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, 2014
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number:
000-53443
HPEV, Inc. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Nevada |
75-3076597 |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 300
Tampa, Florida 33637
(Address of principal executive office)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (813) 975-7467
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
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 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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 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. ¨
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.
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 Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the shares of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates based upon the closing price of $0.93 per share of such common stock as of June 30, 2014 was $36,310,478.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 61,728,102 shares of common stock as of March 20, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item No. |
|
Page No. | |||
PART I |
|||||
|
|
|
|||
1 |
Business |
3 |
|||
1A |
Risk Factors |
11 |
|||
1B |
Unresolved Staff Comments |
11 |
|||
2 |
Properties |
11 |
|||
3 |
Legal Proceedings |
11 |
|||
4 |
Mine Safety Disclosures |
14 |
|||
PART II |
|||||
|
|||||
5 |
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. |
15 |
|||
6 |
Selected Financial Data |
16 |
|||
7 |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
16 |
|||
7A |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
20 |
|||
8 |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
21 |
|||
9 |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
38 |
|||
9A |
Controls and Procedures |
38 |
|||
9B |
Other Information |
39 |
|||
PART III |
|||||
|
|||||
10 |
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
40 |
|||
11 |
Executive Compensation |
43 |
|||
12 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
46 |
|||
13 |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
48 |
|||
14 |
Principal Accounting Fees and Services |
50 |
|||
PART IV |
|||||
|
|||||
15 |
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules |
51 |
|||
SIGNATURES |
53 |
2
|
|
PART I
Item 1. Business
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”), references to the “Company,” the “registrant,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to HPEV, Inc. and our 95% owned subsidiary, Ultimate Power Truck, LLC (“UPT”), unless the context otherwise indicates.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Report contains predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this Annual Report. You should read this Report and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they are made, except as required by federal securities and any other applicable law.
Corporate History
We were incorporated on July 22, 2002 in the State of Nevada under the name Bibb Corporation. On September 3, 2010, we changed our name to Z3 Enterprises, Inc. (“Z3”) and on April 5, 2012, to HPEV, Inc.
On March 29, 2011, we entered into a share exchange agreement (which was amended on June 14, 2011) with HPEV, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“the Share Exchange Agreement”) to acquire 100 shares, constituting all of the issued and outstanding shares of HPEV, Inc. in consideration for the issuance of 22,000,000 shares of common stock. Upon closing of the share exchange on April 15, 2011, HPEV, Inc. became our wholly owned subsidiary. There was a change of control of our company on April 15, 2011 as a result of the issuance of 21,880,000 shares of our common stock to the original shareholders of HPEV, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement. An additional 120,000 shares were issued during the fourth quarter of 2011 which completed the issuance of 22,000,000 shares of common stock under the terms of the amended Share Exchange Agreement.
As of March 20, 2015, we have five patents and seven patent applications pending in the area of composite heat structures, motors, and related structures, heat pipe architecture, applications (commonly referred to as ‘thermal’ or ‘heat dispersion technology’) and a parallel vehicle power platform. The Company intends to commercialize our patents by licensing our thermal technologies and applications to electric motor, pump and vehicle component manufacturers; by licensing or selling a mobile electric power system powered by the Company’s proprietary gearing system to commercial vehicle and fleet owners; and by licensing a plug-in hybrid conversion system for heavy duty trucks, buses and tractor trailers to fleet owners and service centers.
3
|
|
Business Description
We have developed and intend to commercialize dispersion technologies in various product platforms, and have developed and intend to commercialize an electric load assist technology around which we have designed a vehicle retrofit system. In preparation, we have applied for trademarks for one of our technologies and its acronym. The Company currently has two trademarks in the application process: HPEV and TEHPC.
We believe that our proprietary technologies, including our patent portfolio and trade secrets, can help increase the efficiency and affect manufacturing cost structure in several large industries beginning with motor/generator and fleet vehicles.
The markets for products utilizing our technology include consumer, industrial and military markets, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Our initial target markets include those involved in moving materials and moving people, such as:
· |
Motors/Generators, |
|
· |
Mobile auxiliary power, |
|
· |
Compressors, |
|
· |
Turbines (Wind, Micro), |
|
· |
Bearings, |
|
· |
Electric Vehicles: rail, off-highway, mining, delivery, refuse, |
|
· |
Brakes/rotors/calipers, |
|
· |
Pumps/fans, |
|
· |
Passenger vehicles: auto, bus, train, aircraft, |
|
· |
Commercial vehicles: SUV, light truck, tram, bucket truck |
|
· |
Military: boats, Humvee, truck, aircraft, and |
|
· |
Marine: boats ranging in size from 30 feet to 120 feet and beyond. |
Our Technologies
Our technologies are divided into three distinct but complementary categories: heat dispersion technology, mobile electric power and electric load assist.
Heat Dispersion Technology
Heat is an undesirable byproduct of anything that moves, especially motors and generators. Historically, a large percentage of the cost of manufacturing any motor has been in the technology necessary to remove heat during its operation to prevent failure and increase power. Heat can destroy motors, generators and many other types of machinery, and the energy necessary to remove heat can limit output.
Our patented thermal dispersion technology removes heat via composite heat structures and heat pipe architecture. Heat pipes have been utilized for more than 50 years, but we have a proprietary process and design technology that makes our heat pipes usable in many applications that have previously not been effective. The key is that our heat pipes move heat in any direction in a system that requires little or no maintenance and can be applied to almost any motor, generator or industrial product. We believe that this allows for more efficient, smaller, and higher output machines, resulting in cooler motors and a longer operating life.
Our patent portfolio covers the application and integration of our heat pipes into various cooling schemes for enhanced heat removal in motors, generators and numerous other industrial applications including marine, aviation and military. We believe that our technologies have the potential to deliver power output increases and cost reductions, depending on the machine type or motor/generator size, as follows:
1. |
Increase power density of current motor platforms by 20% to 50%, |
2. |
Reduce total product cost by 12.5% to 25%, |
3. |
Increase motor and generator efficiency by 1% to 2%, and |
4. |
Increase motor and generator life. |
Recent tests by independent laboratories showed a 200% increase in horsepower capability for a dry pit submersible pump and a 25% to 35% increase in power density for a 650 kVA alternator.
On December 6, 2013, ESSCO Pumps and Controls, a member of the Hydraulic Institute, conducted the tests in accordance with standards set forth by the Institute. The tests examined the tolerances of an industrial electric motor in an extreme situation. The tolerances determine the amount of power that can be driven through pumps run by the motor and are a strong predictor of the maintenance and other service downtime the pump will require. The original pump motor is rated to run, without submersion, for up to 15 minutes before the pump’s protective circuits will turn it off to prevent overheating. This heat limitation restricts the output of the motor. The test pump used the same industrial electric motor, except with HPEV thermal dispersion technology incorporated. The result: the test pump ran without submersion for more than two hours at or above full power without reaching critical temperatures that would have caused an automatic shutdown.
4
|
|
On December 13, 2013, Mohler Technology, Inc. of Boonville, Indiana completed tests of an alternator enhanced with HPEV technology. A 650kVA alternator (generator) was run at full load to test its operational limits. The heat produced by generators of that size must be removed or controlled in order for the alternator to operate effectively. Manufacturers’ current best practice is to add either a liquid cooling system or an extra large frame around the motor to provide additional surface area to help dissipate the heat. Both practices increase the cost and complexity of the generators.
The alternator tested used HPEV thermal technology with no other cooling of any kind. The results showed a minimum of 25% improvement in power density over the manufacturer’s rating for the alternator when operating without water cooling. In fact, the alternator achieved power densities comparable to a liquid-cooled or over-framed one .
The tests confirmed our belief that our heat pipe cooling system equals the effectiveness of a more complex water-cooled system. Extrapolating the results leads us to believe that simple designs incorporating our thermal technology combined with the increase in potential output will result in lower costs to manufacture by reducing the amount of material needed to produce a product with a specific output.
We also believe that products produced with our technologies have the potential to deliver operational savings as well, including savings from:
- |
reduced maintenance costs, |
- |
the standardization of multiple platforms down to a single platform, |
- |
the standardization of drawings and data around existing platforms, |
- |
the ability to use standard designs and standard insulation systems versus customization, and |
- |
the ability to integrate and produce on existing production lines with no retooling and no additional, or minimal, capital investment. |
Our revenue model for the heat dispersion technology is to license the technology in exchange for royalties.
The successful testing also represents a significant advance in our product development agreements with manufacturing partners. We anticipate that we will begin to enter into license agreements upon completion of our initial product development, when the product is ready to be manufactured on the licensee’s regular production line, after all development and testing to industry or governmental standards have been completed. Field tests are at the discretion of each manufacturer.
We also plan to incorporate heat pipes in vehicle components which generate heat such as brake calipers, resistors and rotors. The new brake components should be incorporated in the initial conversion vehicle.
We currently expect to begin to generate revenues from our heat dispersion technology business in the second half of 2015.
Mobile Power Generation
The Company has a proprietary gearing system for its ELA, which may also be used to power an on-board generator, eliminating the need for some commercial vehicles to tow a mobile generator to a work site. Management believes that there is a need for on-board, continuous generation of up to 200 kilowatts (kW) of power to remote jobsites, as well as mobile generation of emergency power in the event of an outage or disaster. We intend to offer an on-board generator installation kit as a stand-alone (Mobile Generator) and as part of a hybrid conversion (Ultimate Work Truck).
Once quality testing and standards certification are completed for the electrical utility industry, we expect to introduce 25kW mobile generators early in the middle of 2015 and a 50kW later in 2015.
Our revenue model for the mobile electric power generation is to rely on either direct sales or indirect sales through a network of distributors. We hope to begin to generate revenues from our mobile electric power technology business in the second half of 2015.
5
|
|
Electric Load Assist Technology
We have also developed proprietary Electric Load Assist (“ELA”) technology. The technology is the centerpiece of our vehicle retrofit system (separate and apart from our heat pipe technology and heat dispersion product development partnerships), which also relies on the benefits of heat removal by composite heat structures and heat pipe architecture and is protected by patents and patents-pending.
With ELA, a vehicle engine does not have to work as hard, as some of the work that was done by the engine is now performed by an electric motor running in parallel. The vehicle still drives and feels the same, and our ELA controller allows full acceleration and braking control; however, the engine runs much more efficiently and burns significantly less fossil fuel. The ELA controller allows the vehicle operator to determine the amount of load assist during operation, ranging from all-fuel to all-electric. We believe that our ELA system will provide a significant difference and improvement from, and competitive advantage over, current market offerings such as the Toyota Prius. If either the electrical system or the internal combustion engine fails, an ELA vehicle can operate on the remaining system. In current market offerings, if either system fails, the vehicle fails.
We believe our ELA technology is compatible with any manufacturer as well as any power source, including traditional gasoline/diesel engines, compressed natural gas, batteries and fuel cells. We also believe that our technology will have a wide range of marine, aviation, industrial and military applications.
Initially, we plan to implement a simple version of our ELA system technology for on-board mobile auxiliary power, which we anticipate will generate revenue from transport companies and other businesses which own and/or manage fleets of Class 2, 3, 4 and 6 or light to medium-duty trucks. Our revenue model for the ELA technology will be to license the technology in exchange for royalties based on fuel savings.
We currently expect to begin to generate revenues from our ELA technology business in the second half of 2015.
Competition
Heat Dispersion Technology
Cooling solutions to remove or control heat produced by industrial electric motors, generators and alternators are provided by the manufacturers. Their current best practices are based on technology that’s over 50 years old. They either add a liquid cooling system to the motor or build an extra large frame around the motor to provide additional surface area to help dissipate the heat. Both practices increase the cost and complexity of their products.
The Company is not aware of any new alternatives on the market.
Mobile Electric Power
Other companies use a vehicle’s engine to charge on-board batteries, which then run the generator when the vehicle is stopped. While this eliminates idling, output tends to be less than 50 kW and lithium-ion batteries typically power the system. The batteries have limited runtimes and a shorter lifespan than acid batteries. In addition, they must be cooled to operate properly. Two companies dominate belt driven systems: Aura Systems, Inc. and Mobile Electric Power Solutions, Inc. (“MEPS”). Their systems use a vehicle’s engine to power a generator and produce electricity whenever the engine is running. The interface to the vehicle is under the hood via a separate belt system. Both are very efficient, capable of delivering the rated power at or near the engine’s idle revolutions per minute (“RPM”). According to Aura Systems’ 2013 annual report filed on Form 10-K, the Aura Systems system is over 80% efficient at the low RPM range and is approximately 75% efficient at the very high RPM range. Aura Systems offers an axial-plus style motor and control that outputs up to approximately 16 kW. MEPS uses the alternator to power a belt-driven system that provides up to 15 kW. Both provide clean power to operate sophisticated electronic equipment. MEPS delivers alternating current (“AC”) power, whereas Aura Systems proves both AC and direct current (“DC”).
A variety of engine or transmission-based electrical power take-off systems also provide exportable power. They tend to output small amounts like 7 kW of 110/220 volt power.
6
|
|
Management believes that the Company can compete in the mobile electric power market because there is a need for on-board generators, as opposed to trailer-mounted generators towed behind a vehicle. In comparison to the purchase price of new Doosan towable generator, we believe we can provide up to 200 kilowatts (“kW”) of auxiliary mobile power to any location for less than half the production cost of a towable, trailer-mounted generator, which may weigh over 5,000 pounds. We intend to deliver the same power at under 1,000 pounds.
We believe our competition in the mobile generator market will be from well-established companies such as Cummins, Caterpillar, Doosan, WackerNeuson, Multi Quip and Generac. All of them offer towable, trailer-mounted generators. Only Cummins offers an onboard generator and it’s specifically engineered for mobile emergency vehicle use.
Vehicle companies are also working to provide customers and partners with exportable power in conjunction with the development of hybrid vehicles. According to a January 2013 press release from VIA Motors, Inc., the company worked with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the leading subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, to convert two GM trucks into plug-in hybrids that export 15 kW of power for about $400,000, and is now working to boost that to 50 kW. VIA Motors plans to produce them commercially with prices in the $70,000 range, according to a January 2012 article in Forbes.com.
Electric Load Assist Technology
While the new hybrid electric vehicle industry is intensely competitive and features several multi-national companies such as Ford, GM, Toyota, Volvo and Honda, we believe that the market for hybrid conversions is in its infancy. There are a number of small companies, such as EVDrive, Inc, and Verde Sustainable Energy, Inc., selling do-it-yourself conversion kits for individual vehicles. XL Hybrids, Inc. offers hybrid conversions through aftermarket installers for specific van, delivery and shuttle vehicles. EV Power Systems, Inc. is involved in conversions for fleet vehicles. AMP Holding Inc., is a manufacturer of AMP Electric Vehicles. Wrightspeed Inc. offers replacement electric drive trains for high fuel consumption vehicles. VIA Motors, Inc. is offering conversions of a GM pick-up, van and SUV. Echo Automotive, Inc., a company with a similar business plan, offers a technology based on a series platform. XL Hybrids technology features a bolt-on retrofit kit that attaches to the drive train and adds lithium ion batteries and a controller. To our knowledge, no other company is involved in developing and commercializing ELA technology in a parallel platform or an aftermarket commercial platform.
ALTe Powertrain Technologies and Eaton Corporation are converting commercial vehicles by replacing the entire power-train, including the engine, transmission, fuel tank and drive shaft. We intend to perform conversions by adding standard components along with a patented thermal-engineered traction motor and the patent-pending electric load assist.
