As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 20, 2017

Registration No. 333-__________________

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

REED’S, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   2086   35-2177773

(State or jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

13000 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90061

(310) 217-9400

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place of business)

 

Valentin Stalowir

Chief Executive Officer

13000 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90061

(310) 217-9400

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

With copy to:

 

Ruba Qashu

Libertas Law Group, Inc.

225 Santa Monica Boulevard, 5 th Floor

Santa Monica, CA 90401

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box. [  ]

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [  ]

 

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 12b2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ] Smaller reporting company [X]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each
Class of Securities
to be Registered
  Amount to be
Registered (1)
    Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price per Share
    Estimated
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
    Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
                         
Subscription Rights to purchase common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“common stock”)                       (2)
Shares of Common Stock underlying the Rights               $ 12,000,000 (3)   $ 1,494  
Total               $       $ 1,494

 

(1) This registration statement relates to (a) the subscription rights (or “rights”) to purchase common stock and (b) the shares of common stock deliverable upon the exercise of the rights.
   
(2) The rights are being issued without consideration. Pursuant to Rule 457(g), no separate registration fee is payable with respect to the rights being offered hereby since the rights are being registered in the same registration statement as the securities to be offered pursuant thereto.
   
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Represents the gross proceeds from the assumed exercise of all non-transferable subscription rights to be distributed.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 
   

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is prohibited.

 

Subject to completion, dated October 16, 2017

 

PROSPECTUS

 

REED’S, INC.

 

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS TO PURCHASE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

We are distributing, at no charge, to holders of our common stock non-transferable subscription rights to purchase up to approximately [●] shares of our common stock. You will receive one subscription right for each share of common stock owned at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017.

 

Each subscription right will entitle you to purchase one share of our common stock, which we refer to as the basic subscription privilege. If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among stockholders exercising this over-subscription right. If all the rights are exercised, the total purchase price of the shares of common stock offered in the rights offering will be approximately $12 million.

 

We are conducting the offering to raise capital that we intend to use for repayment of past-due accounts payable, repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness, sales and marketing, and general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”.

 

The subscription rights will expire if they are not exercised by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017, unless we extend the rights offering period. The subscription price per common share is $[●]. The closing price of our common stock on [________] 2017 was $[●].

 

Rights holders may not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the common shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription and, if eligible, any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $[●]per common share and, except in limited circumstances, will not be able to rescind their subscription. 

 

We have the option to extend the rights offering and the period for exercising your subscription rights for a period not to exceed 30 days, although we do not presently intend to do so. You should carefully consider whether to exercise your subscription rights prior to the expiration of the rights offering. All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced.

 

In the event that the exercise by a stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege could, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, potentially result in a limitation on the Company’s ability to use net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, which we refer to as the “Tax Attributes,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, reduce the exercise by such stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege to such number of shares of common stock as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order to preserve the Company’s ability to use the Tax Attributes.

 

Our board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the subscription rights. The subscription rights may not be sold, transferred or assigned and will not be listed for trading on the NYSE American or any stock exchange or market.

 

Our board of directors may cancel the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of the rights offering for any reason. In the event the rights offering is cancelled, all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

 
   

 

Shares of our common stock are traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “REED”. On [●], 2017, the closing sales price for our common stock was $[●] per share. The shares of common stock issued in the rights offering will also be traded on NYSE American under the same symbol.

 

      Subscription Price       Dealer Manager Fee (1)       Proceeds, Before
Expenses, to us
 
Per share    $ [●]      $ [●]      $ [●]  
Total (2)    $ [●]      $ [●]      $ [●]  

 

 

(1)       In connection with the rights offering, we have agreed to pay [●], the dealer-manager for this offering, a cash fee up to [●]% of the gross proceeds of this offering.

 

(2)       Assumes that the rights offering is fully subscribed and that the maximum offering amount in the aggregate of $[●] is subscribed.

 

The exercise of your subscription rights for shares of our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [●] of this prospectus as well as the risk factors and other information in any documents we incorporate by reference into this prospectus to read about important factors you should consider before exercising your subscription rights.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

If you have any questions or need further information about this rights offering, please call Okapi Partners LLC, our information agent for the rights offering, at Okapi Partners LLC at (212) 297-0720 or (888) 785-6617 (toll free) or info@okapipartners.com.

 

The date of this prospectus is [●] , 2017

 

 
   

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW

3
   
SUMMARY OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING 4
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 15
   
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 16
   
RISK FACTORS 17
   

THE RIGHTS OFFERING

36
   
THE BACKSTOP COMMITMENT 45  
   

CAPITALIZATION

46
   
DILUTION 46
   
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES 46
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 50
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 51
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 52
   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK

52
   
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS 53
   
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS, CONTROL PERSONS 55
   
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 61
   
LEGAL MATTERS 62
   
EXPERTS 62
   
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES 62
   
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 63
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 72
   
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 84
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 84
   
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS 86
   
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 89

 

 

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COMPANY OVERVIEW

 

We currently develop, manufacture, market and sell natural non-alcoholic carbonated soft drinks, and candies. In the past we have manufactured, licensed, marketed and sold several unique product lines that have included:

 

Reed’s Ginger Brews,
   
Virgil’s Root Beer, Cream Sodas, Dr. Better and Real Cola, including ZERO diet sodas,
   
Culture Club Kombucha,
   
Reed’s Ginger candy and other Reed’s labeled products,
   
Sonoma Sparkler and other juice based products under the California Juice Company label.
   
We also have a private label business.

 

We sell our products throughout the US and in select international markets. We started in specialty gourmet and natural food stores and have moved more into mainstream over time. We estimate that our products are sold in well over 22,000 natural, conventional, drug, club and mass merchandise accounts in the US, with approximately 10,000 of those being mainstream supermarkets. We sell our products through a network of natural, gourmet and beer distributors and direct to certain large national retailers.

 

3
   

 

We produce and co-pack our beverage products in part at our facility in Los Angeles, California, known as the LA Plant and in the past “The Brewery”. We also have also contracted at co-packing facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Future use of the LA Plant and all co-packers is under review. The co-pack facilities typically service the eastern half of the United States and nationally for certain products that we do not produce at the LA Plant.

 

Key elements of our business strategy include:

 

increase our relationship with and sales to the approximately 15,000 supermarkets that carry our products in natural and mainstream and capture more of the 30,000 supermarkets nationwide,
expand our distribution network by adding regional direct store delivery (DSD’s) and additional direct accounts,
focus on consumer demand and awareness for our core existing brands and products through promotions and advertising,
produce our products at the lowest cost locations while maintaining quality,
produce  private-label products for select customers under strategic alliances,
lower our cost of sales for our products by gaining economies of scale in our purchasing, and
optimize the size and focus of our sales force to manage our relationships with distributors and retail outlets.

 

We create consumer demand for our products by:

 

supporting in-store sampling programs of our products,
generating free press through public relations,
advertising in store publications,
maintaining a company website (www.reedsinc.com),
active social media campaigns on facebook.com, twitter.com and youtube.com,
participating in large public events as sponsors, and
in the recent past deployed a national television commercial on cable television networks.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061. Our telephone number is (310) 217-9400. Our corporate website is www.reedsinc.com. Information contained on our website or that is accessible through our website should not be considered to be part of this prospectus. Our transfer agent is Transfer Online, Inc., telephone (503) 227-2950.

 

SUMMARY OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

 

The following summary describes the principal terms of the rights offering, but is not intended to be complete. See the information under the heading “The Rights Offering” in this prospectus for a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the rights offering.

 

Securities Offered We are distributing, at no charge, to holders of our common stock as of the record date for the rights offering, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase up to approximately [●] shares of our common stock. You will receive one subscription right for each share of common stock owned at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017, which is the record date for the rights offering.
   
Subscription Price

The subscription price per common share is $[●]. The subscription price is payable in cash. To be effective, any payment related to the exercise of a right must clear prior to the expiration of the rights offering. Rights holders may not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the common shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription and, if eligible, any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $[●] per common share and, except in limited circumstances, will not be able to rescind their subscription.

   
Basic Subscription Privilege Each subscription right will entitle you to purchase one share of our common stock, which we refer to as the basic subscription privilege. If an insufficient number of shares is available to fully satisfy all basic subscription privilege requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those who properly exercised basic subscription rights based on the number of rights issued to each rights holder by the Company.

 

4
   

 

Over-Subscription Privilege If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among stockholders exercising this over-subscription right based on the number of rights originally distributed to them by the Company.
   

Backstop Commitment

On October 10, 2017, we entered into a non-binding term sheet, subject to execution of definitive documentation prior to launch of the rights offering, with Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC. The backstop provider agreed to purchase from us, an aggregate number of shares of our common stock equal to the lesser of (x) $6 million and (y) $12 million minus the aggregate proceeds of this rights offering, at a price per share equal to the subscription price, subject to the terms and conditions set for the therein. The backstop commitment is scheduled to close not later than the third trading day following the expiration date. As compensation for the backstop commitment, we agreed to issue to Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC 5- year warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants will have an exercise price equal to the last closing price of our common stock immediately before entering into the definitive agreement, will not be exercisable for a term of one hundred and eighty days and will have a cashless exercise feature. We also agreed to register the shares of common stock underlying the warrants. The warrants are issuable to Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC upon conclusion of the rights offering in consideration for the backstop commitment, or, in the alternative, as a break-up fee if we enter into a definitive backstop commitment agreement for this rights offering with a third party unaffiliated with Raptor Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC.

 

Further, subject to NYSE American rules, we agreed to use our best efforts to appoint up to two individuals designated by Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, to serve on the Company’s board of directors.

 

Regardless of whether the transactions contemplated by the backstop agreement are consummated, we have agreed to reimburse Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC for all reasonable out - of - pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by them in connection with the backstop agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, not to exceed $50,0000.

 

Further, we entered into a non-binding term sheet, subject to execution of definitive documentation, to extend our subordinated convertible promissory note in favor of Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV,LLC in the principal amount of $3.4 million by twenty four months in exchange for amending the conversion price of the note from $3.00 to the subscription price of the rights offering. We also agreed to file registration statement registering the conversion after completion of the rights offering.

   
No Fractional Shares We will not issue fractional shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional shares of our common stock resulting from the exercise of the basic subscription privileges and the over-subscription privileges will be eliminated by rounding down to the nearest whole share, with the total subscription payment being adjusted accordingly. Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
   
Limitations on Exercise

In the event that the exercise by a stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege could, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, potentially result in a limitation on the Company’s ability to use net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, which we refer to as the “Tax Attributes,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, reduce the exercise by such stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege to such number of shares of common stock as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order to preserve the Company’s ability to use the Tax Attributes.

   
Record Date 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017
   
Expiration of the Rights Offering 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017

 

5
   

 

Use of Proceeds We are conducting the rights offering to raise capital that we intend to use for repayment of past-due accounts payable, repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness, sales and marketing, and general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”.
   
Non-Transferability of Rights The subscription rights may not be sold, transferred or assigned and will not be listed for trading on the NYSE American or on any stock exchange or market.
   
No Board Recommendation Although our directors may invest their own money in the rights offering, our board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the subscription rights. You are urged to make your decision based on your own assessment of our business and the rights offering. Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the risks involved in investing in our common stock.
   
No Revocation

All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you later learn information that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your subscription rights and even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced. You should not exercise your subscription rights unless you are certain that you wish to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a subscription price of approximately $[●] per full share.

   
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you generally will not recognize income or loss in connection with the receipt or exercise of subscription rights unless the rights offering is part of a “disproportionate distribution” within the meaning of applicable tax rules (in which case you may recognize taxable income upon receipt of the subscription rights). Our U.S. tax counsel, Libertas Law Group, Inc., is of the opinion that the rights offering will not be part of a disproportionate distribution, but certain aspects of that determination are not certain. This position is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts, however. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to your particular tax consequences resulting from the receipt and exercise of subscription rights and the receipt, ownership and disposition of our common stock. For further information, please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”.

 

6
   

 

Extension, Cancellation and Amendment We have the option to extend the rights offering and the period for exercising your subscription rights for a period not to exceed 30 days, although we do not presently intend to do so. If we elect to extend the expiration of the rights offering, we will issue a press release announcing such extension no later than 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the next business day after the most recently announced expiration time of the rights offering. We will extend the duration of the rights offering as required by applicable law or regulation and may choose to extend it if we decide to give investors more time to exercise their subscription rights in the rights offering. If we elect to extend the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days, then holders who have subscribed for rights may cancel their subscriptions and receive a refund of all money advanced.
   
  Our board of directors may cancel the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of the rights offering for any reason. In the event that the rights offering is cancelled, we will issue a press release notifying stockholders of the cancellation and all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest or penalty, as soon as practicable.
   
  Our board of directors also reserves the right to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering. If we should make any fundamental changes to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included, offer potential purchasers who have subscribed for rights the opportunity to cancel such subscriptions and issue a refund of any money advanced by such stockholder and recirculate an updated prospectus after the post-effective amendment is declared effective by the SEC. In addition, upon such event, we may extend the expiration date of the rights offering to allow holders of rights ample time to make new investment decisions and for us to recirculate updated documentation. Promptly following any such occurrence, we will issue a press release announcing any changes with respect to the rights offering and the new expiration date. The terms of the rights offering cannot be modified or amended after the expiration date of the rights offering. Although we do not presently intend to do so, we may choose to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering for any reason, including, without limitation, in order to increase participation in the rights offering. Such amendments or modifications may include a change in the subscription price, although no such change is presently contemplated.
   
Procedures for Exercise To exercise your subscription rights, you must complete the rights certificate and deliver it to the subscription agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company together with full payment for all the subscription rights you elect to exercise under the basic subscription privilege and over-subscription privilege. You may deliver the documents and payments by mail or commercial carrier. If regular mail is used for this purpose, we recommend using registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested. 

 

7
   

 

  If you cannot deliver your rights certificate to the subscription agent prior to the expiration of the rights offering, you may follow the guaranteed delivery procedures described under “The Rights Offering—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures”.
   
Subscription Agent

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

   
Information Agent Okapi Partners LLC
   
Dealer-Manager [●]
   
Shares Outstanding Before the Rights Offering [●] shares of our common stock were outstanding as of [●], 2017
   
Shares Outstanding After the Rights Offering As of [●], 2017, we had [●] shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. We expect to issue [●] shares of our common stock in the rights offering through the exercise of subscription rights. After the rights offering, we anticipate that we will have approximately [●] shares of our common stock outstanding.
   
Risk Factors You should carefully read and consider the risk factors beginning on page [●] of this prospectus, together with all of the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before you decide to exercise your subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock.
   
Fees and Expenses We will pay all fees charged by the subscription agent and the information agent in connection with the rights offering. We will also pay the fees and commissions charged by the dealer-manager. You are responsible for paying any other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the subscription rights.
   
Distribution Arrangements [●] will act as dealer-manager for this rights offering. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the dealer-manager agreement, the dealer-manager will facilitate meetings with holders of our common stock. We have agreed to pay [●] certain fees for acting as dealer-manager and to reimburse the dealer-manager for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with this offering. The dealer-manager is not underwriting or placing any of the rights or the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering and has no obligation to purchase, or procure purchases of, the rights or the shares of our common stock offered hereby or otherwise act in any capacity whatsoever as an underwriter and does not make any recommendation with respect to such rights or shares (including with respect to the exercise of such rights). The dealer-manager will not be subject to any liability to us in rendering the services contemplated by the dealer-manager agreement except from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the dealer manager.
   
NYSE American Trading Symbol REED
   
Questions If you have any questions about the rights offering, including questions about subscription procedures and requests for additional copies of this prospectus or other documents, please contact the subscription agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at (917) 262-2378 or the information agent, Okapi Partners LLC, at (212) 297-0720, (888) 785-6617 (toll free) or info@okapipartners.com.

 

8
   

 

Risk Factors

 

Before you invest in the offering, you should be aware that there are risks associated with your investment, including the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page [●] of this prospectus, including, without limitation, the risks related to our growth strategy, risks related to our business and risks related to the beverage industry. You should carefully read and consider the risk factors contained in this prospectus, together with all of the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before you decide to exercise your subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock.

 

Summary Financial Information

 

The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus.

 

Our revenues, net loss and comprehensive loss for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and for the six months ended June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2016, were as follows:

 

    Fiscal Years Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2016     2015     2017     2016  
Revenues   $ 42,472,000     $ 45,948,000     $

17,159,000

    $ 20,996,000  
Net loss   $ (5,009,000 )   $ (3,961,000 )   $ (1,840,000 )   $ (2,348,000 )
Comprehensive Loss   $ (5,009,000 )   $ (3,961,000 )   $ (1,840,000 )   $ (2,348,000 )

 

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OFFERING

 

What is the rights offering?

 

We are distributing to holders of our common stock, at no charge, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock. You will receive one subscription right for each share of common stock you owned as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017, the record date for the rights offering. The subscription rights will be evidenced by rights certificates. Each subscription right will entitle the holder to a basic subscription privilege and an over-subscription privilege.

 

9
   

 

What is the basic subscription privilege?

 

Each subscription right will entitle you to purchase one share of our common stock, which we refer to as the basic subscription privilege. If an insufficient number of shares are available to fully satisfy all basic subscription privilege requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those who properly exercised basic subscription rights based on the number of rights issued to each rights holder by the Company. We have granted to you, as a stockholder of record as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the record date, one subscription right for each share of our common stock you owned at that time. For example, if you owned 100 shares of our common stock as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the record date, you would receive 100 subscription rights and would have the right to purchase 100 shares of common stock for $[●] per full share with your basic subscription privilege. You may exercise the basic subscription privilege of any number of your subscription rights, or you may choose not to exercise any subscription rights.

 

If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, custodian bank, dealer or other nominee who uses the services of the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, DTC will issue one subscription right to the nominee for each share of our common stock you own at the record date. The basic subscription privilege of each subscription right can then be used to purchase one share of common stock for $[●] per full share. As in the example above, if you owned 100 shares of our common stock on the record date, you would receive 100 subscription rights and would have the right to purchase 100 shares of common stock for $[●] per full share with your basic subscription privilege.

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

What is the over-subscription privilege?

 

We do not expect all of our stockholders to exercise all of their basic subscription privileges. If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among stockholders exercising this over-subscription right based on the number of rights originally distributed to them by the Company.

 

In order to properly exercise your over-subscription privilege, you must deliver the subscription payment related to your over-subscription privilege prior to the expiration of the rights offering. Because we will not know the total number of unsubscribed shares prior to the expiration of the rights offering, if you wish to maximize the number of shares you purchase pursuant to your over-subscription privilege, you will need to deliver payment in an amount equal to the aggregate subscription price for the maximum number of shares of our common stock available to you, assuming that no stockholder other than you has purchased any shares of our common stock pursuant to their basic subscription privilege and over-subscription privilege. See “The Rights Offering—The Subscription Rights—Over-Subscription Privilege.”

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

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What are the limitations on the exercise of the basic subscription privilege and over-subscription privilege?

 

In the event that the exercise by a stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege could, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, potentially result in a limitation on the Company’s ability to use net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, which we refer to as the “Tax Attributes,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, reduce the exercise by such stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege to such number of shares of common stock as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order to preserve the Company’s ability to use the Tax Attributes.

 

Is there a backstop purchaser?

 

On October 10, 2017, we entered into a non-binding term sheet, subject to execution of definitive documentation prior to launch of the rights offering, with Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC. The backstop provider agreed to purchase from us, an aggregate number of shares of our common stock equal to the lesser of (x) $6 million and (y) $12 million minus the aggregate proceeds of this rights offering, at a price per share equal to the subscription price, subject to the terms and conditions set for the therein. The backstop commitment is scheduled to close not later than the third trading day following the expiration date.

 

Why is there a backstop provider?

 

We obtained the commitment of the backstop provider to act as the backstop purchaser under the backstop agreement to ensure we would receive a minimum of $6 million of gross proceeds.

 

Are there any conditions to the backstop provider’s obligations under the backstop agreement?

 

Yes. The obligations of the backstop providers to consummate the transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, including, but not limited to, compliance with covenants and the accuracy of customary representations and warranties to be provided in the definitive backstop agreement, consummation of this offering, the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, and no material adverse effect with respect to our financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations.

 

When do the backstop providers’ obligations expire?

 

The transactions contemplated by the backstop agreement must be consummated by December 28, 2017.

 

Why are we conducting the rights offering?

 

We are conducting the rights offering to raise capital that we intend to use for repayment of past-due accounts payable, repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness, sales and marketing, and general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”. We believe that the rights offering will strengthen our financial condition by generating additional cash and increasing our stockholders’ equity.

 

How will the subscription price be determined?

 

The subscription price per common share is $[●]. Rights holders may not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the common shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription and, if eligible, any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $[●] per common share and, except in limited circumstances, will not be able to rescind their subscription.  

 

The subscription price is not necessarily related to our book value, net worth or any other established criteria of value and may or may not be considered the fair value of our common stock to be offered in the rights offering. We cannot give any assurance that our common stock will trade at or above the subscription price in any given time period.

 

Am I required to exercise all of the subscription rights I receive in the rights offering?

 

No. You may exercise any number of your subscription rights, or you may choose not to exercise any subscription rights. However, if you choose not to exercise your subscription rights in full, the relative percentage of our common stock that you own will decrease, and your voting and other rights will be diluted. In addition, if you do not exercise your basic subscription privilege in full, you will not be entitled to participate in the over-subscription privilege.

 

If all of our stockholders exercise the rights issued to them, and this offering is therefore fully subscribed, the beneficial ownership percentage of our stockholders will not change. Assuming that no holders exercise their rights in this offering, the backstop provider would acquire approximately [●] shares of our common stock, following which (1) the backstop providers would beneficially own approximately [●]% of our outstanding common stock and (2) all other holders would beneficially own approximately [●]% of our outstanding common stock. All ownership percentages described in this paragraph are based upon our outstanding common stock and the beneficial ownership of our holders as of the effective date. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding listed in each case above assumes that (1) all of the other shares of our common stock issued and outstanding on the effective date will remain issued and outstanding and owned by the same persons as of the closing of this offering and (2) we will not issue any shares of common stock in the period between the effective date and the closing of this offering.

 

How soon must I act to exercise my subscription rights?

 

The subscription rights may be exercised at any time beginning on the date of this prospectus and prior to the expiration of the rights offering, which is on [●], 2017, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If you elect to exercise any rights, the subscription agent must actually receive all required documents and payments from you prior to the expiration of the rights offering. Although we have the option of extending the expiration of the rights offering for a period not to exceed 30 days, we currently do not intend to do so.

 

May I transfer my subscription rights?

 

No. You may not sell or transfer your subscription rights to anyone.

 

Are we requiring a minimum subscription to complete the rights offering?

 

No.

 

Are there any conditions to completing the rights offering?

 

No.

 

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Can our board of directors extend, cancel or amend the rights offering?

 

Yes. We have the option to extend the rights offering and the period for exercising your subscription rights for a period not to exceed 30 days, although we do not presently intend to do so. If we elect to extend the expiration of the rights offering, we will issue a press release announcing such extension no later than 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the next business day after the most recently announced expiration time of the rights offering. We will extend the duration of the rights offering as required by applicable law or regulation and may choose to extend it if we decide to give investors more time to exercise their subscription rights in the rights offering. If we elect to extend the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days, then holders who have subscribed for rights may cancel their subscriptions and receive a refund of all money advanced.

 

Our board of directors may cancel the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of the rights offering for any reason. In the event that the rights offering is cancelled, we will issue a press release notifying stockholders of the cancellation and all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest or penalty, as soon as practicable.

 

Our board of directors also reserves the right to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering. If we should make any fundamental changes to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included, offer potential purchasers who have subscribed for rights the opportunity to cancel such subscriptions and issue a refund of any money advanced by such stockholder and recirculate an updated prospectus after the post-effective amendment is declared effective by the SEC. In addition, upon such event, we may extend the expiration date of the rights offering to allow holders of rights ample time to make new investment decisions and for us to recirculate updated documentation. Promptly following any such occurrence, we will issue a press release announcing any changes with respect to the rights offering and the new expiration date. The terms of the rights offering cannot be modified or amended after the expiration date of the rights offering. Although we do not presently intend to do so, we may choose to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering for any reason, including, without limitation, in order to increase participation in the rights offering. Such amendments or modifications may include a change in the subscription price, although no such change is presently contemplated.

 

Has our board of directors made a recommendation to our stockholders regarding the rights offering?

 

Our board of directors does not make any recommendation to stockholders regarding the exercise of rights in the rights offering. You should make an independent investment decision about whether or not to exercise your rights. Stockholders who exercise subscription rights risk investment loss on new money invested. We cannot assure you that the market price for our common stock will remain above the subscription price or that anyone purchasing shares at the subscription price will be able to sell those shares in the future at the same price or a higher price. If you do not exercise your rights, you will lose any value represented by your rights and your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the risks involved in investing in our common stock.

 

What will happen if I choose not to exercise my subscription rights?

 

If you do not exercise any subscription rights, the number of shares of our common stock you own will not change; however, due to the fact that shares of common stock may be purchased by other stockholders in the rights offering, your percentage ownership in the Company after the completion of the rights offering will be diluted.

 

How do I exercise my subscription rights? What forms and payment are required to purchase the shares of our common stock?

 

If you wish to participate in the rights offering, you must take the following steps:

 

  (i) deliver payment to the subscription agent using the methods outlined in this prospectus before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017; and
     
  (ii) deliver a properly completed rights certificate to the subscription agent before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017.

 

If you cannot deliver your rights certificate to the subscription agent prior to the expiration of the rights offering, you may follow the guaranteed delivery procedures described under “The Rights Offering—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures”.

 

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If you send a payment that is insufficient to purchase the number of shares you requested, or if the number of shares you requested is not specified in the forms, the payment received will be applied to exercise your subscription rights to the full extent possible based on the amount of the payment received, subject to the elimination of fractional shares.

 

When will I receive my new shares?

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock through the rights offering, you will receive your new shares as soon as practicable after the closing of the offering.

 

After I send in my payment and rights certificate, may I cancel my exercise of subscription rights?

 

No. All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you later learn information that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your subscription rights and even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced. You should not exercise your subscription rights unless you are certain that you wish to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a subscription price of $[●] per full share.

 

What should I do if I want to participate in the rights offering but my shares are held in the name of my broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee?

 

If you hold your shares of our common stock in the name of a broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee, then your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee is the record holder of the shares you own. The record holder must exercise the subscription rights on your behalf for the shares of our common stock you wish to purchase.

 

If you wish to participate in the rights offering and purchase shares of our common stock, please promptly contact the record holder of your shares. We will ask your broker, dealer, custodian bank or other nominee to notify you of the rights offering. You should complete and return to your record holder the form entitled “Beneficial Owner Election Form”. You should receive this form from your record holder with the other rights offering materials.

 

How many shares of our common stock will be outstanding after the rights offering?

 

As of [●], 2017, we had [●] shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. We expect to issue [●] shares of our common stock in the rights offering through the exercise of subscription rights and over-subscription rights. After the offering, we anticipate that we will have approximately [●] shares of our common stock outstanding.

 

How much proceeds will the Company receive from the rights offering?

 

Assuming all the shares of common stock offered are sold, the gross proceeds from the rights offering will be up to approximately $12 million. Please see “Use of Proceeds”.

 

Are there risks in exercising my subscription rights?

 

Yes. The exercise of your subscription rights involves risks. Exercising your subscription rights involves the purchase of additional shares of our common stock and should be considered as carefully as you would consider any other equity investment. Among other things, you should carefully consider the risks described under the headings “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

May stockholders in all states participate in the rights offering?

 

Although we intend to distribute the rights to all stockholders, we reserve the right in some states to require stockholders, if they wish to participate, to state and agree upon exercise of their respective rights that they are acquiring the shares for investment purposes only, and that they have no present intention to resell or transfer any shares acquired. Our securities are not being offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted under applicable local laws.

 

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If the rights offering is not completed, will my subscription payment be refunded to me?

 

Yes. The subscription agent will hold all funds it receives in a segregated bank account until completion of the rights offering. If the rights offering is not completed, all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable. If you own shares in “street name”, it may take longer for you to receive payment because the subscription agent will return payments through the record holder of your shares.

 

Will the subscription rights be listed on a stock exchange or national market?

 

The subscription rights may not be sold, transferred or assigned and will not be listed for trading on the NYSE American or on any other stock exchange or market.

 

How do I exercise my subscription rights if I live outside the United States?

 

We will not mail this prospectus or the rights certificates to stockholders whose addresses are outside the United States or who have an army post office or foreign post office address. The subscription agent will hold the rights certificates for their account. To exercise subscription rights, our foreign stockholders must notify the subscription agent and timely follow the procedures described in “The Rights Offering—Foreign Stockholders”.

 

What fees or charges apply if I purchase shares of our common stock?

 

We are not charging any fee or sales commission to issue subscription rights to you or to issue shares to you if you exercise your subscription rights. If you exercise your subscription rights through the record holder of your shares, you are responsible for paying any fees your record holder may charge you.

 

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising subscription rights?

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you generally will not recognize income or loss in connection with the receipt or exercise of subscription rights unless the rights offering is part of a “disproportionate distribution” within the meaning of applicable tax rules (in which case you may recognize taxable income upon receipt of the subscription rights). We believe that the rights offering will not be part of a disproportionate distribution, but certain aspects of that determination are unclear. This position is not binding on the IRS or the courts, however. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to your particular tax consequences resulting from the receipt and exercise of subscription rights and the receipt, ownership and disposition of our common stock. For further information, please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”.

 

To whom should I send my forms and payment?

 

If your shares are held in the name of a broker, dealer or other nominee, then you should send your subscription documents, rights certificate, notices of guaranteed delivery and subscription payment to that record holder. If you are the record holder, then you should send your subscription documents, rights certificate, notices of guaranteed delivery and subscription payment by hand delivery, first class mail or courier service to:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

 

1 State Street- 30th Floor

 

New York, NY 10004

 

You are solely responsible for completing delivery to the subscription agent of your subscription documents, rights certificate and payment. We urge you to allow sufficient time for delivery of your subscription materials to the subscription agent.

 

Whom should I contact if I have other questions?

 

If you have other questions or need assistance, please contact the information agent, Okapi Partners LLC, at (212) 297-0720, (888) 785-6617 (toll free) or info@okapipartners.com.

 

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In addition, [●] will act as dealer-manager for the offering. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the dealer-manager agreement, the dealer-manager will facilitate meetings with holders of our common stock. We have agreed to pay [●] certain fees for acting as dealer-manager and to reimburse the dealer-manager for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with this offering. The dealer-manager is not underwriting or placing any of the rights or the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering and has no obligation to purchase, or procure purchases of, the rights or the shares of our common stock offered hereby or otherwise act in any capacity whatsoever as an underwriter and does not make any recommendation with respect to such rights or shares (including with respect to the exercise of such rights). The dealer-manager will not be subject to any liability to us in rendering the services contemplated by the dealer-manager agreement except from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the dealer manager.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information about the Company and the common stock offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

 

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. We will also provide you with a copy of any or all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the registration statement of which it is a part upon written or oral request, and at no cost to you. If you would like to request any reports or documents from the company, please contact:

 

Shareholder Services

Reed’s, Inc.

13000 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90061

(424) 285-6217, or dmiles@reedsinc.com

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and web site of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.reedsinc.com, at which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

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NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Federal securities laws, which involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “outlook”, “believes”, “plans”, “intends”, “expects”, “goals”, “potential”, “continues”, “may”, “should”, “seeks”, “will”, “would”, “approximately”, “predicts”, “estimates”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There will be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks and uncertainties related to:

 

Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to support capital expansion plans and general operating activities;
   
Decreased demand for our products resulting from changes in consumer preferences;
   
Competitive products and pricing pressures and our ability to gain or maintain its share of sales in the marketplace;
   
The introduction of new products;
   
We are subject to a broad range of evolving federal, state and local laws and regulations including those regarding the labeling and safety of food products, establishing ingredient designations and standards of identity for certain foods, environmental protections, as well as worker health and safety. Changes in these laws and regulations could have a material effect on the way in which we produce and market our products and could result in increased costs;

 

Changes in the cost and availability of raw materials and the ability to maintain our supply arrangements and relationships and procure timely and/or adequate production of all or any of our products;
   
Our ability to penetrate new markets and maintain or expand existing markets;
   
Maintaining existing relationships and expanding the distributor network of our products;
   
The marketing efforts of distributors of our products, most of whom also distribute products that are competitive with our products;
   
Decisions by distributors, grocery chains, specialty chain stores, club stores and other customers to discontinue carrying all or any of our products that they are carrying at any time;
   
The availability and cost of capital to finance our working capital needs and growth plans;
   
The effectiveness of our advertising, marketing and promotional programs;
   
Changes in product category consumption;
   
Economic and political changes;
   
Consumer acceptance of new products, including taste test comparisons;
   
Possible recalls of our products;
   
Our ability to make suitable arrangements for the co-packing of any of our products;
   
Our ability to find alternative copacking and production facilities for Private Label products if our Los Angeles production facility is damaged by a disaster; and
   
The continued listing of our common stock on the NYSE American.

 

Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ will emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the reports we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. Before making an investment decision in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors set forth below together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.

 

Risks Relating to the Rights Offering

 

Your interest in our company may be diluted as a result of this offering.

 

Common stockholders who do not fully exercise their respective rights should expect that they will, at the completion of this offering, own a smaller proportional interest in our company than would otherwise be the case had they fully exercised their basic subscription rights.

 

The market price of our common stock is volatile and may decline before or after the subscription rights expire.

 

The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among other things, actual or anticipated variations in our costs of doing business, operating results and cash flow, the nature and content of our earnings releases and our competitors' earnings releases, customers, competitors or markets, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, business conditions in our markets and the general state of the securities markets and the market for similar stocks, changes in capital markets that affect the perceived availability of capital to companies in our industries, governmental legislation or regulation, as well as general economic and market conditions, such as continued downturns in our economy and recessions.

 

We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not decline after you elect to exercise your subscription rights. If that occurs, you may have committed to buy shares of our common stock in the rights offering at a price greater than the prevailing market price, and could have an immediate unrealized loss. Moreover, we cannot assure you that following the exercise of your subscription rights you will be able to sell your common stock at a price equal to or greater than the subscription price. Until shares are delivered upon expiration of the rights offering, you will not be able to sell the shares of our common stock that you purchase in the rights offering. Certificates (physical, electronic or book entry form) representing shares of our common stock purchased will be delivered as soon as practicable after expiration of the rights offering. We will not pay you interest on funds delivered to the subscription agent pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights.

 

Completion of this offering is not subject to us raising a minimum offering amount and therefore proceeds may be insufficient to meet our objectives, thereby increasing the risk to investors in this offering.

 

Completion of this offering is not subject to us raising a minimum offering amount. As such, proceeds from this rights offering may not be sufficient to meet the objectives we state in this prospectus or other corporate milestones that we may set. Investors should not rely on the success of this offering to address our need for funding. If we fail to raise capital by the end of December 2017, we would expect to have to significantly decrease our growth plans and operating expenses, which will curtail the progress of our business.

 

The subscription rights are not transferable and there is no market for the subscription rights.

 

You may not sell, transfer or assign your subscription rights. The subscription rights are only transferable by operation of law. Because the subscription rights are non-transferable, there is no market or other means for you to directly realize any value associated with the subscription rights. You must exercise the subscription rights and acquire additional shares of our common stock to realize any value that may be embedded in the subscription rights.

 

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None of our officers, directors or significant stockholders are obligated to exercise their subscription right and, as a result, the offering may be undersubscribed.

 

As a group, our officers and directors own approximately 19% of our outstanding common stock and 5% or more significant stockholders other than officers and directors hold 27% of our outstanding common stock. None of our officers, directors or significant stockholders are obligated to participate in this offering. We cannot guarantee you that any of our officers or directors or significant stockholders will exercise their basic or over-subscription rights to purchase any shares issued in connection with this offering. As a result, the offering may be undersubscribed and proceeds may not be sufficient to meet the objectives we state in this prospectus or other corporate milestones that we may set.

 

This offering may cause the price of our common stock to decrease.

 

Depending upon the trading price of our common stock at the time of our announcement of the announcement of the rights offering and its terms, including the subscription price, together with the number of shares of common stock we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if this offering is completed, may result in an immediate decrease in the market value of our common stock. This decrease may continue after the completion of this offering. If that occurs, you may have committed to buy shares of common stock in the rights offering at a price greater than the prevailing market price. Further, if a substantial number of rights are exercised and the holders of the shares received upon exercise of those rights choose to sell some or all of those shares, the resulting sales could depress the market price of our common stock. Your purchase of shares of our common stock in the rights offering may be at a price greater than the prevailing trading price. There is no assurance that following the exercise of your rights you will be able to sell your common stock at a price equal to or greater than the subscription price.

 

You could be committed to buying shares of common stock above the prevailing market price.

 

Once you exercise your basic and any over-subscription rights, you may not revoke such exercise even if you later learn information that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your rights. We cannot assure you that the market price of our shares of common stock will not decline prior to the expiration of this offering or that a subscribing rights holder will be able to sell shares of common stock purchased in this offering at a price equal to or greater than the subscription price.

 

If we terminate this offering for any reason, we will have no obligation other than to return subscription monies promptly.

 

We may decide, in our discretion and for any reason, to cancel or terminate the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration date. If this offering is terminated, we will have no obligation with respect to rights that have been exercised except to return promptly, without interest or deduction, the subscription monies deposited with the subscription agent. If we terminate this offering and you have not exercised any rights, such rights will expire worthless.

 

Our common stock price may be volatile as a result of this rights offering.

 

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. The price of the common stock that will prevail in the market after this offering may be higher or lower than the subscription price depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time, including increased volatility due to the worldwide credit and financial markets crisis;
     
  significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of our securities, including increased volatility due to the worldwide credit and financial markets crisis;
     
  actual or anticipated changes or fluctuations in our operating results;
     
  material announcements by us regarding business performance, financings, mergers and acquisitions or other transactions;

 

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  general economic conditions and trends;
     
  inability to restructure LA Plant usage or other competitive factors;
     
  loss of key supplier or distribution relationships; or
     
  departures of key personnel.

