UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 19, 2017

 

LOOP INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

000-54786

 

27-2094706

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

480 Fernand Poitras

Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, J6Y 1Y4

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(450) 951-8555

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 
 
 
 

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

5.02(b) Resignation of D. Jennifer Rhee

 

On October 19, 2017, D. Jennifer Rhee resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of Loop Industries, Inc. ("the Company"), effective immediately. In connection with her resignation, the Company and Ms. Rhee entered into a Separation Agreement dated October 25, 2017 pursuant to which the Company shall pay Ms. Rhee a final separation payment of CAD$115,000 for consideration of Ms. Rhee executing a full release against the Company and its affiliates and forfeiting her vested and unvested options to purchase Common Stock of the Company.

 

The foregoing description of the Separation Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Separation Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto.

 

5.02(c) Appointment of Frank Zitella

 

On October 25, 2017, the Company announced that Frank Zitella will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer on or about November 16, 2017.

 

Mr. Zitella, age 52, has close to 30 years of finance, accounting, strategic and corporate tax planning experience, most recently servicing as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE: DST). Mr. Zitella received his Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University in 1991 and his Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University in 1989. He is a member of the Ontario and Canadian Order of Chartered Accountants.

 

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Zitella and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Zitella was selected as an officer. There are no family relationships between Mr. Zitella and any director, executive officer or person nominated or chose by the Company to become a director or executive office of the company within the meaning of Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (“Regulation S-K”). Since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, the Company has not engaged in any transaction in which Mr. Zitella had direct or indirect material interest within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated October 20, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”) and the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, Mr. Zitella will receive the following cash and equity cash compensation: (i) an annual salary of $280,000, payable via the Company’s standard payroll practices, (ii) a one-time grant of option to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, which shall vest in one-third increments on each anniversary of the grant date, (iii) a one-time grant of option to purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company upon the commercialization of the Company’s first manufacturing facility, and (iv) a one-time grant of option to purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company upon the commercialization of the Company’s second manufacturing facility. In the event of a change of control, all of Mr. Zitella’s unvested options shall immediately vest. The Employment Agreement also entitles Mr. Zitella to participate in the Company’s employee benefit programs and provides for customary benefits.

 

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Employment Agreement, a copy of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2017.

 

 
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On October 25, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Zitella as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. A copy of this press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Separation Agreement, dated October 25, 2017

99.1

 

Press Release, dated October 25, 2017

 

 
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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

LOOP INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

Date: October 25, 2017

By:

/s/ Daniel Solomita

 

Daniel Solomita

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

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EXHIBIT 10.1

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made as of October 25, 2017, is entered into between:

 

MS. JENNIFER RHEE, residing at 119 Laurier St., Dollard Des Ormeaux, Quebec, H9B 3B1

 

(hereinafter referred to as “ Ms. Rhee ”)

 

and

 

LOOP CANADA INC., a corporation having its head office located at 480, Fernand-Poitras, Terrebonne, QC, J6Y 1Y4, represented for the purposes hereof by Mr. Daniel Solomita, CEO

 

(hereinafter referred to as the “ Company ”)

 

(Ms. Rhee and the Company hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”)

 

WHEREAS Ms. Rhee signed an Employment Agreement which is dated March 17, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the “ Employment Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS Ms. Rhee was in the employment of the Company as its CFO;

 

WHEREAS , effective October 19, 2017, Ms. Rhee is no longer employed with the Company;

 

WHEREAS the Parties negotiated mutually agreeable terms in the scope of Ms. Rhee’s exit from the Company;

 

WHEREAS under the circumstances, the Parties wish to set out hereinafter in writing the terms and conditions of Ms. Rhee’s departure from the Company, including Ms. Rhee’s continuing obligations towards the Company following the cessation of her employment, without any admission of liability or fault on the part of Ms. Rhee or the Company (hereinafter referred to as the “ Agreement ”).