We aim to compete in the fleet markets for currently-owned vehicles.
We believe the primary competitive factors in our markets include, but are not limited to:
· |
technological innovation; |
|
· |
product quality and safety; |
|
· |
product performance; and |
|
· |
price. |
To a limited extent, we will compete against new hybrid vehicles if a fleet owner has a vehicle that is near the end of its useful life elects to purchase a new hybrid vehicle rather than upgrade with a conversion to a plug-in hybrid. However, it may still be cost effective for the fleet owner to purchase a new vehicle and then add a conversion depending on the added cost for a new hybrid versus the conversion cost.
Some of our competitors and potential competitors may have greater resources than we do and may be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to changes in the marketplace, whether as a result technological, economic or customer requirements or preferences.
Some of our potential competitors are significantly larger than we are, have been in business much longer than we have, and have significantly more resources at their disposal. That enhances their ability to obtain top engineering talent as well as sales representatives with strong industry ties. Plus, their greater market clout could effectively overwhelm our promotional and marketing efforts.
7
|
|
Equipment
As a company that intends to commercialize or license its proprietary technology for others to install, manufacture and/or distribute, our equipment needs are project specific and temporary. We do not intend to purchase any production equipment to implement our business operations, but instead we will rent, lease or outsource as needed.
Manufacturing
We do not plan to manufacture in-house. The Company plans to outsource manufacture of its on-board mobile auxiliary power kit. For our thermal technologies, the Company plans to rely on product development agreements with manufacturers who will then pay a license or royalty per unit. We anticipate that such agreements will delineate the respective intellectual property owned by both companies, describe the goal of the testing to verify the savings and value to a particular company, the equipment to be modified, the criteria that constitute successful testing, how and where the tests will be conducted and the next steps to be taken in the event of successful testing. For plug-in, hybrid conversions, the Company plans to use off-the-shelf and made-to-order equipment combined with proprietary software owned by the Company and created specifically for use on our parallel platform. To that end, the Company has sourced and priced electric motors, generators and other components as well as software programming. Installations will be performed by licensees of our ELA technology, but we currently have no license agreements.
Suppliers
Our primary supplier for mobile power will be Inverom Corporation. They will supply the software to integrate the vehicle’s controls with our mobile generators. For castings, the initial supplier will be GearTech Heavy Duty, LLC. Production level quantities will be handled by Morse, a brand manufactured by Emerson Industrial Automation, a division of Emerson Electric Company. The generators will be supplied by Emerson Electric Company with a backup of General Electric Company. The balance of the components will be obtained from a number of other suppliers.
For the thermal technology applications in electric motors, Thermacore, Inc. will supply the heat pipes and mechanical structure, which combine to make the heat exchangers. HPEV coordinates with Thermacore to combine HPEV technology with Thermacore technology in the creation of heat exchangers.
For dry pit submersibles, the wound stator and the rotor-shaft will be purchased from Nidec Motor Corporation or General Electric Company. The castings will be purchased from the Quality Castings Company, located in Orville, Ohio. These components will then be assembled and tested by Consulting Point, Inc. located in Brownsville, Texas.
Intellectual Property
Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our technology and intellectual property. To accomplish this, we rely on a combination of patents, patent applications, trade secrets, copyright laws, trademarks, intellectual property licenses and other contractual rights to establish and protect our proprietary rights. As of March 20, 2015, we own five patents and have seven patent applications pending in the area of composite heat structures, motors, and related structures, heat pipe architecture, applications and a parallel vehicle platform. Currently, we have no licenses or contractual rights in place to protect our technology and intellectual property.
Our success will likely depend upon our ability to preserve our proprietary technologies and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of other parties. However, we may also rely on certain proprietary technologies and know-how that are not patentable.
We strive to protect such proprietary information, in part, by the use of confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and contractors. The Company has a policy of not disclosing its patent applications in order to protect the underlying technology.
8
|
|
The following table sets forth the patents we own or license which we believe support our technology.
Number Patent |
Country |
Filing Date |
Issue Date |
Expiration Date |
Title |
|||||
8,283,818 B2 |
US |
February 4, 2009 |
October 9, 2012 |
October 9, 2032 |
Electric Motor with Heat Pipes |
|||||
8,134,260 B2 |
US |
July 31, 2009 |
March 13, 2012 |
March 13, 2032 |
Electric Motor with Heat Pipes |
|||||
8,148,858 B2 |
US |
August 6, 2009 |
April 3, 2012 |
April 3, 2032 |
Totally Enclosed Heat Pipe Cooled Motor |
|||||
8,198,770 B2 |
US |
April 3, 2009 |
June 12, 2012 |
June 12, 2032 |
Heat Pipe Bearing Cooler Systems and Methods |
|||||
7,569,955 B2 |
US |
June 19, 2007 |
August 4, 2009 |
August 4, 2029 |
Electric Motor with Heat Pipes |
Government and Industry Regulation
We intend to conduct business worldwide and, therefore, we must comply with local, state, federal, and international regulations, both in operations and for our products.
As a company, we do not plan to manufacture any of our products. Therefore, the government regulations we will be subject to will be limited to storage and involve rotating the shafts of electric motors on a regular basis.
Applicable laws and regulations include those governing, among other things, noise and employee safety, as well as the handling, storage and transportation of materials and products. In addition, some of our products are subject to various laws and regulations relating to, among other things, emissions and fuel requirements.
Accordingly, we may be required or may voluntarily determine to obtain approval of our products from one or more of the organizations engaged in regulating product or environmental safety. These approvals could require significant time and resources from our technical staff and, if redesign were necessary, could result in a delay in the introduction of our products in various markets and applications.
Although we believe that our operations and products are in material compliance with current applicable regulations noted within this section, can be no assurance that changes in such laws and regulations will not impose costly compliance requirements on us or otherwise subject us to future liabilities. New regulations could also require our licensees to redesign their products which could cause us to redesign our technologies which, consequently, could affect market growth for our products.
As our thermal technologies are incorporated in existing motors, generators and other manufactured products that are already subject to regulation. The regulatory burden will fall on the original equipment manufacturers that license our technology.
In addition to an existing generator incorporating HPEV thermal technology, the stand-alone version of our auxiliary mobile power system will include a specialized gearing package, which connects the drive train to a generator that will be added on-board. We believe that the vehicle and drive train will operate normally in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and that no regulations will be violated or exceeded as well. Nonetheless, in some markets, the Company will have to certify that it meets federal, state or local noise and emission regulations.
The most significant regulatory burden the Company will face will be upon our hybrid conversion systems. All hybrid conversions must comply with Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) emission standards.
Any change to the original configuration of an EPA certified vehicle, including alternative fuel conversion, may be a potential violation of the Clean Air Act prohibition against tampering. Exemption from the tampering prohibition may be available by demonstrating that emission controls in a converted vehicle will continue to function properly and that pollution will not increase as a result of conversion.
Our products have been designed to comply with EPA emission standards and we believe they will comply with future requirements including the new fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards set to take effect in 2016.
The Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) is charged with writing and enforcing safety and fuel economy standards for motor vehicles through their Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. These standards require manufacturers to design their electrically powered vehicles so that, in the event of a crash, the electrical energy storage, conversion, and traction systems are either electrically isolated from the vehicle's chassis or their voltage is below specified levels considered safe from electric shock hazards. Our products will be designed to meet or exceed these requirements.
9
|
|
The Company intends to add an electric load assist on a parallel platform to motor vehicles. No original vehicle parts will be significantly modified in the conversion process. There will be some additional parts (motor, drive, battery and sensors and controls) added, but these parts will not change how the vehicle operates in any way. Although we will be adding power directly to the rear wheels, the rest of the drive train will operate according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Therefore, we believe that the original warranty will remain in effect and we do not believe that the conversion will violate the Magnuson-Moss Act.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that protects consumers by barring a vehicle manufacturer from voiding the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless the manufacturer can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle.
All of our other components (motor, drive, batteries, controller/sensors) will be warranted by their respective manufacturers.
In addition, the total weight of the additional components should remain within the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating As a result, we believe that our conversions will be in compliance with federal and state transportation regulations.
While we do not create and market our products around government subsidies and tax incentives, there are many state and federal subsidies which our products would be eligible for. For example, in Colorado consumers can qualify for up to $7,600 in tax credits for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle conversions. There are a number of other states that offer a variety of incentives for such conversions.
If we fulfill all elements of our business plan, we will have to prepare for, understand and ultimately meet emerging product environmental regulations around the world. Our products will have to comply with the current emission standards that went into effect in the European Union last year as well as the standards in other international markets, including Japan, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Russia, India and China that are becoming more stringent.
Our ability to comply and to help licensees comply with these and future fuel standards is an essential element in establishing a leadership position in regulated markets. We have made, and will continue to make, significant capital and research expenditures to comply with these standards. Our failure to comply with these standards could result in adverse effects on our future financial results.
Other Environmental Statutes and Regulations
We believe we are in compliance in all material respects with laws and regulations applicable to operations.
Employees
As of March 20, 2015, we had four full time employees and no part time employees. We hope to hire additional employees, on an as-needed basis, subject to sufficient funding, as products and services are developed.
Research and Development
During 2014 and 2013, we incurred research and development costs of $1,518,807 and $486,160, respectively. Such costs were not borne directly by customers.
10
|
|
Item 1A. Risk Factors
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
The Company rents a virtual office, which it uses as its corporate headquarters for a monthly rent of $300. The office is located at 8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 300, Tampa, Florida 33637. We believe that currently this space is adequate. The Company rents a standalone commercial building located at 13800 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, Florida 33764, which it uses as the headquarters for UPT, under a 36 month lease commencing July 1, 2014 for a monthly rent of $2,568. The lease is renewable by the Company for two additional 36- month terms, subject to rental adjustment.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
U.S. District Court Action, District of Nevada
On August 16, 2013, the Company received a Demand for Documents and Demand to Cease and Assist from Nevada counsel representing Spirit Bear Limited (“Spirit Bear”) and Jay Palmer, a former director and one of the three directors of the Company who was appointed by Spirit Bear. Such notice required the Company to provide Mr. Palmer all books and records regarding all equity or debt issued by the Company since January 1, 2013 and an accounting of all compensation disbursed to Company executive officers since such date. Spirit Bear contends that management of the Company issued equity or debt without authority, and established compensation levels for the Company’s officers and paid salaries to its officers in violation of its agreements with Spirit Bear and the Company’s public filings.
On August 27, 2013, the Company filed a complaint in the United States District Court against Spirit Bear, Jay Palmer, and the two other former directors and Spirit Bear Board appointees, Carrie Dwyer and Donica Holt (Case 2:13-cv-01548) (the “Lawsuit”) seeking judicial declaration that the Board resolutions from February 2013 authorizing the compensation of management and the issuance of debt and equity is valid and that the defendants are bound by the Settlement Agreement, dated April 12, 2013. The defendants have indicated that they will seek indemnification from the Company as a result of the Company initiating the Lawsuit. On October 9, 2013, the Company filed a First Amended Complaint which dismissed, without prejudice, Mr. Palmer,Mrs. Dwyer and Holt from the Lawsuit. On October 28, 2013, Spirit Bear responded to the Company's First Amended Complaint and asserted derivative third-party claims in the Lawsuit on behalf of HPEV (“Third Party Lawsuit) against Timothy Hassett, Theodore Banzhaf, Quentin Ponder, Judson Bibb and Mark Hodowanec (“Third Party Defendants”).
Spirit Bear contests the validity of the Company issuing common stock in connection with the capital raises described herein commencing on May 17, 2013, as well as the compensation taken or accrued by the Company's management pursuant to the February 20, 2013 resolutions passed by the Board of Directors, consisting at that time of Messrs. Hassett, Ponder and Bibb. Such disputes are currently pending in the Lawsuit.
11
|
|
On September 16, 2013, Jay Palmer brought an emergency petition for a writ ordering the Company to allow him to inspect the books and records of the Company. On October 1, 2013 the court granted Mr. Palmer the right to inspect the books and records regarding (a) all equity or debt issued by Company management since January 1, 2013 and (b) all compensation disbursed to the Company's executive officers since January 1, 2013, with an accounting of disbursements. On October 16, 2013, the Company received a letter from counsel to Spirit Bear identifying twenty five (25) categories of documents to be produced for Mr. Palmer’s review. Company’s counsel responded to this letter on November 8, 2013, and has yet to hear any response in connection with Mr. Palmer’s emergency petition and no inspection of books and records has occurred or is currently scheduled.
On October 15, 2013, the Company filed an Emergency Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on its claim for Declaratory Relief in the Lawsuit in an effort to streamline the litigation as delay could have a negative impact on the business, including meeting contractual milestones by December 14, 2013. In the Motion, the Company sought a declaration that the resolutions are valid, the Company’s capital raises are authorized and the settlement agreement signed with Spirit Bear on April 14, 2013 is valid and enforceable. Spirit Bear opposed the Company’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. Among other things, Defendant Spirit Bear objected to the Company's designation of its Motion as a purported “emergency” because it improperly denied Spirit Bear the opportunity to respond to the Company's amended complaint, conduct discovery and investigate the Company's claims. By Order filed August 5, 2014, the Court found that genuine issues of material fact exist on the issues raised in the Motion and, on that basis, denied the Motion.
On January 22, 2014 Spirit Bear’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw from representing Spirit Bear in the Lawsuit and Third Party Lawsuit. That Motion was granted on February 11, 2014. Spirit Bear was granted fourteen days to retain new counsel. That deadline was later extended by the Court. On March 13, 2014, new counsel for Spirit Bear filed a Notice of Appearance with the Court.
Also, on February 7, 2014, the Clerk of the Court filed a Notice that Spirit Bear’s Third Party Lawsuit would be dismissed on March 9, 2014 unless Spirit Bear filed Proof of Service of their Summons and Complaint upon Third Party Defendants by that date. Spirit Bear’s time for service was later extended to March 24, 2014. The Company believes that service of all the Third Party Defendants except Theodore Banzhaf occurred prior to March 2014 and Spirit Bear sought additional time to serve Mr. Banzhaf. A return of service was filed with the Court on May 5, 2014 asserting that Mr. Banzhaf was served on April 28, 2014.
On April 7, 2014, the Third Party Defendants, except Mr. Banzhaf who had not yet been served, filed a Motion to Dismiss the Third Party Complaint for, among other things, lack of personal jurisdiction and failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Spirit Bear has opposed the Motion to Dismiss. On May 19, 2014, Mr. Banzhaf joined in the Motion to Dismiss. By Order dated June 26, 2014, the Court granted Spirit Bear’s Motion to Amend its Answer, Third Party Complaint and Counterclaims (see below). The Court stated that it would “treat HPEV’s motion [to dismiss] as a challenge to the newly amended third-party complaint and issue a separate order on that motion.” By Order dated November 21, 2015, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss as to Defendant Mark Hodowanec and denied it with respect to the other Defendants.