 

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering allocated to general working capital purposes and may not use the proceeds effectively.

 

We are conducting the rights offering to raise capital that we intend to use for repayment of past-due accounts payable, repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness, sales and marketing, and general working capital purposes. We will have broad discretion in determining how the proceeds of this offering will be allocated to general working capital purposes. Our discretion is not substantially limited by the uses set forth in this prospectus in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”. While our board of directors believes the flexibility in application of the net proceeds is prudent, the broad discretion it affords entails increased risks to the investors in this offering. Investors in this offering have no current basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any application of the net proceeds of this offering. Our stockholders may not agree with the manner in which we choose to allocate and spend the net proceeds.

 

If you do not act on a timely basis and follow subscription instructions, your exercise of rights may be rejected.

 

Holders of shares of common stock who desire to purchase shares of our common stock in this offering must act on a timely basis to ensure that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the expiration date, unless extended. If you are a beneficial owner of shares of common stock and you wish to exercise your rights, you must act promptly to ensure that your broker, dealer, custodian bank, trustee or other nominee acts for you and that all required forms and payments are actually received by your broker, dealer, custodian bank, trustee or other nominee in sufficient time to deliver such forms and payments to the subscription agent to exercise the rights granted in this offering that you beneficially own prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the expiration date, as may be extended. We will not be responsible if your broker, dealer, custodian bank, trustee or other nominee fails to ensure that all required forms and payments are actually received by the subscription agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the expiration date, as may be extended.

 

If you fail to complete and sign the required subscription forms, send an incorrect payment amount, or otherwise fail to follow the subscription procedures that apply to your exercise in this offering, the subscription agent may, depending on the circumstances, reject your subscription or accept it only to the extent of the payment received. Neither we nor the subscription agent undertakes to contact you concerning an incomplete or incorrect subscription form or payment, nor are we under any obligation to correct such forms or payment. We have the sole discretion to determine whether a subscription exercise properly follows the subscription procedures.

 

If you make payment of the subscription price by uncertified check, your check may not clear in sufficient time to enable you to purchase shares in this rights offering.

 

Any uncertified check used to pay for shares to be issued in this rights offering must clear prior to the expiration date of this rights offering, and the clearing process may require five or more business days. If you choose to exercise your subscription rights, in whole or in part, and to pay for shares by uncertified check and your check has not cleared prior to the expiration date of this rights offering, you will not have satisfied the conditions to exercise your subscription rights and will not receive the shares you wish to purchase.

 

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The tax treatment of the rights offering is somewhat uncertain and it may be treated as a taxable event to our stockholders.

 

If the rights offering is deemed to be part of a “disproportionate distribution” under section 305 of the Internal Revenue Code, our stockholders may recognize taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with the receipt of subscription rights in the rights offering depending on our current and accumulated earnings and profits and our stockholders' tax basis in our common stock. A “disproportionate distribution” is a distribution or a series of distributions, including deemed distributions, that has the effect of the receipt of cash or other property by some stockholders or holders of debt instruments convertible into stock and an increase in the proportionate interest of other stockholders in a company's assets or earnings and profits. It is unclear whether the fact that we have outstanding options and certain other equity-based awards could cause the receipt of subscription rights to be part of a disproportionate distribution. Please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for further information on the treatment of the rights offering.

 

The rights offering could impair or limit our net operating loss carry forwards.

 

As of December 31, 2016, we had net operating loss (which we refer to as “NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $21,000,000 for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the Internal Revenue Code, an “ownership change” with respect to a corporation can significantly limit the amount of pre-ownership change NOLs and certain other tax assets that the corporation may utilize after the ownership change to offset future taxable income, possibly reducing the amount of cash available to the corporation to satisfy its obligations. An ownership change generally should occur if the aggregate stock ownership of holders of at least 5% of our stock increases by more than 50 percentage points over the preceding three-year period. The purchase of shares of our common stock pursuant to the rights offering may trigger an ownership change with respect to our stock.

 

We may amend or modify the terms of the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of the rights offering in our sole discretion.

 

Our board of directors reserves the right to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering in its sole discretion. Although we do not presently intend to do so, we may choose to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering for any reason, including, without limitation, in order to increase participation in the rights offering. Such amendments or modifications may include a change in the subscription price, although no such change is presently contemplated. If we should make any fundamental changes to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included, offer potential purchasers who have subscribed for rights the opportunity to cancel such subscriptions and issue a refund of any subscription payments advanced by such stockholder and recirculate an updated prospectus after the post-effective amendment is declared effective by the SEC. In addition, upon such event, we may extend the expiration date of the rights offering to allow holders of rights ample time to make new investment decisions and for us to recirculate updated documentation. Promptly following any such occurrence, we will issue a press release announcing any changes with respect to the rights offering and the new expiration date. The terms of the rights offering cannot be modified or amended after the expiration date of the rights offering.

 

There are no assurances the offering will be full subscribed.

 

The dealer-manager’s services to us in this connection cannot be construed as any assurance that this offering will be successful. The dealer-manager does not make any recommendation with respect to whether you should exercise the basic subscription or over subscription rights or to otherwise invest in our company.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

We have a history of operating losses. If we continue to incur operating losses, we eventually may have insufficient working capital to maintain or expand operations according to our business plan.

 

Our loss from operations was ($2,657,000) in the six months ended June 30, 2017, as compared to a loss of ($1,549,000) in the same period of 2016 or an overall decrease in the loss of $1,108,000. The loss was comprised of decrease in net sales revenue of $2,111,000, offset partially decreases in operating expenses category that totaled $621,000. Loss from operations was ($3,053,000) in the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to loss from operations of ($2,730,000) in 2015 or an increase of $323,000. The increase in the operating loss is due to the decline in sales that were not offset by similar reduction in cost of goods sold that resulted in a lower gross profit of $2,623,000. The lower gross profit was mirrored by a similar decrease in expenses of $2,300,000.

 

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If we continue to suffer losses from operations, our working capital may be insufficient to support our ability to expand our business operations as rapidly as we would deem necessary at any time, unless we are able to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to pursue our business objectives and would be required to reduce our level of operations, including reducing infrastructure, promotions, personnel and other operating expenses. These events could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. If adequate funds are not available or if they are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund the growth of our operations, take advantage of opportunities, develop products or services or otherwise respond to competitive pressures, could be significantly limited.

 

If we are not able to successfully execute on our operating plan for the next 18 months, our financial condition and results of operation may be materially adversely affected, and we may not be able to continue as a going concern.

 

It is critical that we meet our sales goals and increase sales going forward. If we do not meet our sales goals, our available cash and working capital will decrease and our financial condition will be negatively impacted.

 

The Company's Loan and Security Agreement with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (PMC) that provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit, a $3,000,000 term loan and a Capital Expansion loan up to $4,700,000 is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company mature on October 21, 2018. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount outstanding under the line of credit was $4,589,000 and $4,384,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the amount outstanding under the terms loan was $3,000,000 and $3,000,000 respectively. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the balance on the CAPEX loan balance was $4,318,000 and $3,950,000 respectively, and as of June 30, 2017, the Company had future borrowing availability of $315,000.

 

Although we estimate the Company currently has sufficient cash and liquidity to meet its anticipated working capital for the next twelve months, the uncertainties relating to our ability to successfully execute our operating plan, combined with the difficult financing environment, could raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern through 2018.

 

We may need additional financing in the future, which may not be available when needed or may be costly and dilutive.

 

We may require additional financing to support our working capital needs in the future. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing. Additionally, the amount of capital required will depend on our ability to meet our case sales goals and otherwise successfully execute our operating plan. We believe it is imperative to meet these sales objectives in order to lessen our reliance on external financing in the future. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing shareholders. Any such financing alternatives may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements. If necessary, we may explore strategic transactions that we consider to be in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, which may include, without limitation, public or private offerings of debt or equity securities, a rights offering, and other strategic alternatives; however, these options may not ultimately be available or feasible.

 

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Restrictive covenants related to our debt obligations may restrict our ability to obtain future financing.

 

We are prohibited from entering into a Variable Rate Transaction (defined below) for a period of two years expiring April 21, 2019. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of common stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the common stock (including a price based anti-dilution provision that resets the conversion, exercise or exchange price due to the pricing of a financing that occurs after the date of such transaction) or (ii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price. We are also restricted from incurring future indebtedness pursuant to our current secured debt obligations.

 

In addition, we granted certain investors rights of participation in future financings, in the aggregate, of up to 100%. These participation rights could severely impact the Company’s ability to engage investment bankers to structure a financing transaction and raise additional financing on favorable terms. Furthermore, negotiating and obtaining a waiver to these participation may either not be possible or may be costly to the Company.

 

Our indebtedness and liquidity needs could restrict our operations and make us more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.

 

Our existing indebtedness may adversely affect our operations and limit our growth, and we may have difficulty making debt service payments on such indebtedness as payments become due. We may also experience the occurrence of events of default or breach of financial covenants. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any of the restrictions or covenants, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable, our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments.

 

Our reliance on distributors, retailers and brokers could affect our ability to efficiently and profitably distribute and market our products, maintain our existing markets and expand our business into other geographic markets.

 

Our ability to maintain and expand our existing markets for our products, and to establish markets in new geographic distribution areas, is dependent on our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with reliable distributors, retailers and brokers strategically positioned to serve those areas. Most of our distributors, retailers and brokers sell and distribute competing products and our products may represent a small portion of their businesses. The success of this network will depend on the performance of the distributors, retailers and brokers of this network. There is a risk that the mentioned entities may not adequately perform their functions within the network by, without limitation, failing to distribute to sufficient retailers or positioning our products in localities that may not be receptive to our product. Our ability to incentivize and motivate distributors to manage and sell our products is affected by competition from other beverage companies who have greater resources than we do. To the extent that our distributors, retailers and brokers are distracted from selling our products or do not employ sufficient efforts in managing and selling our products, including re-stocking the retail shelves with our products, our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, such third-parties’ financial position or market share may deteriorate, which could adversely affect our distribution, marketing and sales activities.

 

Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract additional distributors, retailers and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. Some of these factors include:

 

  the level of demand for our brands and products in a particular distribution area;
  our ability to price our products at levels competitive with those of competing products; and
  our ability to deliver products in the quantity and at the time ordered by distributors, retailers and brokers.

 

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We may not be able to successfully manage all or any of these factors in any of our current or prospective geographic areas of distribution. Our inability to achieve success with regards to any of these factors in a geographic distribution area will have a material adverse effect on our relationships in that particular geographic area, thus limiting our ability to maintain or expand our market, which will likely adversely affect our revenues and financial results.

 

We incur significant time and expense in attracting and maintaining key distributors.

 

Our marketing and sales strategy depends in large part on the availability and performance of our independent distributors. We currently do not have, nor do we anticipate in the future that we will be able to establish, long-term contractual commitments from some of our distributors. We may not be able to maintain our current distribution relationships or establish and maintain successful relationships with distributors in new geographic distribution areas. Moreover, there is the additional possibility that we may have to incur additional expenditures to attract and maintain key distributors in one or more of our geographic distribution areas in order to profitably exploit our geographic markets.

 

If we lose any of our key distributors or national retail accounts, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

We depend in large part on distributors to distribute our beverages and other products. Most of our outside distributors are not bound by written agreements with us and may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Most distributors handle a number of competitive products. In addition, our products are a small part of our distributors’ businesses.

 

We continually seek to expand distribution of our products by entering into distribution arrangements with regional bottlers or other direct store delivery distributors having established sales, marketing and distribution organizations. Many of our distributors are affiliated with and manufacture and/or distribute other soda and non-carbonated brands and other beverage products. In many cases, such products compete directly with our products.

 

The marketing efforts of our distributors are important for our success. If our brands prove to be less attractive to our existing distributors and/or if we fail to attract additional distributors, and/or our distributors do not market and promote our products above the products of our competitors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

It is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales because our distributors are not required to place minimum orders with us.

 

Our independent distributors and national accounts are not required to place minimum monthly or annual orders for our products. In order to reduce their inventory costs, independent distributors typically order products from us on a “just in time” basis in quantities and at such times based on the demand for the products in a particular distribution area. Accordingly, we cannot predict the timing or quantity of purchases by any of our independent distributors or whether any of our distributors will continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they may have done in the past. Additionally, our larger distributors and partners may make orders that are larger than we have historically been required to fill. Shortages in inventory levels, supply of raw materials or other key supplies could negatively affect us.

 

If we do not adequately manage our inventory levels, our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

We need to maintain adequate inventory levels to be able to deliver products to distributors on a timely basis. Our inventory supply depends on our ability to correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly for new products, seasonal promotions and new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to maintain sufficient inventory of raw materials, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. If we overestimate distributor or retailer demand for our products, we may end up with too much inventory, resulting in higher storage costs, increased trade spend and the risk of inventory spoilage. If we fail to manage our inventory to meet demand, we could damage our relationships with our distributors and retailers and could delay or lose sales opportunities, which would unfavorably impact our future sales and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if the inventory of our products held by our distributors and retailers is too high, they will not place orders for additional products, which would also unfavorably impact our sales and adversely affect our operating results.

 

Our dependence on independent contract manufacturers could make management of our manufacturing and distribution efforts inefficient or unprofitable.

 

We are expected to arrange for our contract manufacturing needs sufficiently in advance of anticipated requirements, which is customary in the contract manufacturing industry for comparably sized companies. Based on the cost structure and forecasted demand for the particular geographic area where our contract manufacturers are located, we continually evaluate which of our contract manufacturers to use. To the extent demand for our products exceeds available inventory or the production capacity of our contract manufacturing arrangements, or orders are not submitted on a timely basis, we will be unable to fulfill distributor orders on demand. Conversely, we may produce more product inventory than warranted by the actual demand for it, resulting in higher storage costs and the potential risk of inventory spoilage. Our failure to accurately predict and manage our contract manufacturing requirements and our inventory levels may impair relationships with our independent distributors and key accounts, which, in turn, would likely have a material adverse effect on our ability to maintain effective relationships with those distributors and key accounts.

 

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Increases in costs of packaging and ingredients may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.

 

Over the past few years, costs of organic ingredients and natural ingredients have increased due to increased demand and required the company to obtain these ingredients from a wider population of qualified vendors. If the company is unable to pass on these costs, the gross margin will be significantly impacted.

 

Inability to sustain price increases may have an adverse impact on our gross revenue.

 

The Company has not historically raised prices. As the Company implements pricing corrections in the market place, volume may be negatively impacted resulting in a net decrease in gross revenue.

 

Increased market spending may not drive volume growth

 

The Company’s marketing effort in the past have been limited. The anticipated increase in marketing spending may not generate an increase in sales volume resulting in a net decrease in gross revenue.

 

Increases in costs of energy and freight may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.

 

Over the past few years, volatility in the global oil markets has resulted in high fuel prices, which many shipping companies have passed on to their customers by way of higher base pricing and increased fuel surcharges. With recent declines in fuel prices, some companies have been slow to pass on decreases in their fuel surcharges. If fuel prices increase again, we expect to experience higher shipping rates and fuel surcharges, as well as energy surcharges on our raw materials. It is hard to predict what will happen in the fuel markets in 2017. Due to the price sensitivity of our products, we may not be able to pass such increases on to our customers.

 

Disruption within our supply chain, contract manufacturing or distribution channels could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability, through our suppliers, business partners, contract manufacturers, independent distributors and retailers, to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. The Company is currently seeking alternative uses for the LA Plant that may lead to significant changes in our current supply chain model.

 

Damage or disruption to our suppliers or to manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics such as influenza, labor strikes or other reasons, could impair the manufacture, distribution and sale of our products. Many of these events are outside of our control. Failure to take adequate steps to protect against or mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel our efficiency and operations would be adversely affected.

 

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees in such areas as sales, marketing, product development and finance. We recently hired Valentin Stalowir as our new Chief Executive Officer. In general, we compete to hire new employees, and, in some cases, must train them and develop their skills and competencies. Our operating results could be adversely affected by increased costs due to increased competition for employees, higher employee turnover or increased employee benefit costs. Any unplanned turnover, particularly involving our key personnel, could negatively impact our operations, financial condition and employee morale.

 

If we fail to protect our trademarks and trade secrets, we may be unable to successfully market our products and compete effectively.

 

We rely on a combination of trademark and trade secrecy laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our brand and our reputation, and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Further, enforcing or defending our intellectual property rights, including our trademarks, copyrights, licenses and trade secrets, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We regard our intellectual property, particularly our trademarks and trade secrets to be of considerable value and importance to our business and our success, and we actively pursue the registration of our trademarks in the United States and internationally. However, the steps taken by us to protect these proprietary rights may not be adequate and may not prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our trademarks, trade secrets or similar proprietary rights. In addition, other parties may seek to assert infringement claims against us, and we may have to pursue litigation against other parties to assert our rights. Any such claim or litigation could be costly. In addition, any event that would jeopardize our proprietary rights or any claims of infringement by third parties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to market or sell our brands, profitably exploit our products or recoup our associated research and development costs.

 

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Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and damage our reputation.

 

We may become party to litigation claims and legal proceedings. Litigation involves significant risks, uncertainties and costs, including distraction of management attention away from our business operations. We evaluate litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from those envisioned by our current assessments and estimates. Our policies and procedures require strict compliance by our employees and agents with all U.S. and local laws and regulations applicable to our business operations, including those prohibiting improper payments to government officials. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not ensure full compliance by our employees and agents with all applicable legal requirements. Improper conduct by our employees or agents could damage our reputation or lead to litigation or legal proceedings that could result in civil or criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines, as well as disgorgement of profits.

 

We are subject to risks inherent in sales of products in international markets.

 

Our operations outside of the United States contribute to our revenue and profitability, and we believe that developing and emerging markets present important future growth opportunities for us. However, there can be no assurance that existing or new products that we manufacture, distribute or sell will be accepted or be successful in any particular foreign market, due to local or global competition, product price, cultural differences, consumer preferences or otherwise. Here are many factors that could adversely affect demand for our products in foreign markets, including our inability to attract and maintain key distributors in these markets; volatility in the economic growth of certain of these markets; changes in economic, political or social conditions, imposition of new or increased labeling, product or production requirements, or other legal restrictions; restrictions on the import or export of our products or ingredients or substances used in our products; inflationary currency, devaluation or fluctuation; increased costs of doing business due to compliance with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations. If we are unable to effectively operate or manage the risks associated with operating in international markets, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.

 

The United States generally accepted accounting principles and related pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, such as, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, trade spend and promotions, and income taxes are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes to these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported results.

 

If we are unable to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, our stock price and investor confidence could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We are required to maintain both disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting that are effective. Because of their inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, however well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the controls will prevent or detect misstatements. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions. The failure of controls by design deficiencies or absence of adequate controls could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, which could also negatively impact our stock price and investor confidence.

 

If we are unable to build and sustain proper information technology infrastructure, our business could suffer.

 

We depend on information technology as an enabler to improve the effectiveness of our operations and to interface with our customers, as well as to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure, we could be subject to transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, the loss of customers, business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breaches.

 

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We could be subject to cybersecurity attacks.

 

Cybersecurity attacks are evolving and include malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in business processes, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. Such unauthorized access could subject us to operational interruption, damage to our brand image and private data exposure, and harm our business.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Our Industry

 

We may experience a reduced demand for some of our products due to health concerns (including obesity) and legislative initiatives against sweetened beverages.

 

Consumers are concerned about health and wellness; public health officials and government officials are increasingly vocal about obesity and its consequences. There has been a trend among some public health advocates and dietary guidelines to recommend a reduction in sweetened beverages, as well as increased public scrutiny, potential new taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing and labeling/packing of the beverage industry. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, increasing public concern with respect to sweetened beverages could reduce demand for our beverages and increase desire for more low-calorie soft drinks, water, enhanced water, coffee-flavored beverages, tea, and beverages with natural sweeteners. We are continuously working to launch new products that round out our diversified portfolio.

 

Legislative or regulatory changes that affect our products could reduce demand for products or increase our costs.

 

Taxes imposed on the sale of certain of our products by federal, state and local governments in the United States, Canada or other countries in which we operate could cause consumers to shift away from purchasing our beverages. Several municipalities in the United States have implemented or are considering implementing taxes on the sale of certain “sugared” beverages, including non-diet soft drinks, fruit drinks, teas and flavored waters to help fund various initiatives. These taxes could materially affect our business and financial results.

 

Additional taxes levied on us could harm our financial results.

 

Recent legislative proposals to reform U.S. taxation of non-U.S. earnings could have a material adverse effect on our financial results by subjecting a significant portion of our non-U.S. earnings to incremental U.S. taxation and/or by delaying or permanently deferring certain deductions otherwise allowed in calculating our U.S. tax liabilities.

 

We compete in an industry that is brand-conscious, so brand name recognition and acceptance of our products are critical to our success.

 

Our business is substantially dependent upon awareness and market acceptance of our products and brands by our targeted consumers. In addition, our business depends on acceptance by our independent distributors of our brands as beverage brands that have the potential to provide incremental sales growth rather than reduce distributors’ existing beverage sales. Although we believe that we have been relatively successful towards establishing our brands as recognizable brands in the New Age beverage industry, it may be too early in the product life cycle of these brands to determine whether our products and brands will achieve and maintain satisfactory levels of acceptance by independent distributors and retail consumers. We believe that the success of our product name brands will also be substantially dependent upon acceptance of our product name brands. Accordingly, any failure of our brands to maintain or increase acceptance or market penetration would likely have a material adverse affect on our revenues and financial results.

 

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Competition from traditional non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers may adversely affect our distribution relationships and may hinder development of our existing markets, as well as prevent us from expanding our markets.

 

We target a niche in the estimated $100 billion carbonated and non-carbonated soft drink markets in the US, Canada and international markets. Our brands are generally regarded as premium and natural, with upscale packaging and are loosely defined as the artisanal (craft), premium bottled carbonated soft drink category. The soft drink industry is highly fragmented and the craft soft drink category consists of such competitors as, Henry Weinhards, Thomas Kemper, Hansen’s, Izze, Boylan and Jones Soda, to name a few. These brands have the advantage of being seen widely in the national market and being commonly known for years through well-funded ad campaigns. Our products have a relatively high price for an artisanal premium beverage product, minimal mass media advertising and a relatively small but growing presence in the mainstream market compared to many of our competitors.

 

The beverage industry is highly competitive. We compete with other beverage companies not only for consumer acceptance but also for shelf space in retail outlets and for marketing focus by our distributors, all of whom also distribute other beverage brands. Our products compete with a wide range of drinks produced by a relatively large number of manufacturers, most of which have substantially greater financial, marketing and distribution resources than ours. Some of these competitors are placing severe pressure on independent distributors not to carry competitive sparkling brands such as ours. We also compete with regional beverage producers and “private label” soft drink suppliers.

 

Increased competitor consolidations, market-place competition, particularly among branded beverage products, and competitive product and pricing pressures could impact our earnings, market share and volume growth. If, due to such pressure or other competitive threats, we are unable to sufficiently maintain or develop our distribution channels, we may be unable to achieve our current revenue and financial targets. As a means of maintaining and expanding our distribution network, we intend to introduce product extensions and additional brands. We may not be successful in doing this and other companies may be more successful in this regard over the long term. Competition, particularly from companies with greater financial and marketing resources than ours, could have a material adverse effect on our existing markets, as well as on our ability to expand the market for our products.

 

We compete in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences and public perception, so our ability to continue developing new products to satisfy our consumers’ changing preferences will determine our long-term success.

 

Failure to introduce new brands, products or product extensions into the marketplace as current ones mature and to meet our consumers’ changing preferences could prevent us from gaining market share and achieving long-term profitability. Product lifecycles can vary and consumers’ preferences and loyalties change over time. Although we try to anticipate these shifts and innovate new products to introduce to our consumers, we may not succeed. Customer preferences also are affected by factors other than taste, such as health and nutrition considerations and obesity concerns, shifting consumer needs, changes in consumer lifestyles, increased consumer information and competitive product and pricing pressures. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by the negative publicity associated with these issues. If we do not adequately anticipate or adjust to respond to these and other changes in customer preferences, we may not be able to maintain and grow our brand image and our sales may be adversely affected.

 

Global economic conditions may continue to adversely impact our business and results of operations.

 

The beverage industry, and particularly those companies selling premium beverages like us, can be affected by macro-economic factors, including changes in national, regional, and local economic conditions, unemployment levels and consumer spending patterns, which together may impact the willingness of consumers to purchase our products as they adjust their discretionary spending. The recent disruptions in the overall economy and financial markets as a result of the global economic downturn have adversely impacted the United States and Canada. This reduced consumer confidence in the economy has reduced consumers’ discretionary spending and we believe this has negatively affected consumers’ willingness to purchase beverage products such as ours. Moreover, adverse economic conditions may adversely affect the ability of our distributors to obtain the credit necessary to fund their working capital needs, which could negatively impact their ability or desire to continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they have done in the past. If we experience similar adverse economic conditions in the future, sales of our products could be adversely affected, collectability of accounts receivable may be compromised and we may face obsolescence issues with our inventory, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

 

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If we encounter product recalls or other product quality issues, our business may suffer.

 

Product quality issues, real or imagined, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish our image and could cause consumers to choose other products. In addition, because of changing government regulations or implementation thereof, or allegations of product contamination, we may be required from time to time to recall products entirely or from specific markets. Product recalls could affect our profitability and could negatively affect brand image.

 

We could be exposed to product liability claims.

 

Although we have product liability and basic recall insurance, insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all product liability claims that may arise. To the extent our product liability coverage is insufficient, a product liability claim would likely have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition. In addition, any product liability claim brought against us may materially damage the reputation and brand image of our products and business.

 

Our business is subject to many regulations and noncompliance is costly.

 

The production, marketing and sale of our beverages, including contents, labels, caps and containers, are subject to the rules and regulations of various federal, provincial, state and local health agencies. If a regulatory authority finds that a current or future product or production run is not in compliance with any of these regulations, we may be fined, or production may be stopped, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, any adverse publicity associated with any noncompliance may damage our reputation and our ability to successfully market our products. Furthermore, the rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time and while we closely monitor developments in this area, we cannot anticipate whether changes in these rules and regulations will impact our business adversely. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, environmental, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Significant additional labeling or warning requirements may inhibit sales of affected products.

 

Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements relating to the chemical content or perceived adverse health consequences of certain of our products. These types of requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such products. In California, a law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. This law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below which a warning is not required. If a component found in one of our products is added to the list, or if the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become available under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended, results in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in one of our beverages produced for sale in California, the resulting warning requirements or adverse publicity could affect our sales.

 

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We may not be able to develop successful new beverage products, which are important to our growth.

 

An important part of our strategy is to increase our sales through the development of new beverage products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to develop, market and distribute future beverage products that will enjoy market acceptance. The failure to continue to develop new beverage products that gain market acceptance could have an adverse impact on our growth and materially adversely affect our financial condition. We may have higher obsolescent product expense if new products fail to perform as expected due to the need to write off excess inventory of the new products.

 

Our results of operations may be impacted in various ways by the introduction of new products, even if they are successful, including the following:

 

  sales of new products could adversely impact sales of existing products;
  we may incur higher cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses in the periods when we introduce new products due to increased costs associated with the introduction and marketing of new products, most of which are expensed as incurred; and
  when we introduce new platforms and bottle sizes, we may experience increased freight and logistics costs as our co-packers adjust their facilities for the new products.

 

The growth of our revenues is dependent on acceptance of our products by mainstream consumers.

 

We have dedicated significant resources to introduce our products to the mainstream consumer. As such, we have increased our sales force and executed agreements with distributors who, in turn, distribute to mainstream consumers at grocery stores and other retailers. If our products are not accepted by the mainstream consumer, our business could suffer.

 

Our failure to accurately estimate demand for our products could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

We may not correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly with new products, and may be less precise during periods of rapid growth, particularly in new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to secure sufficient ingredients or raw materials including, but not limited to, glass, labels, flavors or packing arrangements, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. Furthermore, industry-wide shortages of certain juice concentrates and sweeteners have been and could, from time to time in the future, be experienced, which could interfere with and/or delay production of certain of our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. We do not use hedging agreements or alternative instruments to manage this risk.

 

The loss of our largest customers would substantially reduce revenues.

 

Our customers are material to our success. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with our existing customers, our business could suffer.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had two customers who accounted for approximately 22% and 12% of its sales, respectively; and during the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had two customers who accounted for approximately 28% and 14% of its sales, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of sales in either year. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had accounts receivable due from one customer who comprised $719,000 (25%) of its total accounts receivable; and as of December 31, 2015, the Company had accounts receivable due from two customers who comprised $782,000 (24%) and $373,000 (12%), respectively, of its total accounts receivable. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable in either year.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 23% of gross sales and 26% of sales in the same period in the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 22% of sales and 26% of sales in the same period in the prior year. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of gross sales in the periods. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 17% of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had two customers that accounted for 28% and 12% of accounts receivable. No other customer accounted for more than 10% accounts receivable as of those dates.

 

The loss of our largest vendors would substantially reduce revenues.

 

Our vendors are material to our success. If we are unable to maintain good relationships with our existing vendors, our business could suffer.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had one vendor which accounted for approximately 26% and 25%, respectively of purchases. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had accounts payable due to two vendors who comprised 13% and 10% for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 14% and 12% of its total accounts payable, for the year ended December 31, 2015. No other account was more than 10% of the balance of accounts payable as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 18% of all purchases, and 27% of all purchases in the same period in the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 18% of purchases and 27% in the same period in the prior year. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of purchases in the periods.

 

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 20% of all payables. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 12% of all payables. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of accounts payable in either period.

 

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The loss of our third-party distributors could impair our operations and substantially reduce our financial results.

 

We depend in large part on distributors to distribute our beverages and other products. Most of our outside distributors are not bound by written agreements with us and may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Most distributors handle a number of competitive products. In addition, our products are a small part of our distributors’ businesses.

 

We continually seek to expand distribution of our products by entering into distribution arrangements with regional bottlers or other direct store delivery distributors having established sales, marketing and distribution organizations. Many of our distributors are affiliated with and manufacture and/or distribute other soda and non-carbonated brands and other beverage products. In many cases, such products compete directly with our products.

 

The marketing efforts of our distributors are important for our success. If our brands prove to be less attractive to our existing distributors and/or if we fail to attract additional distributors, and/or our distributors do not market and promote our products above the products of our competitors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Price fluctuations in, and unavailability of, raw materials and packaging that we use could adversely affect us.

 

We do not enter into hedging arrangements for raw materials. Although the prices of raw materials that we use have not increased significantly in recent years, our results of operations would be adversely affected if the price of these raw materials were to rise and we were unable to pass these costs on to our customers.

 

We depend upon an uninterrupted supply of the ingredients for our products, a significant portion of which we obtain overseas, principally from Peru, Brazil and Fiji and Indonesia. Any decrease in the supply of these ingredients or increase in the prices of these ingredients as a result of any adverse weather conditions, pests, crop disease, interruptions of shipment or political considerations, among other reasons, could substantially increase our costs and adversely affect our financial performance.

 

We also depend upon an uninterrupted supply of packaging materials, such as glass for our bottles. We obtain our bottles both domestically and internationally. Any decrease in supply of these materials or increase in the prices of the materials, as a result of decreased supply or increased demand, could substantially increase our costs and adversely affect our financial performance.

 

The loss of any of our co-packers could impair our operations and substantially reduce our financial results.

 

We rely on third parties, called co-packers in our industry, to produce some of our beverages, to produce our glass bottles and to bottle some of our beverages. Our co-packing arrangements with other companies are on a short term basis and such co-packers may discontinue their relationship with us on short notice. Our co-packing arrangements expose us to various risks, including:

 

  if any of those co-packers were to terminate our co-packing arrangement or have difficulties in producing beverages for us, our ability to produce our beverages would be adversely affected until we were able to make alternative arrangements; and
  our business reputation would be adversely affected if any of the co-packers were to produce inferior quality.

 

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We compete in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences and public perception, so our ability to continue to market our existing products and develop new products to satisfy our consumers’ changing preferences will determine our long-term success.

 

Consumers are seeking greater variety in their beverages. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our continued ability to develop and introduce different and innovative beverages. In order to retain and expand our market share, we must continue to develop and introduce different and innovative beverages and be competitive in the areas of quality and health, although there can be no assurance of our ability to do so. There is no assurance that consumers will continue to purchase our products in the future. Additionally, many of our products are considered premium products and to maintain market share during recessionary periods, we may have to reduce profit margins, which would adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, there is increasing awareness and concern for the health consequences of obesity. This may reduce demand for our non-diet beverages, which could affect our profitability. Product lifecycles for some beverage brands and/or products and/or packages may be limited to a few years before consumers’ preferences change. The beverages we currently market are in varying stages of their lifecycles and there can be no assurance that such beverages will become or remain profitable for us. The beverage industry is subject to changing consumer preferences and shifts in consumer preferences may adversely affect us if we misjudge such preferences. We may be unable to achieve volume growth through product and packaging initiatives. We also may be unable to penetrate new markets. If our revenues decline, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly because of the seasonality of our business.

 

Our highest revenues occur during the summer and fall, the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year. These seasonality issues may cause our financial performance to fluctuate. In addition, beverage sales can be adversely affected by sustained periods of bad weather.

 

Our manufacturing process is not patented.

 

None of the manufacturing processes used in producing our products are subject to a patent or similar intellectual property protection. Our only protection against a third party using our recipes and processes is confidentiality agreements with the companies that produce our beverages and with our employees who have knowledge of such processes. If our competitors develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or otherwise obtain access to our knowledge, we will have greater difficulty in competing with them for business, and our market share could decline.

 

If we are not able to retain the full time services of our management team, it will be more difficult for us to manage our operations and our operating performance could suffer.

 

Our business is dependent, to a large extent, upon the services of our management team. We depend on our management team. We do have a written employment agreement with two of five members of our management team. In addition, we do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our management team. Therefore, in the event of the loss or unavailability of any member of the management team to us, there can be no assurance that we would be able to locate in a timely manner or employ qualified personnel to replace him. The loss of the services of any member of our management team or our failure to attract and retain other key personnel over time would jeopardize our ability to execute our business plan and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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The price of our common stock may be volatile, and a shareholder’s investment in our common stock could suffer a decline in value.

 

There has been significant volatility in the volume and market price of our common stock, and this volatility may continue in the future. In addition, factors such as quarterly variations in our operating results, litigation involving us, general trends relating to the beverage industry, actions by governmental agencies, national economic and stock market considerations as well as other events and circumstances beyond our control could have a significant impact on the future market price of our common stock and the relative volatility of such market price.

 

A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. If we are unable to raise the funds required for all of our planned operations and key initiatives, we may be forced to allocate funds from other planned uses, which may negatively impact our business and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations.

 

Many factors that are beyond our control may significantly affect the market price of our shares. These factors include:

 

  price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets;
  changes in our revenues and earnings or other variations in operating results;
  any shortfall in revenue or increase in losses from levels expected by us or securities analysts;
  changes in regulatory policies or law;
  operating performance of companies comparable to us; and
  general economic trends and other external factors.

 

Even if an active market for our common stock is established, stockholders may have to sell their shares at prices substantially lower than the price they paid for it or might otherwise receive than if a broad public market existed.

 

There has been a very limited public trading market for our securities and the market for our securities, may continue to be limited, and be sporadic and highly volatile.

 

There is currently a limited public market for our common stock. Holders of our common stock may, therefore, have difficulty selling their shares, should they decide to do so. In addition, there can be no assurances that such markets will continue or that any shares, which may be purchased, may be sold without incurring a loss. Any such market price of our shares may not necessarily bear any relationship to our book value, assets, past operating results, financial condition or any other established criteria of value, and may not be indicative of the market price for the shares in the future.

 

Future financings could adversely affect common stock ownership interest and rights in comparison with those of other security holders.

 

Our board of directors has the power to issue additional shares of common or preferred stock up to the amounts authorized in our certificate of incorporation without stockholder approval, subject to restrictive covenants contained in the Company’s contracts. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders will be reduced, and these newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we issue any additional common stock or securities convertible into common stock, such issuance will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of each other stockholder. In addition, such stock issuances might result in a reduction of the book value of our common stock. Any increase of the number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred stock would require board and shareholder approval and subsequent amendment to our certificate of incorporation.

 

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Risk Factors Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock

 

If we are not able to achieve our objectives for our business, the value of an investment in our company could be negatively affected.

 

In order to be successful, we believe that we must, among other things:

 

 

increase the sales price and volume for our products;

significantly reduce co-packer fees, packaging and ingredient costs;

  resolve supply chain facility  operation;
  manage our operating expenses to sufficiently support operating activities;
  reduce fixed costs at or near current levels by eliminating inefficient operations; and
  avoid significant increases in variable costs relating to production, marketing and distribution.

 

We may not be able to meet these objectives, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We have incurred significant operating expenses in the past and may do so again in the future and, as a result, will need to increase revenues in order to improve our results of operations. Our ability to increase sales volume will depend primarily on success in marketing initiatives with industry brokers, improving our distribution base with DSD companies, introducing new no sugar brands, and focus on the existing core brands in the market. Our ability to successfully enter new distribution areas and obtain national accounts will, in turn, depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the continued demand for our brands and products in target markets, the ability to price our products at competitive levels, the ability to establish and maintain relationships with distributors in each geographic area of distribution and the ability in the future to create, develop and successfully introduce one or more new brands, products, and product extensions.

 

Any future equity or debt issuances by us, including the exercise of outstanding warrants, may have dilutive or adverse effects on our existing shareholders.

 

From time to time, we may issue additional shares of common stock or convertible securities. The issuance of these securities could dilute our shareholders’ ownership in our company and may include terms that give new investors rights that are superior to those of our current shareholders. Moreover, any issuances by us of equity securities may be at or below the prevailing market price of our common stock and in any event may have a dilutive impact on our shareholders’ ownership interest, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

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We do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, so our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell their shares.

