred Compensation Plan for executives *
10.26   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)*
10.27   Notification of annual salary and target for performance bonus compensation *
14   Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed March 21, 2004.)
21   Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 31, 2008)
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 10.16

Summary of compensation for named executive officers – February 2009

In February 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors established 2009 salary and target bonus applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other named executive officers as follows:

 

Named Executive

   2009 Base Salary    2009 Target Bonus

Arthur G. Dauber

   $ 240,000    $ 100,000

John H. Untereker

   $ 168,400    $ 82,500

Neal T. Hare

   $ 176,400    $ 82,500

James J. Steffek

   $ 176,400    $ 82,500

Charles M. Dauber

   $ 181,875    $ 75,000

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 2009 fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officer will review each executive’s performance against 2009 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 determine his bonus) by reviewing the CEO’s success in achieving the company and personal performance goals established by the committee for 2009.

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

John H. Untereker and Charles M. Dauber have employment agreements with the Company. The other executives are “at will” employees.

Exhibit 10.23

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, 2009 (“ Effective Date ”) and end on December 31, 2009 (“ 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 and President of M&I Electric. As such, I shall work exclusively for the Company and shall have all of the customary powers and duties associated with those positions. I will serve as chief executive officer of M&I Electric and I will be responsible for all of M&I Electric’s operations and assets except those specifically assigned to others by the CEO of AETI. I recognize and 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

 

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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.

   $ 187,500.00

b. Expected Bonus.

   $ 75,000.00

Total Expected Compensation.

   $ 262,500.00

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. If I am still employed by the Company on December 31, 2009, I will receive a Retention Bonus of $35,000 which will be paid to me on or before March 15, 2010.

e. I will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Employee Stock Incentive Plan. If Company meets its annual budget and operating plan objectives I will be eligible

 

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to receive a grant of 15,000 shares of stock that will vest over a four year period in accordance with the Company’s equity bonus plan.

f. Automobile Allowance . The Company shall provide an automobile, or shall provide to me an automobile allowance equal to $800.00 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. 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.

i. 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.

j. 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

 

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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.

 

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 twelve months and Company will pay COBRA health

 

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  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 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.

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

 

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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

 

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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.

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

 

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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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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

 

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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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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:

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

 

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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 28, 2009     American Electric Technologies, Inc.
    By:  

 

    Name:   Arthur G. Dauber
    Title:   President

 

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Date: January 28, 2009     

 

     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.
Signature of Employee     Signature of Authorized Company Representative

Charles M. Dauber

   

Arthur G. Dauber, President

Print Name of Employee     Name and Title of Representative

February 9, 2009.

   

February 9, 2009.

Date, but effective March 1, 2009     Date, but effective March 1, 2009


Signature Page to Assignment of Inventions Agreement

Exhibit 10.25

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

2009 EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

PREAMBLE

The purpose of this Plan is to provide Eligible Employees of American Electric Technologies, Inc. (“AETI”) and its participating Affiliates with the opportunity to defer payment and taxation of some elements of their compensation.

This Plan is designed to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms in the text of the Plan are defined as follows:

Administrator means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AETI.

AETI means American Electric Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation.

Affiliate means AETI or any corporation or entity which (i) along with AETII, is a component member of a “controlled group of corporations” within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code, and (ii) has approved the participation of its Executives in the Plan.

Beneficiary means the person or persons or entity designated as such in accordance with Article 7 of the Plan.

Board means the Board of Directors of AETII.

Bonus means the dollar amount of cash bonus awarded by the Employer to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Executive Compensation Program, or a successor program or plan governing annual executive bonuses, before reductions for deferrals under the Plan, provided such award constitutes “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(e).

Change in Control means the occurrence of a “change in the ownership,” a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of AETI within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contingent Event means the Participant’s death while employed by an Affiliate or Separation from Service for other reasons if such event occurs prior to the Participant’s Retirement.

Contingent Payment Election means an election regarding the time and form of payment made or deemed made in accordance with Section 5.2.