Also on April 7, 2014, Spirit Bear filed an Emergency Motion for a Preliminary Injunction which seeks an Order from the Court requiring the Company to maintain an effective registration statement with the SEC applicable to the HPEV securities that Spirit Bear previously acquired. The Company has opposed the Motion for Preliminary Injunction. By Order dated August 5, 2014, the Court denied Spirit Bear’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
12
|
|
On May 5, 2014, Spirit Bear filed a Motion for Leave to Amend its Answer to First Amended Complaint and Verified Derivative Counter & Third Party Claim. The Company opposed this Motion. However, by Order dated June 26, 2014, the Court granted Spirit Bear’s Motion to Amend and on June 27, 2014, Spirit Bear filed its Amended Answer to First Amended Complaint; Amended Verified Derivative Counter and Third-Party Claim; and Verified Counterclaim. The Amended Counterclaim sets forth various causes of action against the Company including Breach of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing with respect to the Securities Purchase Agreement, Breach of the Registration Rights Agreement, Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing with respect to the Registration Rights Agreement, Conversion, Declaratory Relief seeking a declaration that (a) Spirit Bear’s three designees to the Board (i.e. Palmer, Dwyer and Holt) remain holdover directors of the Company until their successors are elected, (b) every action taken by the Board since the annual meeting is not valid, (c) the Lincoln Park Registration Statement is not valid, (d) every action to be taken by the Board in the future is invalid, and (e).the amendment to HPEV’s Bylaws from plurality voting to majority voting and the election of directors that occurred at the annual meeting was improper and invalid. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Counterclaim. By Order dated November 26, 2014, the Court denied the Company’s Motion to Dismiss.
On May 12, 2014, Spirit Bear filed a Motion to Strike New Arguments Contained in the Reply to Spirit Bear's Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Third-Party Defendants. The Company opposed the Motion. By Order dated November 21, 2015, the Court denied Spirit Bear’s Motion to Strike New Arguments.On June 13, 2014, Spirit Bear filed an Emergency Motion for Hearing Spirit Bear's Emergency Motion for a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(a) Status Conference. This Motion essentially sought an order from the Court for a hearing to attempt to expedite a decision of Spirit Bear’s Motion to Amend its Answer and Counterclaim. The Company opposed the Motion. Since the Court granted Spirit Bear’s Motion to Amend by Order dated June 26, 2014, it denied the Motion for Hearing as moot.
On June 19, 2014, the Company filed two Motions as follows: (1) Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Points and Authorities to Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction and (2) Motion to Supplement Opposition to Motion to Amend-Correct Complaint Re [39] Answer to Amended Complaint, Third Party Complaint, Counterclaim. The basis of these motions is that the Company obtained new information since it filed its oppositions to the two motions that it believes the Court should consider. Inasmuch as the Court granted Spirit Bear’s Motion to Amend its Answer on June 26, 2014, it denied, as moot, the Company’s Motion to Supplement Opposition to Motion to Amend-Correct Complaint Re [39] Answer to Amended Complaint, Third Party Complaint, Counterclaim. Inasmuch as the Court denied Spirit Bear’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, it denied as moot he Company’s Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Points and Authorities to Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
On July 8, 2014, Spirit Bear filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment regarding the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Motion sought an Order from the Court declaring that HPEV’s Board is and has been comprised of six directors since March 6, 2013, which includes Timothy Hassett, Quentin Ponder and Judson Bibb (the "Management Directors") and the Spirit Bear Directors. The Company opposed this Motion. By Order dated November 26, 2014, the Court granted Spirit Bear’s Motion, in part, granting a partial declaratory judgment in favor of Spirit Bear declaring that Jay Palmer, Carrie Dwyer, and Donica Holt remained holdover director on the Company’s board despite the January 2014 director election wherein they failed to receive a majority vote of the shareholders.
On January 28, 2015, the Company and its Management Directors entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with Spirit Bear and its affiliates and assignees which, upon the purchase by the Company or its designee of certain specified securities held by Spirit Bear on a date and at an amount specified in the agreement, would permanently resolve, settle, dismiss, and release all actual and potential claims among them (except for breaches under the settlement agreement itself, if any were to arise) without liability therefor. Section 2.6 of the January 28 settlement agreement provides, in relevant part, that “any portion of public filings with the SEC addressing this settlement . . . shall require the approval of a majority of the voting members of the HPEV Board of Directors . . . .” Attached to the January 28 settlement agreement was a Derivative Action Settlement Agreement related to shareholder derivative claims filed by Spirit Bear against the Management Directors in the matter styled HPEV, Inc. v. Spirit Bear Limited, No. 13-cv-01548 (JAD) (GWF) (D. Nev.). As indicated in the Derivative Action Settlement Agreement the parties agreed, subject to receiving Court approval, to settle the derivative action filed by Spirit Bear against the Management Directors. The Court has given preliminary approval to the settlement of the derivative lawsuit, approved a Notice to Shareholders, and set April 30, 2015 as the deadline for filing any objections to the derivative suit settlement agreement. A complete and accurate copy of the fully executed January 28 settlement agreement, including a complete and accurate copy of the fully executed Derivative Action Settlement Agreement, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an attachment to the Schedule 13D/A filed by Spirit Bear on March 13, 2015. The Schedule 13D/A filing was not approved by a majority of the voting members of the Company’s Board of Directors.
13
|
|
SEC Subpoena
On September 18, 2013, separate and distinct from the Lawsuit discussed above, the Securities and Exchange Commission served the Company with a subpoena entitled In the Matter of HPEV, Inc. The subpoena requested documents relating to several matters, including Spirit Bear, Robert Olins and all of their respective affiliates. Although the company has not heard anything further concerning the investigation, the Company continues to comply with the subpoena, providing documents in its possession to the SEC on a rolling basis.
New York Special Proceeding
On May 6, 2014, Timothy Hassett initiated a New York Special Proceeding on behalf of HPEV, captioned Hassett v. Palmer (Case No. 14-004473), in which Hassett sought to compel Palmer, Dwyer and Holt to produce and submit for inspection and examination, the corporate books, records and other HPEV related documents, that Palmer, Dwyer and Holt have in their possession. Palmer, Dwyer, and Holt opposed Hassett’s request and moved to dismiss the New York proceeding on July 2, 2014.
Nevada Indemnification Case
On July 9, 2014, Jay Palmer, Carrier Dwyer, and Donica Holt filed a complaint against HPEV in the Clark County District Court of Nevada (Case: A-14-703641-B), titled Palmer, et. al. v. HPEV , seeking indemnification and advancement of attorney’s fees related to the New York Special Proceeding, captioned Hassett v. Palmer (Case No. 14-004473).
On October 2, 2014, the Court entered an order granting HPEV’s Motion to Dismiss Palmer, et. al. v. HPEV (Case: A-14-703641-B), finding that Palmer, Dwyer, and Holt’s request for indemnification and advancement of fees was not ripe for adjudication.
U.S. District Court, District of New York
On September 25, 2014, HPEV filed a complaint against Spirit Bear, Jay Palmer and Robert Olins in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Case 14-CV-5619) (the “EDNY Action”).
HPEV voluntarily dismissed the EDNY Action and re-filed its claims in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 14-CV-9175) (the “SDNY Action”) to accommodate the defendants’ concerns regarding venue. The SDNY Action includes claims for: rescission of an August 2012 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement on grounds of duress and fraud in the inducement; rescission of the Spirit Bear Securities Purchase Agreement on grounds of duress, fraud in the inducement, illegality, and negligent misrepresentation; rescission of the April 2013 settlement agreement with HPEV based on duress, and fraud in the inducement; breach of the April 2013 Settlement Agreement; breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and damages against Spirit Bear, Palmer and Olins for federal securities fraud and Nevada Securities fraud, as well as personal liability against Palmer and Olins for injury caused by Spirit Bear for the aforementioned causes of action. On January 29, 2015, all parties notified the court of the January 28, 2015 settlement agreement and requested a stay of all proceedings, which request was granted on February 3, 2015. The parties are scheduled to appear for a status conference on April 3, 2015.
On October 30, 2014, Manhattan Transfer Registrar Company filed an interpleader action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Case No. 2:14-CV-6418) (the “Interpleader Action”), based in part on issues raised in the EDNY Action. The Interpleader Action was not dismissed or transferred following HPEV’s filing of the SDNY Action. The Interpleader Action names as defendants HPEV and Michael Kahn, an individual, and seeks guidance from the Court regarding the defendants’ rights concerning certain disputed shares of HPEV. On February 11, 2015, all parties to the Interpleader Action notified the Court of the January 28, 2015 settlement agreement and requested a stay of all proceedings. The Court granted a 60-day stay on February 13, 2015.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
14
|
|
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board from July 30, 2009 to March 26, 2010 under the symbol BIBB. Prior to September 2010, there was no active market for our common stock. Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB under the trading symbol WARM.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as reported on the OTCQB. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
Quarter Ended |
High | Low | ||||||
March 31, 2014 |
$ |
2.00 |
$ |
0.39 |
||||
June 30, 2014 |
$ |
2.05 |
$ |
0.80 |
||||
September 30, 2014 |
$ |
1.00 |
$ |
0.56 |
||||
December 31, 2014 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
0.45 |
||||
March 31, 2013 |
$ |
0.97 |
$ |
0.84 |
||||
June 30, 2013 |
$ |
0.52 |
$ |
0.52 |
||||
September 30, 2013 |
$ |
0.42 |
$ |
0.35 |
||||
December 31, 2013 |
$ |
0.50 |
$ |
0.46 |
The last reported sales price of our common stock on the OTCQB on March 20, 2015, was $0.53.
As of March 20, 2015, there were 182 stockholders of record of our common stock
Dividend Policy
The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate that it will pay dividends in the foreseeable future. It intends to use any future earnings for the expansion of its business. Any future determination of applicable dividends will be made at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on the results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
18,608,235 |
(1) | $ |
1.26 |
0 |
(1) |
Represents (i) five options granted to Theodore Banzhaf, to purchase 1,000,000 shares each at such time as our common stock trades at $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 for 20 consecutive days or upon a change of control of the Company, while Mr. Banzhaf serves as President and for one year following Mr. Banzhaf’s termination without cause. Exercise prices of these options will be equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of vesting; (ii) options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share to each of Theodore Banzahaf, Timothy Hassett and Mark Hodowanec; (iii) options to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share to Judson Bibb; and (iv) warrants to purchase 8,608,235 shares of common stock as set forth in Note 7 to the financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
15
|
|
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We made the following sales of common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, which have a cashless exercise feature, in private offerings to accredited investors during the three months ended December 31, 2014:
Warrants | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date |
Proceeds | Common Shares | Quantity | Exercise Price | Life (Years) | |||||||||||||||
October 2014 |
$ |
250,000 |
454,545 |
304,545 |
$ |
0.75 |
3 |
|||||||||||||
October 2014 |
50,000 |
90,909 |
90,909 |
0.70 |
5 |
|||||||||||||||
October 2014 |
10,000 |
18,182 |
18,182 |
0.75 |
5 |
|||||||||||||||
November 2014 |
100,000 |
181,818 |
181,818 |
0.75 |
3 |
|||||||||||||||
November 2014 |
27,500 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
0.70 |
5 |
|||||||||||||||
November 2014 |
50,000 |
90,909 |
90,909 |
0.70 |
5 |
|||||||||||||||
December 2014 |
65,330 |
118,781 |
118,781 |
0.55 |
3 |
|||||||||||||||
December 2014 |
158,650 |
288,456 |
288,456 |
0.75 |
3 |
We issued warrants for our common stock to an accredited investor in exchange for services during the three months ended December 31, 2014, as follows:
Date |
Consideration |
Quantity |
Exercise Price |
Life (Years) |
||||||||||||
December 2014 |
$ |
28,183 |
60,000 |
$ |
1.00 |
3 |
None of the above issuances involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering and we believe we are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains not only statements that are historical facts, but also statements that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are, by their very nature, uncertain and risky. These risks and uncertainties include international, national and local general economic and market conditions; demographic changes; our ability to sustain, manage, or forecast growth; our ability to successfully make and integrate acquisitions; raw material costs and availability; new product development and introduction; existing government regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; adverse publicity; competition; the loss of significant customers or suppliers; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; changes in business strategy or development plans; business disruptions; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to protect technology; and other risks that might be detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.
Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, the actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited financial statements and related notes elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We opened our UPT headquarters in Largo, Florida in May 2014. We use the facility to perform research and development for our mobile generator business and it will serve as a sales showroom in the future.
16
|
|
Plan of Operation
We have not generated any revenues to date. We generated our first Mobile Generation order during the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and received a partial deposit in advance of completing the sale. We estimate that we will generate revenue in the second half of 2015. We currently hope to generate positive cash flows from operations by the end of 2015. There can be no assurances that we will be able to do so in this timeframe, or at all. We generally incur expenses to commercialize our products, which include costs for research and development, professional fees and general operations.
We have developed and intend to commercialize thermal dispersion technologies in various product platforms, a parallel power input gearbox around which we have designed a mobile generator system and an electric load assist technology around which we have designed a vehicle retrofit system. In preparation, we have applied for trademarks for some of our technologies and their acronyms including ‘Totally Enclosed Heat Pipe Cooled’, ‘TEHPC’, ‘Electric Load Assist’, ‘ELA’, ‘Mobile Generator’ and ‘MG’.
Management is currently negotiating additional funding arrangements to support completion of the initial phases of our business plan, which is to license its thermal technologies and applications; to license or sell a mobile electric power system powered by the Company’s proprietary gearing system; and to license it submersible motor dry pit technologies and/or to bring to market its technologies and applications through key distribution partners.
We believe that our proprietary technologies, including our patent portfolio and trade secrets, can help increase the efficiency and change the manufacturing cost structure in several large industries beginning with fleet vehicles and the motor/generator industries.
The markets for products utilizing our technology include consumer, industrial and military markets, both in the U.S. and worldwide. Our technologies are divided into three distinct but complementary categories: heat dispersion technology, mobile electric power and electric load assist technology.
Going Concern
As a result of our financial condition, we have received a report from our independent registered public accounting firm for our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, which includes an explanatory paragraph describing the uncertainty as to our ability to continue as a going concern. In order to continue as a going concern, we must raise additional capital to begin to generate revenue from our three product lines, so that we can fund our operations from our sales and licensing. If we are not able to do this, we may not be able to continue as an operating company.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, consolidated statements of operations data. The table and the discussion below should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this report.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ |
-- |
$ |
-- |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Payroll and related expenses |
1,056,621 |
29,485 |
1,027,136 |
3,484 |
% |
|||||||||||
Consulting |
8,436,442 |
1,472,444 |
6,963,998 |
473 |
% |
|||||||||||
Professional fees |
946,273 |
491,643 |
454,630 |
92 |
% |
|||||||||||
Research and development |
1,518,807 |
486,160 |
1,032,647 |
212 |
% |
|||||||||||
General and administrative |
11,602,139 |
395,476 |
11,206,663 |
2,834 |
% |
|||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
23,560,282 |
2,875,208 |
20,685,074 |
719 |
% |
|||||||||||
Other income and (expense) |
(14,966 |
) |
(162,386 |
) |
147,420 |
(91 |
) | |||||||||
Net loss |
(23,575,248 |
) |
(3,037,594 |
) |
(20,537,654 |
) |
676 |
% |
||||||||
Less: Noncontrolling interest |
(12,269 |
) |
-- |
(12,269 |
) |
N/A |
||||||||||
Net loss to HPEV shareholders |
$ |
(23,562,979 |
) |
$ |
(3,037,594 |
) |
$ |
(20,525,385 |
) |
676 |
% |
17
|
|
Revenues
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and since inception, we have not generated any revenues. We generated our first Mobile Generation order during the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and received a partial deposit in advance of completing the sale with companies controlled by the individual who is a 5% owner of UPT and a shareholder of HPEV.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013, due primarily to increased efforts and expenditures associated with raising capital, bringing our technology to the point of commercialization and positioning ourselves to generate revenue. The most significant increase was for stock options to key management and common stock warrants issued to individuals who assisted with our capital raises and provided other consulting services.