 

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless we pay dividends, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell such shares.

 

We have been notified by the NYSE American of our failure to meet standards for continued listing of our common stock. Failure to meet continued listing standards could result in delisting of our common stock.

 

On June 22, 2016, Reed’s, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Reed’s” or the “company”) received notice from NYSE American of the company’s failure to meet standards for continued listing in Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide. The company previously qualified by exception to the listing rules based on meeting the trading standards of public float, number of shareholders and market capitalization. Recently, due to the decrease in the trading price of the company’s common stock, the company is not meeting the $50,000,000 market capitalization exception. The company has 18 months during which to meet the listing standards. Failure to meet continued listing standards could result in delisting of our common stock from the NYSE American, LLC.

 

A delisting of our common stock and our inability to list the stock on another national securities exchange could negatively impact us by: (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of our common stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limiting our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets; and (iv) impairing our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees. While a delisting of our common stock would not constitute a specific event of default under the documents governing our senior credit facilities, our lenders could claim that a delisting would trigger a default under the material adverse change covenant or the cross-default provisions under such documents.

 

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and limit the market price of our common stock.

 

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions that:

 

  authorize our board of directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, shares of undesignated preferred stock;
     
  specify that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only upon the request of a majority of our board of directors or our Chief Executive Officer;
     
  establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors; and
     
  prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors.

 

These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management, and may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change of control of our company that is in the best interest of our minority stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.

 

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Furthermore, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

 

  before the stockholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
     
  upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or
     
  at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions the Company’s board of directors does not approve in advance. Section 203 may also discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of Common Stock held by stockholders.

 

These provisions of Delaware law and the Certificate of Incorporation could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Company’s common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the Company’s management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Christopher J. Reed, our founder, Chief Innovation Officer, and a member of our Board of Directors, holds approximately 17% of our common stock and may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote.

 

Because Christopher J. Reed controls a large portion of our stock, approximately 17%, he may greatly influence the outcome of all matters on which stockholders vote. Mr. Reed’s interests may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our common stock.

 

If securities analysts or industry analysts downgrade our shares, publish negative research or reports, or do not publish reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our business and our industry. If one or more analysts adversely change their recommendation regarding our shares or our competitors’ stock, our share price would likely decline. If one or more analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our share price or trading volume to decline. As a result, the market price for our common stock may decline.

 

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THE RIGHTS OFFERING

 

Please read the following information concerning the subscription rights in conjunction with the statements under “Description of Subscription Rights” in this prospectus, which the following information supplements.

 

The Subscription Rights

 

We are distributing, at no charge, to holders of our common stock non-transferable subscription rights to purchase up to approximately [●] shares of our common stock. You will receive one subscription right for each share of common stock owned at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017.

 

Each holder of record of our common stock as of the record date for the rights offering will receive one subscription right for each share of our common stock owned by such holder as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the record date. Each subscription right will entitle the holder to a basic subscription privilege and an over-subscription privilege, which are described below.

 

Basic Subscription Privilege

 

Each subscription right will entitle you to purchase one share of our common stock, which we refer to as the basic subscription privilege. If an insufficient number of shares is available to fully satisfy all basic subscription privilege requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those who properly exercised basic subscription rights based on the number of rights issued to each rights holder by the Company. If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among rights holders exercising this over-subscription right. If all the rights are exercised, the total purchase price of the shares of common stock offered in the rights offering will be approximately $12 million.

 

The subscription rights will expire if they are not exercised by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017, unless we extend the rights offering period.

 

You may exercise all or a portion of your basic subscription privilege. However, if you exercise less than your full basic subscription privilege, you will not be entitled to purchase shares pursuant to your over-subscription privilege. If an insufficient number of shares is available to fully satisfy all basic subscription privilege requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those who properly exercised basic subscription rights based on the number of rights distributed to the rights holder.

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Over-Subscription Privilege

 

If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among stockholders exercising this over-subscription right. To the extent the number of the unsubscribed shares are not sufficient to satisfy all of the properly exercised over-subscription rights requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those stockholders who properly exercised over-subscription rights based on the number of rights originally distributed to each rights holder by the Company. If this allocation results in any stockholder receiving a greater number of shares of common stock than the stockholder subscribed for pursuant to the exercise of the over-subscription privilege, then such stockholder will be allocated only that number of shares for which the stockholder oversubscribed, and the remaining shares of common stock will be allocated among all other stockholders exercising the over-subscription privilege on the same pro rata basis described above. The proration process will be repeated until all shares of common stock have been allocated or all over-subscription exercises have been fulfilled, whichever occurs earlier.

 

In order to properly exercise your over-subscription privilege, you must deliver the subscription payment related to your over-subscription privilege prior to the expiration of the rights offering. Because we will not know the total number of unsubscribed shares prior to the expiration of the rights offering, if you wish to maximize the number of shares you purchase pursuant to your over-subscription privilege, you will need to deliver payment in an amount equal to the aggregate subscription price for the maximum number of shares of our common stock available to you, assuming that no stockholder other than you has purchased any shares of our common stock pursuant to their basic subscription privilege and over-subscription privilege.

 

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We can provide no assurances that you will actually be entitled to purchase the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of your over-subscription privilege in full at the expiration of the rights offering. We will not be able to satisfy your exercise of the over-subscription privilege if all of our stockholders exercise their basic subscription privileges in full, and we will only honor an over-subscription privilege to the extent sufficient shares of our common stock are available following the exercise of subscription rights under the basic subscription privileges.

 

  To the extent the aggregate subscription price of the maximum number of unsubscribed shares available to you pursuant to the over-subscription privilege is less than the amount you actually paid in connection with the exercise of the over-subscription privilege, you will be allocated only the number of unsubscribed shares available to you, and any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
     
  To the extent the stockholders properly exercise their over-subscription privileges for an aggregate amount of shares that is less than the number of the unsubscribed shares, you will be allocated the number of unsubscribed shares for which you actually paid in connection with the over-subscription privilege.

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Delivery of Shares

 

Certificates (physical, electronic or book entry form) representing shares of our common stock purchased will be delivered as soon as practicable after expiration of the rights offering.

 

Limitation on Exercise of Basic Subscription Privilege and Over-Subscription Privilege

 

In the event that the exercise by a stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege could, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, potentially result in a limitation on the Company’s ability to use net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, which we refer to as the “Tax Attributes,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, reduce the exercise by such stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege to such number of shares of common stock as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order to preserve the Company’s ability to use the Tax Attributes.

 

Reasons for the Rights Offering

 

In authorizing the rights offering, our board of directors carefully evaluated our need for liquidity, financial flexibility and additional capital. Our board of directors also considered several alternative capital raising methods prior to concluding that the rights offering was the appropriate alternative under the circumstances. We are conducting the offering to raise capital that we intend to use for repayment of past-due accounts payable, repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness, sales and marketing, and general working capital purposes. See “Use of Proceeds”. Although we believe that the rights offering will strengthen our financial condition, our board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the subscription rights.

 

Method of Exercising Subscription Rights

 

The exercise of subscription rights is irrevocable and may not be cancelled or modified, even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced. You may exercise your subscription rights as follows:

 

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Subscription by Registered Holders

 

You may exercise your subscription rights by properly completing and executing the rights certificate together with any required signature guarantees and forwarding it, together with your full subscription payment, to the subscription agent at the address set forth below under “Subscription Agent”, prior to the expiration of the rights offering.

 

Subscription by DTC Participants

 

We expect that the exercise of your subscription rights may be made through the facilities of DTC. If your subscription rights are held of record through DTC, you may exercise your subscription rights by instructing DTC, or having your broker instruct DTC, to transfer your subscription rights from your account to the account of the subscription agent, together with certification as to the aggregate number of subscription rights you are exercising and the number of shares of our common stock you are subscribing for under your basic subscription privilege and your over-subscription privilege, if any, and your full subscription payment.

 

Subscription by Beneficial Owners

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that are registered in the name of a broker, custodian bank or other nominee, or if you hold our common stock certificates and would prefer to have an institution conduct the transaction relating to the subscription rights on your behalf, you should instruct your broker, custodian bank or other nominee or institution to exercise your subscription rights and deliver all documents and payment on your behalf prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on, which is the expiration of the rights offering. Your subscription rights will not be considered exercised unless the subscription agent receives from you, your broker, custodian bank, nominee or institution, as the case may be, all of the required documents and your full subscription payment prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2015.

 

Payment Method

 

Payments must be made in full in U.S. currency by:

 

  check or bank draft payable to [●], the subscription agent, drawn upon a U.S. bank;
     
  postal, telegraphic or express money order payable to the subscription agent; or
     
  wire transfer of immediately available funds to accounts maintained by the subscription agent.

 

Payments received after the expiration of the rights offering will not be honored, and the subscription agent will return your subscription payment to you, without interest, as soon as practicable. The subscription agent will be deemed to receive payment upon:

 

  clearance of any uncertified check deposited by the subscription agent;
     
  receipt by the subscription agent of any certified check bank draft drawn upon a U.S. bank;
     
  receipt by the subscription agent of any postal, telegraphic or express money order; or
     
  receipt of collected funds in the subscription agent’s account.

 

If you elect to exercise your subscription rights, we urge you to consider using a certified or cashier’s check, money order or wire transfer of funds to ensure that the subscription agent receives your funds prior to the expiration of the rights offering. If you send an uncertified check, payment will not be deemed to have been received by the subscription agent until the check has cleared, but if you send a certified check bank draft drawn upon a U.S. bank, a postal, telegraphic or express money order or wire or transfer funds directly to the subscription agent’s account, payment will be deemed to have been received by the subscription agent immediately upon receipt of such instruments and wire or transfer.

 

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Any personal check used to pay for shares of our common stock in the rights offering must clear the appropriate financial institutions prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2015, which is the expiration of the rights offering. The clearinghouse may require five or more business days. Accordingly, holders that wish to pay the subscription price by means of an uncertified personal check are urged to make payment sufficiently in advance of the expiration of the rights offering to ensure such payment is received and clears by such date.

 

You should read the instruction letter accompanying the rights certificate carefully and strictly follow it. DO NOT SEND RIGHTS CERTIFICATES OR PAYMENTS TO US. Except as described below under “—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures”, we will not consider your subscription received until the subscription agent has received delivery of a properly completed and duly executed rights certificate and payment of the full subscription amount. The risk of delivery of all documents and payments is borne by you or your nominee, and not by the subscription agent or us.

 

The method of delivery of rights certificates and payment of the subscription amount to the subscription agent will be at the risk of the holders of subscription rights. If sent by mail, we recommend that you send those certificates and payments by overnight courier or by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, and that a sufficient number of days be allowed to ensure delivery to the subscription agent and clearance of payment prior to the expiration of the rights offering.

 

Unless a rights certificate provides that the shares of our common stock are to be delivered to the record holder of such rights or such certificate is submitted for the account of a bank or a broker, signatures on such rights certificate must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution”, as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, subject to any standards and procedures adopted by the subscription agent.

 

Missing or Incomplete Subscription Information

 

If you do not indicate the number of subscription rights being exercised, or the subscription agent does not receive the full subscription payment for the number of subscription rights that you indicate are being exercised, then you will be deemed to have exercised the maximum number of subscription rights that may be exercised with the aggregate subscription payment you delivered to the subscription agent. If we do not apply your full subscription payment to your purchase of shares of our common stock, any excess subscription payment received by the subscription agent will be returned to you, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Expiration Date and Amendments

 

The subscription period during which you may exercise your subscription rights expires at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2017, which is the expiration of the rights offering. If you do not exercise your subscription rights prior to that time, your subscription rights will expire and will no longer be exercisable. We will not be required to issue shares of our common stock to you if the subscription agent receives your rights certificate or your subscription payment after that time, regardless of when the rights certificate and subscription payment were sent, unless you send the documents in compliance with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. We may extend the expiration of the rights offering for a period not to exceed 30 days by giving oral or written notice to the subscription agent prior to the expiration date of the rights offering, although we do not presently intend to do so. If we elect to extend the expiration of the rights offering, we will issue a press release announcing such extension no later than 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the next business day after the most recently announced expiration time of the rights offering. We will extend the duration of the rights offering as required by applicable law or regulation and may choose to extend it if we decide to give investors more time to exercise their subscription rights in the rights offering. If we elect to extend the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days, then holders who have subscribed for rights may cancel their subscriptions and receive a refund of all subscription payments advanced.

 

Our board of directors also reserves the right to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering. If we should make any fundamental changes to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included, offer potential purchasers who have subscribed for rights the opportunity to cancel such subscriptions and issue a refund of any subscription payments advanced by such stockholder and recirculate an updated prospectus after the post-effective amendment is declared effective by the SEC. In addition, upon such event, we may extend the expiration date of the rights offering to allow holders of rights ample time to make new investment decisions and for us to recirculate updated documentation. Promptly following any such occurrence, we will issue a press release announcing any changes with respect to the rights offering and the new expiration date. The terms of the rights offering cannot be modified or amended after the expiration date of the rights offering. Although we do not presently intend to do so, we may choose to amend or modify the terms of the rights offering for any reason, including, without limitation, in order to increase participation in the rights offering. Such amendments or modifications may include a change in the subscription price, although no such change is presently contemplated.

 

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Subscription Price

 

The subscription price per common share is $[●].

 

In negotiating the subscription price, our board of directors considered a number of factors, including: the likely cost of capital from other sources, the price at which our stockholders might be willing to participate in the rights offering, historical and current trading prices for our common stock, our need for liquidity and capital and the desire to provide an opportunity to our stockholders to participate in the rights offering on a pro rata basis.

 

In conjunction with its review of these factors, our board of directors also reviewed a range of discounts to market value represented by the subscription prices in various prior rights offerings of public companies.

 

The subscription price is not necessarily related to our book value, net worth or any other established criteria of value and may or may not be considered the fair value of our common stock to be offered in the rights offering. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not decline during or after the rights offering. We also cannot assure you that you will be able to sell shares of our common stock purchased during the rights offering at a price equal to or greater than the subscription price. We urge you to obtain a current quote for our common stock before exercising your subscription rights.

 

Rights holders may not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the common shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription and, if eligible, any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $ [●] per common share and, except in limited circumstances, will not be able to rescind their subscription.

 

Conditions, Withdrawal and Termination

 

We reserve the right to withdraw the rights offering prior to the expiration of the rights offering for any reason. We may terminate the rights offering, in whole or in part, if at any time before completion of the rights offering there is any judgment, order, decree, injunction, statute, law or regulation entered, enacted, amended or held to be applicable to the rights offering that in the sole judgment of our board of directors would or might make the rights offering or its completion, whether in whole or in part, illegal or otherwise restrict or prohibit completion of the rights offering. We may waive any of these conditions and choose to proceed with the rights offering even if one or more of these events occur. If we terminate, cancel or withdraw the rights offering, in whole or in part, we will issue a press release notifying the stockholders of such event, all affected subscription rights will expire without value, and all excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable following such termination, cancellation or withdrawal.

 

Cancellation Rights

 

Our board of directors may cancel the rights offering at any time prior to the time the rights offering expires for any reason. If we cancel the rights offering, we will issue a press release notifying stockholders of the cancellation and all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Subscription Agent

 

The subscription agent for this offering is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The address to which subscription documents, rights certificates, notices of guaranteed delivery and subscription payments other than wire transfers should be mailed or delivered is as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

 

1 State Street- 30th Floor

 

New York, NY 10004

 

If you deliver subscription documents, rights certificates or notices of guaranteed delivery in a manner different than that described in this prospectus, then we may not honor the exercise of your subscription rights.

 

You should direct any questions or requests for assistance concerning the method of subscribing for the shares of our common stock or for additional copies of this prospectus to the information agent, Okapi Partners LLC, at (212) 297-0720, (888) 785-6617 (toll free) or info@okapipartners.com.

 

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Fees and Expenses

 

We will pay all fees charged by the subscription agent and the information agent in connection with the rights offering. We will also pay the commissions and fees of the dealer-manager. You are responsible for paying any other commissions, fees, taxes or other expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the subscription rights.

 

No Fractional Shares

 

We will not issue fractional shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional shares of our common stock resulting from the exercise of the basic subscription privileges and the over-subscription privileges will be eliminated by rounding down to the nearest whole share, with the total subscription payment being adjusted accordingly. Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Medallion Guarantee May Be Required

 

Your signature on each subscription rights certificate must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, such as a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States, subject to standards and procedures adopted by the subscription agent, unless:

 

  your subscription rights certificate provides that shares are to be delivered to you as record holder of those subscription rights; or
     
  you are an eligible institution.

 

You can obtain a signature guarantee from a financial institution—such as a commercial bank, savings, bank, credit union or broker dealer—that participates in one of the Medallion signature guarantee programs. The three Medallion signature guarantee programs are the following:

 

  Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), whose participants include more than 7,000 U.S. and Canadian financial institutions;
     
  Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP), whose participants include the regional stock exchange member firms and clearing and trust companies; and
     
  New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP), whose participants include NYSE member firms. If a financial institution is not a member of a recognized Medallion signature guarantee program, it would not be able to provide signature guarantees. Also, if you are not a customer of a participating financial institution, it is likely the financial institution will not guarantee your signature. Therefore, the best source of a Medallion signature guarantee would be a bank, savings and loan association, brokerage firm or credit union with whom you do business. The participating financial institution will use a Medallion imprint or stamp to guarantee your signature, indicating that the financial institution is a member of a Medallion signature guarantee program and is an acceptable signature guarantor.

 

Notice to Nominees

 

If you are a broker, custodian bank or other nominee holder that holds shares of our common stock for the account of others on the record date, you should notify the beneficial owners of the shares for whom you are the nominee of the rights offering as soon as possible to learn their intentions with respect to exercising their subscription rights. You should obtain instructions from the beneficial owner, as set forth in the instructions we have provided to you for your distribution to beneficial owners. If the beneficial owner so instructs, you should complete the appropriate rights certificate and submit it to the subscription agent with the proper subscription payment. If you hold shares of our common stock for the account(s) of more than one beneficial owner, you may exercise the number of subscription rights to which all beneficial owners in the aggregate otherwise would have been entitled had they been direct holders of our common stock on the record date, provided that you, as a nominee record holder, make a proper showing to the subscription agent by submitting the form entitled “Nominee Holder Certification” which is provided with your rights offering materials. If you did not receive this form, you should contact the subscription agent to request a copy.

 

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Beneficial Owners

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or will receive your subscription rights through a broker, custodian bank or other nominee, we will ask your broker, custodian bank or other nominee to notify you of the rights offering. If you wish to exercise your subscription rights, you will need to have your broker, custodian bank or other nominee act for you. If you hold certificates of our common stock directly and would prefer to have your broker, custodian bank or other nominee act for you, you should contact your nominee and request it to effect the transactions for you. To indicate your decision with respect to your subscription rights, you should complete and return to your broker, custodian bank or other nominee the form entitled “Beneficial Owners Election Form”. You should receive this form from your broker, custodian bank or other nominee with the other rights offering materials. If you wish to obtain a separate subscription rights certificate, you should contact the nominee as soon as possible and request that a separate subscription rights certificate be issued to you. You should contact your broker, custodian bank or other nominee if you do not receive this form, but you believe you are entitled to participate in the rights offering. We are not responsible if you do not receive the form from your broker, custodian bank or nominee or if you receive it without sufficient time to respond.

 

If you wish to exercise subscription rights, but you do not have sufficient time to deliver the rights certificate evidencing your subscription rights to the subscription agent prior to the expiration of the rights offering, you may exercise your subscription rights by the following guaranteed delivery procedures:

 

  deliver to the subscription agent prior to the expiration of the rights offering the subscription payment for each share you elected to purchase pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights in the manner set forth above under “—Payment Method”;
     
  deliver to the subscription agent prior to the expiration of the rights offering the form entitled “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery”; and
     
  deliver the properly completed rights certificate evidencing your subscription rights being exercised and the related nominee holder certification, if applicable, with any required signatures guaranteed, to the subscription agent within two (2) business days following the date you submit your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

Your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be delivered in substantially the same form provided with the “Form of Instructions for Use of Reed’s, Inc. Subscription Rights Certificates”, which will be distributed to you with your rights certificate. Your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must include a signature guarantee from an eligible institution acceptable to the subscription agent. A form of that guarantee is included with the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

In your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, you must provide:

 

  your name;
     
  the number of subscription rights represented by your rights certificate, the number of shares of our common stock for which you are subscribing under your basic subscription privilege, and the number of shares of our common stock for which you are subscribing under your over-subscription privilege, if any; and
     
  your guarantee that you will deliver to the subscription agent a rights certificate evidencing the subscription rights you are exercising within two (2) business days following the date the subscription agent receives your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

You may deliver your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to the subscription agent in the same manner as your rights certificate at the address set forth above under “—Subscription Agent.” You may alternatively transmit your Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to the subscription agent by facsimile transmission at (212) 616-7610 To confirm facsimile deliveries, you may call (917) 262-2378.

 

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The information agent will send you additional copies of the form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery if you need them. You should call Okapi Partners LLC at (212) 297-0720 or (888) 785-6617 (toll free) to request additional copies of the form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

Transferability of Subscription Rights

 

The subscription rights granted to you are non-transferable and, therefore, you may not sell, transfer or assign your subscription rights to anyone. The subscription rights will not be listed for trading on NYSE American or on any stock exchange or market.

 

Validity of Subscriptions

 

We will resolve all questions regarding the validity and form of the exercise of your subscription rights, including time of receipt and eligibility to participate in the rights offering. In resolving all such questions, we will review the relevant facts, consult with our legal advisors and we may request input from the relevant parties. Our determination will be final and binding. Once made, subscriptions and directions are irrevocable, even if you later learn information that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your subscription rights and even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors, and we will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent subscriptions or directions. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced. We reserve the absolute right to reject any subscriptions or directions not properly submitted or the acceptance of which would be unlawful. You must resolve any irregularities in connection with your subscriptions before the subscription period expires, unless waived by us in our sole discretion. Neither we nor the subscription agent shall be under any duty to notify you or your representative of defects in your subscriptions. A subscription will be considered accepted, subject to our right to withdraw or terminate the rights offering, only when a properly completed and duly executed rights certificate and any other required documents and the full subscription payment have been received by the subscription agent. Our interpretations of the terms and conditions of the rights offering will be final and binding.

 

Escrow Arrangements; Return of Funds

 

The subscription agent will hold funds received in payment for shares of our common stock in a segregated account pending completion of the rights offering. The subscription agent will hold this money in escrow until the rights offering is completed or is withdrawn and canceled. If the rights offering is canceled for any reason, all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable. In addition, all subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable, if subscribers decide to cancel their subscription rights in the event that we extend the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days after the expiration date or if there is a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering.

 

Stockholder Rights

 

You will have no rights as a holder of the shares of our common stock you purchase in the rights offering, if any, until shares of our common stock are issued to you. You will have no right to revoke your subscriptions after you deliver your completed rights certificate, the full subscription payment and any other required documents to the subscription agent.

 

Foreign Stockholders

 

We will not mail this prospectus or rights certificates to stockholders with addresses that are outside the United States or that have an army post office or foreign post office address. The subscription agent will hold these rights certificates for their account. To exercise subscription rights, our foreign stockholders must notify the subscription agent prior to 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at least three business days prior to the expiration of the rights offering and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the subscription agent that the exercise of such subscription rights does not violate the laws of the jurisdiction of such stockholder.

 

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No Revocation or Change

 

Once you submit the form of rights certificate to exercise any subscription rights, you are not allowed to revoke or change the exercise or request a refund of monies paid. All exercises of subscription rights are irrevocable, even if you later learn information that you consider to be unfavorable to the exercise of your subscription rights and even if the rights offering is extended by our board of directors. However, if we amend the rights offering to allow for an extension of the rights offering for a period of more than 30 days or make a fundamental change to the terms of the rights offering set forth in this prospectus, you may cancel your subscription and receive a refund of any money you have advanced. You should not exercise your subscription rights unless you are certain that you wish to purchase additional shares of our common stock at the subscription price.

 

Regulatory Limitation

 

We will not be required to issue to you shares of our common stock pursuant to the rights offering if, in our opinion, you are required to obtain prior clearance or approval from any state or federal regulatory authorities to own or control such shares and if, at the time the rights offering expires, you have not obtained such clearance or approval.

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of Rights Distribution

 

We believe that our distribution and any stockholder’s receipt and exercise of these subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock generally should not be taxable to our stockholders for the reasons described below in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

No Recommendation to Rights Holders

 

Our board of directors is making no recommendation regarding your exercise of the subscription rights. You are urged to make your decision based on your own assessment of our business and the rights offering. Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the risks involved in investing in our common stock.

 

Listing

 

The subscription rights will not be listed for trading on the NYSE American or any stock exchange or market. The shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the subscription rights will trade on the NYSE American under the symbol “REED”.

 

Shares of Our Common Stock Outstanding After the Rights Offering

 

Assuming no options or warrants are exercised and no debentures are converted prior to the expiration of the rights offering, we expect approximately [●] shares of our common stock will be outstanding immediately after completion of the rights offering.

 

Other Matters

 

We are not making the rights offering in any state or other jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to do so, nor are we distributing or accepting any offers to purchase any shares of our common stock from subscription rights holders who are residents of those states or other jurisdictions or who are otherwise prohibited by federal or state laws or regulations from accepting or exercising the subscription rights. We may delay the commencement of the rights offering in those states or other jurisdictions, or change the terms of the rights offering, in whole or in part, in order to comply with the securities laws or other legal requirements of those states or other jurisdictions. Subject to state securities laws and regulations, we also have the discretion to delay allocation and distribution of any shares you may elect to purchase by exercise of your subscription privileges in order to comply with state securities laws. We may decline to make modifications to the terms of the rights offering requested by those states or other jurisdictions, in which case, if you are a resident in those states or jurisdictions or if you are otherwise prohibited by federal or state laws or regulations from accepting or exercising the subscription rights, you will not be eligible to participate in the rights offering. However, we are not currently aware of any states or jurisdictions that would preclude participation in the rights offering.

 

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THE BACKSTOP COMMITMENT

 

On October 10, 2017, we entered into a non-binding term sheet, subject to execution of definitive documentation prior to launch of the rights offering, with Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC. The backstop providers agreed to purchase from us, an aggregate number of shares of our common stock equal to the lesser of (x) $6 million and (y) $12 million minus the aggregate proceeds of this rights offering, at a price per share equal to the subscription price, subject to the terms and conditions set for the therein. The backstop commitment is scheduled to close not later than the third trading day following the expiration date.

 

As compensation for the backstop commitment, we agreed to issue to Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC 5- year warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of our common stock. The warrants will have an exercise price equal to the last closing price of our common stock immediately before entering into the definitive agreement, will not be exercisable for a term of one hundred and eighty days and will have a cashless exercise feature. We also agreed to register the shares of common stock underlying the warrants. The warrants are issuable to Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC upon conclusion of the rights offering in consideration for the backstop commitment, or, in the alternative, as a break-up fee if we enter into a definitive backstop commitment agreement for this rights offering with a third party unaffiliated with Raptor Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC.

 

Further, subject to NYSE American rules, we agreed to use our best efforts to appoint up to two individuals designated by Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, to serve on the Company’s board of directors.

 

Regardless of whether the transactions contemplated by the backstop agreement are consummated, we have agreed to reimburse Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC for all reasonable out - of - pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by them in connection with the backstop agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, not to exceed $50,0000.

 

Further, we entered into a non-binding term sheet, subject to execution of definitive documentation, to extend our subordinated convertible promissory note in favor of Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV,LLC in the principal amount of $3.4 million by twenty four months in exchange for amending the conversion price of the note from $3.00 to the subscription price of the rights offering. We also agreed to file registration statement registering the conversion after completion of the rights offering.

 

Assuming that no holders exercise their rights in this offering, the backstop provider would acquire approximately [●] shares of our common stock, following which (1) the backstop providers would beneficially own approximately [●]% of our outstanding common stock and (2) all other holders would beneficially own approximately [●]% of our outstanding common stock. All ownership percentages described in this paragraph are based upon our outstanding common stock and the beneficial ownership of our holders as of the effective date. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding listed in each case above assumes that (1) all of the other shares of our common stock issued and outstanding on the effective date will remain issued and outstanding and owned by the same persons as of the closing of this offering and (2) we will not issue any shares of common stock in the period between the effective date and the closing of this offering.

 

On September 29, 2017, at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders pre-approved the issuance in a private placement of shares of common stock at a discount to market and the potential change of control that could result from the transaction. This approval expires December 28, 2017.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of [●], 2017, on an actual basis and pro forma on an “as adjusted” basis to give effect to the rights offering, assuming gross proceeds from the rights offering of each of $6 million and $12 million and after deducting the estimated offering expenses. You should read this table together with the information under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” included in this prospectus. We are unable to predict the actual level of participation in the offering.

 

    Actual   Pro Forma As Adjusted ($6M)   Pro Forma as Adjusted
($12M)
Common stock, [●] outstanding at [●], 2017; 
[●] shares outstanding on a pro forma basis;
[●] shares outstanding on a pro forma basis
           
Additional paid-in capital   [●]   [●]   [●]
Accumulated deficit   [●]   [●]   [●]
Stockholders’ equity   [●]   [●]   [●]

 

The information in the table above is not calculated on a fully diluted basis and excludes shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants, exercise of options and conversion of debentures outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

 

DILUTION

 

Purchasers of our common stock in the rights offering will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of the net tangible book value of the shares purchased. At [●], 2017, we had a net tangible book value of approximately ($[●]), or ($0. [●]) per share of our common stock. After giving effect to the sale of [●] shares of our common stock in the rights offering and after deducting transaction and offering expenses, the pro forma net tangible book value at [●], 2017, attributable to common stockholders would have been $[●], or $[●] per share of our common stock. This amount represents an immediate dilution to purchasers in the rights offering of $[●] per share of our common stock. The following table illustrates this per-share dilution.

 

Subscription price   $ [●]  
Net tangible book value per share prior to the rights offering   $ [●]  
Increase per share attributable to the rights offering   $ [●]  
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the rights offering   $ [●]  
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to purchasers   $ [●]  

 

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

This section describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences, as of the date of this prospectus, to U.S. holders (as defined below) of the receipt and exercise (or expiration) of the subscription rights acquired through the rights offering and the receipt, ownership and sale of the shares of common stock received upon exercise of the basic subscription privilege or, if applicable, the over-subscription privilege. Unless otherwise noted below, the following discussion is the opinion of Libertas Law Group, Inc., our U.S. tax counsel, insofar as such discussion relates to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect to those matters.

 

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below), acquire your subscription rights in the rights offering and hold your subscription rights or shares of common stock issued to you upon exercise of the basic subscription privilege or, if applicable, the over-subscription privilege as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This section does not apply to you if you are not a U.S. holder or if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, holders who are dealers in securities or foreign currency, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, holders who hold common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated security transaction, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or holders who received our common stock on which the subscription rights are distributed in satisfaction of our indebtedness.

 

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This section is based upon the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, legislative history, judicial authority and published rulings, any of which may subsequently be changed, possibly retroactively, or interpreted differently by the IRS, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. The discussion that follows neither binds nor precludes the IRS from adopting a position contrary to that expressed in this prospectus, and we cannot assure you that such a contrary position could not be asserted successfully by the IRS or adopted by a court if the position was litigated. We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS regarding the rights offering. This section does not address any tax consequences under foreign, state or local tax laws.

 

You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of subscription rights or common stock and you are:

 

An individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meets the substantial presence test under section 7701(b) of the Code,

 

A corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized, or treated as created or organized, in or under the laws of the United Sates, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,

 

An estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or

 

A trust (a) if a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) receives the subscription rights or holds the common stock received upon exercise of the subscription rights or, if applicable, the over-subscription privilege, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its own tax advisor as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving and exercising the subscription rights and acquiring, holding or disposing of our shares of common stock.

 

EACH HOLDER OF OUR COMMON STOCK IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE RECEIPT AND EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS AND THE RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

 

Receipt, Exercise and Expiration of the Subscription Rights; Tax Basis and Holding Period of Shares Received upon Exercise of the Subscription Rights

 

Receipt of the Subscription Rights

 

You will not recognize taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with the receipt of subscription rights in the rights offering if the rights offering is not part of a “disproportionate distribution” within the meaning of section 305 of the Code. A disproportionate distribution is a distribution or a series of distributions, including deemed distributions, that has the effect of the receipt of cash or other property by some stockholders or holders of debt instruments convertible into stock and an increase in the proportionate interest of other stockholders in a company’s assets or earnings and profits. During the last 36 months, our common stock has been our sole outstanding class of stock, we have not made any distributions of cash or other property on such stock and we have not had any convertible debt outstanding. Nor do we currently intend to issue another class of stock or convertible debt or, as stated below, pay any dividends on our common stock. However, the fact that we have outstanding options and certain other equity-based awards could cause, under certain circumstances that cannot currently be predicted, the receipt of subscription rights pursuant to the rights offering to be part of a disproportionate distribution. We intend to take the position that the outstanding options and other equity-based awards do not cause the subscription rights issued pursuant to the rights offering to be part of a disproportionate distribution. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you if the rights offering were to be considered part of a disproportionate distribution, see “Consequences if the Rights Offering Is Considered Part of a Disproportionate Distribution” below.

 

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Tax Basis in the Subscription Rights

 

If the fair market value of the subscription rights you receive is less than 15% of the fair market value of your common stock on the date you receive your subscription rights, your subscription rights will be allocated a zero tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless you elect to allocate tax basis between your existing common stock and your subscription rights in proportion to the relative fair market values of the existing common stock and your subscription rights determined on the date of receipt of your subscription rights. If you choose to allocate tax basis between your existing common stock and your subscription rights, you must make this election on a statement included with your tax return for the taxable year in which you receive your subscription rights. Such an election is irrevocable.

 

If the fair market value of your subscription rights is 15% or more of the fair market value of your existing common stock on the date you receive your subscription rights, then you must allocate your tax basis in your existing common stock between your existing common stock and your subscription rights in proportion to the relative fair market values determined on the date you receive your subscription rights. The fair market value of the subscription rights on the date the subscription rights will be distributed is uncertain, and we have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, an appraisal of the fair market value of the subscription rights on that date. In determining the fair market value of the subscription rights, you should consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including any difference between the subscription price of the subscription rights and the trading price of our common stock on the date that the subscription rights are distributed, the length of the period during which the subscription rights may be exercised and the fact that the subscription rights are non-transferable.

 

Exercise and Expiration of the Subscription Rights

 

You will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exercise of subscription rights received in the rights offering, and the tax basis of the shares of our common stock acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will equal the sum of the subscription price for the shares and your tax basis, if any, in the subscription rights. The holding period for the shares of our common stock acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will begin on the date the subscription rights are exercised.

 

If you allow subscription rights received in the rights offering to expire, you generally will not recognize any gain or loss upon the expiration of the subscription rights. If you have tax basis in the subscription rights and you allow the subscription rights to expire, the tax basis of our common stock owned by you with respect to which such subscription rights were distributed will be restored to the tax basis of such common stock immediately before the receipt of the subscription rights in the rights offering.

 

Consequences if the Rights Offering Is Considered Part of a Disproportionate Distribution

 

If the rights offering is considered part of a disproportionate distribution, the distribution of subscription rights would be taxable to you as a dividend to the extent that the fair market value of the subscription rights you receive is allocable to our current and accumulated earnings and profits for the taxable year in which the subscription rights are distributed. We cannot determine prior to the consummation of the rights offering the extent to which we will have sufficient current and accumulated earnings and profits to cause any distribution to be treated as a dividend. Dividends received by corporate holders of our common stock are taxable at ordinary corporate tax rates subject to any applicable dividends-received deduction. Subject to the discussion of the additional Medicare tax below, dividends received by noncorporate holders of our common stock in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, are taxed at the holder’s capital gain tax rate (a maximum rate of 20%), provided that the holder meets applicable holding period and other requirements. Any distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of basis, and any further distributions in excess of your tax basis in our common stock will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of our common stock. Regardless of whether the distribution of subscription rights is treated as a dividend, as a tax-free return of basis or as gain from the sale or exchange of our common stock, your tax basis in the subscription rights you receive will be their fair market value.

 

If the receipt of subscription rights is taxable to you as described in the previous paragraph and you allow subscription rights received in the rights offering to expire, you will recognize a short-term capital loss equal to your tax basis in the expired subscription rights. Your ability to use any capital loss is subject to certain limitations. You will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exercise of the subscription rights, and the tax basis of the shares of our common stock acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will equal the sum of the subscription price for the shares and your tax basis in the subscription rights. The holding period for the shares of our common stock acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will begin on the date the subscription rights are exercised.

 

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U.S. holders who are individuals are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax (the “additional Medicare tax”) on their “net investment income” to the extent that their net investment income, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly or $125,000 if married and filing separately). Certain trusts and estates that are U.S. holders are also subject to the additional Medicare tax. “Net investment income” generally equals the taxpayer’s gross investment income reduced by the deductions that are allocable to such income. Investment income generally includes dividends and capital gains. The additional Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax.

 

Sale of Shares of Our Common Stock and Receipt of Distributions on Shares of Our Common Stock

 

You will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale of our common stock acquired through the exercise of subscription rights in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in our common stock. The capital gain or loss will be long-term if your holding period in the shares is more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by individuals are taxable at a maximum rate of 20%, although such gains may also be subject to the additional Medicare tax described above. Long-term capital gains recognized by corporations are taxable at ordinary corporate tax rates. If you have held your shares of our common stock for one year or less, your capital gain or loss will be short-term. Short-term capital gains are taxed at a maximum rate equal to the maximum rate applicable to ordinary income. Your ability to use any capital loss is subject to certain limitations.