Crediting Rate means the rate at which interest will be credited to Deferral Accounts. The rate will be determined by the Administrator annually in advance of the calendar year and will generally be equal to the publicly announced prime rate as published by the Wall Street Journal plus two (2%) percent. Once established, the Crediting Rate shall remain the same for the entire Plan Year. AETI reserves the right to prospectively change the definition of Crediting Rate.

Deferral Account means the notional account established for record keeping purposes for a Participant pursuant to Article 4 of the Plan.

Deferral Election means the Participant’s written election to defer amounts under the Plan, submitted to the Administrator.

Deferral Period means the Plan Year covered by a valid Deferral Election previously submitted by a Participant, or in the case of a newly eligible Participant, the balance of the Plan Year following the date of the Deferral Election.

Disability means the Participant (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under a plan covering employees of the Employer.

Eligible Employee means an Executive of an Affiliate, who (i) is a U.S. employee or an expatriate who is based and paid in the U.S., (ii) is designated by the Administrator as eligible to participate in the Plan (subject to the restriction in Section 8.2 of the Plan), and (iii) qualifies as a member of a “select group of management or highly compensated employees” under ERISA.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan means the AETI 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or successor stock purchase plan.


Employer means the Affiliate employing the Participant.

ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Executive means an employee of an Affiliate who is designated an Executive by the CEO of that Affiliate or who is elected as a Vice President or officer of higher rank by the board of that Affiliate or by the Board of AETI.

Executive Salary Deferral means the percentage deferred from Salary under this Plan.

Participant means an Eligible Employee who has completed a Deferral Election with respect to future payments pursuant to Article 2 of the Plan, or an employee or former employee who has a Deferral Account balance.

Payment Election means a Primary Payment Election or a Contingent Payment Election.

Plan means the AETI 2009 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

Plan Year means the calendar year.

Primary Payment Election means an election regarding the time and form of payments made or deemed made in accordance with Section 5.1.

Retirement means a Separation from Service after attainment of age 62.

Salary means the Participant’s basic pay from the Employer (excluding Bonuses, commissions, severance pay, and other non-regular forms of compensation) before reductions for deferrals under the Plan or the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Separation from Service occurs when a Participant dies, retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment from the Employer that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(1), without regard to the optional alternative definitions available thereunder.

Similar Plan means a plan required to be aggregated with this Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2)(i)(A).

Specified Employee means a Participant who is designated as an elected Vice President or above by the Administrator, using the identification date and methods determined by the Administrator.

Termination of Employment means the voluntary or involuntary Separation from Service for any reason other than Retirement, Disability or death.

Unforeseeable Emergency means a severe financial hardship to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary after the Participant’s death resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s Beneficiary, or the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s (after the death of the Participant) spouse or dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)); loss of the Participant’s property or the Beneficiary’s property (after the Participant’s death) due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance, for example, not as a result of a natural disaster); or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s (after the Participant’s death) control.

Valuation Date means the last day of the month in which the final day of employment falls prior to Separation from Service, or the day before a scheduled distribution occurs.

ARTICLE 2

DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

2.1 Elections

(a) Salary. An Eligible Employee may elect to defer Salary under the Plan by filing with the Administrator a completed and fully executed Salary Deferral Election specifying the whole percentage of Salary to be deferred prior to the beginning of the Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee performs the services for which such Salary is to be earned. The maximum Salary Deferral is 75% of Salary. Once made, a Salary Deferral Election (including any election regarding time and form of payment) will continue to apply for subsequent Deferral Periods unless the Participant submits a new Salary Deferral Election form during a subsequent enrollment period changing the deferral amount or revoking the existing election.

(b) Bonus. An Eligible Employee may elect to defer some or all of his or her Bonus by submitting a Bonus Deferral Election to the Administrator prior to the date that is six months before the end of the performance period and in no event later than the date the Bonus has become readily ascertainable. Once made, this Bonus Deferral Election (including any election regarding time and form of payment) will continue to apply for subsequent Deferral Periods unless the Participant submits a new Bonus Deferral Election form during a subsequent enrollment period changing the deferral amount or revoking the existing election.