Other Income and Expense
The decrease in other expense related to our capital structure, as we had interest expense related to short-term borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2013, while our interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2014, related to vendors and test vehicle financing.
Noncontrolling Interest
This represents the 5% third-party ownership in UPT.
Net Loss to HPEV Shareholders
Since we have incurred losses since inception, we have not recorded any income tax expense or benefit. Accordingly, our net loss is driven by our operating and other expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically met our liquidity requirements primarily through a) raising funds through the private placement of equity securities, b) issuing common stock and common stock warrants for professional and consulting services, and c) issuing common stock options to employees. At December 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of $171,871.
Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. We had negative working capital of $1,244,784 and $58,880, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in working capital was due to an increase in accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, and an increase in customer deposits.
We executed an agreement on February 19, 2014, with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”), which gave us the right to sell to Lincoln Park up to $10,000,000 in shares of our common stock, subject to certain limitations, over a 36-month period, under a registration statement with respect to 4,671,785 shares of our common stock, which was declared effective by the SEC on July 3, 2014. To date, there have been no shares sold to Lincoln Park due to the litigation with Spirit Bear. We are in discussions with Lincoln Park concerning its ability to perform under the agreement, based on the litigation with Spirit Bear.
18
|
|
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Cash Flows
Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities were as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ |
(4,334,071 |
) |
$ |
(1,728,057 |
) |
||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(68,603 |
) |
(25,115 |
) |
||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
4,096,996 |
2,036,000 |
Net cash used in operating activities increased primarily due to increased efforts and expenditures associated with bringing our technology to the point of commercialization. Our investing activity relates to the development of patents, and has remained steady since inception. Our improvement in cash provided by financing activities reflects our successful efforts to raise capital.
The Company’s capital requirements for the next 12 months will consist of $6 million with anticipated expenses of $1.5 million for salaries, public company filings, and consultants and professional fees.
Management believes the Company’s funds are insufficient to provide for its projected needs for operations for the next 12 months., The Company is currently negotiating additional funding to support product development or for other purposes.
Critical Accounting Policies
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, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the amounts of revenues and expenses. Critical accounting policies are those that require the application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often because of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. In applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates.
Actual results may differ from these estimates.
We define critical accounting policies as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and which may potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. In applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates. These estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty.
Impairment of long-lived assets
When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of revenues and the resulting gross profit and cash flows. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized, if any, is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds the fair value. We may use a variety of methods to determine the fair value of these assets, including discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use.
If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates, or our assumptions and estimates change due to new information, we may be exposed to an impairment charge in the future.
Contingent liabilities
We accrue a loss for contingencies if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred, and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimable. When no accrual is made because one or both of these conditions does not exist, we disclose the contingency if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred. We estimate contingent liabilities based on the best information we have available at the time. If we have a range of possible outcomes, we accrue the low end of the range.
19
|
|
Share-based Payments
All of our share-based awards are classified as equity, as they may only be settled in shares of our common stock.
We recognize expense for fully-vested warrants at the time they are granted. For awards with service or performance conditions, we generally recognize expense when the service is complete; however, there may be circumstances in which we determine that the performance condition is probable before the actual performance condition is achieved. In such circumstances, the amount recognized as expense is the pro rata amount, depending on the estimated progress towards completion of the performance condition. Nonemployee share-based payments are measured at fair value, based on either the fair value of the equity instrument issued or on the fair value of the services received. Typically, it is not practical to value the services received, so we determine the fair value of common stock grants based on the price of the common stock on the measurement date, and the fair value of common stock warrants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes”). We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected stock option life and expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the stock option. For awards that are recognized when a performance condition is probable, the fair value is estimated at each reporting date. The cost ultimately recognized is the fair value of the equity award on the date the performance condition is achieved. Accordingly, the expense recognized may change between interim reporting dates and the date the performance condition is achieved.
We issue two types of common stock options to employees: 1) fully-vested at the time of grant and 2) market price-based vesting. We recognize expense for fully-vested stock options on the date of grant at the estimated fair value of the options using Black-Scholes. We recognize expense for market price-based options at the estimated fair value of the options using the lattice-based option valuation model (“Lattice Model”) over the estimated life of the options used in the Lattice Model. We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected stock option life and expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the stock option. In the event we modify the terms of a nonvested share-based payment award, we would incur additional expense for the excess of the fair value of the modified share-based payment award over the fair value of the original share-based payment award. The incremental expense would be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.
Income taxes
We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amount of our assets and liabilities. We monitor our deferred tax assets and evaluate the need for a valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that we believe do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. We also evaluate whether we have any uncertain tax positions and would record a reserve if we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position would not prevail with the applicable tax authorities. We have significant net operating loss carryforwards, for which we have established a valuation allowance. If our estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets change, we may recognize a benefit in the future. UPT is a limited liability company (“LLC”), which is treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, where all tax obligations flow through to the owners of the LLC during the period in which income taxes were incurred.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) , which now requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and substantial doubt is not alleviated after consideration of management’s plans, additional disclosures are required. The amendments in this update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. These requirements were previously included within auditing standards and federal securities law, but are now included within U.S. GAAP. We have evaluated our disclosures regarding our ability to continue as a going concern and concluded that we are in compliance with the disclosure requirements.
In June, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915) – Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810, Consolidation, which eliminates the concept of a development stage entity (“DSE”) from current accounting guidance. We have elected early adoption of this standard, which eliminates the designation of DSEs and the requirement to disclose results of operations and cash flows since inception.
We have evaluated the other recent accounting pronouncements through ASU 2015-02 and believe that none of them will have a material effect on our financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
20
|
|
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
HPEV, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HPEV, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit) 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 standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated 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 the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended; in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has had no revenues and incurred an accumulated deficit of $32,421,145 since inception. These conditions, among others, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 1, which includes the raising of additional equity financing. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Anton & Chia, LLP
Newport Beach, CA
March 31, 2015
21
|
|
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash |
$ |
171,871 |
$ |
477,549 |
||||
Prepaid expenses |
57,018 |
-- |
||||||
Total current assets |
228,889 |
477,549 |
||||||
Intangibles |
139,800 |
98,697 |
||||||
Equipment, net |
118,453 |
|||||||
Total assets |
$ |
487,142 |
$ |
576,246 |
||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ |
529,736 |
$ |
230,527 |
||||
Accrued liabilities – related party |
489,535 |
272,564 |
||||||
Customer deposits – related party |
400,000 |
-- |
||||||
Accrued payroll |
14,167 |
10,428 |
||||||
Debt, current portion |
40,235 |
22,910 |
||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,473,673 |
536,429 |
||||||
Debt, long-term portion |
77,076 |
-- |
||||||
Total liabilities |
$ |
1,550,749 |
$ |
536,429 |
||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $.001 par value;15,000,000 shares
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Common stock, $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 61,439,134 and 48,700,929 shares issued and December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively |
60,767 |
48,702 |
||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
30,864,669 |
8,840,840 |
||||||
Common stock issuable |
435,930 |
-- |
||||||
Common stock held in escrow |
8,441 |
8,441 |
||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(32,421,145 |
) |
(8,858,166 |
) |
||||
Total HPEV equity |
(1,051,338 |
) |
39,817 |
|||||
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary |
(12,269 |
) |
-- |
|||||
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity |
(1,063,607 |
) |
39,817 |
|||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity |
$ |
487,142 |
$ |
576,246 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
22
|
|
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Revenues |
$ |
-- |
$ |
-- |
||||
Cost of revenues |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Gross profit |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||
Payroll and related expenses |
1,056,621 |
29,485 |
||||||
Consulting |
8,436,442 |
1,472,444 |
||||||
Professional fees |
946,273 |
491,643 |
||||||
Research and development |
1,518,807 |
486,160 |
||||||
General and administrative |
11,602,139 |
395,476 |
||||||
Total operating expenses |
23,560,282 |
2,875,208 |
||||||
Operating loss |
(23,560,282 |
) |
(2,875,208 |
) |
||||
Other income and (expense) |
||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(14,966 |
) |
(181,861 |
) |
||||
Gain on settlement of debt |
-- |
19,475 |
||||||
Net loss |
(23,575,248 |
) |
(3,037,594 |
) |
||||
Less: Noncontrolling interest in net loss |
(12,269 |
) |
-- |
|||||
Net loss to HPEV shareholders |
$ |
(23,562,979 |
) |
$ |
(3,037,594 |
) |
||
Net loss per common share: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ |
(0.42 |
) |
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
56,742,881 |
45,327,116 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
23
|
|
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Common Stock | Common Stock Held in | Accumulated | Non- Controlling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Issuable | Escrow | Deficit | Interest | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 |
200 |
$ |
-- |
42,970,441 |
$ |
42,970 |
$ |
6,116,420 |
$ |
-- |
$ |
39,469 |
$ |
(5,820,572 |
) |
$ |
-- |
$ |
378,287 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of common stock |
-- |
-- |
5,517,160 |
5,519 |
2,041,681 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
2,047,200 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock for services |
-- |
-- |
25,000 |
25 |
6,475 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
6,500 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cashless warrant exercises |
-- |
-- |
138,328 |
138 |
(138 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock |
(1 |
) |
-- |
50,000 |
50 |
(50 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued for services |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
470,447 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
470,447 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued for finance costs |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
174,977 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
174,977 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Escrow shares returned |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
31,028 |
-- |
(31,028 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
(3,037,594 |
) |
-- |
(3,037,594 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 |
199 |
-- |
48,700,929 |
48,702 |
8,840,840 |
-- |
8,441 |
(8,858,166 |
) |
-- |
39,817 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of common stock |
-- |
-- |
7,707,815 |
7,707 |
3,708,945 |
401,130 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
4,117,782 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock for services |
-- |
-- |
505,000 |
505 |
596,245 |
34,800 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
631,550 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity issuance costs |
-- |
-- |
671,785 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cashless warrant exercises |
-- |
-- |
933,605 |
933 |
(933 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock |
(59 |
) |
-- |
2,950,000 |
2,950 |
(2,950 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued for services |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
7,469,492 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
7,469,492 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee stock options |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
10,271,000 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
10,271,000 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cancellation of share issuance |
-- |
-- |
(30,000 |
) |
(30 |
) |
(17,970 |
) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
(18,000 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
(23,575,248 |
) |
-- |
(23,575,248 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
12,269 |
(12,269 |
) |
-- |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2014 |
140 |
-- |
61,439,134 |
$ |
60,767 |
$ |
30,864,669 |
$ |
435,930 |
$ |
8,441 |
$ |
(32,421,145 |
) |
$ |
(12,269 |
) |
$ |
(1,063,607 |
) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
24
|
|
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ |
(23,575,248 |
) |
$ |
(3,037,594 |
) |
||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Stock issued for services |
631,550 |
373,679 |
||||||
Warrants issued for services |
7,469,492 |
470,447 |
||||||
Warrants issued for interest |
-- |
174,977 |
||||||
Gain on settlement of debt |
-- |
(19,475 |
) |
|||||
Employee stock options |
10,271,000 |
-- |
||||||
Depreciation expense |
6,234 |
-- |
||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
(57,018 |
) |
-- |
|||||
Accounts payable |
299,209 |
79,222 |
||||||
Accrued liabilities – related party |
216,971 |
220,259 |
||||||
Customer deposits – related party |
400,000 |
-- |
||||||
Accrued payroll liabilities |
3,739 |
10,428 |
||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(4,334,071 |
) |
(1,728,507 |
) |
||||
Investing Activities: |
||||||||
Expenditure for Intangible assets |
(41,103 |
) |
(25,115 |
) |
||||
Expenditure for Equipment |
(27,500 |
) |
-- |
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(68,603 |
) |
(25,115 |
) |
||||
Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net |
4,099,782 |
2,047,200 |
||||||
Proceeds from debt |
-- |
900 |
||||||
Payments on debt |
(2,786 |
) |
(12,100 |
) |
||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
4,096,996 |
2,036,000 |
||||||
Net increase in cash |
(305,678 |
) |
282,828 |
|||||
Cash, beginning of period |
477,549 |
194,721 |
||||||
Cash, end of period |
$ |
171,871 |
$ |
477,549 |
||||
Cash paid for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ |
979 |
$ |
-- |
||||
Income taxes |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Non-cash transactions: |
||||||||
Shares issued to settle accounts payable |
$ |
-- |
$ |
25,974 |
||||
Shares held in escrow |
-- |
31,028 |
||||||
Purchase of equipment with debt |
97,187 |
-- |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
25
|
|
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 – Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
HPEV, Inc. and subsidiary, (we, us, our, the “Company” or “HPEV”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada in July 2002. In April 2014, we formed Ultimate Power Truck, LLC (“Ultimate Power Truck” or “UPT”), of which we own 95% and a shareholder of HPEV owns 5%. We were formerly known as Bibb Corporation and as Z3 Enterprises.
We have developed and intend to commercialize heat dispersion technologies in various product platforms, and have developed and intend to commercialize an electric load assist technology around which we have designed a vehicle retrofit system. In preparation, we have applied for trademarks for one of our technologies and its acronym. We currently have two trademarks in the application process: HPEV and TEHPC. We believe that our proprietary technologies, including our patent portfolio and trade secrets, can help increase the efficiency and positively affect manufacturing cost structure in several large industries beginning with motors/generators and fleet vehicles. The markets for products utilizing our technology include consumer, industrial and military markets, both in the U.S. and worldwide.
Our technologies are divided into three distinct but complementary categories: a) mobile power generation, b) heat dispersion technology and c) electric load assist. As of December 31, 2014, we have five patents and seven patent applications pending in the area of composite heat structures, motors, and related structures, heat pipe architecture, applications (commonly referred to as “thermal” or “heat dispersion technology”) and a parallel vehicle power platform. We intend to commercialize our patents by licensing our thermal technologies and applications to electric motor, pump and vehicle component manufacturers; by licensing or selling a mobile electric power system powered by our proprietary gearing system to commercial vehicle and fleet owners; and by licensing a plug-in hybrid conversion system for heavy duty trucks, buses and tractor trailers to fleet owners and service centers.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of HPEV and UPT. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Although these estimates are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. Furthermore, when testing assets for impairment in future periods, if management uses different assumptions or if different conditions occur, impairment charges may result.
Noncontrolling interest represents the 5% third-party interest in UPT. There are no restrictions on the transfer of funds or net assets from UPT to HPEV.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. We have incurred net losses of $32,421,145 since inception and have not fully commenced operations, raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our ability to generate revenue, achieve profitable operations and repay our obligations when they come due. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from this uncertainty. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, management is negotiating additional funding arrangements to support completion of the initial phases of our business plan: to license its thermal technologies and applications, including submersible dry-pit applications; to license and sell mobile generation retrofit kits (our Ultimate Power Truck business) driven by our proprietary gearing system; and to license a plug-in hybrid conversion system for heavy duty trucks, tractor trailers and buses. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in accomplishing these objectives.
26
|
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks, and investments that are highly liquid and have maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Intangible assets
Our intangible assets consist of patents on our technology, recorded at cost. Cost is based on third party expenditures for patent applications. We will begin amortizing our intangibles over their estimated remaining useful life when we begin revenue-producing activities. We will determine the useful lives of our intangible assets after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Factors we consider when determining useful lives include the contractual term of any agreement related to the asset, the historical performance of the asset, our long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations that could impact the useful life of the asset, and other economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions.