 

Distributions, if any, on shares of our common stock acquired through the exercise of subscription rights will be taxable to you as a dividend to the extent that the cash and fair market value of property is allocable to our current and accumulated earnings and profits for the taxable year in which the distribution is made. Dividends received by corporate holders of our common stock are taxable at ordinary corporate tax rates subject to any applicable dividends-received deduction. Dividends received by noncorporate holders of our common stock in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, are taxed at the holder’s capital gain tax rate (a maximum rate of 20%), provided that the holder meets applicable holding period and other requirements, plus, in some cases, the additional Medicare tax discussed above. Any distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of basis, and any further distributions in excess of your tax basis in our common stock will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. Your tax basis in any property you receive as a distribution on shares of our common stock will be the property’s fair market value (regardless of whether the distribution is treated as a dividend, as a tax-free return of basis or as gain from the sale or exchange of our common stock).

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

You may be subject to information reporting and/or backup withholding with respect to dividend payments on or the gross proceeds from the disposition of our common stock acquired through the exercise of subscription rights. Backup withholding may apply under certain circumstances if you (1) fail to furnish your social security or other taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), (2) furnish an incorrect TIN, (3) fail to report interest or dividends properly, or (4) fail to provide a certified statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the TIN provided is correct, that you are not subject to backup withholding, that you are a U.S. citizen (or other U.S. person), and that the FATCA code(s) entered on the statement (if any) is correct. Any amount withheld from a payment under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against (and may entitle you to a refund with respect to) your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Certain persons are exempt from backup withholding, including corporations and financial institutions. For additional information regarding the backup withholding requirements with respect to any payments relating to common stock acquired through the exercise of subscription rights, see “Form of Notice of Important Tax Information” in the exhibits attached to this prospectus. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to your qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption.

 

Tax Consequences to the Company

 

As of December 31, 2013, we had NOL carryforwards of approximately $[●] million for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An ownership change generally occurs and produces an annual limitation on the utilization of our pre-ownership change NOLs and certain other tax assets if the aggregate stock ownership of holders of at least 5% of our stock increases by more than 50 percentage points over the preceding three-year period. The amount of annual limitation generally is equal to the value of our stock immediately prior to the ownership change multiplied by the adjusted federal long-term tax-exempt rate. The purchase of shares of our common stock pursuant to the rights offering may trigger an ownership change with respect to our stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Assuming full participation in the rights offering, we estimate that the net proceeds from the rights offering will be approximately $[●] after deducting expenses related to this offering payable by us estimated at approximately $[●], including dealer-manager fees.

 

Repayment of Debt Obligations

 

We will allocate up to $3,000,000 of the proceeds of this offering to repayment of past-due accounts payable and up to $3,500,000 to repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness owed PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (specifically the Company’s term loans, and a portion of the Company’s capital expansion loan).

 

Other Uses

 

The remainder of the proceeds will be used for sales and marketing expenditures and for general working capital purposes.

 

We will retain broad discretion of the use of proceeds reserved for working capital. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of such proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for the company.

 

If we fail to raise capital by the end of December 2017, we would expect to have to significantly decrease our growth plans and operating expenses, which will curtail the progress of our business.

 

The table below sets forth the breakdown of the use of proceeds from the rights offering, in order of priority and assuming full participation in the rights offering:

 

Repayment of past due accounts payable   $ 3,200,000  
Repayment of PMC Financial Services Group, LLC Obligations   $ 3,500,000  
Sales and Marketing   $ 5,000,000  
Repayment of Officer advances   $ 300,000  
TOTAL   $ 12,000,000  

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Promptly after the record date for the rights offering, we will distribute the subscription rights and subscription documents to stockholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on [●] , 2017. If you wish to exercise your subscription rights, you should follow the instructions in the subscription documents sent to you and also available from the information agent. If you are unable to do so, you may call the information agent for assistance. See “The Rights Offering—Method of Exercising Subscription Rights”. If you have any questions, you should contact Okapi Partners LLC at (212) 297-0720 or (888) 785-6617 (toll free) or info@okapipartners.com. If this offering is not fully subscribed by the holders of our common stock, the backstop providers will purchase up to $6.0 million of shares of common stock pursuant to the Backstop Commitment.

 

We have retained [●] to act as the dealer-manager for this rights offering. The dealer-manager will facilitate meetings with holders of our common stock. The dealer manager will not underwrite this offering or place any securities and has no obligation to purchase, or procure purchases of, the rights or the shares of our common stock offered hereby, or otherwise act in any capacity whatsoever as an underwriter. This rights offering is not contingent upon any number of subscription rights being exercised. The dealer-manager does not make any recommendation with respect to such rights, including with respect to the exercise of such rights.

 

W e are obligated to pay the dealer manager [●] as compensation and to reimburse the dealer manager for all reasonable expenses incurred by the dealer manager including fees relating to state securities law compliance. We have agreed to indemnify the dealer-manager for, or contribute to losses arising out of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws. The dealer-manager will not be subject to any liability to us in rendering the services contemplated by the dealer-manager agreement except from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The dealer-manager and its affiliates may provide to us from time to time in the future in the ordinary course of its business certain financial advisory, investment banking and other services for which it will be entitled to receive customary fees.

 

Other than the dealer manager, we have not employed any brokers, dealers or underwriters in connection with the solicitation of exercise of rights, and, except as described herein, no other commissions, fees or discounts will be paid in connection with this offering.

 

The dealer manager has not prepared any report or opinion constituting a recommendation or advice to us or to our stockholders in connection with this offering, nor has the dealer manager prepared an opinion as to the fairness of the subscription price or the terms of this offering. The dealer manager expresses no opinion and makes no recommendation to the holders of our common stock as to the purchase by any person of any shares of our common stock. The dealer manager also expresses no opinion as to the prices at which shares to be distributed in connection with this offering may trade if and when they are issued or at any future time.

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is acting as the subscription agent and Okapi Partners LLC is acting as the information agent for this offering. We will pay all customary fees and expenses of the subscription agent and the information agent related to this rights offering. We also have agreed to indemnify each of the subscription agent and the information agent with respect to certain liabilities that it may incur in connection with this offering. Our officers and directors may solicit responses from the holders of rights in connection with this offering, but such officers and directors will not receive any commissions or compensation for such services other than their normal compensation.

 

The dealer manager and its affiliates have from time to time provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, financial advisory and other services for us and our affiliates.

 

The information on the dealer-manager’s websites and any information contained in any other websites maintained by the dealer-manager is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the dealer-manager, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

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No person has been authorized by our company to engage in any form of price stabilization in connection with this rights offering.

 

Except for the Backstop Agreement or as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, we have not agreed to enter into any standby or other arrangements to purchase or sell any rights or any underlying shares of our common stock.

 

We expect one or more of our directors and executive officers to purchase shares in the rights offering at the public offering price solely through their exercise of subscription rights, although none have any commitment to do so.]

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are not party to any lawsuits or legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in management’s opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial position, and have no knowledge of any threatened or potential lawsuits or legal proceedings against us. From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of operations in the ordinary course of business.

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following is a summary of the material terms of our common stock. This summary does not purport to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.

 

We are authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value. Holders of common stock are each entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to shareholders. Cumulative voting is not allowed; the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock may elect all directors. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board out of funds legally available and, in the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment of liabilities. Our directors are not obligated to declare a dividend. It is not anticipated that dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to any additional shares we may issue in the future. There are no conversion, redemption, sinking fund or similar provisions regarding the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. Subject to certain exceptions, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder unless:

 

  prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
     
  upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
     
  on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

For purposes of Section 203, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder, and an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the date of determination whether the person is an “Interested Stockholder” did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

In addition, our authorized but unissued shares of common stock are available for our board to issue without stockholder approval. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans The existence of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other transaction. Our authorized but unissued shares may be used to delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. The board of directors is also authorized to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws, which could delay, defer or prevent a change in control.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

The Subscription Rights

 

We are distributing to the record holders of our common stock as of the record date non-transferable subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock. The subscription price per common share is $[●]. The closing sales price of our common stock on [●], 2017, was $[●]. The subscription rights will entitle the holders of our common stock to purchase an aggregate of [●] shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price up to approximately $12 million.

 

Each holder of record of our common stock will receive one subscription right for each share of our common stock owned by such holder at the as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the record date. Each subscription right will entitle the holder to a basic subscription privilege and an over-subscription privilege.

 

Rights holders may not know the subscription price at the time of exercise and will be required initially to pay for both the common shares subscribed for pursuant to the basic subscription and, if eligible, any additional common shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, at the estimated subscription price of $[●] per common share and, except in limited circumstances, will not be able to rescind their subscription.

 

Basic Subscription Privilege

 

With your basic subscription privilege, you may purchase one share of our common stock per subscription right, upon delivery of the required documents and payment of the subscription, prior to the expiration of the rights offering. You may exercise all or a portion of your basic subscription privilege. However, if you exercise less than your full basic subscription privilege, you will not be entitled to purchase shares pursuant to your over-subscription privilege. If an insufficient number of shares is available to fully satisfy all basic subscription privilege requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those who properly exercised basic subscription rights based on the number of rights distributed to each rights holder .

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Over-Subscription Privilege

 

If you fully exercise your basic subscription privilege and other stockholders do not fully exercise their basic subscription privileges, you may also exercise an over-subscription right to purchase additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed at the expiration of the rights offering, subject to the availability and pro rata allocation of shares among stockholders exercising this over-subscription right. To the extent the number of the unsubscribed shares are not sufficient to satisfy all of the properly exercised over-subscription rights requests, then the available shares will be prorated among those stockholders who properly exercised over-subscription rights based on the number of rights originally distributed to each rights holder by the Company. If this pro rata allocation results in any stockholder receiving a greater number of shares of common stock than the stockholder subscribed for pursuant to the exercise of the over-subscription privilege, then such stockholder will be allocated only that number of shares for which the stockholder oversubscribed, and the remaining shares of common stock will be allocated among all other stockholders exercising the over-subscription privilege on the same pro rata basis described above. The proration process will be repeated until all shares of common stock have been allocated or all over-subscription exercises have been fulfilled, whichever occurs earlier.

 

In order to properly exercise your over-subscription privilege, you must deliver the subscription payment related to your over-subscription privilege prior to the expiration of the rights offering. Because we will not know the total number of unsubscribed shares prior to the expiration of the rights offering, if you wish to maximize the number of shares you purchase pursuant to your over-subscription privilege, you will need to deliver payment in an amount equal to the aggregate subscription price for the maximum number of shares of our common stock available to you, assuming that no stockholder other than you has purchased any shares of our common stock pursuant to their basic subscription privilege and over-subscription privilege.

 

We can provide no assurances that you will actually be entitled to purchase the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of your over-subscription privilege in full at the expiration of the rights offering. We will not be able to satisfy your exercise of the over-subscription privilege if all of our stockholders exercise their basic subscription privileges in full, and we will only honor an over-subscription privilege to the extent sufficient shares of our common stock are available following the exercise of subscription rights under the basic subscription privileges.

 

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  To the extent the aggregate subscription price of the maximum number of unsubscribed shares available to you pursuant to the over-subscription privilege is less than the amount you actually paid in connection with the exercise of the over-subscription privilege, you will be allocated only the number of unsubscribed shares available to you, and any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.
     
  To the extent the stockholders properly exercise their over-subscription privileges for an aggregate amount of shares that is less than the number of the unsubscribed shares, you will be allocated the number of unsubscribed shares for which you actually paid in connection with the over-subscription privilege.

 

Any excess subscription payments received by the subscription agent will be returned, without interest, as soon as practicable.

 

Delivery of Shares

 

Certificates (physical, electronic or book entry form) representing shares of our common stock purchased will be delivered as soon as practicable after expiration of the rights offering.

 

Limitation on Exercise of Basic Subscription Privilege and Over-Subscription Privilege

 

In the event that the exercise by a stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege could, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, potentially result in a limitation on the Company’s ability to use net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, which we refer to as the “Tax Attributes,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code”, and rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may, but is under no obligation to, reduce the exercise by such stockholder of the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege to such number of shares of common stock as the Company in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order to preserve the Company’s ability to use the Tax Attributes.

 

Distribution Arrangements

 

[●], which is a broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, will act as dealer-manager for this offering. The principal business address of the dealer-manager is [●]. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a dealer-manager agreement, the dealer-manager will provide marketing services in connection with this offering and will solicit the exercise of rights and participation in the over-subscription right. This offering is not contingent upon any number of rights being exercised. [●] is not underwriting or placing any of the rights or the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering and does not make any recommendation with respect to such rights or shares (including with respect to the exercise of such rights).

 

Pursuant to the dealer-manager agreement, we are obligated to pay to [●] as compensation a cash fee of up to [●]% of the gross proceeds of this offering and to indemnify the dealer-manager for, or contribute to losses arising out of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The dealer-manager agreement also provides that the dealer-manager will not be subject to any liability to us in rendering the services contemplated by the dealer-manager agreement except for any act of bad faith or gross negligence of the dealer-manager. Source and its affiliates may provide to us from time to time in the future in the ordinary course of their business certain financial advisory, investment banking and other services for which they will be entitled to receive fees.

 

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DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS, CONTROL PERSONS

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our current directors and executive officers:

 

Name   Position   Age
Valentin Stalowir   Director, Chief Executive Officer   54
Christopher J. Reed   Director, Chief Innovation Officer   59
Daniel V. Miles   Chief Financial Officer   62
Neal Cohane   Senior Vice President of Sales   58
John Bello   Chairman of the Board   71
Stefan Freeman   Chief Operating Officer   56
Lewis Jaffe   Director   60
Charles Cargile   Director   52
Scott R. Grossman   Director   39

James Bass

  Director   64

 

Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers

 

Valentin Stalowir was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s on June 28, 2017. Also on June 28, 2017, the board of directors of Reed’s also expanded the board to six seats and appointed Mr. Stalowir to serve as a director, filling the newly created vacancy. Since November 2016, Mr. Stalowir has served as an independent food and beverage investment consultant working with varied consumer focused private equity groups. Prior, from April 2015 to November 2016, Mr. Stalowir served as Chief Executive Officer of privately held International Harvest, Inc., a leading supplier of certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO, vegan and raw superfoods. In 2011, Mr. Stalowir founded Global Restaurant Group, LLC (GRG) in Kyiv, Ukraine, a privately held, international quick serve restaurant operator and platform that is now YUM! Brands’ lead KFC franchisee in Ukraine. Mr. Stalowir served as Chief Executive Officer of GRG until September 2014, when, due to political and economic challenges in Ukraine, much of the investment activity in the country was suspended. GRG LLC continues to operate led by local management and recently announced the opening of an additional restaurant in the capital city of Kyiv. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Stalowir served as Executive Partner of APTA Capital, LLC, a US private equity firm providing growth equity investments and operational leadership to consumer branded companies. From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Stalowir was Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Brand Holdings, LLC, a private equity fund backed by Emigrant Savings Bank, where he co-founded the consumer practice and led the investment and growth strategies for five portfolio companies in the food and beverage sector. From 1999 to 2001, he served as President, North American division of Tomra Systems, ASA, a publically traded Norwegian company and the global leader for beverage container return and processing systems and reverse vending machines. Prior, Mr. Stalowir served in marketing and general management positions with the Coca-Cola Company and the Quaker Oats Company.

 

Mr. Stalowir earned his MBA in Marketing and Finance with Distinction from the University of Michigan in 1990 and received dual BA degrees in Economics and Art History from the College of William and Mary in 1985 .

 

Christopher J. Reed founded our company in 1987 and has served as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since our incorporation in 1991 through April 19, 2017. Currently he serves as Chief Innovation Officer and director. Mr. Reed became interested in natural foods, yoga and meditation in 1977. He studied herbal systems of medicine from India and China and became enamored with ginger for its health properties. In 1987, Mr. Reed founded Reed’s Inc. and set out to bring ginger to the world through a natural ginger ale brewed directly from fresh ginger root. From the inception of the company, Mr. Reed has been responsible for developing the original product recipes, proprietary brewing processes, packaging designs and marketing concepts behind our Reed’s product lines. These include Reed’s Ginger Brews, Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha line, Reed’s Natural Energy Elixir and Reed’s Ginger Candies. In 2000 Reed’s acquired Virgil’s Root Beer, which Mr. Reed expanded by adding a Virgil’s Cream Soda line, Real Cola, Dr. Better and a line of Virgil’s stevia sweetened “Zero” beverages.

 

Prior to starting Reed’s Inc., Mr. Reed was a chemical engineer working in gas purification and liquefaction with a specialty in designing liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Mr. Reed received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1980 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

 

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Daniel V. Miles was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Reed’s on May 12, 2015. He is a licensed CPA in the State of California. His career began with Ernst & Young and progressed through financial managerial roles within the beverage industry and other local business enterprises. Mr. Miles managed the financial sector for Coors’ largest distributor that grew 250% in 8 years via acquisitions of companies, brands and organic growth. Mr. Miles worked at the Pepsi Bottling Group in corporate finance and field operations in various capacities. Recently Mr. Miles held the position of interim Chief Financial Officer for the Port of Long Beach and the Central Basin Municipal Water District where he led the production of both the annual budget and the reporting of the results of those enterprises. Mr. Miles earned his Bachelor of Science degrees at the University of San Francisco in Biology, California State University Long Beach in Accounting and a Master’s Degree from University of Southern California in taxation.

 

Stefan Freeman is our operations expert and has served as Chief Operating Officer of Reed’s since June 28, 2017. He served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s from April 19, 2017 through June 28, 2017. He has served as director of Reed’s from November 29, 2016 through September 29, 2017. Mr. Freeman is a strategic and performance focused executive with more than 25 years in sales operations, manufacturing and supply chain operations in beverages and consumer products. Mr. Freeman has worked for the three largest soda companies in the world and was promoted within each company. From 2011 through 2014, Mr. Freeman was the Regional Vice President of Manufacturing for Coca-Cola Refreshments, managing eight manufacturing plants located throughout Southern California, Arizona and Hawaii. These plants produced 231 million cases with revenues in excess of $500 million annually. In 2014 Mr. Freeman was promoted from within Coca-Cola Refreshments to Vice President of Fleet Operations in Atlanta, Georgia where he managed one of the five largest fleet operations in North America through April 2016. Prior to working for Coca-Cola, Mr. Freeman was Director of Supply Chain for Dean Foods’ Pacific Coast Group, managing nine production facilities with responsibility for a $155 million annual operating budget. Other prior positions include Director of Sales Operations for Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Supply Chain Manager and Plant Manager for Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group.

 

Mr. Freeman hold a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering from Tuskegee University and is an active member of the Cisco Systems Global Manufacturing Advisory Board.

 

Neal Cohane, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing has served as Reed’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since March 2008 and previously Vice President of Sales since August 2007. From March 2001 until August 2007, Mr. Cohane served in various senior-level sales and executive positions for PepsiCo, most recently as Senior National Accounts Manager, Eastern Division. In this capacity, Mr. Cohane was responsible for all business development and sales activities within the Eastern Division. From March 2001 until November 2002, Mr. Cohane served as Business Development Manager, Non-Carbonated Division within PepsiCo where he was responsible for leading the non-carbonated category build-out across the Northeast Territory. From 1998 to March 2001, Mr. Cohane spent three years at South Beach Beverage Company, most recently as Vice President of Sales, Eastern Region. From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Cohane spent approximately twelve years at Coca-Cola of New York where he held various senior-level sales and managerial positions, most recently as General Manager New York. Mr. Cohane holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.

 

John Bello and has served as Reed’s Board Chairman since his election on November 29, 2016. He is a sales and marketing expert. Since 2001, Mr. Bello has been the Managing Director of JoNa Ventures, a family venture fund. From 2004 to 2012 Mr. Bello also served as Principal and General Partner at Sherbrooke Capital, a venture capital group dedicated to investing in leading, early stage health and wellness companies. Mr. Bello is the founder and former CEO of South Beach Beverage Company, the maker of nutritionally enhanced teas and juices marketed under the brand name SoBe. The company was sold to PepsiCo in 2001 for $370 million. In the same year Ernst and Young named Mr. Bello National Entrepreneur of the Year in the consumer products category for his work with SoBe. Before founding SoBe, Bello spent 14 years at National Football League Properties, the marketing arm of the NFL, and served as its President from 1986 to 1993.

 

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Prior to working for the NFL, Mr. Bello served in marketing and strategic planning capacities at the Pepsi Cola Division of Pepsico Inc. and in product management roles for General Foods Corporation in the Sanka and Maxwell House brands. Mr. Bello has also worked with IZZE and Firefighter brands in brand building, marketing and strategic planning capacities.

 

Mr. Bello earned his BA from Tufts University, cum laude, and received his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College as an Edward Tuck Scholar. Mr. Bello is extensively involved in non-profit work and currently serves as a Tufts University Trustee and advisory board member (athletics). Additionally, he serves on the boards of: the Gordon Entrepreneurial Center at Tufts, the Tuck Center for Private Equity, the YMCA in Rye, New York and the New York Council Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Bello also serves on the board of Boathouse Sports and is executive director of Luminesce Eye Therapies.

 

Lewis Jaffe is our Board’s governance expert and has served as director of Reed’s since his appointment on October 19, 2016. Since August 2014, Mr. Jaffe has been teaching as an Executive-in-Residence and Clinical Faculty at the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship, Loyola Marymount University. Since January 2010 Mr. Jaffe has served as Chairman of the Board for FitLife Brands Inc (FTLF:OTCBB) and serves on its audit, compensation and governance committees. Since 2006 he has served on the Board of Directors of York Telecom, a private equity owned company, and serves on its compensation and governance committees. From 2006 to 2008 Mr. Jaffe was Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Oxford Media, Inc. Mr. Jaffe has also served in executive management positions with Verso Technologies, Inc., Wireone Technologies, Inc., Picturetel Corporation, and he was also previously a Managing Director of Arthur Andersen. Mr. Jaffe was the co-founder of MovieMe Network. Mr. Jaffe also served on the Board of Directors of Benihana, Inc. as its lead independent director from 2004 to 2012.

 

Mr. Jaffe is a graduate of the Stanford Business School Executive Program, holds a Bachelor of Science from LaSalle University and holds a Masters Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors, a public company director education and credentialing program.

 

Charles F. Cargile Charles F. Cargile has served as director of Reed’s since his election on November 29, 2016. Mr. Cargile has a distinguished career as an executive and board member in publicly traded companies. Mr. Cargile is currently the Chief Executive officer and member of the board of directors of Sunworks, a leading provider of solar power solutions. Prior to Sunworks, Mr. Cargile was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Newport Corporation from 2000 to 2016. Mr. Cargile is also the lead independent director of Netlist and on the board of directors of Photon Control. Sunworks, Newport and Netlist are all listed on NASDAQ. Photon Control is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada.

 

Mr. Cargile holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Mr. Cargile has his Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

 

Scott R. Grossman  was elected to our board on September 29, 2017. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Vindico Capital, a value-oriented investment firm focused on small-to-medium sized public companies undergoing change which he founded in April 2017. Prior to launching Vindico, Mr. Grossman spent over eleven years at Magnetar Capital, a multi-strategy alternative asset manager with approximately $14BN AUM, where he most recently served as Senior Portfolio Manager within equities from 2014-2017. Prior to this role, Mr. Grossman served as Portfolio Manager within Magnetar's Event Driven business (2009-2013); Portfolio Manager of Special Situations (2007-2009); and he first joined its Fundamental Credit business in 2006. Before Magnetar, Mr. Grossman was an associate at Soros Private Equity Partners, a $3.0 billion private equity business within Soros Fund Management focused on middle-market buyouts and late-stage growth investments across various industries. He started his career at Merrill Lynch in its Financials Sponsors Group within its investment banking division. Mr. Grossman is also a non-operating partner and current Board Member of Zeitguide, a privately-held research advisory business that educates leading executives and their teams on the transformational forces impacting culture and global businesses.

 

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Mr. Grossman received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA from Columbia University where he graduated magna cum laude majoring in Economics.

 

James Bass  was elected to our board on September 29, 2017. He is a seasoned Senior Level Financial Executive with diversified management experience in the consumer products, high technology and entertainment industries. From 1996 to July, 2017 Mr. Bass served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Sony Interactive Entertainment America, LLC in San Mateo, CA. Over his years at Sony, Mr. Bass became responsible for all financial operations and business performance, including information technology and facility management. Mr. Bass possesses a strong understanding of the retail sales environment and regulatory processes and has focused productively at Sony on inventory control and receivables management. Prior to his current tenure at Sony in San Mateo, Mr. Bass was Vice President of Finance for Sony in New York, New York. There he focused on winding down non-profitable ventures, building in-roads for future growth and identifying “back office” requirements of the worldwide division. Mr. Bass worked as controller for Wang Laboratories from 1991-1993. From 1977-1990, Mr. Bass worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company holding positions in finance and management in New York as well as Lisbon, Portugal and Bangkok, Thailand.

  

Mr. Bass has his BBA in Accounting and Financial Management from Pace University and was awarded his CPA certification in New York in 1977.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

To the best of our knowledge, none of our executive officers or directors are parties to any material proceedings adverse to Reed’s, have any material interest adverse to Reed’s or have, during the past ten years been subject to legal or regulatory proceedings required to be disclosed hereunder.

 

Employment Agreements

 

We entered into an at-will employment agreement with Valentin Stalowir to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s, effective as of June 28, 2017 and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or Mr. Stalowir with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Stalowir receives a base salary at the initial rate of $300,000 per year, automatically increasing by $25,000 per year on each anniversary of the effective date until the base salary has reached $350,000. Mr. Stalowir will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants equal to 4% of Reed’s outstanding common stock, on a fully diluted basis calculated as of the effective date of the agreement, to be granted from the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan. Mr. Stalowir is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

On October 4, 2017, we entered into an at-will employment agreement with Stefan Freeman for his service as the Chief Operating Officer of Reed’s, effective immediately and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or the executive officer with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Freeman receives a base salary at the initial rate of $225,000 per year, subject to annual review for increase. Mr. Freeman will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants to be granted from the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, recently approved by the Company’s shareholders. Mr. Freeman is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

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Corporate Governance

 

We are committed to having sound corporate governance principles. We believe that such principles are essential to running our business efficiently and to maintaining our integrity in the marketplace. There have been no changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.

 

Director Qualifications

 

We believe that our directors should have the highest professional and personal ethics and values, consistent with our longstanding values and standards. They should have broad experience at the policy-making level in business or banking. They should be committed to enhancing stockholder value and should have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide insight and practical wisdom based on experience. Their service on other boards of public companies should be limited to a number that permits them, given their individual circumstances, to perform responsibly all director duties for us. Each director must represent the interests of all stockholders. When considering potential director candidates, the board of directors also considers the candidate’s character, judgment, diversity, age and skills, including financial literacy and experience in the context of our needs and the needs of the board of directors.

 

Director Independence

 

The board of directors has determined that five members of our board of directors, Mr. Bello, Mr. Cargile, Mr. Jaffe, Mr. Grossman and Mr. Bass, do not have relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these nominees is an “independent director” as defined under Section 803 of the of the NYSE American Company Guide.

 

Code of Ethics

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers, including the Chief Financial Officer, are bound by a Code of Ethics that complies with Item 406 of Regulation S-B of the Exchange Act. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.reedsinc.com.

 

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Board Structure and Committee Composition

 

As of the date hereof, our board of directors has seven directors and the following three standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance Committee and two non-mandated committees: Operations Committee and Shareholder Committee. The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Governance Committee were formed in January 2007. The Operations and Shareholder Committee were formed in 2017.

 

Board Determination of Independence

 

Under applicable NYSE American rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of the Board, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board has determined that John Bello, Lewis Jaffe James Bass, Scott R. Grossman and Charles Cargile do not have relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under the listing standards of the NYSE American. We intend to maintain at least three independent directors on our Board at all times in the future. We intend to maintain independent directors constituting our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Governance Committee as well.

 

Committees

 

The Board has established Audit, Compensation, Governance, Operations and Shareholder Committees. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these four committees and has in process the development of the charter for the Shareholder that address the make-up and functioning of the Board. The Board has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers and employees. The committee charters and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are posted on our website at www.reedsinc.com .

 

Audit Committee . Our Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes, internal systems of accounting and financial controls, relationships with independent auditors and audits of financial statements. Specific responsibilities include the following:

 

  selecting, hiring and terminating our independent auditors;
     
  evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors;
     
  approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors;
     
  reviewing the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls and critical accounting policies;
     
  overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters;
     
  reviewing, with management and our independent auditors, any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding our results of operations; and
     
  preparing the audit committee report that the “SEC” requires in our annual proxy statement.

 

Our Audit Committee is comprised of James Bass, Scott Grossman, Lewis Jaffe and Charles Cargile. James Bass serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. We believe James Bass meets SEC requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, Section 407(b).

 

Compensation Committee . Our Compensation Committee assists our Board in determining and developing plans for the compensation of our officers, directors and employees. Our Compensation Committee is comprised of John Bello, Scott R. Grossman, Lewis Jaffe and James Bass. In affirmatively determining the independence of a director who will serve on the compensation committee, the Company’s Board considered all factors specifically relevant to whether the director has a relationship to the Company which is material to the director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a committee member, including, without limitation: (1) the source of compensation of the director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company; and (2) whether the director is affiliated with the Company, or an affiliate of the Company.

 

Specific responsibilities include the following:

 

  approving the compensation and benefits of our executive officers;
     
  reviewing the performance objectives and actual performance of our officers; and
     
  administering our stock option and other equity compensation plans.

 

Governance Committee . Our Governance Committee assists the Board by identifying and recommending individuals qualified to become members of our Board, reviewing correspondence from our stockholders, and establishing, evaluating and overseeing our corporate governance guidelines. Our Governance Committee is currently comprised of Lewis Jaffe, Scott R. Grossman and Charles Cargile.

 

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Specific responsibilities include the following:

 

 

 

evaluating the composition, size and governance of our board of directors and its committees and making recommendations regarding future planning and the appointment of directors to our committees;
     
  establishing a policy for considering stockholder nominees for election to our board of directors; and
     
  evaluating and recommending candidates for election to our board of directors.

 

Operations Committee. Our Operations Committee is a non-mandated committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for matters relating to the Company’s operations, particularly those aspects, which are most likely to affect stockholder value. Our Operations Committee is currently comprised of John Bello, Valentin Stalowir, Lewis Jaffe, James Bass and Christopher Reed. In furtherance of this purpose, the Operations Committee has the following general oversight responsibilities:

 

Specific responsibilities include the following:

 

  reviewing and providing strategic advice and counsel to the Company regarding the business operations; and
     
  presenting to the Board an independent assessment of the Company’s business operations as it relates to strategic initiatives.

 

Shareholder Committee. Our Shareholder Committee is an advisory committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for matters relating to maximizing Shareholder value and to communicating such activity to all shareholders. Our Shareholder Committee is currently comprised of Scott Grossman, Valentin Stalowir, Jim Bass and Christopher Reed. In furtherance of this purpose, the Shareholder Committee is developing a charter enumerating the following general oversight responsibilities:

 

Specific responsibilities include the following:

 

  regularly communicating to shareholders the impact on significant corporate actions; and
     
  presenting to the Board an assessment of the Company’s opportunities as it relates to driving shareholder return.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) requires our directors and executive officers and beneficial holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our equity securities.

 

To our knowledge, based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to Reed’s under 17 CFR 240.16a-3(e) during our most recent fiscal year and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to Reed’s with respect to our most recent fiscal year or written representations from the reporting persons, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2016 our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our shares of common stock beneficially owned as of October 16, 2017 for (i) each shareholder known to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each named executive officer and director, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. A person is considered to beneficially own any shares: (i) over which such person, directly or indirectly, exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (ii) of which such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days through an exercise of stock options or warrants or otherwise. Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the shares shown in the table for our directors and executive officers is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or shared by the owner and the owner’s spouse or children.

 

For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of common stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 4, 2017. As of October 4, 2017, the Company had 15,164,311 shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 4, 2017 is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership.

 

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The following table reflects, as of October 4, 2017, the beneficial common stock ownership of: (a) each of our directors, (b) each of our current named executive officers, (c) each person known by us to be a beneficial holder of 5% or more of our common stock, and (d) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

 

Except as otherwise indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each listed executive officer and director is 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061.

 

Named Beneficial Owner   Number of Shares   Percentage of Shares
Directors and Named Executive Officers     Beneficially Owned       Beneficially Owned (1)  
Valentin Stalowir     0       0  
Christopher J. Reed (2)     2,515,890       16.6 %
John Bello     59,683       *  
Chuck Cargile     39,683       *  
Lewis Jaffe     39,683       *  
Daniel V. Miles     138,000       1.0 %
Stefan Freeman     30,000       *  
Neal Cohane     285,677       1.9 %
Directors and Named Executive Officers as a group (8 persons)     3,108,616       19.1 %
5% or greater stockholders                
Judy Holloway Reed (2)     2,515,890       16.6 %
Robert T. Reed, Jr. (3)     910,000       6.0 %
Raptor Harbor Reed’s SPV LLC (4)     2,610,000       15.4 %
Pearl Elias (5)     908,496       6.0 %
Robert Elias (5)     908,496       6.0 %
* Less than 1%.                

 

(1) Based on 15,164,311 shares outstanding as of August 18, 2017.

 

(2) Christopher J. Reed, director and Chief Innovation Officer, and Judy Holloway Reed, Secretary of the Company, our husband and wife and share beneficial own these shares. Christopher is Named Executive Officer; Judy Holloway Reed is not a Named Executive Officer,

 

(3) Principal address is 39950 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592. Mr. Robert Reed, as Trustee of the Reed Family Irrevocable Trusts 1 and 2, exercises voting and dispositive control over 800,000 shares held by the trusts and is deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the trusts. Mr. Robert Reed also owns, individually, 110,000 shares of common stock.

 

(4) Principal address is 280 Congress Street, 12 th  Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Principal address is 280 Congress Street, 12th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. James Pallotta and Daniel Doherty have discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares of common stock held by Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC and may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of these shares. Includes 60,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a currently exercisable warrant and an additional 650,000 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant that becomes exercisable on October 21, 2017. Also includes 1,133,333 shares issuable, on or after October 18, 2017, upon conversion of Convertible Non-Redeemable Secured Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $3,400,000.

 

(5) Principal address is P.O. Box 340, Merion Station, PA 19066. Pearl Elias and Robert Elias are husband and wife. Includes 606,996 shares of common stock owned by Malta Street Partners, LP (“Malta”). Malta is a limited partnership, and Elias Family Management Company LLC (“EFMC”) is its sole general partner. Pearl Elias and Robert Elias are the sole managers of EFMC and, in that capacity, have the right to act on behalf of EFMC and on behalf of Malta. As such, Pearl Elias and Robert Elias may be deemed to share the voting and dispositive power over the 606,996 shares. The Elias Family Charitable Trust (the “Trust”) is the beneficial owner of the 301,500 shares of common. Gabriel Elias and Alma Elias are the trustees of the Trust, and, in that capacity, share the voting and dispositive control over the shares held by the Trust. However, pursuant to certain powers of attorney agreements, Pearl Elias and Robert Elias may act on behalf of each of Gabriel Elias and Alma Elias. As such, Pearl Elias and Robert Elias may be also be deemed to share the voting and dispositive power over the 301,500 shares.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Libertas Law Group, Inc., Santa Monica, California. We have filed a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included.

 

EXPERTS

 

Certain matters regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the rights offering have been passed upon for us by Libertas Law Group, Inc., Santa Ana, California. We have filed a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included.

 

The financial statements of Reeds, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 appearing in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by Weinberg & Company, PA, an independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the periods indicated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon such report and upon authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION
FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In addition, indemnification may be limited by state securities laws.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Background

 

We currently develop, manufacture, market and sell natural non-alcoholic carbonated soft drinks, and candies. In the past we have manufactured, licensed, marketed and sold several unique product lines that have included:

 

Reed’s Ginger Brews,
   
Virgil’s Root Beer, Cream Sodas, Dr. Better and Real Cola, including ZERO diet sodas,
   
Culture Club Kombucha,
   
Reed’s Ginger candy and other Reed’s labeled products,
   
Sonoma Sparkler and other juice based products under the California Juice Company label.
   
We also have a private label business.

 

We sell our products throughout the US and in select international markets. We started in specialty gourmet and natural food stores and have moved more into mainstream over time. We estimate that our products are sold in well over 22,000 natural, conventional, drug, club and mass merchandise accounts in the US, with approximately 10,000 of those being mainstream supermarkets. We sell our products through a network of natural, gourmet and beer distributors and direct to certain large national retailers.

 

We produce and co-pack our beverage products in part at our facility in Los Angeles, California, known as the LA Plant and in the past “The Brewery”. We also have also contracted at co-packing facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Future use of the LA Plant and all co-packers is under review. The co-pack facilities typically service the eastern half of the United States and nationally for certain products that we do not produce at the LA Plant.

 

Key elements of our business strategy include:

 

increase our relationship with and sales to the approximately 15,000 supermarkets that carry our products in natural and mainstream and capture more of the 30,000 supermarkets nationwide,
expand our distribution network by adding regional direct store delivery (DSD’s) and additional direct accounts,
focus on consumer demand and awareness for our core existing brands and products through promotions and advertising,
produce our products at the lowest cost locations while maintaining quality,
produce  private-label products for select customers under strategic alliances,
lower our cost of sales for our products by gaining economies of scale in our purchasing, and
optimize the size and focus of our sales force to manage our relationships with distributors and retail outlets.

 

We create consumer demand for our products by:

 

supporting in-store sampling programs of our products,
generating free press through public relations,
advertising in store publications,
maintaining a company website (www.reedsinc.com),
active social media campaigns on facebook.com, twitter.com and youtube.com,
participating in large public events as sponsors, and
in the recent past deployed a national television commercial on cable television networks.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061. Our telephone number is (310) 217-9400. Our corporate website is www.reedsinc.com. Information contained on our website or that is accessible through our website should not be considered to be part of this prospectus. Our transfer agent is Transfer Online, Inc., telephone (503) 227-2950.

 

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Historical Development

 

Reed’s Original Ginger Brew created in 1987 by Christopher J. Reed, our founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and current Chief Innovation Officer was introduced to the market in Southern California stores in 1989. By 1990, we began marketing our products through United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and other natural food distributors and moved our production to a larger facility in Boulder, Colorado.