 

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(c) Initial Eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employee who first becomes an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year may make an initial Deferral Election for the deferral of Salary or Bonus, provided that such Eligible Employee has not previously become eligible to participate in this or any Similar Plan. Any Salary Deferral Election must be made within thirty days after the date the employee becomes an Eligible Employee and shall apply to Salary earned for services performed after the election is filed with the Administrator. If the employee first becomes an Eligible Employee prior to establishment of the performance criteria for a Bonus, the eligible Employee may make the Bonus Deferral Election prior to the date that is six months before the end of the performance period but not later than the date the Bonus has become readily ascertainable. If the employee first becomes an Eligible Employee after establishment of the performance criteria or less than six months before the end of the Deferral Period, such Bonus Deferral Election must be made within thirty days after the date the employee becomes an Eligible Employee and shall apply to that portion of the Bonus earned during the Plan Year multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the calendar year after the election is filed with the Administrator to the total number of days during the Plan Year that such Employee is employed by an Affiliate.

ARTICLE 3

VESTING

3.1 Vesting

Amounts deferred under this Plan and any earnings thereon will be 100% vested at all times.

ARTICLE 4

DEFERRAL ACCOUNTS

4.1 Deferral Accounts

Solely for record keeping purposes, the Administrator will maintain a Deferral Account for each Participant with such subaccounts as the Administrator [The Administrator is the comp committee. Who will be responsible to the comp committee for the record keeping?] or its record keeper finds necessary or convenient in the administration of the Plan.

4.2 Timing of Credits

(a) Salary and Bonus Deferrals. The Administrator will credit to the Participant’s Deferral Account the Salary and Bonus Deferrals under Article 2 at the time such amounts would otherwise have been paid to the Participant but for the Deferral Election. [Are we going to set up a real or notional account? If real can I assume that the interest rate will be that earned on the account. If notional what will be the interest rate?]

(b) Interest Crediting Dates. At the end of each calendar month, the balance in the Participant’ s Deferral Account as of the end of the immediately preceding month will be multiplied by the Crediting Rate divided by 12. The resulting interest amount shall then be credited to the Participant’s Deferral Account.

4.3 Statement of Accounts

The Administrator will periodically provide to each Participant a statement setting forth the balance of the Deferral Account maintained for the Participant.

ARTICLE 5

PAYMENT ELECTIONS

5.1 Primary Payment Election

As part of a Deferral Election, a Participant may make a Primary Payment Election specifying the payment schedule for each subaccount that will be created as a result of the Deferral Election. The choices available for a Primary Payment Election are as follows:

(a) Monthly installments following Retirement for 60 to 180 months commencing upon (i) the first day of a specified month and year that may be no later than the month and year in which the Participant attains age 75 (if the Participant has not had a Separation from Service by such specified date, payments will commence upon the Participant’s Retirement); (ii) the Participant’s Retirement; or (iii) the first day of the month that is a specified number of months following the Participant’s Retirement; or

(b) A single lump sum payable upon (i) the first day of a specified month and year that may be no later than the month and year in which the Participant attains age 75 (if the Participant has not had a Separation from Service by such specified date, payment will be made upon the Participant’s Retirement); (ii) the Participant’s Retirement; or (iii) the first day of the month that is a specified number of months following the Participant’s Retirement; or

(c) Two to ten annual or semi-annual (twice yearly) installments commencing upon (i) the first day of a specified month and year that may be no later than the month and year in which the Participant attains age 75 (if the Participant has not had a Separation from Service by such specified date, payments will commence upon the Participant’s Retirement); (ii) the Participant’s Retirement; or (iii) the first day of the month that is a specified number of months following the Participant’s Retirement; or (d) Any combination of the preceding three choices.

 

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Lump sum payments or initial installment payments will be made within 30 days of the scheduled dates (or within 30 days following the date that is six months after the Participant’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, 30 days after the Participant’s death) if such delay is required pursuant to Section 5.5), and interest will be added to the payment amount for the days elapsed between the scheduled payment date and the actual date of payment.

If paid in installments, the installments will be paid in amounts that will amortize the Deferral Account or subaccount balance with interest credited at the Crediting Rate over the period of time benefits are to be paid. For purposes of calculating installments, the Deferral Account or subaccount will be valued as of the Valuation Date and subsequently as of December 31 each year with subsequent installments adjusted for the next calendar year according to procedures established by the Administrator. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, distribution in installments shall be treated as a single payment as of the date of the initial installment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

If no Primary Payment Election has been made, the Primary Payment Election shall be deemed to be a single lump sum upon the Participant’s Retirement.