Equipment
Equipment consists of vehicles we use for testing and demonstrating our technology to potential customers. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over five years, the estimated useful life.
Impairment of long-lived assets
When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of revenues and the resulting gross profit and cash flows. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized, if any, is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds the fair value. We may use a variety of methods to determine the fair value of these assets, including discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use.
Accrued liabilities – related party
These represents amount due to management and their affiliates for services performed.
Research and development costs
Internal costs related to research and development efforts on existing or potential products are expensed as incurred. External costs incurred for intangible assets, such as attorney fees for patents, are capitalized.
Share-based payments
All of our share-based awards are classified as equity. We do not have any liability classified share-based awards. Each warrant or stock option is exercisable for one share of our common stock.
27
|
|
Nonemployees – We may enter into agreements with nonemployees to make share-based payments in return for services. These payments may be made in the form of common stock or common stock warrants. We recognize expense for fully-vested warrants at the time they are granted. For awards with service or performance conditions, we generally recognize expense over the service period or when the performance condition is met; however, there may be circumstances in which we determine that the performance condition is probable before the actual performance condition is achieved. In such circumstances, the amount recognized as expense is the pro rata amount, depending on the estimated progress towards completion of the performance condition. Nonemployee share-based payments are measured at fair value, based on either the fair value of the equity instrument issued or on the fair value of the services received. Typically, it is not practical to value the services received, so we determine the fair value of common stock grants based on the price of the common stock on the measurement date (which is the earlier of the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, if there are sufficient disincentives to ensure performance, or the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete), and the fair value of common stock warrants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes”). We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected stock option life and expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the stock option. For awards that are recognized when a performance condition is probable, the fair value is estimated at each reporting date. The cost ultimately recognized is the fair value of the equity award on the date the performance condition is achieved. Accordingly, the expense recognized may change between interim reporting dates and the date the performance condition is achieved.
Employees – We issue two types of common stock options to employees: 1) fully-vested at the time of grant and 2) market price-based vesting. We recognize expense for fully-vested stock options on the date of grant at the estimated fair value of the options using Black-Scholes. We recognize expense for market price-based options at the estimated fair value of the options using the lattice-based option valuation model (“Lattice Model”) over the estimated life of the options used in the Lattice Model. We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected stock option life and expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the stock option.
Modification of share-based payment awards – In the event we modify the terms of a nonvested share-based payment award, we would incur additional expense for the excess of the fair value of the modified share-based payment award, measured at the date of modification, over the fair value of the original share-based payment award. The incremental expense would be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.
Sale of common stock with warrants – When we sell common stock we may also issue common stock warrants. We treat the value of these warrants as equity issuance costs. Accordingly, the value of the common stock warrants is included as a component of additional paid-in capital upon recording the sale of common stock.
Nonemployee stock option – In 2012, we issued an equity-based award in the form of stock options to a nonemployee, which have been aggregated and classified with nonemployee common stock warrants, as the terms are similar to the common stock warrants we issued to nonemployees. The stock options were exercised on a cashless basis in 2013.
Cashless exercise – Most of our common stock warrants and stock options may be exercised on a cashless basis. The number of shares of our common stock received upon exercising on a cashless basis is based on a) the volume weighted-average price of our common stock for three trading days immediately preceding the exercise date; b) the exercise price of the warrant or option; and c) the number of common shares issuable under the instrument.
Income taxes
We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amount of our assets and liabilities. We monitor our deferred tax assets and evaluate the need for a valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that we believe do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. We also evaluate whether we have any uncertain tax positions and would record a reserve if we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position would not prevail with the applicable tax authorities. Our assessment of tax positions as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, determined that there were no material uncertain tax positions.
UPT is a limited liability company (“LLC”), which is treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, where all tax obligations flow through to the owners of the LLC during the period in which income taxes were incurred.
Fair value of financial instruments
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and debt. The carrying value of these financial instruments is considered to be representative of their fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of our debt approximates fair value, because the interest rates on these instruments approximate the interest rate on debt with similar terms available to us.
28
|
|
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Reportable segments
We have identified our operating segments, our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), and the discrete financial information reviewed by the CODM. After evaluating this information, we have determined that we have one reportable segment.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) , which now requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and substantial doubt is not alleviated after consideration of management’s plans, additional disclosures are required. The amendments in this update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. These requirements were previously included within auditing standards and federal securities law, but are now included within U.S. GAAP. We have evaluated our disclosures regarding our ability to continue as a going concern and concluded that we are in compliance with the disclosure requirements.
In June, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915) – Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810, Consolidation, which eliminates the concept of a development stage entity (DSE) its entirety from current accounting guidance. We have elected early adoption of this standard, which eliminates the designation of DSEs and the requirement to disclose results of operations and cash flows since inception.
We have evaluated the other recent accounting pronouncements through ASU 2015-02 and believe that none of them will have a material effect on our financial statements.
Note 2 – Equipment
Equipment consists of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Test vehicles |
$ |
124,687 |
$ |
-- |
||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(6,234 |
) |
-- |
|||||
$ |
118,453 |
$ |
-- |
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $6,234.
29
|
|
Note 3 – Customer deposits – Related party
These represent advance payments of $400,000 received on orders that have not yet been fulfilled, with companies controlled by the individual who is the 5% owner of UPT and is a shareholder of HPEV.
Note 4 – Debt
Debt consists of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Note payable – related party |
$ |
22,910 |
$ |
22,910 |
||||
Test vehicle financing |
94,401 |
-- |
||||||
117,311 |
22,910 |
|||||||
Less: current portion |
40,235 |
22,910 |
||||||
$ |
77,076 |
$ |
-- |
The note payable – related party is non-interest bearing and is due on demand, payable to the Secretary of HPEV.
In October 2014, we entered into financing agreements for the purchase of test vehicles, bearing interest at 5.99% payable monthly over five years, collateralized by the vehicles.
Future contractual maturities of debt are as follows:
Year ending December 31, |
||||
2015 |
$ |
40,235 |
||
2016 |
18,410 |
|||
2017 |
19,563 |
|||
2018 |
20,788 |
|||
2019 |
18,315 |
|||
$ |
117,311 |
Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies
On December 12, 2012, we concluded negotiations on a debt settlement agreement by and among the Company, Phoenix Productions and Entertainment Group (“PPEG”), Action Media Group, LLC (“Action Media”) and Spirit Bear Limited (“Spirit Bear”) (PPEG and Action Media collectively, the “Debt Holders”). PPEG and Action Media were significant shareholders in our predecessor company and Spirit Bear is a related party through voting rights. The Debt Holders were to return to escrow a total of 4,676,000 shares of our common stock. 3,676,000 of these shares were returned and cancelled on January 14, 2013, following our filing a registration statement with the SEC on January 11, 2013. The remaining 1,000,000 shares will be purchased by the Company or a nominee of the Company at $0.40 per share (or $400,000) at the rate of $10,000 per month commencing within 90 days of the Company achieving $1,000,000 in gross revenues for products or services from business operations. PPEG and Action Media will divide the $400,000 on a pro rata basis, based on each company’s respective amount of debt forgiven. The historical cost of the shares held in escrow are reflected in equity on the balance sheets as common stock held in escrow.
We are a party to various legal proceedings with Spirit Bear, which we are defending vigorously. At this time we cannot predict the outcome or estimate the cost to us, if any. Accordingly, we have not recorded any expense or liability associated with these proceedings. If these proceedings are not resolved in our favor, in future periods there may be an impact to our results of operations and financial position.
In January 2015, we entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with Spirit Bear and its affiliates and assignees which, upon the purchase by the Company or its designee of certain specified securities held by Spirit Bear on a date and at an amount specified in the agreement, would permanently resolve, settle, dismiss, and release all actual and potential claims among them (except for breaches under the settlement agreement itself, if any were to arise) without liability therefor. Attached to the January 28, 2014 settlement agreement was a Derivative Action Settlement Agreement related to shareholder derivative claims filed by Spirit Bear. As indicated in the Derivative Action Settlement Agreement, the parties agreed, subject to receiving Court approval, to settle the derivative action filed by Spirit Bear against the Management Directors. The Court has given preliminary approval to the settlement of the derivative lawsuit, approved a Notice to Shareholders, and set April 30, 2015 as the deadline for filing any objections to the derivative suit settlement agreement.
From time to time, we may be a party to other legal proceedings. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters, and after consideration of amounts accrued, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flow.
30
|
|
Note 6 – Equity
Preferred stock
Spirit Bear, a related party, holds all of our preferred stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) is convertible into 50,000 shares of common stock. Each share of Preferred Stock has voting rights as if they were converted into 50,000 shares of common stock. The holders of each share of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the Available Funds and Assets (as defined in the “Certificate of Designation”), and prior and in preference to any payment or distribution (or any setting apart of any payment or distribution) of any Available Funds and Assets on any shares of common stock, an amount per preferred share equal to the Preferred Stock Liquidation Price ($2,500 per share).
Common stock
In December, 2014, we received $401,130 for 729,328 shares of our common stock; however, the shares were not issued until 2015, and are included in Common stock issuable within the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. We will also issue 729,328 warrants associated with the sale of these shares, with a weighted-average exercise price of $0.71 per share and a weighted-average life of 3.4 years.
In February, 2014, we entered into an agreement whereby we may sell up to $10,000,000 of our common stock to Lincoln Park Capital Fund LLC (“Lincoln Park") from time to time over a 36-month period commencing on the date that a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is declared effective by the SEC, and a final prospectus is filed. We may direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 75,000 shares of our common stock in separate transactions not to exceed $500,000 per transaction (“Regular Purchase”). We may request multiple Regular Purchases so long as at least two business days have passed since the most recent regular purchase was completed. The price of the common shares is based on the market price of the common stock during the twelve business days preceding the request, with a floor of $0.25 per common share. If the market price of the common stock is above $0.60 per share, in certain circumstances we may direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 150,000 shares of our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock sold to Lincoln Park is limited such that at no time will Lincoln Park have beneficial ownership of more than 9.99% of the then outstanding shares of our common stock. As part of entering into that agreement, we issued 671,785 shares of common stock as equity issuance costs for no consideration. To date, there have been no shares of our common stock sold to Lincoln Park due to the litigation with Spirit Bear. We are in discussions with Lincoln Park concerning its ability to perform under the agreement based on the litigation with Spirit Bear.
Common stock warrants issued with the sale of our common stock
When we sell shares of our common stock the buyer also typically receives fully-vested common stock warrants with a maximum contractual term of 3-5 years. A summary of common stock warrants issued with the sale of our common stock as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
Number of Warrants | Weighted-average Exercise Price | Weighted-average Remaining Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 |
12,901,955 |
$ |
0.52 |
||||||||||||
Granted |
6,612,810 |
0.58 |
|||||||||||||
Exercised |
(400,000 |
) |
0.35 |
||||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
(1,084,597 |
) |
0.35 |
||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014 |
18,030,168 |
$ |
0.56 |
2.1 |
$ |
457,500 |
|||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2014 |
18,030,168 |
$ |
0.56 |
2.1 |
$ |
457,500 |
31
|
|
Note 7 – Share-based payments
Amounts recognized as expense in the consolidated statements of operations related to share-based payments are as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Nonemployee common stock |
$ |
631,550 |
$ |
6,500 |
||||
Nonemployee warrants – fully vested upon issuance |
7,204,573 |
645,424 |
||||||
Nonemployee warrants – service and performance conditions |
264,919 |
-- |
||||||
Employee stock options – fully vested upon grant |
7,950,000 |
-- |
||||||
Employee stock options – market price-based |
2,321,000 |
-- |
||||||
Total share-based expense charged against income |
$ |
18,372,042 |
$ |
651,924 |
||||
Impact on net loss per common share: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
$ |
(0.32 |
) |
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
Nonemployee common stock
UPT management agreement
In July, 2014, we entered into a three year agreement with the company managing the operations of UPT, whereby we would issue common stock under the following conditions:
Condition |
Number of Shares | |||
UPT recognizes $100 million of revenue or a change in control |
500,000 |
|||
UPT recognizes $100 million of revenue |
150,000 |
|||
650,000 |
As of December 31, 2014, meeting these conditions was not deemed probable, so no expense was recognized under this agreement and no common stock was issued. The fair value of these unearned shares of common stock was $338,000 as of December 31, 2014.
Investor relations agreement
In June, 2014, we entered into an agreement with a company, which subsequently became a shareholder, to provide investor relations services. Under the terms of this agreement we agreed to issue 60,000 shares of common stock each quarter through May 2015, for a total of 240,000 shares. As of December 31, 2014, we have recognized the issuance of 120,000 shares, and recorded expense at fair value of $91,800. The fair value of the 120,000 unearned shares of common stock was $62,400 as of December 31, 2014.
Other
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we issued an additional 445,000 and 25,000 shares of common stock in exchange for services, with a fair value of $539,750 and $6,500, respectively.
32
|
|
Nonemployee common stock warrants -- Fully-vested upon issuance
We may issue fully-vested common stock warrants with a maximum contractual term of 5 years to non-employees in return for services or to satisfy liabilities, such as accrued interest. The following summarizes the activity for common stock warrants that were fully-vested upon issuance:
Number of Warrants | Weighted-average Exercise Price | Weighted-average Remaining Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 |
2,203,374 |
$ |
0.38 |
|||||||||||||
Granted |
7,266,666 |
0.74 |
||||||||||||||
Exercised |
(781,805 |
) |
0.31 |
|||||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
(200,000 |
) |
0.31 |
|||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014 |
8,488,235 |
$ |
0.69 |
3.2 |
$ |
145,184 |
||||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2014 |
8,488,235 |
$ |
0.69 |
3.2 |
$ |
145,184 |
The following summarizes the Black-Scholes assumptions used to estimate the fair value of fully-vested common stock warrants were as follows:
Year ended December 31, | |||||
2014 |
2013 |
|
|||
Volatility |
208 – 330 % |
188 – 382 % |
|
||
Risk-free interest rate |
0.6 -- 1.7 % |
0.2 – 1.8 % |
|
||
Expected life (years) |
2.5 -- 5.0 |
2.5 – 5.0 |
|
||
Dividend yield |
-- |
-- |
The weighted-average grant date fair value of fully-vested common stock warrants granted during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, was $7,204,573 and $645,424, respectively. The total intrinsic value of fully-vested common stock warrants exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, was $1,059,248 and $20,500, respectively.
Nonemployee common stock warrants -- Service and performance conditions
The following summarizes the terms for warrants we granted that are subject to performance and service conditions.
UPT management agreement
In July, 2014, we entered into a three year agreement with the company managing the operations of UPT, whereby we would issue common stock warrants under the following conditions:
Number of | ||||||
Vesting Condition |
|
Category |
Warrants | |||
Fully vest upon UPT generating $1 million of revenue |
|
Performance |
350,000 |
|||
45,945 warrants for every $3 million of revenue generated by UPT up to $100 million |
|
Performance |
1,530,000 |
|||
60,000 warrants for every three months of completed service managing UPT |
|
Service |
720,000 |
|||
2,600,000 |
The common stock warrants have a three year life and an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The grant date fair value was $2,586,000. As of December 31, 2014, we did not estimate meeting the performance conditions as probable, so no expense was recognized and no common stock warrants vested. During the year ended December 31, 2014, 120,000 of the common stock warrants under the service condition vested with the passage of time and we recognized expense of $64,540. As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of the unvested common stock warrants, which is also the estimated unrecognized expense, was $1,165,000. We cannot estimate the period over which the expense for the performance awards will be recognized, if at all. The remaining service award expense will be recognized over a period of 2.5 years.