 

THE PARTIES MUTUALLY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

A.    EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION

 

 

1. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, the Parties agree that Ms. Rhee’s employment with the Company shall be deemed terminated as a result of Ms. Rhee’s voluntary resignation, which is effective as at October 19, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the “ Termination Date ”).

 

 

 

 

2. The Company will provide to Ms. Rhee her regular base salary and accrued vacation pay up to the Termination Date, less applicable withholdings and deductions required by law (the “ Final Payment ”).

 
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3. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, the Company will provide to Ms. Rhee a global and final separation payment (i.e. retiring allowance) totaling CAD$115,000, less applicable withholdings and deductions required by law, namely 20% for provincial income taxes and 15% for federal income taxes (the “ Separation Payment ”). The Separation Payment shall be made by direct deposit in Ms .Rhee’s bank account on file with the Company no later than Tuesday October 31, 2017.

 

 

 

 

4. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, any and all entitlements that Ms. Rhee may have under any Company stock option plan, grant agreement or award, including without limitation under the Employment Agreement and/or its Exhibit A, shall be cancelled as at the Termination Date. For greater certainty, Ms. Rhee’s vested and non-vested stock options are cancelled and Ms. Rhee waives any and all rights in this regard.

 

 

 

 

5. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, any and all entitlements that Ms. Rhee may have under any Company bonus or incentive compensation plans, programs and policies shall be cancelled as at the Termination Date.

 

 

 

 

6. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, Ms. Rhee’s participation in any Company’s employee benefit plans, programs and policies terminated as at the Termination Date.

 

 

 

 

7. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, the Company will issue the 8-K Form and Press Release attached hereto respectively as Schedules A and B.

 

 

 

 

8. In consideration of the conclusion of the present Agreement, the Company will issue a Record of Employment to Ms. Rhee and Service Canada no later than October 27 th , 2017 indicating that she voluntarily resigned from her employment with the Company.

 

 

 

 

9. Ms. Rhee hereby resigns all officer and director positions held with the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, effective as at the Termination Date. Ms. Rhee undertakes to sign and execute, without delay, any and all documents required in order to enforce this clause.

 

 

 

 

10. Ms. Rhee undertakes to return by October 27, 2017 all Company property in her possession or control, including, without limitation, any files, data, information (including confidential information) or documents, on any support whatsoever, office keys, passwords, and/or building security cards, unless otherwise indicated by the Company in writing.

 

 

 

 

11. The Company undertakes to return by October 27, 2017 all personal property belonging to Ms. Rhee, namely Ms. Rhee’s area rug, painting, vase and chair.

 

 

 

 

12. Except as specifically provided under this Agreement, Ms. Rhee will not be paid any further salary, vacation pay, termination pay, benefits, group insurance benefits, retirement benefits, stock options, bonus, commission, incentive compensation, expenses, damages or any other type of compensation.

 
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B. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

 

 

13. It is a fundamental condition of this Agreement that Ms. Rhee agrees and fully complies with the following additional covenants.

 

 

 

 

14. The Parties acknowledge the Company’s legitimate interest in protecting its confidential information, employees, clients and prospective clients.

 

 

 

 

15. Ms. Rhee agrees to remain bound by the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement provided under article 6 and Exhibit C of the Employment Agreement.

 

 

 

 

16. Ms. Rhee agrees to remain bound by the restrictive covenants provided under article 8 of the Employment Agreement, for a period of one (1) year as of the Termination Date.

 

 

 

 

17. The Parties undertake indefinitely to not disparage one another, or their parents, subsidiaries, related entities or affiliates, or act in any manner that would be harmful to their image or reputation.

 

 

 

 

C. RELEASE AND DISCHARGE

 

 

18. In consideration of the Agreement, subject to the fulfillment by the Company and the Company Group (as defined below) of all their obligations pursuant to this Agreement, Ms. Rhee forever fully releases and discharges the Company, and its parent companies, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and associated companies, and each of their respective shareholders, directors, officers, managers, agents, employees, and representatives, regardless of the period during which they held these positions (hereinafter collectively and/or individually designated as the “ Company Group ”) in regard to any right, action, complaint, recourse, demand, damage or claim of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, and, including any right or claim related to her employment or to the termination of her employment with the Company or to the Employment Agreement, which Ms. Rhee has, had, or may in future have against the Company or the Company Group, excluding any claim involving fraud, intentional misrepresentation or gross negligence.