 

In 1991, we incorporated our business operations in the state of Florida under the name of Original Beverage Corporation and moved all production to a co-pack facility in Pennsylvania. Throughout the 1990’s, we continued to develop and launch new Ginger Brew varieties. Reed’s Ginger Brews reached broad placement in natural and gourmet foods stores nationwide through UNFI and other major specialty, natural/gourmet and mainstream food and beverage distributors.

 

In 1997, we began licensing the products of China Cola and eventually acquired the rights to that product in 2000. In 1999, we purchased the Virgil’s Root Beer brand from the Crowley Beverage Company. In 2000, we moved into an 18,000-square foot warehouse property, the Brewery, in Los Angeles, California, to house our west coast production and warehouse facility. The Brewery also serves as our principal executive offices. In 2001, pursuant to a reincorporation merger, we changed our state of incorporation to Delaware and also changed our name to “Reed’s, Inc”.

 

On December 12, 2006, we completed the sale of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $4.00 per share in our initial public offering. The public offering resulted in gross proceeds of $8,000,000. Following the public offering, we expanded sales and operations dramatically, initially using a direct store delivery strategy in Southern California, along with other regional independent direct store distributors (DSD). The relationships with DSD’s were supported by our sales staff. In 2007 we raised a net of $7,600,000 in a private placement. We re-focused our sales strategy to eliminate company direct store delivery sales and to expand sales to DSD’s and natural food distributors on a national level. We also started selling directly to supermarket grocery stores, which has become a significant portion of our business today.

 

We continually introduce new products and line extensions, such as our California Juice Company products in 2009, Virgil’s diet line of ZERO beverages introduced in 2010 and Dr. Better and Light 55 Calories Extra Ginger Brew in 2011. We commenced offering private label products in 2010 and in 2012 we launched our Culture Club Kombucha line that has been expanded as sales have grown. In 2015 we launched Stronger Ginger Brew that contains 50% more fresh ginger than our best-selling Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew.

 

Industry Overview

 

We offer natural premium carbonated soft drinks (CSD), which are a growing segment of the estimated $10 billion CSD market nationwide. Within natural food store markets, we are among the top-selling natural soft drinks. This market is steady and growing. We also sell in major grocery chains nationally. The trend in grocery stores is to expand offerings of natural products and we have the scale and capability to develop these direct customer relationships.

 

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Our Products

 

We primarily manufacture and sell beverages and candies or other ginger related products. We make all of our products using premium all-natural ingredients and our beverage line is GMO free. our core brands are our Reed’s ginger brew line and our Virgil’s line of root beer and Our candy products that include Reed’s Crystallized Ginger Candy and Reed’s Chews represent a lesser portion of revenues. We have sold ginger ice cream in prior years.

 

Reed’s Ginger Brews

 

Ginger ale is the oldest known soft drink. Before modern soft drink technology existed, non-alcoholic beverages were brewed at home directly from herbs, roots, spices, and fruits. These handcrafted brews were highly prized for their taste and their tonic, health-giving properties. Reed’s Ginger Brews are a revival of this lost art of home brewing sodas. We make them with care and attention to wholesomeness and quality, using the finest fresh herbs, roots, spices, and fruits.

 

We believe that Reed’s Ginger Brews are unique in their kettle-brewed origin among all mass-marketed soft drinks. Reed’s Ginger Brews contain between 8 and 39 grams of fresh ginger in every 12-ounce bottle. We use pure cane sugar as the sweetener. Our products differ from commercial soft drinks in three particular characteristics: sweetening, carbonation and coloring for greater adult appeal. Instead of using injected-based carbonation, we produce our carbonation naturally, through slower, beer-oriented techniques. This process produces smaller, longer lasting bubbles that do not dissipate rapidly when the bottle is opened. We do not add coloring. The color of our products comes naturally from herbs, fruits, spices, roots and juices and our beverages are GMO free.

 

In addition, since Reed’s Ginger Brews are pasteurized, they do not require or contain any preservatives. In contrast, modern commercial soft drinks generally are produced using natural and artificial flavor concentrates prepared by flavor laboratories, tap water, and highly refined sweeteners. Typically, manufacturers make a centrally processed concentrate that will lend itself to a wide variety of situations, waters and filling systems. The final product is generally cold-filled and requires preservatives for stability. Colors are added that are either natural, although highly processed, or artificial.

 

Our Reed’s line contains the following products:

 

Reed’s Original Ginger Brew was our first creation and is a Jamaican recipe for homemade ginger ale using 17 grams of fresh ginger root, lemon, lime, honey, raw cane sugar, pineapple, herbs and spices. Reed’s Original Ginger Brew is 20% fruit juice.
   
Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew is sweetened only with honey and pineapple juice. Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew is 20% fruit juice and contains 17 grams of fresh ginger root.
   
Reed’s Raspberry Ginger Brew is brewed from 17 grams of fresh ginger root, raspberry juice and lime. Reed’s Raspberry Ginger Brew is 20% raspberry juice.
   
Reed’s Spiced Apple Brew uses 8 grams of fresh ginger root, the finest tart German apple juice and such apple pie spices as cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Reed’s Spiced Apple Brew is 50% apple juice.
   
Reed’s Light 55 Calories Extra Ginger Brew is a reduced calorie version of our top selling Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew that was made possible by using Stevia. We use the same recipe of 26 grams of fresh ginger root, honey, pineapple, lemon and lime juices and exotic spices.

 

Reeds Extra Ginger Brew is the same recipe as Original Ginger Brew, but has 26 grams of fresh ginger root for a stronger bite.

 

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Reeds Stronger Ginger Brew has 50% more ginger than the Extra Ginger Brew and has the highest ginger content of any of our beverage products.

 

Reed’s Natural Energy Elixir is an energy drink infused with all natural ingredients designed to provide consumers with a healthy and natural boost to energy levels

 

Virgil’s Root Beer

 

Virgil’s is a premium craft root beer. We use all-natural ingredients, including filtered water, unbleached cane sugar, anise from Spain, licorice from France, bourbon vanilla from Madagascar, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, clove from Indonesia, wintergreen from China, sweet birch and molasses from the southern United States, nutmeg from Indonesia, pimento berry oil from Jamaica, balsam oil from Peru and cassia oil from China. We collect these ingredients worldwide and gather them together at the brewing and bottling facilities. We combine these ingredients under strict specifications and finally heat-pasteurize Virgil’s Root Beer, to ensure quality. We sell Virgil’s Root Beer in three packaging styles: 12-ounce bottles in a four-pack, a special swing-lid style pint bottle and a 5-liter self-tapping party keg. The Virgil’s soda line is GMO free.

 

In addition to our Virgil’s Root Beer, we also offer the following products under our Virgil’s brand:

 

Virgil’s Cream Soda,
   
Virgil’s Orange Cream Soda,
   
Virgil’s Black Cherry Cream Soda,
   
Virgil’s Real Cola,
   
Virgil’s Dr. Better,
   
Virgil’s ZERO line, including Root Beer, Cream Soda, Real Cola, Dr. Better and Black Cherry Cream Soda. (Our ZERO line is naturally sweetened with Stevia), and

 

Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha

 

We introduced our Culture Club Kombucha in 2012. Kombucha is a fermented tea that dates its origin back thousands of years. Among consumers, Kombucha is believed to have healing and cleansing characteristics. Sweetened tea is introduced to a “starter” culture and lightly fermented to produce an acetic drink. We make the finest Kombucha possible, using a combination of Oolong and Yerba Mate teas, spring water and a combination of ginger, organic juices and flavors Initially, we produced four flavors, Goji Ginger, Hibiscus Ginger Grapefruit, Lemon Ginger Raspberry and Cranberry Ginger. We introduced four additional flavors in 2013, Pomegranate Ginger, Coconut Water Lime, Cabernet Grape, and Passion Mango Ginger. Currently the Company has limited distribution until market conditions and financial conditions present opportunities to re-introduce the brand back into the marketplace.

 

Other Beverage Brands

 

We have other popular brands that currently have limited distribution, including California Juice, Sonoma Sparkler and Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer. We are continually developing new brands and products.

 

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Private Label Products

 

We design and manufacture drinks for private label customers in multiple facilities. We are experts in flavor development and in matching existing products in the market. We develop the recipe and may design the label and/or the bottle style. We do not private label any of our own branded product recipes.

 

Our private label products have been variations of any of our offerings. We develop the sources for glass and ingredients. We have a variety of packaging options, including swing-lid bottles, foil capsules and various label types. Our Los Angeles facility is certified as SQF level 2 compliant.

 

New Product Development

 

We are always working on ideas and products to continue expanding our Reed’s Ginger Brews, Virgil’s product line, Reed’s Ginger Candy product lines and packaging styles. Current focus in our research is for reduced sugar offerings. Among the advantages of our self-operated Brewery are the flexibility to try innovative packaging and the capability to experiment with new product flavors at less cost to our operations or capital.

 

We have developed and are currently field testing an all-natural fountain offering. We expect the testing to be completed in 2017 and to begin distribution later in the year.

 

We have developed and are currently preparing a no sugar based beverage line. We expect retailer acceptance to be completed in 2017 and to begin distribution in 2018.

 

Our private label products require continual product development. We are able to be nimble and innovative, producing new products in a short amount of time. We expect private label initiatives to decrease in 2018 as the result of the focus on the core brands and new initiatives.

 

Manufacture of Our Products

 

We produce our carbonated beverages in multiple facilities:

 

a facility in Los Angeles, California, known as The Brewery, at which we currently produce Kombucha, certain soda products and our private label products, and
   
two packing, or co-pack facilities in Pennsylvania and an additional co-packer in Indiana which supplies us with product we do not produce at The Brewery. The co-packer assembles our products and charges us a fee, generally by the case, for the products they produce.

 

We follow a “fill as needed” manufacturing model to the best of our ability and we have no significant backlog of orders. Substantially all of the raw materials used in the preparation, bottling and packaging of our products are purchased by us or by our contract packers in accordance with our specifications. Reed’s Crystallized Ginger is made to our specifications in Fiji. Reed’s Ginger Candy Chews are made and packed to our specifications in Indonesia.

 

Generally, we obtain the ingredients used in our products from domestic suppliers and each ingredient has several reliable suppliers. We have no major supply contracts with any of our suppliers. As a general policy, we pick ingredients in the development of our products that have multiple suppliers and are common ingredients. This provides a level of protection against a major supply constriction or calamity.

 

We believe we will be able to keep up with increased production demands. The LA Plant (Brewery) upgrade has been put on hold as the Company explores different opportunities to redeploy capital. The redeployment decision will be based on long term needs and uses of capital that will compete with brand marketing efforts. To the extent that any significant increase in business requires us to supplement or substitute our current co-packers, we are developing a pre-qualification for all prospective co-packers, so that there would not be a significant delay or interruption in fulfilling orders and delivery of our products.

 

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Our Primary Markets

 

We target a niche in the estimated $100 billion carbonated and non-carbonated soft drink markets in the US, Canada and International markets. Our brands are generally regarded as premium and natural, with upscale packaging and are loosely defined as the artisanal (craft), premium bottled carbonated soft drink category.

 

The soft drink industry is highly fragmented and the craft soft drink category consists of such competitors as, Henry Weinhards, Thomas Kemper, Hansen’s, Izze, Boylan and Jones Soda, to name a few. These brands have the advantage of being seen widely in the national market and being commonly known for years through well-funded ad campaigns. Despite our products having a relatively high price for an artisanal premium beverage product, minimal mass media advertising and a relatively small but growing presence in the mainstream market compared to many of our competitors, we believe that results to date demonstrate that Reed’s Ginger Brews and Virgil’s sodas are making strong inroads and market share gains against some of the larger brands in the market.

 

We sell the majority of our products in the natural food store, mainstream supermarket chains and foodservice locations, primarily in the United States and, to a lesser degree, in Canada and Europe.

 

Natural Food Stores

 

Our primary and historical marketing and distribution source of our products has been natural food and gourmet stores throughout the US. These stores include Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Earth Fare, and New Seasons, just to name a few. Our brands are also sold in gourmet restaurants and delis nationwide. With the advent of large natural food store chains and specialty merchants, the natural foods segment continues to grow each year, helping fuel the continued growth of our brands.

 

Mainstream Supermarkets and Retailers

 

We also sell our products to direct store delivery distributors (DSD) who specialize in distributing and selling our products directly to mainstream retail channels, natural foods, and specialty retail stores. Our brands are further sold directly to some retailers who require that we sell directly to their distribution centers since they have developed their own logistics capabilities. Examples of chains that fall into the “direct” category are retailers such as, Costco, Trader Joe’s, some Whole Foods Market Regions and Kroger.

 

Supermarkets, particularly supermarket chains and prominent local/regional chains, often impose slotting fees in order to gain shelf presence within their stores. These fees can be structured to be paid one-time only or in installments. We utilize selective slotting in supermarket chains throughout the US and to a lesser degree, in Canada. However, our local and national sales team has been able to place our products without having to pay significant slotting fees. Slotting fees for new item placements on average have cost anywhere between $10 to $150 per store, per new item.

 

Food Service Placement

 

We also market our beverages to industrial cafeterias (corporate feeders), and to on premise bars and restaurants. As our business continues to mature, we intend to place our beverages in stadiums, sport arenas, concert halls, theatres, and other cultural centers as long-term marketing and pouring relationships are developed within this business segment.

 

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International Sales

 

We have developed a limited market for our products in Canada, Europe and Asia. Sales outside of North America currently represent 3% of our total gross sales. Sales in Canada represent about 1.3% of our total sales. We believe that there are good opportunities for expansion of sales in Canada, Middle East, England and Australia and we are increasing our marketing focus on those markets. Other international sales become cost prohibitive, except in specialty sales circumstances, since our premium sodas are packed in glass, which involves substantial freight to move overseas. We are open to opportunities to export and to co-pack internationally and expand our brands into foreign markets, and we are holding preliminary discussions with trading companies and import/export companies for the distribution of our products throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and South America. We believe that these areas are a natural fit for Reed’s ginger products, because of the importance of ginger in international markets, especially the Asian market where ginger is a significant part of diet and nutrition.

 

Distribution, Sales and Marketing

 

We currently have a national network of mainstream, natural and specialty food distributors in the United States and Canada. We sell directly to our distributors, who in turn sell to retail stores. We also use our own internal sales force and independent sales representatives to promote our products for our distributors and direct sales to our retail customers. One of the main goals of our sales and marketing efforts is to increase sales and grow our brands. Our sales force consists of senior sales representatives in five geographic regions across the country who are supported in their region by local Reeds sales staff. Generally, our sales managers are responsible for all activities related to the sales, distribution and marketing of our brands to our entire distributor and retail partner network in North America. We distribute our products primarily through several national natural foods distributors and an increasing number of regional mainstream DSD distributors. We have entered into agreements with some of our distributors that commit us to “termination fees” if we terminate our agreements early or without cause. These agreements call for our customer to have the right to distribute our products to a defined type of retailer within a defined geographic region. As is customary in the beverage industry, if we should terminate the agreement or not automatically renew the agreement, we would be obligated to make certain payments to our customers. We are in constant review of our distribution agreement with our partners across North America. We also offer our products and promotional merchandise directly to consumers via the Internet through our website, www.reedsgingerbrew.com.

 

Marketing to Distributors

 

We market to distributors using a number of marketing strategies, including direct solicitation, telemarketing, trade advertising and trade show exhibition. These distributors include natural food, gourmet food and mainstream distributors. Our distributors sell our products directly to natural food, gourmet food and mainstream supermarkets for sale to the public. We maintain direct contact with our distributor partners through our in-house sales managers. From time to time and in very limited markets, when use of our own sales force is not cost effective, we will utilize independent sales brokers and outside representatives.

 

Marketing to Retail Stores

 

The primary focus of our sales efforts is supermarket sales. We have a small highly trained sales force that is directly contacting supermarket chains and setting up promotional calendars. In addition, we market to retail stores by utilizing trade shows, trade advertising, telemarketing, direct mail pieces and direct contact with the store. Our sales managers and representatives visit these retail stores to sell directly in many regions. Sales to retail stores are coordinated through our distribution network and our regional warehouses.

 

Competition

 

The beverage industry is highly competitive. The principal areas of competition are pricing, packaging, development of new products and flavors and marketing campaigns. Our products compete with a wide range of drinks produced by a relatively large number of manufacturers. Most of these brands have enjoyed broad, well-established national recognition for years, through well-funded ad and other branding campaigns. In addition, the company’s manufacturing these products generally have greater financial, marketing and distribution resources than we do. Important factors affecting our ability to compete successfully include taste and flavor of products, trade and consumer promotions, rapid and effective development of new, unique cutting edge products, attractive and different packaging, branded product advertising and pricing. We also compete for distributors who will concentrate on marketing our products over those of our competitors, provide stable and reliable distribution and secure adequate shelf space in retail outlets. Competitive pressures in the soft drink category could cause our products to be unable to gain or to lose market share or we could experience price erosion. We believe that our all natural innovative beverage recipes, packaging, use of premium ingredients and a trade secret brewing process provide us with a competitive advantage and that our commitments to the highest quality standards and brand innovation are keys to our success.

 

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The Kombucha market is dominated by a few producers who sell their products nationally. The remainder of the producers is comprised of mostly fragmented regional or local companies. There are companies that gain market share in certain regions; however, most do not have the scale and capability to effectively sell and distribute on a national basis. We believe that Reed’s Kombucha market share was achieved in a relatively short period of time, by leveraging our existing distribution channels and customer relationships to expand our sales volume quickly. We also have in-house production capabilities that can be scaled up as needed to make this a primary brand for Reed’s. We believe that our existing infrastructure creates a competitive advantage, including product design, manufacturing & production and a network of sales & distribution.

 

Proprietary Rights

 

We own trademarks that we consider material to our business. Three of our material trademarks are registered trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Reed’s Original Ginger Brew All-Natural Jamaican Style Ginger Ale ®, Virgil’s ®, and China Cola ®. Registrations for trademarks in the United States will last indefinitely as long as we continue to use and police the trademarks and renew filings with the applicable governmental offices. We have not been challenged in our right to use any of our material trademarks in the United States. We intend to obtain international registration of certain trademarks in foreign jurisdictions.

 

In addition, we consider our finished product and concentrate formulae, which are not the subject of any patents, to be trade secrets. Our brewing process is a trade secret. This process can be used to brew flavors of beverages other than ginger ale and ginger beer, such as root beer, cream soda, cola and other spice and fruit beverages. We have not sought any patents on our brewing processes because we would be required to disclose our brewing process in patent applications.

 

We generally use non-disclosure agreements with employees and distributors to protect our proprietary rights.

 

Government Regulation

 

The production, distribution and sale in the United States of many of our Company’s products are subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Lanham Act, state consumer protection laws, federal, state and local workplace health and safety laws, various federal, state and local environmental protection laws and various other federal, state and local statutes and regulations applicable to the production, transportation, sale, safety, advertising, labeling and ingredients of such products. Outside the United States, the distribution and sale of our many products and related operations are also subject to numerous similar and other statutes and regulations.

 

A California law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. The law exposes all food and beverage producers to the possibility of having to provide warnings on their products. This is because the law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below which a warning is not required. Consequently, even trace amounts of listed components can expose affected products to the prospect of warning labels. Products containing listed substances that occur naturally or that are contributed to such products solely by a municipal water supply are generally exempt from the warning requirement. No Company beverages produced for sale in California are currently required to display warnings under this law. We are unable to predict whether a component found in a Company product might be added to the California list in the future, although the state has initiated a regulatory process in which caffeine will be evaluated for listing. Furthermore, we are also unable to predict when or whether the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become applicable under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended, might result in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in a beverage of ours produced for sale in California.

 

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Bottlers of our beverage products presently offer and use non-refillable, recyclable containers in the United States and various other markets around the world. Some of these bottlers also offer and use refillable containers, which are also recyclable. Legal requirements apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas requiring that deposits or certain taxes or fees be charged for the sale, marketing and use of certain non-refillable beverage containers. The precise requirements imposed by these measures vary. Other types of beverage container-related deposit, recycling, tax and/or product stewardship statutes and regulations also apply in various jurisdictions in the United States and overseas. We anticipate that additional, similar legal requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future at local, state and federal levels, both in the United States and elsewhere.

 

All of our facilities and other operations in the United States are subject to various environmental protection statutes and regulations, including those relating to the use of water resources and the discharge of wastewater. Our policy is to comply with all such legal requirements. Compliance with these provisions has not had, and we do not expect such compliance to have, any material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, net income or competitive position.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Our primary cost environmental compliance activity is in recycling fees and redemption values. We are required to collect redemption values from our customers and remit those redemption values to the state, based upon the number of bottles of certain products sold in that state.

 

Employees

 

We have 62 full-time equivalent employees on our corporate staff down from 69 in the year ending December 31, 2015. The table below lists the departments. We employ additional people on a part-time basis as needed. We have never participated in a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that the relationship with our employees is good.

 

    Number of FTE’s        
Department   2016     2015     Change  
General Management     4.0       4.0       -  
Administrative Support     9.2       11.1       (1.9 )
Research & Development     5.5       4.0       1.5  
Sales     16.0       17.4       (1.4 )
Production & Warehouse     27.7       32.9       (5.2 )
Total     62.4       69.4       (7.0 )

 

Description of Property

 

We lease a facility of approximately 76,000 square feet, which serves as our principal executive offices, our West Coast Brewery and bottling plant and our Southern California warehouse facility. Approximately 30,000 square feet of the total space is leased under a long-term lease expiring in 2024. We also lease a warehouse of approximately 18,000 square feet under a lease expiring in October 2017, a warehouse of approximately 13,000 square feet under a lease expiring in November 2017, and a warehouse of 15,000 square feet on a month-to-month basis.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This discussion includes forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the federal securities laws, based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “continuing”, “ongoing”, “expect”, “believe”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements.

 

We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond our control, which may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors that may affect our results include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors”. Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.

 

OVERVIEW

 

To continue our progress in improving our current performance, the Company’s new Board of Directors has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, a new Chief Operating Officer and created the new position of Chief Innovation Officer. The Company is only partially through its execution of a turnaround plan that includes the complete focus on the core Reed’s and Virgil’s beverage brands, discontinuing of non-core SKU’s, improving margins via increased plant utilization, and transitioning the Company to a professionally led and managed organization. The transition and turnaround plan began mid second quarter of 2017 and therefore the financial results presented and discussed here do not yet reflect the expected improvements currently underway led by the reconstituted board and the new management leadership

 

Our second quarter 2017 results reflect the Company’s continued operational issues that management is diligently addressing. Total product volume declined 16.3% in the second quarter as compared to the same period in the prior year. A total of 71.4% of the volume loss was driven by what current management defines as non-core products such as Kombucha, private label and candy. Core products, which current management defines as Reeds, Virgils and branded sparkling craft beverages declined in volume 9.9% during the second quarter. Year to date total product volume reflects the same trend with volume down 15.1% over the same period in the prior year, with 75.3% of the decrease due to a decline in non-core products. Improving gross margins and re-accelerating growth of the core products will be the primary focus of the Company’s efforts moving forward.

 

Gross revenue for all products declined 17.8% in the second quarter driven by discontinued product revenue that accounted for a decline of 66.3% versus the prior year period. Year to date gross revenue for all products declined 15.6% in the second quarter again driven by discontinued product revenue that declined 60.0% over the same period in the prior year. Gross revenue of the core products declined 8.9% for the second quarter and 7.2% year to date due to lingering operational issues now being fully addressed by the upgraded operations team.

 

Discounts as a percentage of revenue increased 2.8% versus the same quarter in the prior year and increased 18.3% versus the year to date period in the prior year.

 

Further capital expenditures in our Los Angeles Plant are on hold while management evaluates the strategy of self-production and in the short term focuses on maximizing the current plant’s production throughput in order to fulfill summer sales demand for our core products. Management is currently evaluating directing the majority of the Company’s focus and resources on effective and expanded sales and marketing programs and transitioning the Company over time to a simpler and asset light operating model.

 

Cost of goods sold for all products declined in the second quarter 14.4% while non-core products cost of goods sold declined 55.2% versus the same quarter in the prior year. Year to date cost of goods sold for all products declined in the second quarter 23.5% and non-core products cost of goods sold year to date declined 60.0% over the same period in the prior year. Cost of goods sold for core products declined 6.1% in the second quarter and 4.6% year to date over the same period in the prior year

 

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Net margin declined 4.7% and 4.9% over the same quarter and year to date time frames versus the prior year driven by increased idle plant charges.

 

We continued to reduce overall expenses during the second quarter by 3.1% and 10.3% versus the second quarter and year to date periods in the prior year. Delivery and sales related expenses were down 16.5% and 23.8% respectively versus the same prior year periods. The second quarter decline tracked with revenue decline and costs were actually reduced in excess of the revenue decline for the year to date period. General and administrative expenses increased 3.1% and 7.4% over the same time periods in the prior year. The second quarter increase was driven primarily by employee transition costs and added legal expenses. Interest expense grew 145% year to date over the same time period in the prior year reflecting the non-cash accrual of interest for the convertible note issued in 2017.

 

The operating loss increased 238% in the second quarter and 71% year to date versus the same time periods in the prior year reflecting the managed decline in the non-core product volume, increased idle plant cost and additional interest carrying costs.

 

It should be noted that the net income recorded in the second quarter reflected specific accounting guidance that is related to the treatment of warrant liabilities discussed in detail in Note #11 and not part of business operations.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Results of Operations – Six-months ended June 30, 2017

 

The following table sets forth key statistics for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

    Six months ended June 30,     Pct.  
    2017     2016     Change  
Gross sales     19,087,000     $ 22,613,000       -16 %
Less: Promotional and other allowances     1,928,000       1,617,000       19 %
Net sales   $ 17,159,000     $ 20,996,000       -18 %
Cost of tangible goods sold     13,015,000       15,547,000       -16 %
As a percentage of:                        
Gross sales     68 %     69 %        
Net sales     76 %     74 %        
Cost of goods sold – idle capacity     1,376,000       954,000       44 %
As a percentage of net sales     8 %     5 %        
Gross profit     2,768,000     $ 4,495,000       -38 %
Gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales     16 %     21 %        
                         
Expenses                        
Delivery and handling   $ 1,612,000     $ 1,913,000       -16 %
Selling and marketing     1,516,000       1,995,000       -24 %
General and administrative     2,297,000       2,136,000       8 %
Total Operating expenses   $ 5,425,000     $ 6,044,000       -10 %
                         
Income from operations   $ (2,657,000 )   $ (1,549,000 )     72 %
                         
Interest expense and other expense     817,000       (794,000 )     -203 %
                         
Net loss to stockholders   $ (1,840,000 )   $ (2,343,000 )     -21 %
                         
Shares outstanding     13,982,230       13,908,247       6 %
                         
Net loss per share   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.18 )     -26 %

 

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Metrics

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2017  
    12 Ounce Volume     12 Ounce Gross Sales Revenue     Per 12 ounces  
Gross Sales   2017     2016     Change     2017     2016     Change     2017     2016     Change     %  
Reeds Beverages     580,149       624,117       -7.0 %     10,130,000       10,705,000       -5.4 %     17.46       17.15       0.31       1.8 %
Virgils     356,943       406,188       -12.1 %     6,513,000       7,311,000       -10.9 %     18.25       18.00       0.25       1.4 %
Kombucha     5,402       15,231       -64.5 %     202,000       602,000       -66.4 %     37.39       39.52       (2.13 )     -5.4 %
All Other Reeds Beverages     54,358       53,040       2.5 %     1,007,000       1,005,000       0.2 %     18.53       18.95       (0.42 )     -2.2 %
Private Label     6,074       41,242       -85.3 %     97,000       729,000       -86.7 %     15.97       17.68       (1.71 )     -9.7 %
Reeds Candy                             494,000       414,000       19.3 %                                
All Other Non-Beverages     -                       30,000       24,000       25.0 %                                
Total Gross Sales     1,002,926       1,139,818       -12.0 %     18,473,000       20,790,000       -11.1 %     18.42       18.24       0.18       1.0 %
Sales Discounts Unallocated to Specific SKU’s*                             (1,928,000 )     (1,616,000 )     19.3 %     (1.92 )     (1.42 )     (0.50 )     35.6 %
Net Sales     1,002,926       1,139,818       -12.0 %   $ 6,545,000     $ 19,174,000       -13.7 %     16.50       16.82       (0.33 )     -1.9 %
                                                                                 
Gross Sales per 12 ounce                           $ 8.42     $ 18.24       1.0 %                                
Net Sales per 12 ounce                           $ 6.50     $ 16.82       -1.9 %                                
                                                                                 
Cost of Goods Sold                                                                                
Reeds Beverages     580,149       624,117       -7.0 %     6,861,000       7,030,000       -2.4 %     11.83       11.26       0.56       5.0 %
Virgils     356,943       406,188       -12.1 %     4,201,000       4,619,000       -9.0 %     11.77       11.37       0.40       3.5 %
Kombucha     5,402       15,231       -64.5 %     165,000       560,000       -70.5 %     30.54       36.77       (6.22 )     -16.9 %
All Other Reeds Beverages     54,358       53,040       2.5 %     665,000       647,000       2.8 %     12.23       12.20       0.04       0.3 %
Private Label     6,074       41,242       -85.3 %     198,000       903,000       -78.1 %     32.60       21.90       10.70       48.9 %
Costs Unallocated to Specific SKU’s*                             196,000       728,000       -73.1 %                                
Reeds Candy                             544,000       710,000       -23.4 %                                
All Other Non-Beverages                             185,000       348,000       -46.8 %                                
Cost of Goods Sold     1,002,926       1,139,818       -12.0 %   $ 13,015,000     $ 5,545,000       -16.3 %     12.98       13.64       (0.66 )     -4.8 %
                                                                                 
Additional Cost of Goods Produced                                                                                
Idle Plant                             1,376,000       957,000       43.8 %     1.37       0.84       0.53       63.4 %
Cost of Goods produced and Sold     1,002,926       1,139,818             $ 14,391,000     $ 16,502,000       -12.8 %     14.35       14.48       (0.13 )     -0.9 %
                                                                                 
Cost of Goods Sold Per 12 ounce                           $ 12.98     $ 13.64       -4.8 %                                
Cost of Goods Poduced Per 12 ounce                           $ 4.35     $ 14.48       -0.9 %                                
                                                                                 
Gross Profit including Idle Plant                             2,154,000       2,672,000       -19.4 %                                
Gross Profit on an 12 ounce basis including Idle Plant                             2.15       2.34       -8.4 %                                
Gross Margin including Idle Plant                             13.0 %     13.9 %     -0.9 %                                

 

* Discounts and costs incurred that do not relate to specific SKU’s

 

* Gross sales is used internally by management as an indicator of and to monitor operating performance, including sales performance of particular products, salesperson performance, product growth or declines and overall Company performance. The use of gross sales allows evaluation of sales performance before the effect of any promotional items, which can mask certain performance issues. We therefore believe that the presentation of gross sales provides a useful measure of our operating performance. Gross sales is not a measure that is recognized under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, as gross sales has been defined by our internal reporting practices. In addition, gross sales may not be realized in the form of cash receipts as promotional payments and allowances may be deducted from payments received from certain customers.

 

** Although the expenditures described in this line item are determined in accordance with GAAP and meet GAAP requirements, the disclosure thereof does not conform with GAAP presentation requirements. Additionally, our definition of promotional and other allowances may not be comparable to similar items presented by other companies. Promotional and other allowances primarily include consideration given to the Company’s distributors or retail customers including, but not limited to the following: (i) reimbursements given to the Company’s distributors for agreed portions of their promotional spend with retailers, including slotting, shelf space allowances and other fees for both new and existing products; (ii) the Company’s agreed share of fees given to distributors and/or directly to retailers for in-store marketing and promotional activities; (iii) the Company’s agreed share of slotting, shelf space allowances and other fees given directly to retailers; (iv) incentives given to the Company’s distributors and/or retailers for achieving or exceeding certain predetermined sales goals; and (v) discounted or free products. The presentation of promotional and other allowances facilitates an evaluation of their impact on the determination of net sales and the spending levels incurred or correlated with such sales. Promotional and other allowances constitute a material portion of our marketing activities. The Company’s promotional allowance programs with its numerous distributors and/or retailers are executed through separate agreements in the ordinary course of business. These agreements generally provide for one or more of the arrangements described above and are of varying durations, ranging from one week to one year.

 

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Sales

 

Sales were down an average of 9% in all selling channels. All customers representing at least one percent of sales in 2015 were still customers in 2016. We believe that the decline in all channels was due to consumer preferences away from all sugar sodas including our natural based sugars. In response to the general consumer trend, the Company’s research and development efforts have focused on all natural alternatives that have 12 calories per 12 ounce serving. We are in tests in the market place and expect to have these offerings available in the marketplace in the second half of this year.  

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Produced

 

Cost of tangible goods sold consists of the costs of raw materials utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, inventory adjustments and internal transfer costs. Idle capacity consists of direct production costs of our Los Angeles plant in excess of charges allocated to our finished goods in production. Plant costs include labor costs, production supplies, repairs and maintenance, and depreciation. Our charges for labor and overhead allocated to our finished goods are determined on a market cost basis, which is lower than our actual costs incurred. Plant costs in excess of production allocations are expensed in the period incurred rather than added to the cost of finished goods produced.

 

Cost of goods sold decreased for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $13,015,000 from $15,547,000 in the same period in 2016. On a 12-ounce serving basis, cost of goods sold decreased $0.18 per 12-ounce serving or 1% year over year. The main driver of decrease was in costs unallocated to specific SKUs in the prior year which was comprised primarily of inventory adjustments during 2016.

 

Cost of goods produced decreased for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $14,391,000 from $16,501,000 in the same period in 2016. On a 12-ounce serving basis, cost of goods sold increased $0.37 per 12-ounce serving or 3% year over year. The main driver of the increase is LA Plant Idle Plant costs. Idle Plant costs increased $0.55 per 12-ounce serving or 70% to $1,376,000 from $957,000 over the same period in 2016.

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin declined for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $2,768,000 from $4,495,000 in the same period in 2016. On a 12-ounce serving basis, gross margin declined $1.03 or 28% year over year. The main drivers of the decrease were the $0.54 increase in sales discounts and $0.55 increase in idle plant costs.

 

Delivery and Handling Expenses

 

Delivery and handling expenses consist of delivery costs to customers and warehouse costs incurred for handling our finished goods after production. Delivery and handling expenses continued their decline for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $1,612,000 from $1,913,000 or 16% in the same period in 2016. This decrease is in line with the 15% decline in volume. On a percentage of net sales, delivery costs were flat at 9%.

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of direct charges for staff compensation costs, advertising, sales promotion, marketing and trade shows. Selling and marketing expenses continued their decline for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $1,516,000 from $1,995,000 or 24% in the same period in 2016. On a percentage of net sales, selling and marketing costs remained flat at 9%. The Company kept expenses in line with sales revenue by reducing employee costs while full time equivalent employees remained flat.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of the cost of executive, administrative, and finance personnel, as well as professional fees. General and administrative expenses increased for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 to $2,297,000 from $2,136,000 or 7% versus the same period in 2016. On a percentage of net sales, General and administrative costs increased 3% to 13% from 10%. The main driver of the increase was due to net employee transition costs, director’s compensation and legal costs.

 

Loss from Operations

 

The loss from operations was ($2,657,000) in the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017, as compared to a loss of $(1,549,000) in the same period of 2016 or an overall decrease in the loss of $1,108,000. The loss was comprised of decrease in net sales revenue of $2,111,000, offset partially decreases in operating expenses category that totaled $621,000.

 

Interest and Finance Related Expenses

 

Interest expense and bank related charges increased to $1,513,000 in the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017, compared to expenses of $794,000 in the same period of 2016. The increase is primarily due to increased borrowing on our revolving line of credit of $69,000 and the cost of the April 21 convertible note accrued interest and debt discount amortization of $501,000.

 

Warrant and financing cost totaled $2,330,000. This amount is made up of $978,000 in the convertible note related costs offset by a derivative gain in the second quarter of $3,308,000 as explained in Note #11 above.

 

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Results of Operation for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

The following table sets forth key statistics for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

    Year Ended        
    December 31,     Pct.  
    2016     2015     Change  
Gross sales (a)     46,198,000       49,713,000       -7 %
Less: Promotional and other allowances (b)     3,726,000       3,765,000       -1 %
Net sales   $ 42,472,000     $ 45,948,000       -8 %
Cost of tangible goods sold (c)     31,626,000       32,295,000       -2 %
As a percentage of:                        
Gross sales     68 %     65 %        
Net sales     74 %     70 %        
Cost of goods sold – idle capacity  (d)     1,864,000       2,048,000       -9 %
As a percentage of net sales     4 %     4 %        
Gross profit     8,982,000       11,605,000       -23 %
Gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales     21 %     25 %        
                         
Operating Expenses                        
Delivery and handling expenses     3,902,000       5,100,000       -23 %
Selling and marketing expense     3,701,000       4,867,000       -24 %
General and administrative expense     3,948,000       4,368,000       -10 %
Impairment of assets     484,000       -          
Total operating expenses     12,035,000       14,335,000       -16 %
                         
Loss from operations     (3,053,000 )     (2,730,000 )     12 %
Interest expense     (1,724,000 )     (1,231,000 )     40 %
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (232,000 )     -          
Net loss     (5,009,000 )     (3,961,000 )     26 %
                         
Preferred Stock Dividends     (5,000 )     (5,000 )        
Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (5,014,000 )   $ (3,966,000 )     26 %
                         
Loss per share – basic and diluted   $ (0.36 )   $ (0.30 )     19 %
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted     13,982,230       13,147,815       6 %

 

(a) Gross sales is used internally by management as an indicator of and to monitor operating performance, including sales performance of particular products, salesperson performance, product growth or declines and overall Company performance. The use of gross sales allows evaluation of sales performance before the effect of any promotional items, which can mask certain performance issues. We therefore believe that the presentation of gross sales provides a useful measure of our operating performance. Gross sales is not a measure that is recognized under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles “GAAP” and should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, as gross sales has been defined by our internal reporting practices. In addition, gross sales may not be realized in the form of cash receipts as promotional payments and allowances may be deducted from payments received from certain customers.