5.2 Contingent Payment Election

As part of a Deferral Election, a Participant may make a Contingent Payment Election for each of the Contingent Events of (1) the Participant’s death while employed by an Affiliate, (2) Separation from Service because of Disability and (3) Termination of Employment, for each subaccount that will be created as a result of the Deferral Election, which Contingent Payment Election will take effect upon the first Contingent Event, if any, that occurs before the Participant’s Retirement. The choices available for the Contingent Payment Election are those specified in Section 5.1 except that the references to Retirement shall instead refer to the applicable Contingent Event.

If the Participant has made no Contingent Payment Election and a Contingent Event occurs prior to Retirement, the Administrator will pay the benefit as specified in the Participant’s Primary Payment Election, except that payments scheduled for payment or commencement of payment “upon Retirement” will be paid or commence on the later of (1) the first day of the month in which the Participant’s 55 th birthday occurs or would have occurred or (2) the first day of the month following the month in which the Contingent Event occurs. If the Participant has made neither a Contingent Payment Election nor a Primary Payment Election and a Contingent Event occurs prior to Retirement, the Payment Election shall be deemed to be a single lump sum upon the Participant’s Contingent Event.

5.3 Changes to Payment Elections

Participants may change a Primary Payment Election or Contingent Payment Election, including a deemed Payment Election, after the period allowed for the initial Deferral Election by submitting a new written Payment Election to the Administrator, subject to the following conditions: (1) the new Payment Election shall not be effective unless made at least twelve months before the payment or commencement date scheduled under the prior Payment Election; (2) the new Payment Election must defer a lump sum payment or commencement of installment payments for a period of at least five years from the date that the lump sum would have been paid or installment payments would have commenced under the prior Payment Election and (3) the election shall not be effective until twelve months after it is filed with the Administrator. If at the time a new Payment Election is filed, the Administrator determines that imposition of the five-year delay would require that a Participant’s payments begin after he or she has attained age 75, then the Participant will not be permitted to make a new Payment Election. The payment schedules available under a new Payment Election are those specified in Section 5.1 and 5.2 (as applicable), subject to the conditions specified in this paragraph.

5.4 Small Benefit Exception

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, pay the benefits in a single lump sum if the sum of all benefits payable to the Participant under this Plan and all Similar Plans is less than or equal to the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code.

5.5 Six-Month Delay in Payment for Specified Employees

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that a Participant who is a Specified Employee is entitled to a distribution from the Plan due to the Participant’s Separation from Service, the lump sum payment or the commencement of installment payments, as the case may be, shall not occur before the date that is the earlier of (1) six months following the Participant’s Separation from Service for reasons other than death or (2) the Participant’s death.

ARTICLE 6

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

6.1 Payment

Following the Participant’s death, payment of the Participant’s Deferral Account will be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary or Beneficiaries according to the payment schedule elected or deemed elected according to Article 5.

 

4


ARTICLE 7

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

7.1 Beneficiary Designation.

The Participant will have the right, at any time, to designate any person or persons as Beneficiary (both primary and contingent) to whom payment under the Plan will be made in the event of the Participant’s death. The Beneficiary designation will be effective when it is submitted in writing to the Administrator during the Participant’s lifetime on a form prescribed by the Administrator.

The submission of a new Beneficiary designation will cancel all prior Beneficiary designations. Any finalized divorce or marriage of a Participant subsequent to the date of a Beneficiary designation will revoke such designation, unless in the case of divorce the previous spouse was not designated as a Beneficiary, and unless in the case of marriage the Participant’s new spouse has previously been designated as Beneficiary.

If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary as provided above, or if the Beneficiary designation is revoked by marriage, divorce, or otherwise without execution of a new designation, or if every person designated as Beneficiary predeceases the Participant, then the Administrator will direct the distribution of the benefits to the Participant’s estate. If a primary Beneficiary dies after commencement the Participant’s death but prior to completion of benefits under this Plan, and no contingent Beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, any remaining payments will be paid to the primary Beneficiary’s Beneficiary, if one has been designated, or to the Beneficiary’s estate.