 

 

 

 

19. Ms. Rhee further acknowledges that this Agreement also covers all sums of money owing by way of compensatory indemnity or wages in lieu of notice of termination of employment, severance pay, contractual or extra-contractual damages, salary, bonus, commissions, incentive compensation or plan, stock option, common stock or stock purchase plan, allowances, vacation pay, holiday pay, pension plan or retirement plan contributions, group insurance contributions, relocation or moving fees or expenses, or any other claim of any nature whatsoever which is, was, or may in future be owing to Ms. Rhee by the Company or the Company Group by virtue of any law (including the Charter of human rights and freedoms , the Civil Code of Québec, the Act Respecting Labour Standards , the Act Respecting Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases and the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety ), contract (including the Employment Agreement), policy, plan, regulation, decree, or practice whatsoever.

 
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20. In consideration of the Agreement, subject to the fulfillment by the Company and the Company Group of all their obligations pursuant to this Agreement, Ms. Rhee forever fully renounces to any right, action, complaint, demand, damage, claim or recourse of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, before any judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal or government or statutory entity whatsoever that Ms. Rhee has, had or may in future have against the Company or the Company Group, which includes any right or claim related to her employment or to the termination of her employment with the Company, or to the Employment Agreement.

 

 

 

 

21. Ms. Rhee agrees to save harmless and to indemnify the Company from and against any and all claims, charges, taxes, penalties or demands made by Canada Revenue Agency, Revenu Québec, or any other applicable Canadian authority requiring the Company to pay any amounts under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the Taxation Act (Quebec), the Employment Insurance Act, their regulations, or any other applicable statutes or regulations with regards to income tax or statutory withholdings or contributions which may be payable by the Company in connection with the amounts paid in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

22. In consideration of the Agreement, subject to the fulfillment by Ms. Rhee of all her obligations pursuant to this Agreement, the Company, on its behalf and on behalf of the Company Group, forever fully releases and discharges Ms. Rhee in regard to any right, action, complaint, recourse, demand, damage or claim of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, and, including any right or claim related to her employment or to the termination of her employment with the Company or to her involvement as a director or officer of any entity comprised within the Company Group which the Company or the Company Group has, had, or may in future have against Ms. Rhee, excluding any claim involving fraud, intentional misrepresentation or gross negligence.

 

 

 

 

23. In consideration of the Agreement, subject to the fulfillment by Ms. Rhee of all her obligations pursuant to this Agreement, the Company on its behalf and on behalf of the Company Group, forever renounces to any right, action, complaint, demand, damage, claim or recourse of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, before any judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal or government or statutory entity whatsoever that the Company has, had or may in future have against Ms. Rhee, which includes any right or claim related to Ms. Rhee employment or to the termination of her employment with the Company or to her involvement as a director or officer of any entity comprised within the Company Group.

 

D. MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

24. The preamble forms an integral part of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

25. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Quebec.

 
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26. The Parties undertake to keep confidential at all time the content of this Agreement as well as the negotiations leading to such Agreement, except if otherwise set forth herein or required by applicable laws.

 

 

 

 

27. The Agreement is the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any and all oral and written agreements or discussions between the Parties.

 

 

 

 

28. In the event that it is determined, in any legal proceeding, that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, it will be deemed to be severed from the remainder of this Agreement for the purpose only of the particular proceeding. This Agreement will, in every other respect, continue in full force and effect. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or part of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or part of any provision hereof.

 

 

 

 

29. The Parties acknowledge that the present Agreement constitutes a transaction within the meaning of Articles 2631 and following of the Civil Code of Quebec , and binds the heirs, liquidators, successors and assigns of the Parties. The Parties understand and agree that the Agreement shall not be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the Company, the Company Group or Ms. Rhee.