 

(b) Although the expenditures described in this line item are determined in accordance with GAAP and meet GAAP requirements, the disclosure thereof does not conform with GAAP presentation requirements. Additionally, our definition of promotional and other allowances may not be comparable to similar items presented by other companies. Promotional and other allowances primarily include consideration given to the Company’s distributors or retail customers including, but not limited to the following: (i) reimbursements given to the Company’s distributors for agreed portions of their promotional spend with retailers, including slotting, shelf space allowances and other fees for both new and existing products; (ii) the Company’s agreed share of fees given to distributors and/or directly to retailers for in-store marketing and promotional activities; (iii) the Company’s agreed share of slotting, shelf space allowances and other fees given directly to retailers; (iv) incentives given to the Company’s distributors and/or retailers for achieving or exceeding certain predetermined sales goals; and (v) discounted or free products. The presentation of promotional and other allowances facilitates an evaluation of their impact on the determination of net sales and the spending levels incurred or correlated with such sales. Promotional and other allowances constitute a material portion of our marketing activities. The Company’s promotional allowance programs with its numerous distributors and/or retailers are executed through separate agreements in the ordinary course of business. These agreements generally provide for one or more of the arrangements described above and are of varying durations, ranging from one week to one year.

 

(c) Cost of tangible goods sold consists of the costs of raw materials and packaging utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, inventory adjustments, as well as certain internal transfer costs. Cost of tangible goods sold is used internally by management to measure the direct costs of goods sold, aside from unallocated plant costs. Cost of tangible goods sold is not a measure that is recognized under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cost of goods sold, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of cost of goods sold.

 

(d) Cost of goods sold – idle capacity consists of direct production costs in excess of charges allocated to our finished goods in production. Plant costs include labor costs, production supplies, repairs and maintenance, and inventory write-off. Our charges for labor and overhead allocated to our finished goods are determined on a market cost basis, which is lower than our actual costs incurred. Plant costs in excess of production allocations are expensed in the period incurred rather than added to the cost of finished goods produced. Cost goods sold – idle capacity is not a measure that is recognized under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cost of goods sold, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of cost of goods sold.

 

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Gross Sales

 

Gross sales for all of Reeds products decreased 7% to $46,198,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $49,713,000 in the prior year.

 

Sales were down an average of 9% in all selling channels. All customers representing at least one percent of sales in 2015 were still customers in 2016. We believe that the decline in all channels was due to consumer preferences away from all sugar sodas including our natural based sugars. In response to the general consumer trend, the Company’s research and development efforts have focused on all natural alternatives that have 12 calories per 12 ounce serving. We are in tests in the market place and expect to have these offerings available in the marketplace in the second half of this year.

 

Gross sales of items such as candy, ingredients, packaging and mail order are not included in the discussion above. These items as a group totaled $1,684,000 in gross sales, a decrease of $743,000 or 31% over 2015. The decrease in candy was $597,000 and was the direct result of a California lawsuit that has required the Company to find reliable alternative suppliers.

 

Promotional and other allowances

 

Promotions and allowances for beverage products decreased in dollars 1% to $3,726,000 (8.1% of gross sales) for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $3,765,000 (7.6% of gross sales) in the prior year.

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales of all items decreased 7.6% or $3,476,000 to $42,472,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $45,948,000 in the prior year.

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Cost of goods sold consists of the costs of raw materials and packaging utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, inventory adjustments, as well as certain internal transfer costs. Cost of goods sold also consists of direct production costs in excess of charges allocated to our finished goods in production. Plant costs include labor costs, production supplies, and repairs and maintenance. Our charges for labor and overhead allocated to our finished goods are determined on a market cost basis, which is lower than our actual costs incurred. Plant costs in excess of production allocations are expensed in the period incurred rather than added to the cost of finished goods produced.

 

Total cost of goods sold decreased to $33,490,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $853,000 or 2.5% from 2015. The decrease was due to net volume decrease of 7.6% and increases in cost of production. Had total cost of goods decreased at a rate equal to the volume decrease of 7.6%, total cost of goods would have decreased a total of $3,228,000. The company incurred an additional $2,376,000 in the rate of cost of goods sold.

 

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Gross Profit

 

Our gross profit of $8,982,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016 represents a decrease of $2,623,000, or 22.6% from 2015. As a percentage of sales, our gross profit decreased to 21.1% in 2016 as compared to 25.3% in 2015. As noted above, the gross profit is the result of a decrease in net selling price of 4.1% and an increase cost of goods sold of 7.1%.

 

The Company has in place for the first quarter of 2017 cost cutting initiatives related to ingredient usage and package pricing that are on track to drive over 200 basis point improvement for the full year. In addition, the Company LA plant is scheduled for production in May that will enable the Company to realize an overdue savings of an additional 350 basis points on an annualized basis from that initiative. We believe that since these initiatives are under our control, the savings will be realized in 2017.

 

Delivery and Handling Expenses

 

Delivery and handling expenses consist of delivery costs to customers and warehouse costs incurred for handling our finished goods after production. Delivery and handling costs decreased to $3,902,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $5,100,000 in 2015. The $1,198,000 (23%) decrease is due to lower volume but higher full truck quantities. Current rates of 9% are comparable to historic rates. The Company expects costs to decrease further when the L.A. Brewery upgrade is finalized.

 

Selling and marketing expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of three categories; direct charges for staff compensation costs in sales labor, sales operations consisting of travel and entertainment, office rent and communications and sales support consisting primarily of brokers fees, advertising and consultants. Selling and marketing costs for 2016 were $3,701,000 or a decrease of 24% when compared to $4,867,000 in 2015.

 

The decrease of $1,166,000 is the result of decreases in sales labor costs of $461,000, sales operations of $188,000 and sales support of $517,000.

 

Our sales staff decreased to 16 full time equivalents (FTE’s) employees at December 31, 2016, from 17 FTE’s at December 31, 2015.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of three categories; direct charges for staff compensation costs in office and general management, General and administrative operations consisting of office rent, facility depreciation, utilities, General and administrative support in information, SEC filings, shareholder meetings, legal and audit and finally; miscellaneous expenses such as amortization of intangibles and bad debt expense. General and administrative costs for 2016 were $4,208,000 or a decrease of 4% when compared to $4,368,000 in 2015.

 

The total decrease of $160,000 is due to a decrease in administrative wage related expenses of $257,000, a decrease of administrative operations of $154,000, an increase administrative support expenses of $251,000. Impairment loss of $224,000 driven by the China Cola brand impairment.

 

The general management and administrative staff decreased to 13 FTE’s at December 31, 2016, from 15 at December 31, 2015.

 

Loss from Operations

 

Loss from operations was $3,053,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to loss from operations of $2,730,000 in 2015 or an increase of $323,000. The increase in the operating loss is due to the decline in sales that were not offset by similar reduction in cost of goods sold that resulted in a lower gross profit of $2,623,000. The lower gross profit was mirrored by a similar decrease in expenses of $2,300,000.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense increased to $1,724,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to interest expense of $1,231,000 in the same period of 2015. During 2016 and 2015 the Company’s losses incurred liquidity shortages that required an infusion of capital. A total of $3,000,000 was obtained that also changed the terms of the existing line of credit and CAPEX loan. As the plant approached completion, further borrowing was obtained to complete the plant. As a direct consequence of the term change and the additional borrowing, the Company’s net interest charge increased.

 

MODIFIED EBITDA

 

In addition to our GAAP results, we present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and changes in fair value of warrant expense.

 

Management considers our core operating performance to be that which our managers can affect in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations that period. Non-GAAP adjustments to our results prepared in accordance with GAAP are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

 

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We present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it assists investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA in developing our internal budgets, forecasts and strategic plan; in analyzing the effectiveness of our business strategies in evaluating potential acquisitions; and in making compensation decisions and in communications with our board of directors concerning our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, which includes, among others, the following:

 

  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
     
  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
     
  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect future interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts; and
     
  although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

 

Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for the three ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

 

MODIFIED EBITDA SCHEDULE

 

    Six months ended June 30,  
    2017     2016  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
Net loss   $ (1,840,000 )   $ (2,343,000 )
                 
Modified EBITDA adjustments:                
Depreciation and amortization     813,000       477,000  
Interest expense     1,513,000       794,000  
Stock option and warrant compensation     318,000       302,000  
Financing costs     978,000       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (3,308,000 )     -  
Total EBITDA adjustments   $ 314,000     $ 1,573,000  
                 
Modified EBITDA     (1,526,000 )   $ (770,000 )

 

The $756,000 decrease in modified EBITDA for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 is due to the decrease in net loss, the increase in interest expense and the net warrant related charges. The change in fair value recognized in the second quarter has been substantially eliminated in the warrant repricing discussed in Note #14.

 

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Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

    Year ended December 31,  
    2016     2015  
    (unaudited)     (unaudited)  
Net loss   $ (5,009,000 )   $ (3,961,000 )
                 
Modified EBITDA adjustments:                
Depreciation and amortization     642,000       933,000  
Interest expense     1,724,000       1,231,000  
Reserve for replacement on fixed assets     260,000       -  
Stock option and warrant compensation     658,000       877,000  
Stock compensation for services     15,000       1,000  
Impairment loss on brand names     224,000       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     232,000       -  
Total EBITDA adjustments   $ 3,755,000     $ 1,811,000  
                 
Modified EBITDA   $ (1,254,000 )   $ (2,150,000 )

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. Such assumption contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 the Company recorded net loss of $1,840,000 and used cash from operations of $3,170,000. As of June 30, 2017, we had a working capital deficiency of $2,041,000 and a stockholders’ deficit of $3,179,000. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a net loss of $5,009,000 and utilized cash in operations of $2,533,000. As of December 31, 2016, we had stockholder’s deficit of $1,657,000 and working capital deficit of $1,563,000.

 

During 2015, we experienced a major disruption in our east coast production facilities. By October of 2015, the Company had qualified another two co-packers for a total of three co-packers enabling the Company to avoid supply chain interruptions in 2016. We believe that if this disruption had not occurred, the Company would have been able to fill purchase orders and avoid the additional costs related to delivery and raw materials in 2015. The Company continued to reclaim the lost shelf space in 2016.

 

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had a cash balance of $251,000 and had additional available borrowing on our existing line of credit of $250,000. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we were able to extend the maturity date of our operating line of credit and our other bank loans through October 21, 2018. We estimate the Company currently has sufficient cash and liquidity to meet its anticipated working capital for the next twelve months.

 

On April 21, 2017, the Company issued a convertible note resulting in net proceeds of $3,083,000 to one purchaser. The Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, compounded monthly on a 365-day year/ 30-day month basis. The Note is secured by a second priority security interest in the Company’s assets, which is subordinate to the first priority security interest of PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”). The Note matures on the two-year anniversary of the Closing date and may not be prepaid.

 

As a condition to obtaining the consent of PMC to the financing transaction and the purchaser’s subordinated security interest, Reed’s agreed to change the maturity dates of its loans with PMC from January 1, 2019, to October 21, 2018. Our Loan and Security Agreement with PMC provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit, $3,000,000 term loans, and a capital expansion loan up to $4,700,000. Notwithstanding the other borrowing terms, if Excess Borrowing Availability under the $6 million revolving line of credit remains more than $1,500,000 at all times during the preceding month (currently Reed’s Borrowing Availability is zero) the Interest Rate shall remain unchanged for the asset based lending that includes the revolving working capital loan, CAPEX capital improvement loan and Term Loan A. The six month Term Loan B rates are to remain the same at 14.85%.

 

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At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount outstanding under the PMC revolving line of credit was $4,589,000 and $4,384,000, respectively. The interest rate on the revolving loan was the prime rate plus .35% but was modified on December 7, 2016, such that the rate charge will be calculated on a sliding scale based on the trailing 6 month Earnings Before Interest Taxes and Depreciation (“EBITDA”). If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of June 30, 2017, our effective rate under the revolving line was 9.5%. The monthly management fee is .45% of the average monthly loan balance. The revolving line of credit is based on 85% of accounts receivable and 60% of eligible inventory and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

The PMC term loans are secured by all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The annual interest rate on the first loan was prime plus 5.75% (currently 9.5%), and the rate on the second loan was prime plus 11.60% (currently 14.85%) but was modified on December 7, 2016 such that the new rate will be based on the trailing 6 month EBITDA. If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the amount outstanding was $3,000,000 and $3,000,000 respectively.

 

The CAPEX loans, after amendment, allow a total borrowing of $4,700,000. The loans are secured by all of the property and equipment purchased under the loan. The interest rate on the CAPEX loan is the prime rate plus 5.75% (9.5% at June 30, 2017). Interest only is payable on CAPEX loans through January 31, 2017, at which time principal and interest will be aggregated and repaid in equal monthly payments of principal and interest based on 48 month amortization. Currently and until the second tranche has been closed, the estimated amount that will become due in a the next twelve months is $953,000. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the balance on the CAPEX loan balance was $4,318,000 and $3,950,000 respectively, and as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had future borrowing availability of $315,000 and $750,000, respectively. Reed’s agreed to pre-pay the CAPEX Loan by at least $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of idle equipment, if such sale were to occur. In conjunction with this loan the Company placed equipment with a cost of $250,000 at a co-packing facility to enable the co-packer to manufacture our products. Should the Company be unable to secure access to the equipment in the event of failure of the co-packer, the amount will become due and payable by the Company immediately.

 

We believe that the Company currently has the necessary working capital to support existing operations for at least the next 12 months. We are in the process of a thorough evaluation of the business and are establishing both short and long term goals to return to higher levels of profitability. In short, we are simplifying the business without sacrificing our core brands or flavors. We have implemented a program to reduce the number of product packaging options by more than 100. We believe this stock keeping unit (SKU) rationalization will be a significant benefit to our co-packers, customers and our own production operations. Our primary capital source will be positive cash flow from operations. If our sales goals do not materialize as planned, we believe that the Company can reduce its operating costs and can be managed to maintain positive cash flow from operations. Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through private sales of common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt, a line of credit from a financial institution and cash generated from operations.

 

We may not generate sufficient revenues from product sales in the future to achieve profitable operations. If we are not able to achieve profitable operations at some point in the future, we eventually may have insufficient working capital to maintain our operations as we presently intend to conduct them or to fund our expansion and marketing and product development plans. In addition, our losses may increase in the future as we expand our manufacturing capabilities and fund our marketing plans and product development. These losses, among other things, have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our working capital, total assets and stockholders’ equity. If we are unable to achieve profitability, the market value of our common stock would decline and there would be a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through private sales of common stock, preferred stock, a line of credit from a financial institution and cash generated from operations. We anticipate that our primary capital source will be positive cash flow from operations. If our sales goals do not materialize as planned, we believe that the Company can reduce its operating costs and achieve positive cash flow from operations. However, we may not generate sufficient revenues from product sales in the future to achieve profitable operations. If we are not able to achieve profitable operations at some point in the future, we may have insufficient working capital to maintain our operations as we presently intend to conduct them or to fund our expansion, marketing, and product development plans. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in our financial statements including various allowances and reserves for accounts receivable and inventories, the estimated lives of long-lived assets and trademarks and trademark licenses, as well as claims and contingencies arising out of litigation or other transactions that occur in the normal course of business. The following summarize our most significant accounting and reporting policies and practices:

 

Revenue Recognition . Revenue is recognized on the sale of a product when the product is shipped, which is when the risk of loss transfers to our customers, and collection of the receivable is reasonably assured. A product is not shipped without an order from the customer and credit acceptance procedures performed. The allowance for returns is regularly reviewed and adjusted by management based on historical trends of returned items. Amounts paid by customers for shipping and handling costs are included in sales. The Company reimburses its wholesalers and retailers for promotional discounts, samples and certain advertising and promotional activities used in the promotion of the Company’s products. The accounting treatment for the reimbursements for samples and discounts to wholesalers results in a reduction in the net revenue line item. Reimbursements to wholesalers and retailers for certain advertising activities are included in selling and marketing expenses.

 

Long-Lived Assets . Our management regularly reviews property, equipment and other long-lived assets, including identifiable amortizing intangibles, for possible impairment. This review occurs quarterly or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment of property and equipment or amortizable intangible assets, then management prepares an estimate of future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. The fair value is estimated at the present value of the future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with management’s estimates of the business risks. Quarterly, or earlier, if there is indication of impairment of identified intangible assets not subject to amortization, management compares the estimated fair value with the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is recognized to write down the intangible asset to its fair value if it is less than the carrying amount. Preparation of estimated expected future cash flows is inherently subjective and is based on management’s best estimate of assumptions concerning expected future conditions. No impairments were identified during the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017.

 

Management believes that the accounting estimate related to impairment of our long lived assets, including our trademark license and trademarks, is a “critical accounting estimate” because: (1) it is highly susceptible to change from period to period because it requires management to estimate fair value, which is based on assumptions about cash flows and discount rates; and (2) the impact that recognizing an impairment would have on the assets reported on our balance sheet, as well as net income, could be material. Management’s assumptions about cash flows and discount rates require significant judgment because actual revenues and expenses have fluctuated in the past and we expect they will continue to do so.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

See Note 2 of the accompanying financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The following includes a summary of transactions since the beginning of fiscal 2016, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under “Executive Compensation”). We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to or better than terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.

 

Our board of directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any transaction, arrangement or relationship between Reed’s and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% or greater stockholders (or their immediate family members), each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” in which such related person has a direct or indirect material interest.

 

If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship, defined as a “related party transaction”, the related party must report the proposed related party transaction to our Chief Financial Officer. The policy calls for the proposed related party transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the Nominations and Governance Committee. The board of directors has determined that all of the members of the Nominations and Governance Committee are independent under the rules of the NYSE American Company Guide. If practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the Nominations and Governance Committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related party transaction. Any related party transactions that are ongoing in nature will be reviewed annually at a minimum. The related party transactions listed below were reviewed by the full board of directors.

 

During the period ended June 30, 2017, Chris Reed (the former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Innovation Officer), Daniel Miles (Chief Financial Officer) and Robert Reed (brother of Chris Reed, Chief Innovation Officer) advanced funds of $260,000, $120,000 and $120,00 respectively to the Company for working capital uses. During the period, the Company repaid to Mr. Chris Reed the $120,000 that was advanced from him, and also repaid Robert Reed $103,000 of the advances due him. As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate amount due for the remaining unpaid advances was $277,000.  The advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing with no formal terms of repayment.

 

Executive Compensation

 

The following table summarizes all compensation for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 received by our principal executive officer, current and former principal financial officers, current and former chief operating officers, and our current Senior Vice principal of Sales who were and currently are our “Named Executive Officers”.

 

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Name and Principal Position   Year   Salary     Bonus     Stock Awards     Option Awards ($)(1)     Non- Equity Incentive     Non- Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings     All Other Compensation – 2     Total  
                                                     
Christopher J. Reed   2015     226,583       4,000                                               230,583  
Chief Executive Officer   2016     227,000       40,000                                       4,320       271,320  
                                                                     
Daniel V. Miles   2015     113,414       4,000       -       -       -       -       1,800       119,214  
Principal Financial Officer   2016     175,000       40,000       -       -       -       -       4,320       219,320  
                                                                     
Lawrence W. Tomsic   2015     84,706                                               22,500       107,206  
(former Principal Financial Officer) (3)   2016                                                             0  
                                                                     
Mark Beaton   2015     109,252       40,000       -       -       -       -       1,800       151,052  
Chief Operating Officer   2016     158,328                       -                       4,320       162,648  
                                                                     
Neal Cohane   2015     210,000       25,000       -       -       -       -       21,067       256,067  
SVP sales   2016     210,000       40,000                                       12,000       262,000  

 

(1) The amounts represent the fair value for share-based payment awards issued during the year. The award is calculated on the date of grant in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards, excluding any impact of assumed forfeiture rates.

 

(2) Other compensation includes both cash payments and the estimated value of the use of company assets.

 

(3) Reed’s and Lawrence W. Tomsic agreed to a mutual separation on May 29, 2015 and includes severance of $22,500

 

Employment Agreements

 

We entered into an at-will employment agreement with Valentin Stalowir to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s, effective as of June 28, 2017 and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or Mr. Stalowir with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Stalowir receives a base salary at the initial rate of $300,000 per year, automatically increasing by $25,000 per year on each anniversary of the effective date until the base salary has reached $350,000. Mr. Stalowir will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants equal to 4% of Reed’s outstanding common stock, on a fully diluted basis calculated as of the effective date of the agreement, to be granted from an incentive compensation plan to be adopted and approved by Reed’s board of directors and stockholders at a later date. Mr. Stalowir is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

On October 4, 2017, we entered into an at-will employment agreement with Stefan Freeman for his service as the Chief Operating Officer of Reed’s, effective immediately and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or the executive officer with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Freeman receives a base salary at the initial rate of $225,000 per year, subject to annual review for increase. Mr. Freeman will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants to be granted from the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, recently approved by the Company’s shareholders. Mr. Freeman is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

Christopher Reed is currently paid an annual salary of $227,000. Neal Cohane is paid an annual salary of $210,000. Daniel Miles is currently paid an annual salary of $175,000. Any bonuses are discretionary.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options and equity incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as of December 31, 2016

 

Name and
Position
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
          Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
    Option
Exercise Price
    Option
Expiration
Date
Christopher J. Reed, Chief Executive Officer     25,000               -1             $ 4.00     3/3/2018
      30,000       10,000       -2       -     $ 4.60     4/9/2019
      40,000       30,000       -4             $ 5.01     1/15/2020
Daniel Miles, Chief Financial Officer     66,667       33,333       -3       -     $ 5.01     5/8/2020
Neal Cohane, SVP Sales     30,000               -2       -     $ 4.00     3/3/2018
      30,000       10,000       -2       -     $ 4.60     4/9/2019
      40,000       30,000       -4       -     $ 5.01     1/15/2020
Mark Beaton, Chief Operating Officer     66,667       33,333       -3       -     $ 5.01     3/16/2020

 

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(1) Options vest 25% immediately and 25% per year.

 

(2) These options vest 33% per year.

 

(3) These options vest 50% per year.

 

(4) These options vest 25% per year.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to our directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

 

Name   Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
    Stock
Awards
    Option
Awards
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
    All Other
Compensation
    Total  
Judy Holloway Reed (1)   $ 4,062                             $ 4,062  
Mark Harris (2)     -     $ 900                             $ 900  
Daniel S.J. Muffoletto (1)   $ 11,230                                     $ 11,230  
Michael Fischman   $ 3,000                                     $ 3,000  
Stefan Freeman   $ 1,667                                     $ 1,667  
Lewis Jaffe   $ 2,117                                     $ 2,117  
Charles Cargile   $ 1,667                                     $ 1,667  
John Bello   $ 16,666                                     $ 16,666  

 

(1) Former directors, term ended November 29, 2016
   
(2) Former director, resigned June 1, 2016

 

MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Our common stock is listed for trading on the NYSE American trading under the symbol “REED”. The following is a summary of the high and low bid prices of our common stock on the NYSE American Capital Markets for the periods presented:

 

    Sales Price  
    High     Low  
Year Ending December 31, 2015            
First Quarter   $ 7.00     $ 5.32  
Second Quarter     6.64       5.08  
Third Quarter     6.39       4.44  
Fourth Quarter     5.90       4.50  
Year Ending December 31, 2016                
First Quarter   $ 5.46     $ 4.62  
Second Quarter     4.85       2.37  
Third Quarter     3.74       2.51  
Fourth Quarter     4.25       3.86  
Year Ending December 31, 2017                
First Quarter   $ 4.35       3.55  
Second Quarter   $ 4.75       2.30  

 

As of June 30, 2016, there were approximately 4,500 stockholders of record of the common stock (including only non-objecting beneficial owners of record) and 15,135,754 outstanding shares of common stock.

 

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Dividend Policy

 

We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, for use in our business, and, therefore, we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Payments of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including the terms of our credit facility and our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion.

 

We are obligated to pay a non-cumulative 5% dividend from lawfully available assets to the holders of our Series A preferred stock in additional shares of common stock at our discretion. In 2016 and 2015, we paid dividends on our Series A preferred stock in an aggregate of 1,504 and 751 shares of common stock in each such year, respectively and anticipate that we will be obligated to issue at least this many shares annually to the holders of the Series A preferred stock so long as such shares are issued and outstanding.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

2007 Stock Option Plan and 2015 Incentive and Non-statutory stock option plan

 

On October 8, 2007, our board of directors adopted the 2007 Stock Option Plan for 1,500,000 shares and the plan was approved by our stockholders on November 19, 2007. All of the shares granted under our 2007 Stock Option Plan have been issued. Forfeited options issued under the 2007 plan can be reissued prior to expiration of the plan. On April 6, 2015, our board of directors adopted the 2015 Incentive and Non-statutory Stock Option Plan for 500,000 shares and the plan was approved by our stockholders on December 30, 2015. Forfeited options issued under the 2015 plan cannot be reissued.

 

The plans permit the grant of options to our employees, directors and consultants. The options may constitute either “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or “non-qualified stock options”. The primary difference between “incentive stock options” and “non-qualified stock options” is that once an option is exercised, the stock received under an “incentive stock option” has the potential of being taxed at the more favorable long-term capital gains rate, while stock received by exercising a “non-qualified stock option” is taxed according to the ordinary income tax rate schedule.

 

The plans are currently administered by the board of directors. The plan administrator has full and final authority to select the individuals to receive options and to grant such options as well as a wide degree of flexibility in determining the terms and conditions of options, including vesting provisions.

 

The exercise price of an option granted under the plan cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the grant of the option. The exercise price of an incentive stock option granted to a person owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the common stock must be at least 110% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the grant. Options may not be granted under the plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the plan. Incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than 10% of the combined voting power of the common stock cannot be exercisable for more than five years.

 

When an option is exercised, the purchase price of the underlying stock will be paid in cash, except that the plan administrator may permit the exercise price to be paid in any combination of cash, shares of stock having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, or as otherwise determined by the plan administrator.

 

If an optionee ceases to be an employee, director, or consultant with us, other than by reason of death, disability or retirement, all vested options must be exercised within three months following such event. However, if an optionee’s employment or consulting relationship with us terminates for cause, or if a director of ours is removed for cause, all unexercised options will terminate immediately. If an optionee ceases to be an employee or director of, or a consultant to us, by reason of death, disability, or retirement, all vested options may be exercised within one year following such event or such shorter period as is otherwise provided in the related agreement.

 

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For the 2007 plan, when a stock award expires or is terminated before it is exercised, the shares set aside for that award are returned to the pool of shares available for future awards. For the 2015 plan, when a stock award expires or is terminated before it is exercised, the shares are canceled and cannot be reissued.

 

No option can be granted under the plan after ten years following the earlier of the date the plan was adopted by the board of directors or the date the plan was approved by our stockholders.

 

2017 Equity Compensation Plan

On September 29, 2017, our shareholders approved our 2017 Equity Compensation Plan, which allows for the issuance of up to 3,000,000 shares of stock of common stock. The plan allows for the issuance of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, nonstatutory stock options, and equity-based or equity-related awards (“Other Stock- Based Awards) in such amounts and on such terms as the plan committee shall determine, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the plan. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, each such “Other Stock-Based Award” may (i) involve the transfer of actual shares of common stock to participants, either at the time of grant or thereafter, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of common stock, (ii) be subject to performance-based and/or service-based conditions, (iii) be in the form of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units, or share-denominated performance units, (iv) be designed to comply with applicable laws of jurisdictions other than the United States, and (v) be designed to qualify as performance based compensation;  provided , that each Other Stock-Based Award shall be denominated in, or shall have a value determined by reference to, a number of shares of common stock that is specified at the time of the grant of such award.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information, as of December 31, 2016, with respect to equity securities authorized for issuance under compensation plans:

 

Plan Category    

Number of

Securities to be

Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights

 

(a)

     

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights

 

(b)

     

Number of

Securities

Remaining

Available for

Future Issuance

Under Equity

Compensation

Plans (excluding

securities reflected

in Column (a))

 
                         
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders     1,048,500     $ 4.68       87,500  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders     803,909     $ 4.50       -  
TOTAL     1,852,409     $ 4.60       87,500  

 

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
   
Condensed Balance Sheets - June 30, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016 F-1
   
Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three month and Six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) F-2
   
Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficiency for the Six months ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) F-3
   
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) F-4
   
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) F-5 to F-16
   
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-17
   
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 F-18
   
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 F-19
   
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 F-20
   
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 F-21
   
Notes to Financial Statements F-22 to F-38

 

89
   

 

REED’S INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
    (Unaudited)        
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash   $ 251,000     $ 451,000  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, returns and discounts of $282,000 and $256,000, respectively     2,730,000       2,485,000  
Inventory, net of reserve for obsolescence of $180,000 and $115,000, respectively     7,917,000       6,885,000  
Prepaid and other current assets     283,000       500,000  
Total Current Assets     11,181,000       10,321,000  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,122,000 and $4,863,000, respectively     8,250,000       7,726,000  
Brand names     805,000       805,000  
Total assets   $ 20,236,000     $ 18,852,000  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 6,690,000     $ 5,959,000  
Accrued expenses     345,000       215,000  
Advances from officers     277,000       -  
Line of credit     4,589,000       4,384,000  
Current portion of long term financing obligations     197,000       190,000  
Current portion of capital leases payable     171,000       183,000  
Current portion of bank notes     953,000       953,000  
Total current liabilities     13,222,000       11,884,000  
                 
Other long term liabilities                
Other liabilities     123,000       130,000  
Long term financing obligation, less current portion, net of discount of $774,000 and $825,000, respectively     1,317,000       1,363,000  
Capital leases payable, less current portion     360,000       438,000  
Bank notes, net of discount $0 and $78,000, respectively     6,365,000       5,919,000  
Convertible note, net of discount $2,975,000 and $0, respectively     501,000       -  
Warrant liability     1,527,000       775,000  
Total Liabilities     23,415,000       20,509,000  
                 
Stockholders’ Deficiency                
Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $10 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 9,411 shares issued and outstanding     94,000       94,000  
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 19,500,000 shares authorized, 14,013,378 and 13,982,230 shares outstanding     1,000       1,000  
Additional paid in capital     30,294,000       29,971,000  
Accumulated deficit     (33,568,000 )     (31,723,000 )
Total stockholders’ deficiency     (3,179,000 )     (1,657,000 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency   $ 20,236,000     $ 18,852,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

F- 1
   

 

REED’S, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

 

 

    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    2017     2016     2017     2016  
Net sales   $ 8,864,000     $ 10,992,000     $ 17,159,000     $ 20,996,000  
Cost of goods sold     7,181,000       8,390,000       14,391,000       16,501,000  
Gross profit     1,683,000       2,602,000       2,768,000       4,495,000  
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Delivery and handling expenses     869,000       1,064,000       1,612,000       1,913,000  
Selling and marketing expense     728,000       954,000       1,516,000       1,995,000  
General and administrative expense     1,259,000       931,000       2,297,000       2,136,000  
Total operating expenses     2,856,000       2,949,000       5,425,000       6,044,000  
                                 
Loss from operations   $ (1,173,000 )   $ (347,000 )   $ (2,657,000 )   $ (1,549,000 )
                                 
Interest expense     (995,000 )     (416,000 )     (1,513,000 )     (794,000 )
Financing and warrant modification costs     (978,000 )     -       (978,000 )     -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     3,299,000       -       3,308,000       -  
Net income (loss) basic and diluted     153,000       (763,000 )     (1,840,000 )     (2,343,000 )
                                 
Preferred stock dividends     (5,000 )     (5,000 )     (5,000 )     (5,000 )
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders   $ 148,000     $ (768,000 )   $ (1,845,000 )   $ (2,348,000 )
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic     14,013,378       13,184,000       13,982,230       13,184,000  
Income (loss) per share – basic and diluted   $ 0.01     $ (0.06 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.18 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

F- 2
   

 

REED’S, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

(Unaudited)

 

    Common Stock     Preferred Stock     Additional Paid     Accumulated     Total Shareholder  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     In Capital     Deficit     Deficienc y  
Balance, December 31, 2016     13,982,230     $ 1,000       9,411     $ 94,000     $ 29,971,000     $ (31,723,000 )   $ (1,657,000 )
                                                         
Fair value of vesting of options to employees and directors                                     228,000               228,000  
Fair value of common shares issued for services     29,508                               90,000               90,000  
Preferred dividends paid in common stock     1,640                               5,000       (5,000 )     -  
Net loss                                             (1,840,000 )     (1,840,000 )
Balance, June 30, 2017     14,013,378     $ 1,000       9,411     $ 94,000     $ 30,294,000     $ (33,568,000 )   $ (3,179,000 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

F- 3
   

 

REED’S, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

 

    6/30/2017     6/30/2016  
Cash flows from operating activities:                

Net loss

  $ (1,840,000 )   $ (2,343,000 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     813,000       477,000  
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts     26,000       (50,000 )
Fair value of vested stock options issued to employees and directors     228,000       302,000  
Fair value of common stock issued for services     90,000       -  
Fair value of warrants recorded as financing costs     978,000       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (3,308,000 )     -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (271,000 )     (600,000 )
Inventory     (1,032,000 )     204,000  
Prepaid Inventory     217,000       (529,000 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     -       196,000  
Accounts payable     731,000       (1,785,000 )
Accrued expenses     159,000       24,000  
Accrued interest on convertible note     76,000       -  
Payment of other long term obligations     (37,000 )     -  
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities     (3,170,000 )     (4,104,000 )
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of property and equipment     (60,000 )     (78,000 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (60,000 )     (78,000 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Advances from officers     500,000       -  
Repayment of amounts due to officers     (223,000 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of common stock     -       2,239,000  
Proceeds from issuance of convertible note     3,083,000       -  
Proceeds from stock option and warrant exercises     -       45,000  
Principal payments on capital expansion loan     (355,000 )     -  
Principal repayments on long term financial obligation     (90,000 )     (76,000 )
Principal repayments on capital lease obligation     (90,000 )     (87,000 )
Net repayments on existing line of credit     205,000       1,214,000  
Net cash used in financing activities     3,030,000       3,335,000  
Net decrease in cash     (200,000 )     (847,000 )
Cash at beginning of period     451,000       1,816,000  
Cash at end of period   $ 251,000     $ 969,000  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid during the period for:                
Interest   $ 861,000      $ 843,000  
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities                
Property and equipment acquired through capital expansion loan   $ 723,000     $ 1,307,000  
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease obligations     -     $ 86,000  
Fair value of warrants granted as debt discount           $ 54,000  
Dividends payable in common stock   $ 5,000     $ 5,000  
Debt discount on note recognized as warrant liability   $ 3,083,000       -  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

F- 4
   

 

REED’S, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Liquidity

 

The accompanying interim condensed financial statements are unaudited, but in the opinion of management of Reed’s, Inc. (the “Company”), contain all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position at June 30, 2017 and the results of operations and cash flows for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although management of the Company believes that the disclosures contained in these condensed financial statements are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. For further information, refer to the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2017.

 

The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

 

Liquidity

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. Such assumption contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 the Company recorded a net loss of $1,840,000 and used cash from operations of $3,170,000. As of June 30, 2017, we had a stockholder’s deficit of $3,179,000 and working capital deficit of $2,041,000 compared to stockholder’s deficit of $1,657,000 and working capital deficit of $1,563,000 at December 31, 2016.

 

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had a cash balance of $251,000 and had available borrowing on our existing line of credit of $250,000. On April 21, 2017, the Company issued a convertible note resulting in net proceeds of $3,083,000. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we were able to extend the maturity date of our operating line of credit and our other bank loans through October 21, 2018.

 

We believe that the Company currently has the necessary working capital to support existing operations for at least the next twelve months. The Company believes that we will be successful in renewing or renegotiating the PMC loans and/or other debt, but there are no assurances that this refinancing will be completed. We anticipate that our primary capital source will be positive cash flow from operations. We believe we can maintain positive cash flow by a combination of achieving our sales goals and implementing cost reductions. Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through private sales of common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt, lines of credit and cash generated from operations.

 

We may not generate sufficient revenues from product sales in the future to achieve profitable operations. If we are not able to achieve profitable operations at some point in the future, we will continue to have insufficient working capital to maintain our operations as we presently intend to conduct them or to fund our expansion and marketing and product development plans. In addition, our losses may increase in the future as we fund our marketing plans and product development. These losses, among other things, may continue to have an adverse effect on our working capital, total assets and stockholders’ equity. If we are unable to achieve profitability, the market value of our common stock would decline and there would be a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

F- 5
   

 

If we suffer losses from operations, our working capital may be insufficient to support our ability to expand our business operations as rapidly as we would deem necessary at any time, unless we are able to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to pursue our business objectives and would be required to reduce our level of operations, including reducing infrastructure, promotions, personnel and other operating expenses. These events could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. If adequate funds are not available or if they are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund the growth of our operations, take advantage of opportunities, develop products or services or otherwise respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Income (Loss) per Common Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stock holders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common stock holders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential common shares had been issued, using the treasury stock method. Potential common shares are excluded from the computation when their effect is antidilutive.

 

The Company had potentially dilutive securities that consisted of:

 

    June 30,  
    2017     2016  
Warrants     2,430,687       803,909  
Series A Preferred Stock     37,644       37,644  
Options     986,000       967,500  
Total     3,454,331       1,809,053  

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Those estimates and assumptions include estimates for reserves of uncollectible accounts, inventory obsolescence, depreciable lives of property and equipment, analysis of impairments of recorded intangibles, accruals for potential liabilities and assumptions made in valuing stock instruments issued for services.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The FASB has recently issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2016-20 all of which clarify certain implementation guidance within ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted only in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. The standard can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The Company is currently in the process of analyzing the information necessary to determine the impact of adopting this new guidance on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Company will adopt the provisions of this statement in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

F- 6
   

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 is effective for all interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. The Company is evaluating the expected impact that the standard could have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features may no longer be required to be accounted for as derivative liabilities. A company will recognize the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the strike price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, entities will recognize the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings. ASU 2017-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance in ASU 2017-11 can be applied using a full or modified retrospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

 

Concentrations

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 23% of gross sales and 26% of sales in the same period in the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 22% of sales and 26% of sales in the same period in the prior year. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of gross sales in the periods.