33
|
|
Financing advisory services
In March, 2014, we entered into an agreement with a company, which is also a shareholder, to provide financing advisory services, in return for 400,000 common stock warrants having a five year life and an exercise price of $2.50, with vesting in March, 2015 upon satisfactory performance under the agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we deemed it probable that the vesting conditions will be met. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized expense of $200,379. The grant date fair value of these warrants was $352,000.
Summary
The following summarizes the activity for warrants that have performance and service conditions:
Number of Warrants | Weighted-average Exercise Price | Weighted-average Remaining Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 |
-- |
|||||||||||||||
Granted |
3,000,000 |
$ |
1.20 |
|||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014 |
3,000,000 |
$ |
1.20 |
2.7 |
$ |
-- |
||||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2014 |
120,000 |
$ |
1.00 |
2.5 |
$ |
-- |
The following summarizes of the status of our nonvested common stock warrants with performance and service conditions as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended:
Number of | Weighted-average Grant Date | |||||||
Warrants | Fair Value | |||||||
Nonvested, December 31, 2013 |
-- |
|||||||
Granted |
3,000,000 |
$ |
0.98 |
|||||
Vested |
(120,000 |
) |
0.99 |
|||||
Nonvested, December 31, 2014 |
2,880,000 |
$ |
0.98 |
The following summarizes the Black-Scholes assumptions used to estimate the fair value of warrants with performance and service conditions:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Volatility |
208 -- 322% |
-- |
||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.1 -- 1.7 % |
-- |
||||||
Expected life (years) |
3.0 – 5.0 |
-- |
||||||
Dividend yield |
-- |
-- |
34
|
|
Employee stock options – Fully-vested upon grant
We granted stock options to certain members of management that were fully-vested at the date of grant. The following is a summary of fully-vested stock option activity:
Number of Shares | Weighted-average Exercise Price per Share |
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Term |
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 |
-- |
|||||||||||||
Stock options granted |
5,000,000 |
$ |
2.00 |
No expiration |
||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014 |
5,000,000 |
$ |
2.00 |
No expiration |
$ |
-- |
||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2014 |
5,000,000 |
$ |
2.00 |
No expiration |
$ |
-- |
The following summarizes the Black-Scholes assumptions used to estimate the fair value of fully-vested stock option grants:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Volatility |
325 |
% |
-- |
|||||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.7 |
% |
-- |
|||||
Expected stock option life (years) |
10 |
-- |
||||||
Dividend yield |
-- |
-- |
We recognized expense at a fair value of $7,950,000 in the year ended December 31, 2014, for fully-vested stock option grants. There were no grants in 2013.
Employee stock options – Market price-based grants
We granted stock options to a member of management that vest upon the achievement of certain stock prices for 20 days, as follows:
Market Price |
Number of Options |
|||
$ 1.50 |
1,000,000 |
|||
1.75 |
1,000,000 |
|||
2.00 |
1,000,000 |
|||
2.25 |
1,000,000 |
|||
2.50 |
1,000,000 |
|||
5,000,000 |
The following is a summary of market price-based stock option activity:
Number of Shares | Weighted-average Exercise Price per Share |
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Term |
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2012 |
5,000,000 |
$ |
2.00 |
$ |
-- |
|||||||||
Granted |
-- |
|||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2013 |
5,000,000 |
|||||||||||||
Granted |
-- |
No expiration |
||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014 |
5,000,000 |
2.00 |
No expiration |
$ |
-- |
|||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2014 |
1,000,000 |
1.50 |
No expiration |
$ |
-- |
35
|
|
A following summarizes of the status of our nonvested market price-based stock options as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended:
Number of | Weighted-average Grant Date | |||||||
Warrants | Fair Value | |||||||
Nonvested, December 31, 2013 |
5,000,000 |
$ |
1.58 |
|||||
Vested |
(1,000,000 |
) |
1.58 |
|||||
Nonvested, December 31, 2014 |
4,000,000 |
$ |
1.58 |
The following summarizes the lattice-based assumptions used to estimate the fair value of market price-based stock options:
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Volatility |
300% |
-- |
|||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.7% |
|
-- |
||||
Expected stock option life (years) |
5.0 |
-- |
|||||
Dividend yield |
-- |
-- |
As of December 31, 2014, there was $5,562,000 of total unrecognized cost related to nonvested market price-based stock options, which will be recognized over 4.5 years.
Note 8 – Income Taxes
When it is more likely than not that a tax asset cannot be realized through future taxable income, we must establish a valuation allowance against this future tax benefit. We provided a full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax asset, consisting of net operating loss carryforwards, because management has determined we have no objectively verifiable evidence to support realization of the deferred tax assets during the carryforward periods. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $8,522,831 and $3,502,611, respectively, expiring beginning in 2031.
The components of our deferred tax asset are as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$ |
3,034,310 |
$ |
1,215,458 |
||||
Valuation allowance |
(3,034,310 |
) |
(1,215,458 |
) |
||||
Deferred tax asset |
$ |
-- |
$ |
-- |
A reconciliation of income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the income tax amount recorded is as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Tax at statutory rate (35%) |
$ |
1,818,852 |
$ |
706,472 |
||||
Increase in valuation allowance |
(1,818,852 |
) |
(706,472 |
) |
||||
Income tax benefit |
$ |
-- |
$ |
-- |
We had no gross unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. We have not accrued any interest or penalties associated with income taxes. We file income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. income tax examination by tax authorities on tax returns filed before January 31, 2008. No tax returns are currently under examination by any tax authorities.
Note 9 – Net Loss per Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net loss per share is computed similarly to basic loss per share, except that it includes the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities are exercised.
36
|
|
The following table presents a reconciliation of the denominators used in the computation of net loss per share – basic and diluted:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Net loss available for stockholders |
$ |
(23,562,979 |
) |
$ |
(3,037,594 |
) |
||
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock |
56,742,881 |
45,327,116 |
||||||
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants |
-- |
-- |
||||||
Common stock and equivalents |
56,742,881 |
45,327,116 |
||||||
Net loss per share – Basic and diluted |
$ |
(0.42 |
) |
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
Outstanding stock options and common stock warrants are considered anti-dilutive because we are in a net loss position. The following summarizes equity instruments that may, in the future, have a dilutive effect on earnings per share:
December 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Stock options |
10,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
||||||
Common stock warrants |
29,518,403 |
15,105,329 |
||||||
Common stock issuable |
729,328 |
-- |
||||||
Common stock issuable - warrants |
729,328 |
-- |
||||||
Total |
40,977,059 |
20,105,329 |
||||||
Total exercisable at December 31 |
34,097,059 |
15,105,329 |
Note 10 -- Subsequent Events
In January 2015, we received a $250,000 advance from the 5% owner of UPT.
37
|
|
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management does not expect that its internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. Control systems, no matter how well conceived and managed, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended as of December 31, 2014. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, based on the material weaknesses discussed below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act were recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Act Commission’s rules and forms and that our disclosure controls are not effectively designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
38
|
|
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, 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 and includes those policies and procedures that:
-- |
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
-- |
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and |
-- |
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Because we have only five officers and limited personnel, the Company’s internal controls are not effective for the following reasons, (1) we have limited entity-level controls because of the limited time and abilities of the five officers, (2) we have not implemented adequate system and manual controls, and (3) there is no separate audit committee. As a result, the Company’s internal controls have inherent material weaknesses which may increase the risks of errors in financial reporting under current operations and, accordingly, are not effective as evaluated against the criteria set forth in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in 1993. Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2014.
Even though there are inherent weaknesses, management has taken steps to minimize the risk. We use a third party consultant to review transactions for appropriate technical accounting, reconcile accounts, review significant transactions and prepare our financial statements.
(c) Remediation of Material Weaknesses
We have engaged a third party consultant to evaluate and document appropriate controls and procedures; however, we can provide no assurance that our internal controls over financial reporting will be compliant in the near future.
(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
39
|
|
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our current board members and executive officers:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
Timothy Hassett |
|
53 |
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Quentin Ponder |
|
85 |
|
Vice Chairman Chief Financial Officer and Director |
Judson Bibb |
|
58 |
|
Vice President, Secretary and Director |
Theodore Banzhaf |
|
50 |
|
President |
Mark Hodowanec |
|
50 |
|
Chief Technical Officer |
Jay Palmer |
|
46 |
|
Director |
Carrie Dwyer |
|
68 |
|
Director |
Donica Holt |
|
46 |
|
Director |
Our directors are elected for a term of one year and serve such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified. Each executive officer serves at the pleasure of the Board.
The Company has no nominating, audit or compensation committees at this time.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The following summarizes the occupational and business experience of our officers and directors.
Timothy Hassett is a co-founder of the Company and has been its Chairman since its inception and Chief Executive Officer since April 5, 2012. Mr. Hassett began his career as a marketing and business manager, for Rockwell Automation Incorporated’s Motor Special Products division from 1990 to 1995, where he launched new product platforms and developed and implemented global distribution initiatives and channels. Mr. Hassett worked at General Electric from January 1996 to February 1998, as a general manager of Distribution Services in the Industrial Systems Division and from February 1998 to March 2000, in the Electric Motors Unit of the Industrial Systems Division where he restructured the unit, consolidated product lines and grew the business. From March 2000 to August 2003, he served as President of Hawk Motors and Rotors, a division of Hawk Corporation, a brake manufacturer, where he restructured the company. From August 2003 to October 2005, Mr. HassettasHH served as Vice President and General Manager of Wavecrest Laboratories, a propulsion systems and controls start-up, where he led the development and launch of four new product platforms. From June 2006 to October 2010, Mr. Hassett served as President and Managing Director of LEMO USA, a Swiss-based connector company, where he restructured the company, helped contain costs and improved operating margins and business. From December 2010 to October 2011, Mr. Hassett served as President of Cavometrix, a connector company serving the medical, energy and alternative energy industries. Mr. Hassett has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University and a BS in Physics from Youngstown State University. Mr. Hassett’s patents and patents pending and his extensive experience and professional contacts in the electric motor industry led to the decision to appoint him to the Board.
Quentin Ponder has served as President from October 20, 2011 until April 5, 2012, Secretary from October 20, 2011 until November 11, 2011 and Treasurer of the Company since October 20, 2011. On April 5, 2012, Mr. Ponder was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman. Mr. Ponder is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of management experience. From November 1962 to July 1967, Mr. Ponder served as Senior Manufacturing Engineer at General Electric where he worked in the development of a flow manufacturing system. From July 1980 to June 1985, he was President of Franklin Electric, Inc., an electric motor company, where he restructured the company which became a global leader in submersible motors for water wells. From July 1985 to March 1990, Mr. Ponder was President of Baldor Electric, Inc., an electric motor company, where he restructured the company. From April 1990 to May 1997, Mr. Ponder worked for Lincoln Electric, Inc., as a consultant. From May 1990 to the present, Mr. Ponder has worked as an independent management consultant. Mr. Ponder serves as a director and is a 33.3% owner of Reliable Electric Motor Company, Inc., an electric motor importer. Mr. Ponder is the sole owner and a director of Summit Management Consulting, Inc. and Capital Alternatives, Inc., a semi-trailer leasing company. Mr. Ponder earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University in general management, accounting, and economics. Mr. Ponder’s extensive experience in the electric motor industry led to the decision to appoint him to the Board.
40
|
|
Judson W. Bibb has been a director of the Company since April 15, 2011. Mr. Bibb was appointed Secretary on November 11, 2011 and Vice President on April 5, 2012. Since 1983, Mr. Bibb has been a self-employed freelance multi-media producer. His services include: producer, writer, director, cinematographer, videographer, still photographer, audio and video editor, voiceover talent, marketer, ad designer and Internet search engine optimizer. Over the past five years, he has worked as a writer and director for Image Alliance Inc., writing and producing segments for KPMG, T. Rowe Price, Agstar Financial Services, Briggs & Stratton, Caterpillar, Georgia-Pacific, Lowes, Celebrity Cruises, Alaska Air, Pepsico, Hewlett-Packard, Bayer, Caremark, Wellpoint and T-Mobile. Mr. Bibb graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in mass communications-film. Mr. Bibb’s broad background and wide variety of resources, including experience in marketing and public relations and business experience in automotive, trucking, electronics, retail, direct response and the Internet led to the decision to appoint him to the Board.
Theodore Banzhaf has been President of the Company since April 5, 2012. Mr. Banzhaf has more than twenty years of experience working with growing public and private companies in all facets of finance, growth strategies and management. From January 2007 through July 2009, Mr. Banzhaf served as President of Pink Boxers Corporation, a clothing company dedicated to raising money for breast cancer in honor of his widow who passed away from the disease in early 2007. From April 2009 to March 2012, Mr. Banzhaf served as President of Applied BioFuels Corporation, a privately held developer of biofuel production facilities, and from 2003 to 2007, Mr. Banzhaf served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SpatiaLight Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpatiaLight Inc. (NASDAQ: HDTV). Prior thereto, Mr. Banzhaf worked in capital markets primarily in institutional equities for a number of firms including Raymond James & Associates and C.E. Unterberg Towbin. Mr. Banzhaf also ran a philanthropic organization to raise money for breast cancer charities from 2007-2009. Mr. Banzhaf received his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and his Bachelor of Arts from Miami University.
Mark Hodowanec has been Chief Technical Officer of the Company since February 14, 2014. Mr. Hodowanec was a program manager and lead engineer for Curtiss-Wright Corporation from September 2006 through February 2014. From May 2004 through September 2006 he operated his own consulting firm, MMH Consulting, assisting research and development, and product development companies develop custom motors solutions. From September 2004 through October 2005, Mr. Hodowanec worked at Wavecrest Laboratories. From May 1994 through February 2004, Mr. Hodowanec was at Siemens Energy & Automation as a Manager, Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Hodowanec received a B.S. and M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron and his M.B.A. from Xavier University.
Jay A. Palmer was appointed a director on February 20, 2013 pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2012, by and between HPEV, Inc. and Spirit Bear Limited . He is a 1979 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1984, Mr. Palmer founded Cardiff Consultants, Limited, a residential construction company specializing in renovation of fine private residences in Manhattan and he continues to serve as the President of that company. In 1999, Cardiff Consultants began development of software products geared toward the CAD (computer-assisted design) market for architects, builders and designers. In 2003, Cardiff Consultants sold one of its CAD software businesses to a major software developer and thereafter began to develop software for other markets, focusing on add-ons, which Cardiff Consultants still produces, for Microsoft’s Outlook email software. Mr. Palmer, who resides in New York City, is the President of Spirit Bear Limited, a company founded in November of 2009 for the purpose of investment in energy and technology ventures.
Carrie Dwyer was appointed a director on February 20, 2013 pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2012, by and between HPEV, Inc. and Spirit Bear Limited. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a 1994 graduate of William Jewell College. Ms. Dwyer has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of accounting, management and human resources. In the past, Ms. Dwyer served as Business Operations Manager with Comcast Cable (2008-2009), Chief Financial Officer/Human Resources with Virtual Nvision LLC, Finance Director/Human Resources with Foss Training & Consulting, Inc., Finance Manager with Caremark, Incorporated, Manager of Corporate Accounting with Yellow Corporation and Controller with Aircraft Conversions, L.L.C./Alg Inc. Ms. Dwyer, who resides in Blue Springs, Missouri, has been a consultant with Perfect Biz Solutions, LLC since 1989.