ARTICLE 8

CONDITIONS RELATED TO BENEFITS

8.1 Nonassignability

The benefits provided under the Plan may not be alienated, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated by or to any person or entity, at any time or any manner whatsoever. These benefits will be exempt from the claims of creditors of any Participant or other claimants and from all orders, decrees, levies, garnishment or executions against any Participant to the fullest extent allowed by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the benefit payable to a Participant may be assigned in full or in part, pursuant to a domestic relations order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

8.2 Unforeseeable Emergency Distribution

A Participant, or a Participant’s Beneficiary following the Participant’s death, may submit a hardship distribution request to the Administrator in writing setting forth the reasons for the request. The Administrator will have the sole authority to approve or deny such requests. Upon a finding that the Participant or the Beneficiary has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Administrator may in its discretion, permit the Participant to cease any on-going deferrals and accelerate distributions of benefits under the Plan in the amount reasonably necessary to alleviate the Unforeseeable Emergency. If a distribution is to be made to a Participant on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant may not make deferrals under the Plan until one entire Plan Year following the Plan Year in which a distribution based on an Unforeseeable Emergency was made has elapsed.

8.3 No Right to Assets

The benefits paid under the Plan will be paid from the general funds of the Employer, and the Participant and any Beneficiary will be no more than unsecured general creditors of the Employer with no special or prior right to any assets of the Employer for payment of any obligations hereunder. Neither the Participant nor the Beneficiary will have a claim to benefits from any other Affiliate. Plan benefits are available to Eligible Employees of AETI and its participating Affiliates. Amounts of compensation deferred by Participants pursuant to this Plan accrue as liabilities of the participating Affiliate at the time of the deferral under the terms and conditions set forth herein. By electing to defer compensation under the Plan, Participants consent to AETI sponsorship of the Plan, but acknowledge that AETI is not a guarantor of the benefit obligations of other participating Affiliates. Each participating Affiliate is responsible for payment of the accrued benefits under the Plan with respect to its own Eligible Employees subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

8.4 Protective Provisions

The Participant will cooperate with the Administrator by furnishing any and all information requested by the Administrator, in order to facilitate the payment of benefits hereunder, taking such physical examinations as the Administrator may deem necessary and signing such consents to insure or taking such other actions as may be requested by the Administrator. If the Participant refuses to cooperate, the Administrator and the Employer will have no further obligation to the Participant under the Plan.

8.5 Constructive Receipt

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event the Administrator determines that amounts deferred under the Plan have been constructively received by a Participant and must be recognized as income for federal income tax purposes, distribution of the amounts included in a Participant’s income will be made to such Participant. The determination of the Administrator under this Section 8.5 will be binding and conclusive.

 

5


8.6 Withholding

The Participant or the Beneficiary will make appropriate arrangements with the Administrator for satisfaction of any federal, state or local income tax withholding requirements and Social Security or other employee tax requirements applicable to the accrual or payment of benefits under the Plan. If no other arrangements are made, the Administrator may provide, at its discretion, for such withholding and tax payments as may be required.

8.7 Incapacity

If any person entitled to payments under this Plan is, in the opinion of the Administrator or its designee, incapacitated and unable to use such payments in his or her own best interest, the Administrator or its designee may direct that payments (or any portion) be made to that person’s legal guardian or conservator, or that person’s spouse, as an alternative to payment to the person unable to use the payments. The Administrator or its designee will have no obligation to supervise the use of such payments, and court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship may be required.

ARTICLE 9

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

9.1 Plan Interpretation

The Administrator will administer the Plan and interpret, construe and apply its provisions in accordance with its terms and will provide direction and oversight as necessary to management, staff, or contractors to whom day-to-day Plan operations may be delegated. The Administrator will establish, adopt or revise such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. All decisions of the Administrator will be final and binding.

9.2 Limited Liability

Neither the Administrator, nor any of its members or designees, will be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in connection with the interpretation and administration of this Plan.