 

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had one customer that accounted for 17% of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had two customers that accounted for 28% and 12% of accounts receivable. No other customer accounted for more than 10% accounts receivable as of those dates.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 18% of all purchases, and 27% of all purchases in the same period in the prior year. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 18% of purchases and 27% in the same period in the prior year. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of purchases in the periods.

 

F- 7
   

 

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 20% of all payables. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had one vendor that accounted for 12% of all payables. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of accounts payable as of that date.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company uses various inputs in determining the fair value of its investments and measures these assets on a recurring basis. Financial assets recorded at fair value in the balance sheets are categorized by the level of objectivity associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Authoritative guidance provided by the FASB defines the following levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these financial assets:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions.

 

The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term bank loans, accounts payable, notes payable and other payables, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of capital lease obligations and long-term financing obligations approximate their fair values due to the fact that the interest rates on these obligations are based on prevailing market interest rates.

 

As of June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company’s balance sheets included the warrant liability of $1,527,000 and $775,000 respectively, which were based on Level 2 measurements.

 

3. Inventory

 

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or market) and, net of reserves, is comprised of the following as of:

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Raw Materials and Packaging   $ 5,256,000     $ 3,874,000  
Finished Goods     2,661,000       3,011,000  
Total Inventory   $ 7,917,000     $ 6,885,000  

 

4. Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are comprised of the following as of:

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Land   $ 1,107,000     $ 1,107,000  
Building     1,875,000       1,875,000  
Vehicles     651,000       666,000  
Machinery and equipment     3,660,000       3,686,000  
Equipment under capital leases     226,000       226,000  
Office equipment     481,000       475,000  
Construction In Progress     5,372,000       4,554,000  
      13,372,000       12,589,000  
Accumulated depreciation     (5,122,000 )     (4,863,000 )
    $ 8,250,000     $ 7,726,000  

 

Depreciation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $259,000 and $357,000, respectively.

 

F- 8
   

 

5. Intangible Assets and Impairment Policy

 

Intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived brand names acquired and have been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that these brand names will contribute cash flows to the Company perpetually. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment annually and evaluated annually to determine whether the indefinite useful life is appropriate. As part of our impairment test, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If further testing is necessary, we compare the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible asset with its book value. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, as determined by its discounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Based on management’s measurement, there were no indications of impairment at June 30, 2017.

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Virgil’s   $ 576,000     $ 576,000  
Sonoma Sparkler     229,000       229,000  
Brand names   $ 805,000     $ 805,000  

 

6. Advances from Related Parties

 

During the period ended June 30, 2017, Chris Reed (the former CEO and current CIO), Daniel Miles (CFO) and Robert Reed (brother of Chris Reed, CIO) advanced funds of $260,000, $120,000 and $120,00 respectively to the Company for working capital uses. During the period, the Company repaid to Mr. Chris Reed the $120,000 that was advanced from him, and also repaid Robert Reed $103,000 of the advances due him. As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate amount due for the remaining unpaid advances was $277,000.  The advances are unsecured, non-interest bearing with no formal terms of repayment.

 

7. Notes Payable

 

The Company has a Loan and Security Agreement with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (PMC) that provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit, a $3,000,000 term loan and a Capital Expansion loan up to $4,700,000. The loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and were initially due on January 1, 2019 As a condition to PMC’s approval of the transaction described in Note 10, and Purchaser’s subordinated security interest, on April 21, 2017, Reed’s Inc. and PMC entered into Amendment Number Fifteen to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement changing the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, Term Loan Maturity Date, Cap Ex Loan Maturity Date and Term Loan B Maturity Date from January 1, 2019, to October 21, 2018.

 

The notes are as follows:

 

Revolving Line of Credit

 

The agreement provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit. Consistent with prior year, the revolving line of credit has been expanded by an additional $630,000 to accommodate prepaid inventory. This expansion is payable by the end of the current year. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount outstanding under the line of credit was $4,589,000 and $4,384,000, respectively.

 

The interest rate on the Revolving Loan was the prime rate plus .35% but was modified on December 7, 2016, such that the rate charge will be calculated on a sliding scale based on the trailing 6 month Earnings Before Interest Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”). If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of June 30, 2017, our effective rate under the revolving line was 9.5%. The monthly management fee is .45% of the average monthly loan balance.

 

F- 9
   

 

The revolving line of credit is based on 85% of accounts receivable and 60% of eligible inventory and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had $250,000 borrowing availability under the line of credit agreement

 

The line of credit matures on October 1, 2018 and is subject to a 1% prepayment penalty for prepayment prior to the first anniversary of the effective date.

 

Bank Notes

 

Bank notes consist of the following as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Term Loans   $ 3,000,000     $ 3,000,000  
CAPEX loan     4,318,000       3,950,000  
Valuation discount     -       (78,000 )
Net     7,318,000       6,872,000  
Current portion     (953,000 )     (953,000 )
Long term portion   $ 6,365,000     $ 5,919,000  

 

(A) Term Loans

 

In connection with the Loan and Security Agreement with PMC, the Company entered into two Term Loans of $1,500,000 each, for an aggregate borrowing of $3,000,000. The term loans are secured by all of the unencumbered assets of the Company and are due on October 1, 2018. The annual interest rate on the first loan was prime plus 5.75% (currently 9.5%), and the rate on the second loan was prime plus 11.60% (currently 14.85%) but was modified on December 7, 2016 such that the new rate will be based on the trailing 6-month EBITDA. If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the amount outstanding was $3,000,000 and $3,000,000 respectively.

 

(B) Capital Expansion (“CAPEX”) Loan

 

In connection with the Loan and Security Agreement with PMC, the Company entered into a Capital expansion loan which, after amendment allows a total borrowing of $4,700,000. The loans are secured by all of the property and equipment purchased under the loan. The interest rate on the CAPEX loan is the prime rate plus 5.75% (9.5% at June 30, 2017). Interest only is payable on CAPEX Loans through January 31, 2017, at which time principal and interest will be aggregated and repaid in equal monthly payments of principal and interest based on 48 month amortization. Currently and until the second tranche has been closed, the estimated amount that will become due in the next twelve months is $953,000. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the balance on the CAPEX loan balance was $4,318,000 and $3,950,000 respectively, and as of June 30, 2017, the Company had future borrowing availability of $315,000.

 

In addition, the Company agreed to pre-pay the CAPEX Loan by at least $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of idle equipment, if such sale were to occur.

 

In conjunction with this loan the Company placed equipment with a cost of $250,000 at a co-packing facility to enable the co-packer to manufacture our products. Should the Company be unable to secure access to the equipment in the event of failure of the co-packer, the amount will become due and payable by the Company.

 

F- 10
   

 

(C) Issuance of Warrants upon Amendments

 

On November 9, 2015, as part of restructuring of the Term Loans with PMC, the Company granted PMC 125,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share for five years and six months. The 125,000 warrants were valued at $141,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 125,000 warrants; term of 5.5 years, volatility of 56.04%, expected dividends 0% and discount rate of 0.68%. The value of the warrants of $141,000 was recorded as a valuation discount and is being amortized over the remaining 16 months of the term loans.

 

On May 13, 2016, as part of a further restructuring of the loans with PMC, the Company granted PMC 50,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share with a term of five years and six months. The 50,000 warrants were valued at $38,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 50,000 warrants; term of 5.5 years, volatility of 54.17%, expected dividends of 0% and discount rate of 1.49%. The value of the warrants of $38,000 was recorded as a valuation discount and is being amortized over the remaining term of the loans.

 

On December 7, 2016, the Company agreed to reprice the exercise price of 50,000 common stock purchase warrants granted under Amendment Twelve from $4.50 to $4.10 and to reprice the exercise price of 125,000 common stock purchase warrants granted under Amendment Ten from $5.01 to $4.10. The following assumptions were made in repricing the warrants; term of 3.5 years, volatility of 49.52%, expected dividends 0% and discount rate of 0.74%. The incremental value of the warrants before and after the modification of $38,000 will be amortized over the remaining 24 months of the term loans. The Company also agreed to pay a one-time fee of $35,000.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the amortization of the discount was $78,000 and $57,000 respectively, and the unamortized discount was $0 and $78,000 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively.

 

(D) Interest Rates

 

Notwithstanding the other borrowing terms above, if Excess Borrowing Availability under the $6 million Revolving line of credit remains more than $1,500,000 at all times during the preceding month (currently the Company’s Borrowing Availability is $250,000) the additional interest rate for all loans will be eliminated. The following chart summarizes the loans as of June 30, 2017,

 

Description   Rate     Base Interest Rate     Increase in Prime     Current Original rate     Additional Interest     Current rate  
Term A     P+5.75%       9.00 %     1.00 %     10.00 %     3.00 %     13.00 %
Term B     P+11.60%       11.60 %             11.60 %     4.25 %     15.85 %
Line of Credit (Prime Plus)     P+0.35%       0.35 %     3.75 %     4.10 %     3.00 %     7.10 %
Capital Loans     P+5.75%       9.00 %     1.00 %     10.00 %     3.00 %     13.00 %

 

As noted above, there is a .45% monthly monitoring fee for the line of credit. When added to current rate, the current annual rate is approximately 13.0%

 

8. Obligations under Capital Leases

 

The Company leases equipment for its brewery operations with an aggregate value of $944,000 under six non-cancelable capital leases. Monthly payments range from $341 to $10,441 per month, including interest, at interest rates ranging from 6.51% to 17.31% per annum. At June 30, 2017, monthly payments under these leases aggregated $19,000. The leases expire at various dates through 2020.

 

F- 11
   

 

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases are as follows:

 

Years Ending June 31,      
2017   $ 165,000  
2018     228,000  
2019     155,000  
2020     48,000  
2021     1,000  
Total payments   $ 597,000  
Less: Amount representing interest     (66,000 )
Present value of net minimum lease payments   $ 531,000  
Less: Current portion     (171,000 )
Non-current portion   $ 360,000  

 

9. Long-term Financing Obligation

 

Long term financing obligation is comprised of the following as of:

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Financing obligation   $ 2,288,000     $ 2,378,000  
Valuation discount     (774,000 )     (825,000 )
Net long term financing obligation   $ 1,514,000     $ 1,553,000  
Less current portion     (197,000 )     (190,000 )
Long term financing obligation   $ 1,317,000     $ 1,363,000  

 

On June 15, 2009, the Company closed escrow on the sale of its two buildings and its brewery equipment and concurrently entered into a long-term lease agreement for the same property and equipment. In connection with the lease the Company has the option to repurchase the buildings and brewery equipment from 12 months after the commencement date to the end of the lease term at the greater of the fair market value or an agreed upon amount. Since the lease contains a buyback provision and other related terms, the Company determined it had continuing involvement that did not warrant the recognition of a sale; therefore, the transaction has been accounted for as a long-term financing. The proceeds from the sale, net of transaction costs, have been recorded as a financing obligation in the amount of $3,056,000. Monthly payments under the financing agreement are recorded as interest expense and a reduction in the financing obligation at an implicit rate of 9.9%. The financing obligation was personally guaranteed up to a limit of $150,000 by the principal shareholder and Chief Innovative Officer, Christopher J. Reed.

 

In connection with the financing obligation and subsequent amendments, the Company issued an aggregate of 600,000 warrants to purchase its common stock. The 600,000 warrants were valued at an aggregate amount of $1,336,000 and were recorded as valuation discount at date of issuance, and are being amortized over 15 years, the term of the purchase option. The balance of the unamortized valuation discount at December 31, 2016 was $825,000. Amortization of valuation discount was $51,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the unamortized balance as of June 30, 2017 was $774,000.

 

F- 12
   

 

10. Convertible Note

 

Convertible notes consist of the following on June 30, 2017 (there were no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2016)

 

12% Convertible Note Payable   $ 3,400,000  
Accrued Interest     76,000  
Valuation Discount     (2,975,000 )
         
Net   $ 501,000  

 

On April 21, 2017 (“Closing Date”), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”), the Company sold and issued a secured convertible subordinated non-redeemable note in the principal amount of $3,400,000 (“Note”) and a warrant to purchase 1,416,667 shares of common stock (“Warrant Shares”) to Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC (“Purchaser”). The Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, compounded monthly on a 360-day year/ 30-day month basis. The Note is secured by a second priority security interest in the Company’s assets, which is subordinate to the first priority security interest of PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”). The Note matures on the two-year anniversary of the Closing date and may not be prepaid. After 180 days, the Note may be converted, at any time and from time to time, into 1,133,333 shares of common stock of the Company (“Conversion Shares”). Wunderlich Securities, the Company’s placement agent, received a fee of $160,000 for placement agency services. In addition the Company incurred other direct costs of $157,000 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $3,083,000.

 

The Warrant Shares will expire on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date and have an exercise price equal to $4.00. The Warrant Shares will not be exercisable until 180 days after the Closing date. The Note and Warrant contain customary anti-dilution provisions and the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares are subject to a registration rights agreement. The investor was granted a right to participate in future financing transactions of the Company for a term of two years. In addition, the warrants issued to the investor included a fundamental transaction provision, and, as such, were accounted for as warrant liability. Upon their issuance, the fair value of these warrants was determined to be $3,302,000 using a Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model (see Note 11 for further discussion of warrant liability). In accordance with the current accounting guidance $3,083,000 of this amount was recorded as a valuation discount, and the excess of the fair value of the warrant liability at the issuance date over the amount allocated to valuation discount of $219,000 was accounted for as a financing cost. As such, the Company recognized a debt discount at the dates of issuance in the aggregate amount of $3,400,000 related to the fair value of the warrant liability of $3,083,000 and cash offering costs of $317,000. The debt discount is to be amortized over the term of the note. Amortization of the note discount during the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $425,000, and the unamortized debt discount at June 30, 2017 was $2,975,000.

 

On April 19, 2016, three accredited investors that are party to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 and hold participation rights in the Company’s financing transactions agreed to waive their participation rights with regard to the April 21, 2017 financing. In consideration, these investors’ participation rights, expiring in May 2017, were extended for a period of two years. In addition, the Company increased the terms of their outstanding warrants by one year and reduced the exercise price from $4.25 to $3.00, The incremental change in their fair value of $187,000 was accounted for as an increase in the fair value of the warrant liabilities as of the date of modification and recorded as a cost of warrant modification. In addition, the Company also issued five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 210,111 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.00 to these investors. The newly issued warrants contain customary anti-dilution provisions and also included a fundamental transaction provision, and, as such, were accounted for as warrant liability. As such, the fair value of the new warrants of $571,000 at their issue date was accounted for as a warrant liability and a financing cost at the issue date.

 

F- 13
   

 

11. Warrant Liability

 

The Company has issued warrants to investors and a placement agent as part of our financing transactions. The Company determined that the fundamental transaction terms of these warrants could give rise to an obligation of the Company to pay cash to the warrant holders. As such, in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), the fair value of these warrants is classified as a liability on the Company’s balance sheet and the corresponding changes in fair value are required to be recorded in the Company’s statements of operations in each subsequent period.

 

The warrant liability was valued at the following dates using Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following average assumptions:

 

    As of     Upon Issuance     Upon Modification     As of  
    December 31, 2016     April 21, 2017     April 21, 2017     June 30, 2017  
    (1)     (2)     (3)     (4)  
Stock Price   $ 4.10     $ 4.75     $ 4.75       2.45  
Risk free interest rate     1.58 %     1.51 %     1.51 %     1.54 %
Expected Volatility     54.71 %     49.33 %     49.33 %     54.79 %
Expected life in years     4.42       5.00       5.00       3.92 to 4.93  
Expected dividend yield     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
Fair Value – Warrants   $ 775,000     $ 3,873,000     $ 187,000       1,527,000  

 

  (1) Warrant valuation of the 418,909 warrants that contained fundamental transaction clause at December 31, 2016
     
  (2) Warrant valuation of the 1,626,778 warrants that contained fundamental transaction clause issued during the period ended June 30, 2017
     
  (3) Warrant valuation of the 280,147 warrants that were modified during the period ended June 30, 2017
     
  (4) Warrant valuation of the 2,045,687 warrants that contained fundamental transaction clause at June 30, 2017

 

The risk-free interest rate used in the calculation was based on rates established by the Federal Reserve Bank. The Company uses the historical volatility of its common stock to estimate the future volatility for its common stock. The expected life of the warrant was determined by the remaining contractual life of the warrant instrument. The expected dividend yield was determined to be zero based on the fact that the Company has not paid dividends to its common stockholders in the past and does not expect to pay dividends to its common stockholders in the future.

 

During the period ended June 30, 2017, the company realized a gain of $3,308,000 related to the change in fair value of the warrant liability.

 

Based on the subsequent event discussed in detail in Note 14, the Company expects the elimination of the fundamental transaction liability in the third quarter of 2017.

 

F- 14
   

 

12. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

On June 28, 2017 dividends were paid on the Series A Preferred stock in the amount of $5,000, by issuing 1,640 shares of common stock.

 

Common Stock

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company issued 29,508 shares of common to certain members of the board of directors valued at $3.05 per share with an aggregate value of $90,000 for services rendered

 

13. Stock Based Activity

 

Stock Options

 

Stock options granted under our equity incentive plans generally vest over 3 years from the date of grant, at 33% per year or over 4 years at 25% per year and expire 5 years from the date of grant. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017:

 

    Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms (Years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016     1,048,500       4.68       3.8     $ 61,000  
Granted                                
Exercised                                
Forfeited or expired     (62,500 )     5.01       4.73          
Outstanding at June 30, 2017     986,000       4.68       3.33     $ -  
Exercisable at June 30, 2017     673,200       4.71       3.04     $ -  

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company did not grant any stock options to any employee or other party.

 

The aggregate intrinsic value was calculated as the difference between the closing market price, which was $2.45, and the exercise price of the Company’s stock options as of June 30, 2017. Stock-based compensation recognized on the Company’s statement of operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $228,000 and $302,000, respectively.

 

F- 15
   

 

Stock Warrants

 

    Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
    Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms (Years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016     803,909     $ 4.50       4.00     $ 26,000  
Granted     1,626,778     $ 3.67       5.00     $ -  
Exercised                                
Forfeited or expired                                
Outstanding at June 30, 2017     2,430,687     $ 4.50       3.94     $ -  
Exercisable at June 30, 2017     803,909     $ 4.54       3.95     $ -  

 

The intrinsic value was calculated as the difference between the closing market price, which was $2.45 and the exercise price of the Company’s warrants common stock, as of June 30, 2017.

 

14. Subsequent Events

 

We entered into an at-will employment agreement with Valentin Stalowir to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s, effective as of June 28, 2017 and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or Mr. Stalowir with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Stalowir receives a base salary at the initial rate of $300,000 per year, automatically increasing by $25,000 per year on each anniversary of the effective date until the base salary has reached $350,000. Mr. Stalowir will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants equal to 4% of Reed’s outstanding common stock, on a fully diluted basis calculated as of the effective date of the agreement, to be granted from an incentive compensation plan to be adopted and approved by Reed’s board of directors and stockholders at a later date. Mr. Stalowir is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

On July 13, 2017, the Company entered into Warrant Exercise Agreements with Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Investor”) and three other investors holding participation rights in our financing transactions to reprice warrants to purchase 1,906,925 shares of our common stock (the “Repriced Warrants”). The Repriced Warrants had an exercise price per share of $1.50 and were revised to modify language pertaining to “Fundamental Transactions”. Restrictions upon exercise were waived as to 1,093,750 warrant shares being exercised for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $1.6 million. The Company also issued to the investors, pro rata based on the number of shares each investor exercised, additional second tranche warrants to purchase up to 512,560 shares of our common stock and additional third tranche warrants to purchase up to 87,746 shares of our common stock. Second tranche warrants have a term of five years, may be exercised commencing six months after the closing date, and have an exercise price equal to $2.00. The third tranche warrants will be exercisable immediately upon issuance for a term of 5-years, with an exercise price of $1.55. The Company believes the modification of the fundamental transaction clause will eliminate the warrant liability as discussed in Note 11, the effect of which will be recorded in the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

The Lead Investor received the right to designate one non-voting observer to attend meetings of the board of directors as an observer. Further, the Company agreed to hold an annual or special meeting of stockholders on or before September 29, 2017 at which the board of directors will make the following proposals: (i) the issuance of securities in one or more non-public offerings where the maximum discount at which securities will be offered will be equivalent to a discount of up to 25% below the market price of Reed’s Inc. common stock, in accordance with NYSE American Company Guide Rules and (ii) amendment to Reed’s certificate of incorporation to effect a minimum of five million (5,000,000) additional shares of Reed’s Inc. authorized common stock. All proxies given to management will be voted in favor of such proposals.

 

On October 4, 2017, we entered into an at-will employment agreement with Stefan Freeman for his service as the Chief Operating Officer of Reed’s, effective immediately and continuing thereafter unless terminated by either the Company or the executive officer with or without notice, and with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Freeman receives a base salary at the initial rate of $225,000 per year, subject to annual review for increase. Mr. Freeman will also receive a performance based cash bonus structure and equity comprised of stock options and/or restricted stock grants to be granted from the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, recently approved by the Company’s shareholders. Mr. Freeman is also eligible to participate in the Company’s other benefit plans. The agreement provides for full acceleration of equity grants triggered by a “change of control”, as defined in the agreement and contains confidentiality, invention assignment and non-solicitation covenants.

 

F- 16
   

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Reed’s, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Reed’s, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of Reed’s, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Weinberg & Company, P.A.  
   
Los Angeles, California  
April 24, 2017  

 

F- 17
   

 

REED’S INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31 2015  
ASSETS            
Current assets:                
Cash   $ 451,000     $ 1,816,000  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and discounts of $256,000 and $356,000, respectively     2,485,000       2,894,000  
Inventory, net of reserve for obsolescence of $115,000 and $290,000, respectively     6,885,000       7,974,000  
Prepaid and other current assets     500,000       769,000  
Total Current Assets     10,321,000       13,453,000  
                 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,719,000 and $4,216,000, respectively     7,726,000       5,369,000  
Brand names     805,000       1,029,000  
Total assets   $ 18,852,000     $ 19,851,000  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                
Current Liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 5,959,000     $ 7,458,000  
Accrued expenses     215,000       168,000  
Line of credit     4,384,000       4,443,000  
Current portion of long term financing obligations     190,000       160,000  
Current portion of capital leases payable     183,000       153,000  
Current portion of bank notes     953,000       341,000  
Total current liabilities     11,884,000       12,723,000  
                 
Other Long Term Liabilities     130,000       -  
Long term financing obligation, less current portion, net of discount of $825,000 and $935,000, respectively     1,363,000       1,443,000  
Capital leases payable, less current portion     438,000       490,000  
Bank notes, net of discount $78,000 and $132,000, respectively     5,919,000       4,410,000  
Warrant liability     775,000       -  
Total Liabilities     20,509,000       19,066,000  
                 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):                
Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $10 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 9,411 shares issued and outstanding     94,000       94,000  
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 19,500,000 shares authorized, 13,982,230 and 13,160,860 shares issued and outstanding, respectively     1,000       1,000  
Additional paid in capital     29,971,000       27,399,000  
Accumulated deficit     (31,723,000 )     (26,709,000 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)     (1,657,000 )     785,000  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)   $ 18,852,000     $ 19,851,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

F- 18
   

 

REED’S, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

    2016     2015  
Net Sales   $ 42,472,000     $ 45,948,000  
Cost of goods sold     33,490,000       34,343,000  
Gross profit     8,982,000       11,605,000  
                 
Operating expenses:                
Delivery and handling expenses     3,902,000       5,100,000  
Selling and marketing expense     3,701,000       4,867,000  
General and administrative expense     4,208,000       4,368,000  
Impairment of assets     224,000       -  
Total operating expenses     12,035,000       14,335,000  
                 
Loss from operations     (3,053,000 )     (2,730,000 )
Interest expense     (1,724,000 )     (1,231,000 )
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (232,000 )     -  
Net loss     (5,009,000 )     (3,961,000 )
                 
Preferred Stock Dividends     (5,000 )     (5,000 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (5,014,000 )   $ (3,966,000 )
                 
Loss per share – basic and diluted   $ (0.37 )   $ (0.30 )
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted     13,619,930       13,147,815  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

F- 19
   

 

REED’S, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

    Common Stock     Preferred Stock     Additional            Total Shareholder  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Paid In Capital     Accumulated
Deficit
   

Equity

(Deficit)

 
                                           
Balance, January 1, 2014     13,068,058     $ 1,000       9,411     $ 94,000     $ 26,300,000     $ (22,743,000 )   $ 3,652,000  
                                                         
Fair Value of common stock issued for services     247                               1,000               1,000  
Common shares issued upon exercise of warrants     57,112                                               -  
Common shares issued upon exercise of options     34,692                               75,000               75,000  
Fair value of warrants granted as valuation discount                                     141,000               141,000  
Fair value vesting of options issued to employees                                     877,000               877,000  
Series A preferred stock dividend     751                               5,000       (5,000 )     -  
                                                         
Net Loss                                             (3,961,000 )     (3,961,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2015     13,160,860       1,000       9,411       94,000       27,399,000       (26,709,000 )     785,000  
                                                         
Fair value of common stock issued for services     4,228                               15,000               15,000  
Common shares issued upon exercise of warrants     16,260                               45,000               45,000  
Common shares issued upon exercise of options     76,966                               71,000               71,000  
Fair value of vested options                                     658,000               658,000  
Common shares issued upon sale of securities     722,412                               1,687,000               1,687,000  
Fair value vesting of warrants issued as debt discount                                     91,000               91,000  
Series A preferred stock dividend     1,504                               5,000       (5,000 )     -  
Net Loss                                             (5,009,000 )     (5,009,000 )
Balance, December 31, 2016     13,982,230     $ 1,000       9,411     $ 94,000     $ 29,971,000     $ (31,723,000 )   $ (1,657,000 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

F- 20
   

 

REED’S, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

    2016     2015  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (5,009,000 )   $ (3,961,000 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     642,000       933,000  
Fair value of vested stock options issued to employees     658,000       877,000  
Fair value of common stock issued for services     15,000       1,000  
(Decrease) increase in allowance for doubtful accounts     (100,000 )     103,000  
(Decrease) increase in reserve for impairment of assets     484,000       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     232,000       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     509,000       (497,000 )
Inventory     1,089,000       (381,000 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     269,000       (25,000 )
Accounts payable     (1,499,000 )     1,564,000  
Accrued expenses     17,000       38,000  
Increase in other long term obligations     160,000       -  
Net cash used in operating activities     (2,533,000 )     (1,348,000 )
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of property and equipment     (410,000 )     (532,000 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (410,000 )     (532,000 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from stock option and warrant exercises     116,000       75,000  
Principal payments on capital expansion loan     (375,000 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of common stock     2,230,000       -  
Proceeds from borrowing on Term Loan B     -       1,500,000  
Principal repayments on long term financial obligation     (160,000 )     (134,000 )
Principal repayments on capital lease obligation     (174,000 )     (138,000 )
Net borrowings (repayments) on existing line of credit     (59,000 )     1,434,000  
Net cash provided by financing activities     1,578,000       2,737,000  
Net increase (decrease) in cash     (1,365,000 )     857,000  
Cash at beginning of period     1,816,000       959,000  
Cash at end of period   $ 451,000   $ 1,816,000  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid during the period for:                
Interest   $ 1,746,000     $ 1,187,000  
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities                
Property and equipment acquired through capital expansion loan   $ 2,442,000     $ 915,000  
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease obligations     152,000       179,000  
Other current assets acquired through capital expansion loan     -       297,000  
Fair value of warrants granted as debt discount     91,000       141,000  
Dividends payable in common stock     5,000       5,000  
Warrant liability from private financing     543,000       -  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

F- 21
   

 

REED’S, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015

 

(1) Operations and Liquidity

 

A) Nature of Operations

 

Reed’s, Inc. (the “Company”) was organized under the laws of the state of Florida in January 1991. In 2001, the Company changed its name from Original Beverage Corporation to Reed’s, Inc. and changed its state of incorporation from Florida to Delaware. The Company is engaged primarily in the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing natural non-alcoholic beverages, as well as candies and ice creams. We currently manufacture, market and sell seven unique product lines:

 

Reed’s Ginger Brews,
   
Virgil’s Root Beer, Cream Sodas, Dr. Better and Real Cola, including ZERO diet sodas,
   
Culture Club Kombucha,
   
China Colas,
   
Reed’s Ginger candy and ice creams,
   
Sonoma Sparkler and other juice based products.

 

The Company sells its products primarily in natural food stores, supermarket chains, and upscale gourmet stores in the United States and Canada.

 

B) Cash and Liquidity

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. Such assumption contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company recorded a net loss of $ 5,009,000 and utilized cash in operations of $2,533,000. As of December 31, 2016, we had a working capital deficiency of $1,563,000 and a stockholders’ deficit of $1,657,000.

 

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had a cash balance of $197,000 and had available borrowing on our existing line of credit of $191,000. On April 21, 2017, the Company issued a convertible note resulting in net proceeds of $3,240,000. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we were able to extend the maturity date of our operating line of credit and our other bank loans through October 21, 2018. We estimate the Company currently has sufficient cash and liquidity to meet its anticipated working capital for the next twelve months.

 

Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through private sales of common stock, preferred stock, a line of credit from a financial institution and cash generated from operations. We anticipate that our primary capital source will be positive cash flow from operations. If our sales goals do not materialize as planned, we believe that the Company can reduce its operating costs and achieve positive cash flow from operations. However, we may not generate sufficient revenues from product sales in the future to achieve profitable operations. If we are not able to achieve profitable operations at some point in the future, we may have insufficient working capital to maintain our operations as we presently intend to conduct them or to fund our expansion, marketing, and product development plans. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such financing on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

F- 22
   

 

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

 

A) Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Those estimates and assumptions include estimates for reserves of uncollectible accounts, inventory obsolescence, depreciable lives of property and equipment, analysis of impairments of recorded long term assets and intangibles, accruals for potential liabilities and assumptions made in valuing stock instruments issued for services.

 

B) Accounts Receivable

 

The Company evaluates the collectability of its trade accounts receivable based on a number of factors. In circumstances where the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific reserve for bad debts is estimated and recorded, which reduces the recognized receivable to the estimated amount the Company believes will ultimately be collected. In addition to specific customer identification of potential bad debts, bad debt charges are recorded based on the Company’s historical losses and an overall assessment of past due trade accounts receivable outstanding.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and discounts is established through a provision reducing the carrying value of receivables. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and discounts was approximately $256,000 and $356,000, respectively.

 

C) Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost to purchase and/or manufacture the inventory or the current estimated market value of the inventory. We regularly review our inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand and/or our ability to sell the product(s) concerned and production requirements. Demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. Factors that could affect demand for our products include unanticipated changes in consumer preferences, general market conditions or other factors, which may result in cancellations of advance orders or a reduction in the rate of reorders placed by customers. Additionally, our management’s estimates of future product demand may be inaccurate, which could result in an understated or overstated provision required for excess and obsolete inventory.

 

D) Property and Equipment and Related Depreciation

 

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements that extend the useful lives of property and equipment or increase production capacity are capitalized, and expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using accelerated and straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Property and Equipment Type   Years of Depreciation  
Building   39 years  
Machinery and equipment   5-12 years  
Vehicles   5 years  
Office equipment   5-7 years  

 

Management assesses the carrying value of property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment, management prepares an estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2016 the Company recognized a charge of $260,000 for impairments for its property and equipment in anticipation of early retirement of equipment with the Los Angeles plant. There were no charges for equipment impairment prior to that in the prior years.

 

F- 23
   

 

E) Intangible Assets and Impairment Policy

 

Intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived brand names acquired and have been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that these brand names will contribute cash flows to the Company perpetually. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment annually and evaluated annually to determine whether the indefinite useful life is appropriate. As part of our impairment test, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If further testing is necessary, we compare the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible asset with its book value. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, as determined by its discounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For the years ended December 31, 2016 the Company recognized an impairment charge of $224,000 for the China Cola brand. For 2015, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges for its indefinite-lived intangible assets.

 

F) Concentrations

 

The Company’s cash balances on deposit with banks are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000 at December 31, 2016. The Company may be exposed to risk for the amounts of funds held in bank accounts more than the insurance limit. In assessing the risk, the Company’s policy is to maintain cash balances with high quality financial institutions. The Company had cash balances more than the guarantee during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had two customers who accounted for approximately 22% and 12% of its sales, respectively; and during the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had two customers who accounted for approximately 28% and 14% of its sales, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of sales in either year. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had accounts receivable due from one customer who comprised $719,000 (25%) of its total accounts receivable; and as of December 31, 2015, the Company had accounts receivable due from two customers who comprised $782,000 (24%) and $373,000 (12%), respectively, of its total accounts receivable. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable in either year.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had utilized three separate co-pack packers for most its production and bottling of beverage products in the Eastern United States. Although there are other packers and the Company has outfitted our own brewery and bottling plant, a change in packers may cause a delay in the production process, which could ultimately affect operating results.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had one vendor which accounted for approximately 26% and 25%, respectively of purchases. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had accounts payable due to two vendors who comprised 13% and 10% for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 14% and 12% of its total accounts payable, for the year ended December 31, 2015. No other account was more than 10% of the balance of accounts payable as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015.

 

G) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company uses various inputs in determining the fair value of its investments and measures these assets on a recurring basis. Financial assets recorded at fair value in the balance sheets are categorized by the level of objectivity associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Authoritative guidance provided by the FASB defines the following levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these financial assets:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2—Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions.

 

The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term bank loans, accounts payable, notes payable and other payables, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of capital lease obligations and long-term financing obligations approximate their fair values since the interest rates on these obligations are based on prevailing market interest rates.

 

The fair value of the warrant liability of $775,000 at December 31, 2016 was valued using Level 2 inputs.

 

F- 24
   

 

H) Cost of sales

 

Cost of goods sold is comprised of the costs of raw materials and packaging utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, as well as certain internal transfer costs. Additionally, cost of goods sold consists of direct production costs in excess of charges allocated to finished goods in production. Plant costs include labor costs, production supplies, repairs and maintenance, direct inventory write-off charges and adjustments to the inventory reserve. Charges for labor and overhead allocated to finished goods are determined on a market cost basis, which may be lower than the actual costs incurred. Plant costs in excess of production allocations are expensed in the period incurred rather than added to the cost of finished goods produced. Expenses not related to the production of our products are classified as operating expenses.

 

I) Delivery and Handling Expenses

 

Shipping and handling costs are comprised of purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, transfer freight costs, and other costs associated with product distribution after manufacture and are included as part of operating expenses.

 

J) Income Taxes

 

The Company uses an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes that allows recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

K) Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized on the sale of a product when the risk of loss transfers to our customers, and collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, which generally occurs when the product is shipped. A product is not shipped without an order from the customer and credit acceptance procedures performed. The allowance for returns is regularly reviewed and adjusted by management based on historical trends of returned items. Amounts paid by customers for shipping and handling costs are included in sales.

 

The Company accounts for certain sales incentives for customers, including slotting fees, as a reduction of gross sales. These sales incentives for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were approximately $3,726,000 and $3,765,000, respectively.

 

L) Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential common shares had been issued, using the treasury stock method. Potential common shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is antidilutive.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the calculations of basic and diluted loss per share are the same because potential dilutive securities would have an anti-dilutive effect. The potentially dilutive securities consisted of the following as of:

 

    December 31,
    2016   2015
Warrants     803,909       341,261  
Series A Preferred Stock     37,644       37,644  
Options     1,048,500       980,000  
Total     1,890,053       1,358,905  

 

F- 25
   

 

M) Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling expense in the amount of $254,000 and $105,000, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

N) Stock Compensation Expense

 

The Company periodically issues stock options and warrants to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to employees based on the authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) whereas the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on the straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Options granted to non-employees are revalued each reporting period to determine the amount to be recorded as an expense in the respective period. As the options vest, they are valued on each vesting date and an adjustment is recorded for the difference between the value already recorded and the then current value on the date of vesting. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.

 

The fair value of the Company’s stock option and warrant grants are estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model, which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life of the stock options or warrants, and future dividends. Compensation expense is recorded based upon the value derived from the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model, and based on actual experience. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model could materially affect compensation expense recorded in future periods.

 

O) Reclassification

 

In presenting the Company’s statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company previously included $235,000 of banking fees as general and administrative expenses. In presenting the Company’s statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has reclassified these expenses to interest expense.

 

P) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP and replace it with a principle based approach for determining revenue recognition. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The FASB has recently issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2016-20 all of which clarify certain implementation guidance within ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted only in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. The standard can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The Company is currently in the process of analyzing the information necessary to determine the impact of adopting this new guidance on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Company will adopt the provisions of this statement in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 is effective for all interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact that the standard could have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU require, among other things, that all income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The ASU also allows for an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact that the standard could have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 26
   

 

(3) Inventory

 

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, and is comprised of the following as of:

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
Raw Materials and Packaging   $ 3,874,000     $ 4,411,000  
Finished Goods     3,011,000       3,563,000  
    $ 6,885,000     $ 7,974,000  

 

Consistent with prior years the Company prepaid for glass raw materials that was used in the following year. As of December 31, 2016, there was a balance of $294,000 as compared to a balance of $47,000 for prepaid inventory of as of December 31, 2015. The Company also decreased its reserve for obsolescence for the year ended December 31, 2016 by $175,000 to $115,000 from $290,000, respectively as obsolete inventory was disposed.