Donica Holt was appointed a director on March 7, 2013 pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2012, by and between HPEV, Inc. and Spirit Bear . She is a manager with over 15 years of experience in business planning, team building, client relationships and customer service. Ms. Holt has previously served as a Customer Service Manager at Allied National, a Call Center Manager at Caremark, Inc., a Branch Manager at Gallagher Benefits, an Operations Manager at MHM Business Services and a Manager at Fortis Benefits. Ms. Holt resides in Lees Summit, Missouri and has been employed as a Benefit Manager at American Sterling Insurance Services since 2004.
41
|
|
Family relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement in legal proceedings
Other than described above in “Legal Proceedings”, there are no legal proceedings that have occurred within the past ten years concerning our directors, or control persons which involved a criminal conviction, a criminal proceeding, an administrative or civil proceeding limiting one's participation in the securities or banking industries, or a finding of securities or commodities law violations.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company does not have an audit committee. We are not a "listed company" under SEC rules and are therefore not required to have an audit committee comprised of independent directors.
We do not currently have a "financial expert" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC.
The Company has no nominating or compensation committees at this time. The entire Board participates in the nomination and audit oversight processes and considers executive and director compensation. Given the size of the Company and its stage of development, the entire Board is involved in such decision making processes. Thus, there is a potential conflict of interest in that our directors and officers have the authority to determine issues concerning management compensation, nominations, and audit issues that may affect management decisions. We are not aware of any other conflicts of interest with any of our executive officers or directors.
Board of Advisors
The Company has a Board of Advisors which currently consists of six members. Scott Van Dornis currently engineering director at Navistar Corporation, has more than 20 years of experience in global engineering and management in vehicles, engines electronics and design. Richard.Schul is a veteran of the motor/generator industry. The other members include Bill Finely of Siemens, Dan Ustian, a former chief executive officer of Navistar, Chris McKee, senior vice president and general counsel of GTT and Donald Bowman, chief executive officer of BVU Utilities.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that establishes the standards of ethical conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Ethics is available on our web site at www.hpevinc.com. We will provide a copy of our Code of Ethics free of charge to any person who requests a copy. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at HPEV, Inc., 8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 300, Tampa, Florida 33637, or by telephone at (813) 975-7467.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% percent of our equity securities (“Reporting Persons”) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on our review of copies of such reports and representations from the Reporting Persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, all reporting persons complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements except that Theodore Banzhaf, our President, failed to timely file one Form 4 reporting the purchase of 15,000 shares of common stock, and Spirit Bear failed to timely file one Form 4 to report the cashless exercise of warrants, one Form 4 to report the sale of common stock and two Form 4s to report the conversion of preferred stock to common stock.
Changes in Nominating Process
There are no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our Board.
42
|
|
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following table provides certain information regarding compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to persons serving as our Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2014 and 2013 and our two other most highly compensated officers who had total compensation exceeding $100,000 for fiscal 2014 (each a “named executive officer”).
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year Ended
12/31 |
Salary
($) |
Bonus
($) |
Stock Awards
($) |
Option Awards
($)(1) |
All Other
($) |
Total ($) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Timothy Hassett |
2013 |
27,000 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
125,500 |
(2) |
152,500 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
CEO and Chairman |
2014 |
210,000 |
150,000 |
-- |
1,590,000 |
1,500 |
(3) |
1,951,500 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Judson Bibb |
2013 |
96,000 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
96,000 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Vice President, Secretary and Director |
2014 |
112,000 |
-- |
-- |
3,180,000 |
1,500 |
(3) |
|
|
3,293,500 |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Theodore Banzhaf |
2013 |
1 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
168,751 |
(4) |
|
|
168,752 |
|
||||||||||||||||
President |
2014 |
235,000 |
78,000 |
-- |
3,911,000 |
14,617 |
(5) |
4,238,617 |
|
______________
(1) |
Represents stock-based compensation expense calculated in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Section 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation, using either the Black-Scholes or lattice option pricing model as set forth in Note 7 to the Company’s financial statements. |
(2) |
Represents consulting fees pursuant to his consulting agreement with the Company, and a payment of $25,000 for achieving the filing of a patent during 2013. |
(3) |
Represents a health care allowance paid made by the Company. |
(4) |
Represents consulting accrued to Mr. Banzhaf. |
(5) |
Represents $1,500 of health care allowance paid by the company and $13,117 for Company car. |
We have no pension, health, annuity, bonus, insurance, stock option, profit sharing or similar benefit plans.
Employment Agreement
We entered into an employment agreement, dated March 5, 2014, with Timothy Hassett to serve as our Chief Executive Officer for an initial annual salary of $210,000, to be paid in equal monthly installments. If the Company is cash flow positive for three consecutive months, the monthly compensation will increase to $25,000 per month. If the Company maintains profitability for four consecutive quarters, the monthly compensation will increase to $30,000 per month. The Company also agreed to reimburse Mr. Hassett for his healthcare costs until the Company adopts a healthcare plan. If Mr. Hassett’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to severance in the amount of two years’ salary in effect at such time to be paid by the Company in one payment or in four equal installments at the end of each quarter following termination, at the Company’s discretion. Such severance obligation shall accelerate and become immediately payable upon change of control of the Company. The Company will also pay any excise tax on Mr. Hassett’s behalf that may be triggered under the Internal Revenue Code as a result. Mr. Hassett will not compete with the Company during the term of the agreement.
We entered into an employment agreement, dated February 10, 2014, with Mark Hodowanec to serve as our Chief Technical Officer for an initial annual salary of $175,000, to be paid in equal monthly installments. Mr. Hodowanec’s annual salary shall be increased to $210,000 upon commercialization of the 25/50 kW mobile generators; to $240,000 upon the Company generating $100,000 in revenues or $1,000,000 in new financing; to $300,000 upon the Company achieving profitability; and to $360,000 upon the Company maintaining profitability for four consecutive quarters. The Company also agreed to reimburse Mr. Hodowanec for his healthcare costs until the Company adopts a healthcare plan. If Mr. Hodowanec’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to severance in the amount of two years’ salary in effect at such time to be paid by the Company in one payment or in four equal installments at the end of each quarter following termination, at the Company’s discretion. Such severance obligation shall accelerate and become immediately payable upon change of control of the Company. The Company will also pay any excise tax on Mr. Hodowanec’s behalf that may be triggered under the Internal Revenue Code as a result. Mr. Hodowanec will not compete with the Company during the term of the agreement.
We entered into an employment agreement, dated March 31, 2012, with Theodore Banzhaf to serve as our President, which was modified by a board resolution on February 20, 2013. Mr. Banzhaf’s compensation will initially be $1 per month; $17,500 per month after raising $1.0 million; $20,000 per month subsequent to raising $3.5 million; $24,000 per month upon the Company achieving profitability; and $29,000 upon the Company maintaining profitability for four consecutive quarters. If Mr. Banzhaf’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to severance equal to one month’s salary for each three months of employment, but not less than six nor more than twelve months’ salary. Subsequent to raising $3.5 million, Mr. Banzhaf will also be eligible for quarterly cash and equity bonuses, at the board of director’s discretion. Mr. Banzhaf was granted an option to purchase 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock when the common stock trades at certain milestone prices or upon a change of control of the Company.
43
|
|
Consulting Agreements
We entered into a consulting agreement with Summit Management in April 2011 for services provided by Quentin Ponder to the Company for a consulting fee of $5,000 per month which fee was increased to $7,500 per month effective January 1, 2012. During 2012, Mr. Ponder agreed to forgo four months’ payment under the consulting agreement due to the financial condition of the Company. Mr. Ponder was paid $7,500 per month from January 2013 through July 2013 and accrued $2,500 during those months (except for the first month in which he accrued $1,250); was paid $10,000 per month from August 2013 through April 2014; and was paid $12,000 per month from May 2014 through December 2014.
We entered into a consulting agreement with Timothy Hassett in April 2011 pursuant to which he received $5,000 per month which consulting fee was increased to $10,000 per month effective January 1, 2012. During 2012, Mr. Hassett agreed to forgo four months’ payment on the agreement due to the financial condition of the Company. Mr. Hassett was paid $10,000 per month from January 2013 through July 2013 and accrued $3,500 during those months (except for the first month in which he accrued $1,750) and was paid $13,500 per month from August 2013 through October 2013. Such consulting agreement terminated on November 1, 2013, the date Mr. Hassett became a full-time, salaried employee of the Company.
On May 1, 2012, we entered into a consulting agreement with Bibb Productions & Consulting for Judson Bibb’s services for a monthly consulting fee of $6,000 conditional upon the financial ability of the Company. Mr. Bibb’s monthly consulting fee under this agreement was accrued but unpaid from May 2012 through April 2013 and was paid to Mr. Bibb for the months of May, June, July and August 2013. Such consulting agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, the date Mr. Bibb became a full-time, salaried employee of the Company and was paid $8,000 per month. Mr. Bibb’s compensation increased to $10,000 per month in May 2014.
Outstanding Equity Awards
The table below reflects all outstanding equity awards made to any named executive officer that were outstanding at December 31, 2014.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014
Option Awards | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Number of | |||||||||||||||||
Securities | Securities | |||||||||||||||||
Underlying | Underlying | |||||||||||||||||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Option | Option | |||||||||||||||
Options (#) | Options (#) | Exercise | Expiration | |||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Grant Date |
Exercisable | Unexercisable | Price ($) | Date | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Timothy Hassett |
|
3/31/14 |
1,000,000 |
-- |
2.00 |
(2 |
) |
|||||||||||
Theodore Banzhaf(1) |
|
3/29/12 |
1,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
-- |
(1 |
) |
|||||||||||
|
3/31/14 |
1,000,000 |
-- |
2.00 |
(2 |
) |
||||||||||||
Judson Bibb |
|
3/31/14 |
2,000,000 |
-- |
2.00 |
(2 |
) |
______________
(1) |
Represents five options to purchase 1,000,000 shares each at such time as our common stock trades at $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00 for 20 consecutive days while Mr. Banzhaf serves as President and for one year following Mr. Banzhaf’s termination without cause. Exercise prices of these options will be equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date the option vests. On March 31, 2014, the Board amended Mr. Banzhaf's options to provide for cashless exercise and for the stock price milestones to be: $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 in lieu of the milestone prices of $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00. As of December 31, 2015, 1,000,000 of such options have vested. Also includes an option to purchase 1,000,000 at $2.00 per share, which are currently exercisable. |
(2) |
No expiration date. |
44
|
|
Compensation of Officers
On February 20, 2013, the Board approved the following compensation for its officers: (i) $13,500 per month for Timothy Hassett, as Chief Executive Officer, (ii) $10,000 per month for Quentin Ponder, as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, (iii) $12,500 per month for Theodore Banzhaf, as President, (iv) $14,500 per month for a still undesignated Chief Technical Officer and (v) $8,000 per month for Judson Bibb, as Vice-President and Secretary. Such compensation accrued commencing January 15, 2013 until July 2013 when the Company raised $1 million.
On February 20, 2013, the Board also approved increased compensation if and when the Company achieves certain milestones as follows: (1) generating $1 million in additional funding, (2) generating $100,000 in revenue or an additional $1 million in funding, (3) achieving profitability (being cash flow positive for three consecutive months) and (4) maintaining profitability for four consecutive quarters. With the achievement of the first milestone, the compensation for the President and the Chief Technical Officer will increase to $17,500 per month. With the achievement of the second milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer shall increase to $17,500 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer shall increase to $12,000 per month, the compensation for the President and the Chief Technical Officer shall increase to $20,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary shall increase to $10,000 per month. With the achievement of the third milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer shall increase to $25,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer shall increase to $18,000 per month, the compensation for the President shall increase to $24,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Technical Officer shall increase to $25,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary shall increase to $12,000 per month. With the achievement of the fourth milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer shall increase to $30,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer shall increase to $24,000 per month, the compensation for the President shall increase to $29,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Technical Officer shall increase to $30,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary shall increase to $15,000 per month. The validity of the compensation is an issue in the pending litigation with Spirit Bear at described above in Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
In addition, the Board authorized the Chief Executive Officer to make quarterly bonuses of $50,000 and/or 50,000 shares of, or options for Common Stock available for each officer in addition to performance payments from 5% of the Company’s net income to be given for individual contributions, such as the awarding of patents or the signing of major customer contracts.
The Board also approved the decrease in the exercise price of the five outstanding options to purchase 1,000,000 shares held by Theodore Banzhaf, and to provide for cashless exercise of these options. The milestone stock prices were reduced to $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $4.50 and $5.00 for 20 consecutive trading days each. These milestone stock prices had been changed from $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00. Once the stock has traded at these prices for 20 consecutive trading days, Mr. Banzhaf has the right to exercise an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at each milestone stock price. These options expire one year after Mr. Banzhaf has been terminated without cause. The validity of the compensation is an issue in the pending litigation with Spirit Bear at described above in Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
On March 24, 2013, the Company and Theodore Banzhaf signed an agreement rescinding the decrease in the milestone price of the five options to purchase 1,000,000 shares as well as the cashless exercise thereof.
On March 31, 2014, the Board amended Mr. Banzhaf's options to provide for cashless exercise and for the stock price milestones to be: $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 in lieu of the current milestone prices of $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00.
On March 31, 2014, the Board approved the grant of options to Judson Bibb to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and the grant of options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share to each of Messrs. Hassett, Hodowanec and Banzhaf.
45
|
|
Compensation of Directors
The Company has not yet established a compensation plan for its directors. Consequently, none of our directors received compensation for services rendered in their capacities as directors. However, Messrs. Hassett, Ponder and Bibb were compensated for services rendered in their capacities as officers of the Company. No arrangements are presently in place regarding compensation to directors for their services as directors.
In 2011, Judson Bibb received a gift of 5,000,000 shares from PPEG. For accounting purposes, the shares are being classified as compensation. The shares were subsequently returned on April 13, 2012 and no financial benefit was accrued.
On February 20, 2013, the Board granted Judson Bibb an option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of par value, or $0.001 per share. The option was not exercised and on March 21, 2013, the Company and Judson Bibb signed an agreement rescinding such option grant.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table lists, as of March 20, 2015, the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person, entity or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock; (ii) each of our named executive officers and (iii) all officers and directors as a group. Information relating to beneficial ownership of common stock by our principal stockholders and management is based upon information furnished by each person using “beneficial ownership” concepts under the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person directly or indirectly has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under the SEC rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may not have any pecuniary interest. Except as noted below, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned and each stockholder’s address is c/o HPEV, Inc., 8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 300, Tampa, Florida 33637.
46
|
|
The percentages below are calculated based on 61,728,102 shares of common stock issued and outstanding on March 20, 2015 and 140 shares of preferred stock (each such share of preferred stock has the voting right of 50,000 shares of common stock).