ARTICLE 10

AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN

10.1 Amendment of Plan

Subject to the terms of Section 10.3, AETI may at any time amend the Plan in whole or in part, provided, however, that the amendment (i) will not decrease the balance of the Participant’s Deferral Account at the time of the amendment and (ii) will not retroactively decrease the applicable Crediting Rates of the Plan prior to the time of the amendment. AETI may amend the Crediting Rates of the Plan prospectively, in which case the Administrator will notify the Participant of the amendment in writing within 30 days after the amendment.

10.2 Termination of Plan

Subject to the terms of Section 10.3, AETI may at any time terminate the Plan. If AETI terminates the Plan, distributions to the Participants or their Beneficiaries shall be made on the dates on which the Participants or Beneficiaries would receive benefits hereunder without regard to the termination of the Plan except that payments may be made upon termination of the Plan if the requirements for accelerated payment under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(C) are satisfied.

10.3 Amendment or Termination after Change in Control

Notwithstanding the foregoing, AETI will not amend or terminate the Plan without the prior written consent of affected Participants for a period of two calendar years following a Change in Control of AETI and will not thereafter amend or terminate the Plan in any manner which affects any Participant (or Beneficiary of a deceased Participant) who commences receiving payment of benefits under the Plan prior to the end of the two year period following a Change in Control.

10.4 Exercise of Power to Amend or Terminate

AETI’s power to amend or terminate the Plan will be exercisable by the Compensation Committee of the AETI Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 11

CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

11.1 Claims Procedure for Claims Other Than for Vesting due to Disability

(a) Except for claims due to Disability, the Administrator will notify a Participant or his or her Beneficiary (or person submitting a claim on behalf of the Participant or Beneficiary) (a “claimant”) in writing, within 90 days after his or her written application for benefits, of his or her eligibility or noneligibility for benefits under the Plan. If the Administrator determines that a claimant is not eligible for benefits or full benefits, the notice will set forth (1) the specific reasons for the denial, (2) a specific reference to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based, (3) a description of any additional information or material necessary for the

 

6


claimant to perfect his or her claim, and a description of why it is needed, and (4) an explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedure and other appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to have the claim reviewed. If the Administrator determines that there are special circumstances requiring additional time to make a decision, the Administrator will notify the claimant of the special circumstances and the date by which a decision is expected to be made, and may extend the time for up to an additional 90-day period.

(b) If a claimant is determined by the Administrator not to be eligible for benefits, or if the claimant believes that he or she is entitled to greater or different benefits, the claimant will have the opportunity to have the claim reviewed by the Administrator by filing a petition for review with the Administrator within 60 days after receipt of the notice issued by the Administrator. Said petition will state the specific reasons which the claimant believes entitle him or her to benefits or to greater or different benefits. Within 60 days after receipt by the Administrator of the petition, the Administrator will afford the claimant (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his or her position to the Administrator in writing, and the claimant (or counsel) will have the right to review the pertinent documents. The Administrator will notify the claimant of its decision in writing within the 60-day period, stating specifically the basis of its decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and the specific provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based. If, because of the need for a hearing, the 60-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be deferred for up to another 60-day period at the election of the Administrator, but notice of this deferral will be given to the claimant. In the event of the death of the Participant, the same procedures will apply to the Participant’s Beneficiaries.

11.2 Claims Procedure for Claims due to Disability

(a) Within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 45 days after receipt of a claim due to Disability, the Administrator or its delegate shall notify the claimant of any adverse benefit determination on the claim, unless circumstances beyond the Plan’s control require an extension of time for processing the claim. In no event may the extension period exceed 30 days from the end of the initial 45-day period. If an extension is necessary, the Administrator or its delegate shall provide the claimant with a written notice to this effect prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period. The notice shall describe the circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which the Administrator or its delegate expects to render a determination on the claim. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Administrator or its delegate determines that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the Plan, a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for an additional 30 days, so long as the Administrator or its delegate notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the first 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Administrator or its delegate expects to render a decision. This notice of extension shall specifically describe the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and that the claimant has at least 45 days within which to provide the specified information.