 

 

 

 

30. Ms. Rhee understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit her from communicating, cooperating, or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Ms. Rhee understands that in connection with any such activity, Ms. Rhee is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ms. Rhee agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information to any parties other than the SEC. Ms. Rhee further understands that she is not permitted to disclose any Company attorney-client privileged communications.

 

 

 

 

31. The Parties acknowledge that they were given sufficient time to study and revise the terms, conditions, nature and scope of the present Agreement and that they were given sufficient time to seek independent legal advice.

 

 

 

 

32. After having been satisfied that the present Agreement is fair and reasonable, the Parties acknowledge having signed freely, voluntarily, without duress and after just consideration, the present Agreement.

 

 

 

 

33. The Parties herein requested that this document be drafted in English. Les Parties aux présentes ont requis que le présent document soit rédigé en anglais.

 

 
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IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Parties hereinafter mentioned have signed:

 

 

 

LOOP CANADA INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       
/s/ Jennifer Rhee  

Per: /s/ Daniel Solomita

 
Ms. Jennifer Rhee   Mr. Daniel Solomita, CEO  
     

Date: October 25, 2017

 

Date: October 25, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place: Montreal

 

Place: Montreal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

Loop Industries Announces CFO Transition

 

MONTREAL, QC--(Marketwired – October 25, 2017) - Loop Industries, Inc. (OTCQB: LLPP), an environmentally responsible manufacturer of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG), announced that Frank Zitella will become its new Chief Financial Officer, replacing Jennifer Rhee. Jennifer Rhee resigned as Loop’s CFO effective October 19, 2017. Mr. Zitella will assume the role in early November 2017.

 

"We are pleased to announce that Frank will be joining Loop as CFO," said Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Solomita. "Frank will be a great addition to Loop’s executive team. Frank’s numerous years as a public company CFO and his experience working with technology companies will be integral in delivering great value to our Company. We expect that Frank’s experience in creating and managing strategic direction as well as his ability to motivate and lead strong professionals will be a key asset to Loop's strategic and financial initiatives."

 

Mr. Zitella has close to 30 years of finance, accounting, strategic and corporate tax planning experience. He has been the Vice President and CFO of DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE: DST) for 10 years. Prior to that, Mr. Zitella spent 8 years at International Financial Data Services as their VP and CFO. While at DST, Mr. Zitella was successful in maximizing profitability and growing top-line revenue. At International Financial Data Services, Mr. Zitella was successful in implementing tax saving initiatives and managing tax planning efforts resulting in significant recoveries. Mr. Zitella also spent four years as a Senior Manager with Pricewaterhousecoopers, two years as a Senior Internal Auditor at Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., as well as 3 years with KPMG. Mr. Zitella received his Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University in 1991 and his Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University in 1989. He is a member of the Ontario and Canadian Order of Chartered Accountants.

 

About Loop Industries, Inc.

Loop Industries is an environmentally responsible manufacturer of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG), the fundamental chemical components used in manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET plastic is most commonly found in beverage bottles, consumer packaging and polyester fiber. Loop Industries' proprietary process sustainably converts waste plastics into high purity PTA and MEG that can be used to create up to 100 percent recycled food-grade PET resin. This commercial-grade PET resin can be used in a variety of bottling, consumer packaging and other industrial applications.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Loop Industries’ control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) commercialization of our technology, (ii) development and protection of our intellectual property, (iii) industry competition, (iv) our ability to raise capital to expand our operations, (v) product demand, market and customer acceptance of our products, (vi) our ability to conduct operations if there are changes in laws, regulations or government policies related to our business, and (vii) general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general economic conditions. More detailed information about Loop Industries and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward looking statements is set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Loop Industries assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

 

Contact:

Company Contact

Susan Khouloujian

T: 450.951.8555 

E: IR@loopindustries.com