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage | ||||||
5% or Greater Stockholders |
||||||||
Spirit Bear Limited (1) 1470 First Avenue, No 4a New York, NY 10075 |
14,491,054 |
(2) |
19.15 |
% |
||||
Mark Hodowanec |
7,100,000 |
(3) |
11.32 |
% |
||||
Directors and named executive officers |
||||||||
Timothy Hassett |
6,901,000 |
(4)(5) |
11.00 |
% |
||||
Theodore Banzhaf |
6,030,000 |
(4)(6) |
8.90 |
% |
||||
Judson Bibb |
2,217,400 |
(7) |
3.48 |
% |
||||
Quentin Ponder |
2,000,000 |
3.24 |
% |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Jay A. Palmer |
14,491,054 |
(1) (2) |
19.15 |
% |
||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Carrie Dwyer |
- |
- |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Donica Holt |
- |
- |
|
|||||
All officers and directors as a group (8 persons) (8) |
38,739,454 |
45.23 |
% |
_______________
(1) |
Jay Palmer, President of Spirit Bear, has sole voting and disposition power over shares held by Spirit Bear. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes (i) 561,894 shares of common stock, (ii) 7,000,000 shares of common stock underlying 140 shares of Preferred Stock (having voting rights of 50,000 shares of common stock for each share of Preferred Stock) and (iii) currently exercisable warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,929,160 shares of common stock. These shares are subject to dispute as a result of ongoing litigation with Spirit Bear. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share. |
|
|
(4) |
On February 19, 2013, Mr. Banzhaf granted a proxy to Timothy Hassett with respect to all his voting rights for any shares of common stock owned by Mr. Banzhaf and with respect to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of common stock subject to currently exercisable stock options at certain stock price milestones. The 5,000,000 options granted to Mr. Banzhaf subject to said proxy are not included in the amount of shares indicated above for Mr. Hassett. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share. Does not include (i) 700,000 shares held by Mr. Hassett’s ex-wife and (ii) an aggregate of 90,000 shares held by Mr. Hassett’s minor children. |
47
|
|
(6) |
Includes five options to purchase 1,000,000 shares each at such time as our common stock trades at $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00 for 20 consecutive days while Mr. Banzhaf serves as President and one year following a termination of Mr. Banzhaf employment without cause. Exercise prices of these options will be equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date the option vests. On March 31, 2014, the Board amended Mr. Banzhaf's options to provide for cashless exercise and for the stock price milestones to be: $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 in lieu of the current milestone prices of $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00. Also includes options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share |
|
|
(7) |
Includes options to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes Mark Hodowanec, Chief Technology Officer. |
Change-in-Control Agreements
The Company does not have any change-in-control agreements with any of its executive officers, except that severance payments, if any, to which Mr. Hodowanec and Mr. Hassett may be entitled under his employment agreement, accelerates in the event of a change of control.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
On April 12, 2011, Judson Bibb, our Secretary and a director, provided an interest-free loan to the Company in the amount of $22,910 which remains outstanding.
On February 20, 2013, the Board at that time, consisting of Messrs. Hassett, Ponder and Bibb, approved the following compensation for its officers: (i) $13,500 per month for Timothy Hassett, as Chief Executive Officer, (ii) $10,000 per month for Quentin Ponder, as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, (iii) $12,500 per month for Theodore Banzhaf, as President, (iv) $14,500 per month for a still undesignated Chief Technical Officer and (v) $8,000 per month for Judson Bibb, as Vice President and Secretary. Such compensation accrues commencing January 15, 2013, but will not be paid until the Company raises $1,000,000. As of July 24, 2013, the Company raised $1,000,000.
On February 20, 2013, the Board also approved increased compensation if and when the Company achieves the following milestones: (1) generating $1 million in additional funding, (2) generating $100,000 in revenue or an additional $1 million in funding, (3) achieving profitability (being cash flow positive for three consecutive months) and (4) maintaining profitability for four consecutive quarters. With the achievement of the first milestone, the compensation for the President and the Chief Technical Officer will increase to $17,500 per month. With the achievement of the second milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer shall increase to $17,500 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer shall increase to $12,000 per month, the compensation for the President and the Chief Technical Officer shall increase to $20,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary will increase to $10,000 per month. With the achievement of the third milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer will increase to $25,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer will increase to $18,000 per month, the compensation for the President will increase to $24,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Technical Officer will increase to $25,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary will increase to $12,000 per month. With the achievement of the fourth milestone, the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer will increase to $30,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer will increase to $24,000 per month, the compensation for the President will increase to $29,000 per month, the compensation for the Chief Technical Officer will increase to $30,000 per month, and the compensation for the Vice President and Secretary will increase to $15,000 per month.
The Board also authorized the Chief Executive Officer to make quarterly bonuses of $50,000 and/or 50,000 shares of, or options for common stock available for each officer in addition to performance payments from 5% of the Company’s net income to be given for individual contributions, such as the awarding of patents or the signing of major customer contracts.
48
|
|
In addition on February 20, 2013, the Board approved the decrease in the exercise price of the five outstanding options to purchase 1,000,000 shares held by Theodore Banzhaf, our President, and to provide for cashless exercise of these options. The milestone stock prices were reduced to $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $4.50 and $5.00 for 20 consecutive trading days each. These milestone stock prices had been changed from $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00. Once the stock has traded at these prices for 20 consecutive trading days, Mr. Banzhaf has the right to exercise an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at each milestone stock price. These options expire one year after Mr. Banzhaf has been terminated without cause. On March 24, 2013, the Company and Theodore Banzhaf signed an agreement rescinding the decrease in the milestone price of the five options to purchase 1,000,000 shares as well as the cashless exercise thereof.
On February 20, 2013, the Board also granted Judson Bibb an option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of par value, or $0.001 per share. The options expire one year after Mr. Bibb has been terminated without cause. The options can be exercised on a cashless basis. On March 21, 2013 Judson Bibb signed an agreement rescinding the option grant.
In January 2013, Quentin Ponder, our Chief Financial Officer and a director, was repaid $12,100 on an interest-free unsecured loan made to the Company in 2012.
On March 24, 2013, the Company and Theodore Banzhaf signed an agreement rescinding the decrease in the milestone price of the five options to purchase 1,000,000 shares as well as the cashless exercise thereof.
As of July 24, 2013, the Company had raised $1 million. Therefore, as per the board resolution passed on February 20, 2013, Mr. Hassett consulting fee increased to $13,500 a month, Mr. Banzhaf’s increased to $12,500 a month, Mr. Ponder’s increased to $10,000 a month and Mr. Bibb’s increased to $8,000 a month. As noted above, the accruals began on January 15, 2013. The validity of the compensation is an issue in the pending litigation with Spirit Bear at described above in Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
On March 14, 2014, a five-year warrant to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.60 was issued to Paul Hodowanec, the brother of Mark Hodowanec, our Chief Technical Officer, for business development services provided to the Company. The warrant may be exercised on a cashless basis.
On March 31, 2014, the Board amended Mr. Banzhaf's options to provide for cashless exercise and for the stock price milestones to be: $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2.50 in lieu of the current milestone prices of $2.00, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and $10.00.
On March 31, 2014, the Board approved the grant of options to Judson Bibb to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and the grant of options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.00 per share to each of Messrs. Hassett, Hodowanec and Banzhaf.
Spirit Bear Limited
On December 14, 2012, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Spirit Bear pursuant to which it sold to Spirit Bear (i) 200 shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock and (ii) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.35 per share, 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share, and 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise of $0.75 per share, each subject to adjustment as provided in the warrant. The aggregate purchase price for the Preferred Stock and warrants was $500,000, of which $313,777.62 was paid in cash and $186,222.38 was paid by cancelation of $186,222.38 in outstanding indebtedness held by Spirit Bear. The warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.
The Company and Spirit Bear also entered into a registration rights Agreement, dated December 14, 2012 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company is obligated to file a registration statement to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants held by it. Each share of the Preferred Stock was initially convertible into 20,000 shares of Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $2,500 per share. The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid prior and in preference to any payment or distribution of any available funds and assets on any shares of common stock, an amount per share equal to a liquidation price of $2,500 per share of the Preferred Stock.
49
|
|
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, as amended on April 12, 2013, the Company shall have the option to require Spirit Bear to purchase up to an additional 200 shares of Preferred Stock and associated warrants in the event that written certification from a federally licensed testing facility reasonably acceptable to Spirit Bear, evidencing that three motors or alternators or two motors and one AMP system incorporating the Company’s technology have been comprehensively tested in accordance with applicable NEMA, ANSI and IEEE standards and that the results of these tests meet or exceed the minimum requirements for certification under those standards; that those same motors, alternators and/or system incorporating the Company’s technology have passed tests with respect to (i) IEEE 112 in Methods E, E1, F or F1 with a maximum horsepower of 4,000 for F or F1, (ii) sound pressure testing to IEEE 85 and NEMA MG1 20 standards, (iii) bearing temperature testing, (iv) speed versus torque/current testing, (v) polarization index testing per IEEE 45 standards, and (vi) IEEE 112 Method B for full efficiency; and that testing evidences an improvement in power density of at least 12%) compared to the same motor or alternator not incorporating the technology. In the event the Company shall not have received such certification by December 14, 2013, Spirit Bear has a 12 month option, to purchase an additional 200 shares of Preferred Stock and associated warrants. On December 13, 2013 Spirit Bear and its counsel were advised that since the results of the testing of the Company's technology met or exceeded the minimum requirements as provided, Spirit Bear no longer has such option.
On October 5, 2013, the Company issued Spirit Bear a warrant to purchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.35 per share as a result of the Company not maintaining an effective registration statement for Spirit Bear’s securities.
See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” above for a description of the legal proceedings between the Company and Spirit Bear.
Insider Transactions Policies and Procedures
The Company does not currently have an insider transaction policy.
Director Independence
We currently do not have any independent directors as the term “independent” is defined by the rules of the American Stock Exchange.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Audit Fees
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the review of financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountant, Anton and Chia, LLP, for audit and review services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $83,906 and $15,600, respectively.
We incurred no non-audit related fees, tax fees or other fees for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Administration of the Engagement; Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
We have not yet established an audit committee. Until then, there are no formal pre-approval policies and procedures. Nonetheless, the auditors engaged for these services are required to provide and uphold estimates for the cost of services to be rendered. The percentage of hours expended on Anton and Chia, LLP’s respective engagement to audit our financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees was 0%.
50
|
|
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibit |
|
3.1 |
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form SB-2 filed with the SEC on August 9, 2007) |
|
3.2 |
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 9, 2010) |
|
3.3 |
Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form SB-2 filed with the SEC on August 9, 2007) |
|
3.4 |
Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2012) |
|
3.5 |
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2012) |
|
3.6 |
Bylaws, dated February 20, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013 |
|
3.6.1 |
Amendment to Article VII of the Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2013) |
|
3.7 |
Amendment to Article II, Section 2 of the Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 17, 2014) |
|
3.8 |
Certificate of Designation of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2012) |
|
3.9 |
Amendment to the Certificate of Designation of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2013) |
|
10.12 |
Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 2011 between Summit Management and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2012) |
|
10.13 |
Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 2011 between Timothy Hassett and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2012) |
|
10.14 |
Addendum to Summit Management Consulting Agreement dated January 2, 2012. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2012) |
|
10.15 |
Addendum to Timothy Hassett Consulting Agreement dated January 2, 2012(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2012) |
|
10.16 |
Consulting Agreement dated February 13, 2012 between Lagoon Labs, LLC and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2012) |
|
10.17 |
Warrant issued to McMahon, Serepca LLP for financial accommodations dated June 4, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.18 |
Spirit Bear Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated August 9, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.19 |
Spirit Bear Promissory Note B-1 issued pursuant to the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and dated April 27, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.20 |
Spirit Bear Promissory Note B-2 issued pursuant to the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and dated May 22, 2012. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.21 |
Spirit Bear Promissory Note B-3 issued pursuant to the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and dated June 28, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.22 |
Spirit Bear Promissory Note B-4 issued pursuant to the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and dated July 11, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
51
|
|
10.23 |
Spirit Bear Loan Extension Agreement for Note B-1 dated October 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 19, 2012) |
|
10.24 |
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 14, 2012, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2012) |
|
10.25 |
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 14, 2012, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2012) |
|
10.26 |
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Company’s Current Registration Statement on S-1filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013) |
|
10.27 |
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc (incorporated by reference to Company’s Current Registration Statement on S-1filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013) |
|
10.28 |
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc (incorporated by reference to Company’s Current Registration Statement on S-1filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013) |
|
10.29 |
Patent and Security Agreement dated December 14, 2012, between Spirit Bear Limited and HPEV, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2012) |
|
10.30 |
Debt Settlement Agreement, dated December 11, 2012, by and among HPEV, Inc., Phoenix Productions and Entertainment Group and Action Media Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Company’s Current Registration Statement on S-1filed with the SEC on January 11, 2013) |
|
10.32 |
Loan Agreement dated March 7, 2012 between HPEV and Action Media Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013) |
|
10.33 |
Warrant issued to McMahon, Serepca, LLP for financial accommodation dated August 6, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013) |
|
10.34 |
Rescission Letter dated March 21, 2013 between Judson Bibb and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013) |
|
10.35 |
Rescission Letter dated March 24, 2013 between Theodore Banzhaf and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013) |
|
10.36 |
Settlement Agreement, dated April 12, 2013 between Spirit Bear Limited and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013) |
|
10.38 |
Form of Subscription Agreement and Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2014) |
|
10.39 |
Employment Agreement, dated February 14, 2014, between the Company and Mark Hodowanec (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2014) |
|
10.40 |
Purchase Agreement, dated February 19, 2014, between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014) |
|
10.41 |
Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 19, 2014, between the Company and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014) |
|
10.42 |
Consulting Agreement, dated May 1, 2012 with Bibb Productions & Consulting (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10. (1 Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 23, 2014) |
|
10.43 |
Employment Agreement, dated March 31, 2012 with Theodore Banzhaf (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the C 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 23, 2014 |
|
10.46 |
Placement Agent and Advisory Services Agreement(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the Sec on April 23, 2014) |
|
10.47 |
Letter Agreement, dated May 28, 2014 between the Company and Cranshire Capital Master Fund Ltd. and Equitec Specialists, LLC(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on July 3, 2014) |
|
21.1* |
Subsidiaries of the registrant |
|
31.1* |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
31.2* |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
32.1* |
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
32.2* |
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
______________
* Filed herewith
52
|
|
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.
HPEV, INC. |
|||
Date: March 31, 2015 |
By: |
/s/ Timothy Hassett |
|
Timothy Hassett Chairman 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 |
Capacity |
Date |
||
/s/ Timothy Hassett |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
March 31, 2015 |
||
Timothy Hassett |
(Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/ Quentin Ponder |
Vice-Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, |
March 31, 2015 |
||
Quentin Ponder |
Treasurer and director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
/s/ Judson Bibb |
Vice-President, Secretary and director |
March 31, 2015 |
||
Judson Bibb |
53
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Set forth below is a list of each of the subsidiaries of HPEV, Inc.
Name of subsidiary |
|
Jurisdiction |
Ownership Percentage | |||
Ultimate Power Truck, LLC |
|
Florida |
95 |
% |
||
HPEV, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
100 |
% |
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Timothy Hassett, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of HPEV, Inc (the “registrant”) for the year ended December 31, 2014; |
|
|
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 Exhibit 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. |
Dated: March 31, 2015 | By: |
/s/ Timothy Hassett |
|
|
Timothy Hassett |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Quentin Ponder, certify that:
1. |
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of HPEV, Inc. (the “registrant”) for the year ended December 31, 2014; |
|
|
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; |
|
|
2. |
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 Exhibit 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 . |
Dated: March 31, 2015 | By; |
/s/ Quentin Ponder |
|
|
Quentin Ponder |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 USC, SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Anual Report of HPEV, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Timothy Hassett, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
(1) |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
|
|
||
(2) |
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Dated: March 31, 2015 | By: |
/s/ Timothy Hassett |
|
|
Timothy Hassett |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 USC, SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of HPEV, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Quentin Ponder, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
(1) |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
|
|
||
(2) |
Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Dated: March 31, 2015 | By; |
/s/ Quentin Ponder |
|
|
Quentin Ponder |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|