(b) In the case of an adverse benefit determination, the Administrator or its delegate shall provide to the claimant written or electronic notification setting forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (i) the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination; (ii) reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the adverse benefit determination is based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; (iv) a description of the Plan’s claim review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse final benefit determination on review and in accordance with this Section 11.2 (v) if an internal rule, guideline, protocol or similar criterion (“internal standard”) was relied upon in making the determination, a copy of the internal standard shall be provided to the claimant free of charge upon request; and (vi) if the determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination or a statement that such explanation shall be provided free of charge upon request.

(c) If a claimant is determined by the Administrator not to be eligible for benefits, or if the claimant believes that he or she is entitled to greater or different benefits, the claimant will have the opportunity to have the claim reviewed by the Administrator by filing a petition for review with the Administrator within 180 days after receipt of the notice issued by the Administrator. Said petition will state the specific reasons which the claimant believes entitle him or her to benefits or to greater or different benefits. Within 45 days after receipt by the Administrator of the petition, the Administrator will afford the claimant (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his or her position to the Administrator in writing, and the claimant (or counsel) will have the right to review the pertinent documents. The Administrator will notify the claimant of its decision in writing within the 45-day period, stating specifically the basis of its decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and including the information described in Section 10.2(b) above. If, because of the need for a hearing, the 45-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be deferred for up to another 45-day period at the election of the Administrator, but notice of this deferral will be given to the claimant. In the event of the death of the Participant, the same procedures will apply to the Participant’s Beneficiaries.

11.3 Dispute Arbitration

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and because it is agreed that time will be of the essence in determining whether any payments are due to a claimant under the Plan, a claimant may, if he or she desires, submit any claim for payment under the Plan to arbitration. This right to select arbitration will be solely that of the claimant and the claimant may decide whether or not to arbitrate in his or her

 

7


discretion. The “right to select arbitration” is not mandatory on the claimant, and the claimant may choose in lieu thereof to bring an action in an appropriate civil court. Once an arbitration is commenced, however, it may not be discontinued without the mutual consent of both parties to the arbitration. During the lifetime of the Participant only he or she can use the arbitration procedure set forth in this section.

Any claim for arbitration may be submitted as follows: if a claimant has submitted a request to be paid under the Plan and the claim is finally denied by the Administrator in whole or in part, the claim may be filed in writing with an arbitrator of the claimant’s choice who is selected by the method described in the next four sentences. The first step of the selection will consist of the claimant submitting a list of five potential arbitrators to the Administrator. Each of the five arbitrators must be either (1) a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators located in the State of Texas or (2) a retired Texas District Court or Court of Appeals judge. Within one week after receipt of the list, the Administrator will select one of the five arbitrators as the arbitrator for the dispute in question. If the Administrator fails to select an arbitrator within one week after receipt of the list, the claimant will then designate one of the five arbitrators for the dispute in question.

The arbitration hearing will be held within seven days (or as soon thereafter as possible) after the picking of the arbitrator. No continuance of said hearing will be allowed without the mutual consent of the claimant and the Administrator. Absence from or nonparticipation at the hearing by either party will not prevent the issuance of an award. Hearing procedures which will expedite the hearing may be ordered at the arbitrator’s discretion, and the arbitrator may close the hearing in his or her sole discretion when he or she decides he or she has heard sufficient evidence to satisfy issuance of an award.

The arbitrator’s award will be rendered as expeditiously as possible and in no event later than one week after the close of the hearing.

In the event the arbitrator finds that the Administrator or the Employer has breached the terms of the Plan, he or she will order the Employer to pay to the claimant within two business days after the decision is rendered the amount then due the claimant, plus, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, an additional amount equal to 20% of the amount actually in dispute. This additional amount will constitute an additional benefit under the Plan. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon the Parties.

The award may be enforced in any appropriate court as soon as possible after its rendition. The Administrator will be considered the prevailing party in a dispute if the arbitrator determines (1) that neither the Administrator nor the Employer has breached the terms of the Plan and (2) the claim by the claimant was not made in good faith. Otherwise, the claimant will be considered the prevailing party. In the event that the Administrator is the prevailing party, the fee of the arbitrator and all necessary expenses of the hearing (excluding any attorneys’ fees incurred by the Administrator) including the fees of a stenographic reporter, if employed, will be paid by the losing party. In the event that the claimant is the prevailing party, the fee of the arbitrator and all necessary expenses of the hearing (including all attorneys’ fees incurred by the claimant in pursuing his or her claim and the fees of a stenographic reporter, if employed) will be paid by the Employer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the claim is for Disability benefits, the following rules apply: (1) the Administrator will not assert that a claimant has failed to exhaust administrative remedies if the claimant does not submit to arbitration, (2) any applicable statute of limitations or other similar defense is tolled during the time the arbitration is pending, (3) the claimant may only submit to arbitration after exhausting the claims procedures described above, and (4) no fees or costs will be imposed on the claimant as part of the arbitration (other than the claimant’s attorneys’ fees).

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Successors

The rights and obligations of each Employer under the Plan will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Employer.

12.2 Trust

The Employers will be responsible for the payment of all benefits under the Plan. At their discretion, the Employers may establish one or more grantor trusts for the purpose of providing for payment of benefits under the Plan. The trust or trusts may be irrevocable, but an Employer’s share of the assets [Will there be any under this plan?] thereof will be subject to the claims of the Employer’s creditors. Benefits paid to the Participant from any such trust will be considered paid by the Employer for purposes of meeting the obligations of the Employer under the Plan.

12.3 Employment Not Guaranteed

Nothing contained in the Plan nor any action taken hereunder will be construed as a contract of employment or as giving any Participant any right to continue in employment with the Employer or any other Affiliate.

 

8


12.4 Gender, Singular and Plural

All pronouns and variations thereof will be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the identity of the person or persons may require. As the context may require, the singular may be read as the plural and the plural as the singular.

12.5 Captions

The captions of the articles and sections of the Plan are for convenience only and will not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.

12.6 Validity

If any provision of the Plan is held invalid, void or unenforceable, the same will not affect, in any respect whatsoever, the validity of any other provisions of the Plan.

12.7 Waiver of Breach

The waiver by AETI or the Administrator of any breach of any provision of the Plan by the Participant will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Participant.

12.8 Applicable Law

The Plan will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Texas except where the laws of Texas are preempted by ERISA.

12.9 Notice

Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Administrator under the Plan will be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by first class mail to the principal office of AETI, directed to the attention of the Administrator. The notice will be deemed given as of the date of delivery, or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark.

12.10 ERISA Plan

The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for “a select group of management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA and therefore to be exempt from Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA. AETI is the named fiduciary.

12.11 Statutes and Regulations

Any reference to a statute or regulation herein shall include any successor to such statute or regulation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , AETI has duly adopted this Plan effective the 1st day of January, 2009.

 

AMERICAN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Secretary
Dated:  

 

 

9

Exhibit 10.27

American Electric Technologies, Inc.

Salary Plan

                                

Name of Participant:

The Board of Directors at its meeting approved the following salary plan for you for:

 

Base Salary

  = $  

Bonus Salary

  = $  

Total Expected Salary

  = $  

Restricted Stock Units

    shares (performance variable)

The calculation of your bonus is $             multiplied by performance against goals and the weight of each goal. Your goals and weighting are:

 

GOAL

   WEIGHT

AETI EBT

   %

M&I EBT(excl. intl)

   %

Meeting Corporate Goals

   %

Balance Sheet Metrics

   %

Safety

   %

Non Quantifiable Objectives

   %

All income calculations are based on internal 12/31/xx income statements excluding significant non- recurring gains or losses (at management’s discretion). Income items must meet a minimum 75% attainment. Financial goals are capped at 150%.

Payments will be made no later than 3/15/xx, and participant must be on the payroll at that time to be eligible.

 

 

    

 

Participant      President and CEO

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 25, 2009 with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of American Electric Technologies, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

/s/ Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
Houston, Texas
March 26, 2009

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 26, 2008

 

By:  

/s/ Arthur G. Dauber

  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 26, 2009

 

By:  

/s/ John H. Untereker

  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, 2008 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 26, 2009

 

By:  

/s/ ARTHUR G. DAUBER

  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, 2008 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 26, 2009

 

By:  

/s/ JOHN H. UNTEREKER

  John H. Untereker
  Principal Financial Officer