 

(4) Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is comprised of the following as of:

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
Land   $ 1,107,000     $ 1,107,000  
Building     1,875,000       1,875,000  
Vehicles     600,000       500,000  
Machinery and equipment     3,696,000       3,800,000  
Equipment under capital leases     226,000       857,000  
Office equipment     475,000       469,000  
Construction In Progress     4,610,000       977,000  
      12,589,000       9,585,000  
Accumulated depreciation     (4,863,000 )     (4,216,000 )
    $ 7,726,000     $ 5,369,000  

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $647,000 and $828,000, respectively. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company established a reserve of $260,000 for obsolete equipment in anticipation of the Los Angeles plant completion which is included as part of the cost of goods sold.

 

Accumulated depreciation on equipment held under capital leases was $226,000 and $461,000 as of December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively. (See note 8).

 

F- 27
   

 

(5) Intangible Assets

 

Brand Names

 

Brand names consist of the following three trademarks for natural beverage as of December 31, 2016, and 2015. Virgil’s, China Cola, and Sonoma Sparkler brand names are deemed to have indefinite lives and are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually. For the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company recognized an impairment charge of $224,000 for its China Cola Brand. The Company did not recognize any impairment for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
Virgil’s   $ 576,000     $ 576,000  
China Cola     224,000       224,000  
Sonoma Sparkler     229,000       229,000  
Purchased Brands     1,029,000       1,029,000  
Less reserve for impairment     (224,000 )     -  
Brand names   $ 805,000     $ 1,029,000  

 

(6) Notes Payable

 

The Company has a Loan and Security Agreement with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (PMC) that provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit, a $3,000,000 term loan, and a Capital Expansion loan up to $4,700,000. The loans are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and become due on January 1, 2019. The notes are as follows:

 

Revolving Line of Credit

 

The agreement provides a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the aggregate amount outstanding under the line of credit was $4,384,000 and $4,443,000, respectively.

 

The interest rate on the Revolving Loan was the prime rate plus .35% but was modified on December 7, 2016, such that the rate charge will be calculated on a sliding scale based on the trailing 6 month Earnings Before Interest Taxes and Depreciation (“EBITDA”). If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of December 31, 2016, our effective rate under the revolving line was 9.5%. The monthly management fee is .45% of the average monthly loan balance.

 

The revolving line of credit is based on 85% of accounts receivable and 60% of eligible inventory and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had no borrowing availability under the line of credit agreement

 

On April 25, 2016, the Company agreed with PMC to amend the definition of eligible inventory to include certain glass containers in exchange for 10,000 warrants. The total value of the line did not increase and the inclusion of the glass as defined under the amendment expired December 31, 2016. In connection with the agreement, the Company granted PMC 10,000 warrants at an exercise price of $3.90 per share with a term of five years and six months. The 10,000 warrants were valued at $15,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 10,000 warrants; term of 5.5 years, volatility of 56.35%, expected dividends of 0% and discount rate of 1.50%. The value of the warrants was recorded as a valuation discount at issuance and was fully amortized to interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The line of credit matures on January 1, 2019 and is subject to a 1% prepayment penalty for prepayment prior to the first anniversary of the effective date.

 

F- 28
   

 

Bank Notes

 

Bank notes consist of the following as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

          December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
                   
  (A)     Term Loans   $ 3,000,000     $ 3,000,000  
  (B)     Capex loan     3,950,000       1,883,000  
  (C)     Valuation discount     (78,000 )     (132,000 )
        Net     6,872,000       4,751,000  
        Current portion     (953,000 )     (341,000 )
        Long term portion   $ 5,919,000     $ 4,410,000  

 

(A) Term Loans

 

In connection with the Loan and Security Agreement with PMC, the Company entered into two Term Loans of $1,500,000 each, for an aggregate borrowing of $3,000,000. The term loans are secured by all of the unencumbered assets of the Company and are due on January 1, 2019. The annual interest rate on the first loan was prime plus 5.75% (currently 9.5%), and the rate on the second loan was prime plus 11.60% (currently 14.85%) but was modified on December 7, 2016 such that the new rate will be based on the trailing 6 month EBITDA. If the EBITDA measuring point stays below $1,000,000 where it is now, the rate will rise to 12% from the current rate of 9%. If EBITDA rises to $1,500,000 then the rate will be reduced to 9%. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, the amount outstanding was $3,000,000 and $3,000,000 respectively.

 

(B) Capital Expansion (“CAPEX”) Loan

 

In connection with the Loan and Security Agreement with PMC, the Company entered into a Capital expansion loan which, after amendment allows a total borrowing of $4,700,000. The loans are secured by all of the property and equipment purchased under the loan. The interest rate on the CAPEX loan is the prime rate plus 5.75% (9.5% at December 31, 2016). Interest only is payable on CAPEX Loans through January 31, 2017, at which time principal and interest will be aggregated and repaid in equal monthly payments of principal and interest based on 48 month amortization. Currently, the estimated amount that will become due in a year is $953,000. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the balance on the CAPEX loan balance was $3,950,000 and $1,883,000 respectively, and as of December 31, 2016, the Company had future borrowing availability of $750,000.

 

In addition, Reed’s agreed to pre-pay the CAPEX Loan by at least $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of idle equipment, if such sale were to occur.

 

In conjunction with this loan the Company placed equipment with a cost of $250,000 at a co-packing facility to enable the co-packer to manufacture our products. Should the Company be unable to secure access to the equipment in the event of failure of the co-packer, the amount will become due and payable by the Company immediately.

 

F- 29
   

 

(C) Issuance of Warrants upon Amendments

 

On November 9, 2015, as part of restructuring of the Term Loans with PMC, the Company granted PMC 125,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share for five years and six months. The 125,000 warrants were valued at $141,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 125,000 warrants; term of 5.5 years, volatility of 56.04%, expected dividends 0% and discount rate of 0.68%. The value of the warrants of $141,000 was recorded as a valuation discount and is being amortized over the remaining 16 months of the term loans.

 

On May 13, 2016, as part of a further restructuring of the loans with PMC, the Company granted PMC 50,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share with a term of five years and six months. The 50,000 warrants were valued at $38,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 50,000 warrants; term of 5.5 years, volatility of 54.17%, expected dividends of 0% and discount rate of 1.49%. The value of the warrants of $38,000 was recorded as a valuation discount and is being amortized over the remaining term of the loans.

 

On December 7, 2016, the Company agreed to reprice the exercise price of 50,000 common stock purchase warrants granted under Amendment Twelve from $4.50 to $4.10 and to reprice the exercise price of 125,000 common stock purchase warrants granted under Amendment Ten from $5.01 to $4.10. The following assumptions were made in repricing the warrants; term of 3.5 years, volatility of 49.52%, expected dividends 0% and discount rate of 0.74%. The incremental value of the warrants before and after the modification of $38,000 will be amortized over the remaining 24 months of the term loans. Reed’s also agreed to pay a one-time fee of $35,000.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 amortization of the discount was $130,000 and $9,000 respectively, and the unamortized discount was $78,000 and $132,000 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

(D) Interest Rates

 

Notwithstanding the other borrowing terms above, if Excess Borrowing Availability under the $6 million Revolving line of credit remains more than $1,500,000 at all times during the preceding month (currently Reed’s Borrowing Availability is zero) the additional interest rate for all loans will be eliminated. The following chart summarizes the loans as of December 31, 2016,

 

Description   Base Interest Rate     Increase in Prime     Original rate     Additional Interest     Current rate  
Term A     9.00 %     0.50 %     9.50 %     3.00 %     12.50 %
Term B     11.60 %     0.50 %     12.10 %     3.00 %     15.10 %
Line of Credit (Prime Plus)     0.35 %     3.75 %     4.10 %     3.00 %     7.10 %
Capital Loans     9.00 %     0.50 %     9.50 %     3.00 %     12.50 %

 

F- 30
   

 

(7) Long Term Financing Obligation

 

Long term financing obligation is comprised of the following as of:

 

    December 31,  
    2016     2015  
Financing obligation   $ 2,378,000     $ 2,538,000  
Valuation discount     (825,000 )     (935,000 )
Net long term financing obligation   $ 1,553,000     $ 1,603,000  
Less current portion     (190,000 )     (160,000 )
Long term financing obligation   $ 1,363,000     $ 1,443,000  

 

On June 15, 2009, the Company closed escrow on the sale of its two buildings and its brewery equipment and concurrently entered a long-term lease agreement for the same property and equipment. In connection with the lease the Company has the option to repurchase the buildings and brewery equipment from 12 months after the commencement date to the end of the lease term at the greater of the fair market value or an agreed upon amount. Since the lease contains a buyback provision and other related terms, the Company determined it had continuing involvement that did not warrant the recognition of a sale; therefore, the transaction has been accounted for as a long-term financing. The proceeds from the sale, net of transaction costs, have been recorded as a financing obligation in the amount of $3,056,000. Monthly payments under the financing agreement are recorded as interest expense and a reduction in the financing obligation at an implicit rate of 9.9%. The financing obligation was personally guaranteed up to a limit of $150,000 by the principal shareholder, former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Innovation Officer, Christopher J. Reed.

 

In connection with the financing obligation, the Company issued an aggregate of 400,000 warrants to purchase its common stock at $1.20 per share for five years. The 400,000 warrants were valued at $752,000 and reflected as a debt discount, using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model. The following assumptions were utilized in valuing the 400,000 warrants: strike price of $2.10 to $2.25; term of 5 years; volatility of 91.36% to 110.9%; expected dividends 0%; and discount rate of 2.15% to 2.20%. The 400,000 warrants were recorded as valuation discount and are being amortized over 15 years, the term of the purchase option. Amortization of valuation discount was $50,000 during both of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Effective October 1, 2014, the Company executed Amendment #1 to the Long-term Financing Obligation. In exchange for a release from the $150,000 personal guarantee by the principal shareholder and Chief Executive Office, and a release of the brewery equipment which was collateral for the lease agreement, the Company issued 200,000 warrants to purchase its common stock for $5.60 per share for five years. The 200,000 warrants were valued at $584,000 using the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model and were recorded as a valuation discount. The following assumptions were made in valuing the 200,000 warrants; term of 5 years, volatility of 59.53%, expected dividends 0% and discount rate of 1.25%. The warrants value of $584,000 is being amortized over the remaining term of the purchase option.

 

F- 31
   

 

The aggregate amount due under the financing obligation at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,377,000 and $2,538,000, respectively. Aggregate future obligations under the financing obligation are as follows:

 

Year   Amount  
2017   $ 190,000  
2018     222,000  
2019     259,000  
2020     299,000  
2021     344,000  
Thereafter     1,064,000  
Total   $ 2,378,000  

 

(8) Obligations Under Capital Leases

 

The Company leases equipment for its brewery operations with an aggregate value of $903,000 under 10 non-cancelable capital leases. In addition, the company leases vehicles and office equipment with rates and monthly payments range from $189 to $10,441 per month, including interest, at interest rates ranging from 3.50% to 17.31% per annum. The principal balance due under these leases was $621,000 and $643,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2016, monthly payments under these leases aggregated $19,000. The leases expire at various dates through 2021.

 

Future minimum lease payments under capital leases are as follows:

 

Years Ending December 31,      
2017   $ 223,000  
2018     227,000  
2019     190,000  
2020     62,000  
2021     6,000  
Total payments   $ 708,000  
Less: Amount representing interest     (87,000 )
Present value of net minimum lease payments   $ 621,000  
Less: Current portion     (183,000 )
Non-current portion   $ 438,000  

 

(9) Warrant Liability

 

The Company issued warrants to investors and a placement agent as part of our June 2, 2016 financing transaction. In accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), the fair value of these warrants are classified as a liability on the Company’s balance sheet as according to the warrant terms, a fundamental transaction could give rise to an obligation of the Company to pay cash to such warrant holders. Corresponding changes to the fair value of the warrants are recognized in earnings on the Company’s statements of operations in each subsequent period.

 

The warrant liability was valued at the following dates using Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following average assumptions:

 

    Issuance Date     December 31, 2016  
Stock Price   $ 3.34     $ 4.10  
Risk free interest rate     1.50 %     1.58 %
Expected Volatility     55.82 %     55.81 %
Expected life in years     5       4.42  
Expected dividend yield     0 %     0 %
                 
Fair Value – Warrants   $ 543,000     $ 775,000  

 

The risk-free interest rate was based on rates established by the Federal Reserve Bank. The Company uses the historical volatility of its common stock to estimate the future volatility for its common stock. The expected life of the warrant was determined by the remaining contractual life of the warrant instrument. The expected dividend yield was based on the fact that the Company has not paid dividends to its common stockholders in the past and does not expect to pay dividends to its common stockholders in the future.

 

(10) Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

Series A

 

Series A Preferred stock consists of 500,000 shares $10.00 par value, 5% non-cumulative, participating, preferred stock. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, there were 9,411 shares outstanding, with a liquidation preference of $10.00 per share. Each share of Series A Preferred stock can be converted into four shares of Reed’s common stock.

 

F- 32
   

 

The Series A Preferred shares have a 5% pro-rata annual non-cumulative dividend. The dividend can be paid in cash or, in the sole and absolute discretion of our board of directors, in shares of common stock based on its then fair market value. We cannot declare or pay any dividend on shares of our securities ranking junior to the preferred stock until the holders of our preferred stock have received the full non-cumulative dividend to which they are entitled. In addition, the holders of our preferred stock are entitled to receive pro rata distributions of dividends on an “as converted” basis with the holders of our common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company accrued and paid a $5,000 dividend payable to the preferred shareholders, which the board of directors elected to pay through the issuance of 1,504 shares of its common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company paid a $5,000 dividend payable to the preferred shareholders through the issuance of 751 shares of its common stock.

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or if there is a change of control event, then, subject to the rights of the holders of our more senior securities, if any, the holders of our Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive, prior to the holders of any of our junior securities, $10.00 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Thereafter, all remaining assets shall be distributed pro rata among all of our security holders. Since June 30, 2008, we have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem all or any portion of the Series A preferred stock by paying the holders thereof the sum of the original purchase price per share, which was $10.00, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

The Series A preferred stock may be converted, at the option of the holder, at any time after issuance and prior to the date such stock is redeemed, into four shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalization, reclassification and similar transactions. We are obligated to reserve out of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock enough such shares to affect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock. During 2016, no shares of Series A preferred stock were converted into common stock.

 

Except as provided by law, the holders of our Series A preferred stock do not have the right to vote on any matters, including, without limitation, the election of directors. However, so long as any shares of Series A preferred stock are outstanding, we shall not, without first obtaining the approval of at least a majority of the holders of the Series A preferred stock, authorize or issue any equity security having a preference over the Series A preferred stock with respect to dividends, liquidation, redemption or voting, including any other security convertible into or exercisable for any equity security other than any senior preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

Common stock consists of $.0001 par value, 19,500,000 shares authorized, 13,982,230 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and 13,160,860 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with institutional investors in a private financing transaction for the issuance and sale of 692,412 shares of the Company’s common stock and warrants to purchase 346,206 shares of common stock. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were $2,113,000 after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. The investor warrants have an exercise price of $4.25 per share and a term of 5 years. As per the terms of the offering, the placement agent received 72,703 warrants and a term of 5 years at an exercise price of $3.74.

 

In connection with the issuance of the warrants, the Company recorded a warrant liability on its balance sheet as a fundamental transaction could give rise to an obligation of the Company to pay cash to such warrant holders. Corresponding changes to the fair value of the warrants are recognized in earnings on the Company’s statements of operations in each subsequent period. The Company determined the aggregate initial fair value of the warrants in the financing transaction to be $543,000 valued using Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. For financial statement purposes, the amount of the warrant liability created from the issuance of the warrants of $543,000 has been offset to the net cash proceeds received of $2,113,000, resulting in a reduction of additional paid-in capital of $543,000 from the sale of the shares of common stock and warrants.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold 30,000 shares of its common stock to certain officers of the Company at $3.90 per share with total proceeds of $117,000.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 4,228 shares of common stock for consulting services valued at an aggregate value of $15,000 for services rendered.

 

(11) Stock Options and Warrants

 

A) Stock Options

 

In 2007, the Company adopted the Reed’s Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan and in 2015 the Company adopted the Reed’s Inc. 2015 Incentive and Non-statutory Stock Option Plan (the “Plans”). The options under both plans shall be granted from time to time by the Board of Directors. Individuals eligible to receive options include employees of the Company, consultants to the Company and directors of the Company. The options shall have a fixed price, which will not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the grant date or 110% of the fair market value per share on the grant date for Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The total number of options authorized is 1,500,000 and 500,000, respectively for the Plans.

 

F- 33
   

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted 172,500 and 548,000 options, respectively, to purchase the Company’s common stock at a weighted exercise price of $4.01 and $5.63, respectively, to employees under the Plans. The fair value of the options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $714,000 and $1,398,000, respectively.

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2016 and 2015 was $4.01 and $2.54, respectively. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. For purposes of determining the expected life of the option, an average of the estimated holding period is used. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on the U. S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant.

 

    Year ended
December 31,
 
    2016     2015  
Expected volatility     57 %     56 - 62%  
Expected dividends            
Expected average term (in years)     1.77       3.5 - 4.5  
Risk free rate - average     0.77%-1.81%       0.69% - 1.64%  
Forfeiture rate     0       0  

 

The aggregate fair value of the options vesting, net of forfeitures, during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $658,000 and $877,000, respectively, and has been reflected as compensation cost. As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate value of unvested options was $700,000 which will be amortized as compensation cost as the options vest, over 2 to 4 years.

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016 there were 84,000 options exercised into 76,966 shares of common stock at an average price of $1.37. Most of such exercises were cash-less, however, the Company did receive proceeds from certain exercises aggregating $71,000.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015 there were 135,833 stock options exercised on a cashless basis at exercise prices between $1.14 and $4.60 per share, issuing 57,112 shares of common stock.

 

F- 34
   

 

A summary of option activity as of December 31, 2016, and changes during the two years then ended is presented below:

 

    Shares     Weighted-Average Exercise Price     Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Terms (Years)     Aggregate Intrinsic Value  
                                 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015     705,333     $ 3.96                  
Granted     548,000       5.01                  
Exercised     (135,833 )     3.36                  
Forfeited or expired     (137,500 )     4.85                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2015     980,000       3.96       3.41     $ 843,000  
Granted     172,500       4.01                  
Exercised     (84,000 )     1.36                  
Forfeited or expired     (20,000 )     4.92                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2016     1,048,500     $ 4.68       3.80     $ 61,000  
Exercisable at December 31, 2016     543,534     $ 4.61       3.04     $ 39,000  

 

As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate intrinsic values of $61,000 was calculated as the difference between the market price and the exercise price of the Company’s stock, which was $4.10 as of December 31, 2016.

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested shares granted under the Company’s stock option plan as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:

 

Additional information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 2016, is as follows:

 

    Shares     Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value  
Nonvested at December 31, 2015     661,083     $ 2.41  
Granted     172,500       4.01  
Vested     (316,117 )     4.61  
Forfeited     (12,500 )     4.92  
Nonvested at December 31, 2016     504,966     $ 4.68  

 

B) Warrants

 

      Options Outstanding at
December 31, 2016
    Options Exercisable at
December 31, 2016
 
                                 
  Range of Exercise Price       Number of Shares Outstanding       Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)       Weighted Average Exercise Price       Number of Shares Exercisable       Weighted Average Exercise Price  
  $2.00 - $3.99       237,500       6.27     $ 3.83       143,700     $ 3.89  
  $4.00 - $5.99       811,000       3.08     $ 4.93       399,834     $ 4.87  
          1,048,500       3.80     $ 4.68       543,534     $ 4.61  

 

On June 2, 2016, the Company granted warrants to purchase 346,206 shares of common stock in connection with the common stock offering. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.25 per share and a term of 5 years. In addition, the Company granted Maxim Group LLC who acted as the placement agent for the offering warrants to purchase up to 72,703 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.74 and are exercisable for a term of 5 years. The exercise prices of the warrants are subject to customary adjustments in the event of stock dividends and splits, and the warrants contain protective provisions in the event of fundamental transactions.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, 16,260 warrants were exercised into 16,260 shares of common stock for $45,000.

 

F- 35
   

 

The following table summarizes warrant activity for the two years ended December 31, 2016:

 

    Shares     Weighted-Average Exercise Price     Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Terms (Years)     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31,2014     301,963     $ 4.49                  
Granted     125,000     $ 4.50                  
Exercised     (34,692 )                        
Forfeited or expired     (51,010 )     -                  
Outstanding at December 31, 2015     341,261     $ 5.17       3.30     $ 152,000  
Granted     478,909     $ 4.50                  
Exercised     (16,260 )   $ 2.77                  
Forfeited or expired     (1 )                        
Outstanding at December 31, 2016     803,909     $ 4.50       4.00     $ 26,000  
Exercisable at December 31, 2016     803,909     $ 4.54       4.20     $ 26,000  

 

As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate intrinsic value of $26,000 for both outstanding and exercisable was calculated as the difference between the market price of the company which was $4.10 and the exercise price.

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock at December 31, 2016:

 

Number     Price     Expiration Dates
  200,000     $ 5.60     Sep-19
  125,000     $ 4.10     May-21
  10,000     $ 3.90     Oct-21
  50,000     $ 4.10     Nov-21
  346,206     $ 4.25     Jun-21
  72,703     $ 3.74     Jun-21
  803,909              

 

(12) Income Taxes

 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had available Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income. The amounts available were approximately $21.3 million and $18.6 million for Federal purposes, respectively, and $14.5 million and $13.3 million for state purposes respectively. The Federal carryforward expires in 2034 and the state carryforward expires in 2019. Given the Company’s history of net operating losses, management has determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize the tax benefit of the carryforwards. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized a deferred tax asset for this benefit.

 

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB guidelines that address the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under this guidance, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This guidance also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. At the date of adoption, and as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, and no adjustment was required at adoption.

 

The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax provisions as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, the Company has not accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Additionally, tax years 2009 through 2016 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

 

F- 36
   

 

Upon the attainment of taxable income by the Company, management will assess the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit associated with the use of the carryforwards and will recognize the appropriate deferred tax asset at that time.

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets are as follows as of:

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31 2015  
Deferred income tax asset:                
Net operating loss carryforward   $ 10,325,000     $ 9,034,000  
Valuation allowance     (10,325,000 )     (9,034,000 )
Net deferred income tax asset   $ 0     $ 0  

 

Reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the U.S. statutory rate is as follows:

 

    December 31, 2016     December 31 2015  
Federal Statutory tax rate     (34 %)     (34 %)
State tax, net of federal benefit     (5 %)     (5 %)
      (39 %)     (39 %)
Valuation allowance     39 %     39 %
Effective tax rate     -%       -%  

 

(13) Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lease Commitments

 

The Company leases warehouse space under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense under these and other operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $137,000 and $209,000, respectively. These leases expire in November 2017.

 

Future payments under these leases as of December 31, 2016, are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,   Amount  
2017   $ 137,000  
2018     -  
Total   $ 137,000  

 

Other Commitments

 

The Company has entered into contracts with customers with clauses that commit the Company to pay fees if the Company terminates the agreement early or without cause. The contracts call for the customer to have the right to distribute the Company’s products to a defined type of retailer within a defined geographic region. If the Company should terminate the contract or not automatically renew the agreements without cause, amounts would be due to the customer. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has no plans to terminate or not renew any agreement with any of their customers; therefore, no such fees have been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

 

(14) Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we are a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Our management evaluates our exposure to these claims and proceedings individually and in the aggregate and provides for potential losses on such litigation if the amount of the loss is estimable and the loss is probable.

 

We believe that there are no material litigation matters at the current time. Although the results of such litigation matters and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of such claims and proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

 

(15) Related Party Activity

 

During the year, Judy Reed, wife of Christopher J. Reed, served as Corporate Secretary along with being a member of the Board of Directors. Her replacement to the board was elected November 29, 2017 and she has agreed to remain as Corporate Secretary until a replacement can be found. Complete compensation information follows below in Part III.

 

F- 37
   

 

(16) Subsequent Events

 

On April 19, 2017, three accredited investors that are party to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 and hold participation rights in the Company’s financing transactions agreed to waive their participation rights with regard to the April 21, 2017 financing. In consideration, these investors’ participation rights, expiring in May 2017, were extended for a period of two years. In addition, the Company increased the terms of their outstanding warrants by one year and reduced the exercise price from $4.25 to $3.00 and also issued five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 210,111 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.00 to these investors. The newly issued warrants contain customary anti-dilution provisions.

 

After December 31, 2016 Chris Reed (CEO) and Daniel Miles (CFO) advanced working capital funds of $381,000 and $120,000 respectively to the Company for working capital uses. Chris Reed will be repaid $240,000 in April 2017 and the remainder for both Chris Reed and Daniel Miles will be repaid by the end of this year.

 

On April 19, 2017, Chris Reed resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s, effective immediately. Concurrently, Mr. Reed was appointed as Chief Innovation Officer. Mr. Reed will continue to serve as non-independent director of Reed’s Board of Directors.

 

On April 19, 2017, Stefan Freeman, one of the Company’s independent directors, was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer of Reed’s.

 

On April 21, 2017 (“Closing Date”), pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”), Reed’s Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Reed’s” or the “Company”) sold and issued a convertible subordinated note in the principal amount of $3,400,000 (“Note”) and warrants to purchase 1,416,667 shares of common stock (“Warrant Shares”) to Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV, LLC. The Note bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum, compounded monthly on a 365-day year/ 30-day month basis. The Note is secured by a second priority security interest in the Company’s assets, which is subordinate to the first priority security interest of PMC Financial Services Group, LLC. The Note matures on the two-year anniversary of the Closing date and may not be prepaid. After 180 days, the Note may be converted, at any time and from time to time, into 1,133,333 shares of common stock of the Company (“Conversion Shares”). The Warrants will expire on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Closing Date and have an exercise price equal to $4.00. Warrants will not be exercisable until 180 days after the Closing date. The Note and Warrant contain customary anti-dilution provisions and the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares are subject to a registration rights agreement. The investor was granted a right to participate in future financing transactions of the Company for a term of two years.

 

To facilitate the close of the agreement between Reed’s Inc. and Raptor/ Harbor Reeds SPV LLC, Reed’s Inc. granted an acceleration of the maturity of existing indebtedness with PMC from January 1, 2019 to October 21, 2018.

 

The fair value of the warrants and conversion feature was determined to be $3,400,000 and will be recorded as a valuation discount and amortized as interest expense over the term of the note.

 

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of approximately $3,240,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes. Wunderlich Securities, the Company’s placement agent, will receive a fee of approximately $160,000 of the gross proceeds.

 

F- 38
   

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The following table sets forth the expenses payable by us in connection with this offering of securities described in this registration statement. All amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee. The Registrant will bear all expenses shown below.

 

SEC filing fee   $ 1494  
FINRA fee     *  
Printing and Mailing     *  
Subscription Agent fees and expenses     *  
Information Agent fees and expenses     *  
Accounting fees and expenses     *  
Legal fees and expenses     *  
         
Total     *  

 

* to be determined

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

We are subject to the laws of Delaware on corporate matters, including their indemnification provisions. Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”) permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who are, were or are threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact that such person was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, provided that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer, director, employee or agent is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer, director, employee, or agent is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred.

 

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Section 145 of the DGCL further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him or her under Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Our amended certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as it may be amended from time to time, none of our directors will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Our amended certificate of incorporation also provides discretionary indemnification for the benefit of our directors, officers and employees, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as it may be amended from time to time. Pursuant to our bylaws, we are required to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents, and we have the discretion to advance his or her related expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

We do currently provide liability insurance coverage for our directors and officers.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

The following sets forth all sales of unregistered securities we have completed during the last three years. Except as otherwise indicated below, the following transactions were effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. We based such reliance upon the following facts and circumstances: (i) the investors were accredited investors, as defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and were sophisticated, having sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to make them capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment, (ii) the investors represented that they were purchasing the securities for investment purposes without a view to distribution, (iii) the investors had access to our management and information concerning the Company, its business and financial information and (iv) we conducted the sale of the securities without general solicitation or advertising. Except as otherwise indicated below, no underwriting discounts or commissions were paid in the transactions.

 

On July 13, 2017, we entered into Warrant Exercise Agreements with Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Investor”) and three other investors holding participation rights in the transaction signatory thereto to reprice warrants to purchase 1,906,925 shares of our common stock (the “Repriced Warrants”). The Repriced Warrants have an exercise price per share of $1.50 and were revised to modify language pertaining to “Fundamental Transactions”. Restrictions upon exercise were waived as to 1,093,750 warrant shares for aggregate gross proceeds to Reed’s of $1,640,625. We also issued to the holders, pro rata based on the number of shares each Holder exercised, additional second tranche warrants to purchase up to 512,560 shares of our common stock and additional third tranche warrants to purchase up to 87,746 shares of our common stock. Second tranche warrants have a term of five years, may be exercised commencing 6 months from the date of issuance and have an exercise price equal to $2.00. The third tranche warrants were exercisable immediately upon issuance for a term of five-years, with an exercise price equal to $1.55.

 

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On April 21, 2017, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, we sold and issued a secured convertible subordinated non-redeemable note in the principal amount of $3,400,000 and a warrant to purchase 1,416,667 shares of common stock to Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC.

 

On April 19, 2017, three accredited investors that are party to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 and hold participation rights in the Company’s financing transactions agreed to waive their participation rights with regard to the April 21, 2017 financing. In consideration, these investors’ participation rights, expiring in May 2017, were extended for a period of two years. In addition, the Company increased the terms of their outstanding warrants by one year and reduced the exercise price from $4.25 to $3.00 and also issued five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 210,111 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $3.00 to these investors.

 

On June 2, 2016, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 26, 2016 with institutional and accredited investors, Reed’s closed a private financing transaction for the issuance and sale by Reed’s of 692,412 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 346,206 shares of common stock, for gross proceeds to Reed’s of $2,354,200.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we issued the following equity securities that were unregistered under the Securities Act: 214 shares of common stock to directors for services rendered.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, we issued the following equity securities that were unregistered under the Securities Act: 247 shares of common stock to directors for services rendered.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we issued the following equity securities that were unregistered under the Securities Act: 2,808 shares of common stock in exchange for consulting services.

 

On November 9, 2015, as part of restructuring of term loans with PMC Financial Services Group, LLC (“PMC”), the Company granted PMC 125,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share for five years and six months. On May 13, 2016, as part of a further restructuring of the loans with PMC, the Company granted PMC 50,000 warrants at an exercise price of $4.50 per share with a term of five years and six months. On December 7, 2016, the Company agreed to reprice the exercise price of 50,000 common stock purchase warrants previously granted from $4.50 to $4.10 and to reprice the exercise price of 125,000 common stock purchase warrants previously granted from $5.01 to $4.10.

 

Effective October 1, 2014, in exchange for a release from the $150,000 personal guarantee of the principal shareholder and then current Chief Executive Office and a release of the brewery equipment which was collateral for its lease agreement, the Company issued 200,000 warrants to purchase its common stock for $5.60 per share for five years to its lender.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

  (a)

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

a. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

b. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in the volume and rise represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

c. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material changes to such information in the Registration Statement.

 

   

2. For determining liability under the Securities Act, treat each post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering.

 

3. To file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

 

4. For determining liability of the undersigned issuer under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned issuer undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned issuer pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned issuer will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned issuer relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned issuer or used or referred to by the undersigned issuer;

 

iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned issuer or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned issuer; and

 

iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned issuer to the purchaser.

 

5. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

93
   

 

   

6. For determining any liability under the Securities Act, treat the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act as part of this registration statement as of the time the Commission declared it effective.

 

7. For determining any liability under the Securities Act, treat each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus as a new registration statement for the securities offered in the registration statement, and that offering of the securities at that time as the initial bona fide offering of those securities.

 

8. That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

a. If the issuer is relying on Rule 430B:

 

1. Each prospectus filed by the undersigned issuer pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

2. Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 

b. If the issuer is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-1 and authorized this registration statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on October 20, 2017.

 

  REED’S, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Valentin Stalowir
    Valentin Stalowir
    Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the individuals whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Valentin Stalowir, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full and several power of substitution, for him or her and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Valentin Stalowir   Chief Executive Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 20, 2017
Valentin Stalowir        
/s/ Daniel Miles  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer, Principal Financial Officer)

  October 20, 2017
Daniel Miles        
         
/s/ Christopher J. Reed   Director   October 20, 2017
Christopher J. Reed        
         
/s/ James Bass   Director   October 20, 2017
James Bass        
         
/s/ Lewis Jaffe   Director   October 20, 2017
Lewis Jaffe        

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit   Description
     
1.1 +   Form of Dealer-Manager Agreement
     
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of Reed’s, Inc. as filed September 7, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))
     
3.2   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Reed’s, Inc. as filed September 27, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))
     
3.3   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Reed’s, Inc. as filed December 18, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-156908))
     
3.4   Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of Reed’s, Inc. as filed October 12, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))
     

3.5

 

Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Designations as filed November 10, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))

     
3.6   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Reed’s, Inc., as filed October 10, 2017, filed herewith.
     
3.7   Bylaws of Reed’s Inc., as amended, filed herewith.
     
4.1   Form of common stock certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))
     
4.2   Form of Series A preferred stock certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-120451))
     
4.3   Form of Warrant issued to investors dated June 2, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed June 3, 2016)
     
4.4   Placement Agent Warrant issued to Maxim Group LLC dated June 2, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed June 3, 2016)
     
4.5   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued November 9, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to Reed’s Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, as filed May 11, 2016)
     
4.6   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued October 1, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to Reed’s Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, as filed May 11, 2016)
     
4.7   Form of 2017-1 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)
     
4.8   Form of 2017-2 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)
     
4.9   Form of Subordinated Convertible Non-Redeemable Secured Promissory Note dated April 21, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)

 

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4.10   Form of 2017-3 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2017)
     
4.11   Form of 2017-4 Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2017)
     
5.1+   Opinion of Libertas Law Group Inc.

 

8.1+

 

 

Opinion of Libertas Law Group, Inc. regarding certain tax matters.

     
10.1   Placement Agent Agreement by and between Maxim Group LLC and Reed’s Inc. dated May 26, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed June 3, 2016)
     
10.2   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and purchasers signatory thereto dated May 26, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed June 3, 2016)
     
10.3   Registration Rights Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and purchasers signatory thereto dated May 26, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed June 3, 2016)
     
10.4*   2007 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Form 10-K filed March 27, 2009)

 

10.5*   2015 Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Reed’s Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-203469), as filed April 17, 2015)
     
10.6   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and PMC Financial Services, LLC dated December 5, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to Reed’s Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, as filed May 11, 2016)
     
10.7   Amendment Number One Standard Industrial Commercial Single Tenant Lease-Net by and between Reed’s Inc. and 525 South Douglas Street, LLC dated May 7, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to Reed’s Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, as filed May 11, 2016)
     
10.8   Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC dated April 21, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)
     
10.9   Second Lien Security Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC dated April 21, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)
     
10.10   Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC dated April 21, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)
     
10.11   Amendment Number Fifteen to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between Reed’s Inc. and PMC Financial Services Group, LLC dated April 21, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to Reed’s Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed April 24, 2017)

 

10.12

 

 

Warrant Exercise Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and Raptor/Harbor Reeds SPV LLC dated July 13, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2017)

     
10.13   Form of Warrant Exercise Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and three investors dated July 13, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 14, 2017)

 

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10.14*   Executive Employment Agreement effective as of June 28, 2017 by and between Reed’s Inc. and Valentin Stalowir (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 13, 2017)
     

10.15*

Executive Employment Agreement by and between Reed’s Inc. and Stefan Freeman dated October 4, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 4, 2017)

     

10.15*

 

2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, filed herewith.

     
10.16   +Form of Backstop Agreement
     
14.1   Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Reed’s, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-157359))
     
23.1   Consent of Weinberg & Company, PA, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
     
23.2   Consent of Libertas Law Group Inc. (included in Exhibit 5.1)

 

24.1     Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereto)
     
99.1   + Form of Instructions for Use of Subscription Rights Certificate
     
99.2   + Form of Letter to Rights Holders
     
99.3   + Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
     
99.4   + Form of Letter to Security Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees
     
99.5    + Form of Letter to Clients
     
99.6    + Form of Nominee Holder Certification
     
99.7   + Form of Beneficial Ownership Election Form

 

 

* Compensatory plan or arrangement.

+ To be filed by amendment

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

REED’S, INC.

 

Reed’s, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

 

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted resolutions (i) authorizing the Corporation to execute and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (this “Amendment”) to increase its authorized capital stock to Forty Million Five Hundred Thousand (40,500,000), of which Forty Million (40,000,000) shall be shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.0001 per share and Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shall be shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $10.00 per share; and (ii) declaring this Amendment to be advisable, submitted to and considered by the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon for approval by the affirmative vote of such stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as previously amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and recommended for approval by the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolutions of its Board of Directors, at the annual meeting of the stockholders of said Corporation, duly called and held upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the Amendment.

 

THIRD: That this Amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Corporation.

 

FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation is amended by amending Article IV thereof to read in its entirety as follows:

 

The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is Forty Million Five Hundred Thousand (40,500,000), of which Forty Million (40,000,000) shall be shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.0001 per share and Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shall be shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $10.00 per share. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations, powers, preferences, and rights and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, of each such series of Preferred Stock, including without limitation, authority to fix by resolution or resolutions the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares constituting such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series, the number of which was fixed by it, subsequent to the issue of shares of such series then outstanding, subject to the powers, preferences, and rights and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof stated in the resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares of such series. If the number of shares of any series is so decreased, then the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by the President of the Corporation on October 9, 2017.

 

  REED’S, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Valentin Stalowir
  Name: Valentin Stalowir
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 
 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF REED’S, INC.

 

The following are the Amended and Restated Bylaws of REED’S, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE I. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date shall be within thirteen (13) months of the last annual meeting of stockholders.

 

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose shall be held when called by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or a majority of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall issue the call for the meeting, unless the CEO or the Board of Directors designates another person to do so. The stockholders at a special meeting may transact only business that is related to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

SECTION 3. PLACE. Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware and any stockholder may waive notice thereof either before or after the meeting.

 

SECTION 4. NOTICE. A written notice of each meeting of stockholders, stating the place, day, and time of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date set for the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the CEO, the Secretary, or the officer or other persons calling the meeting. If mailed, the notice is effective when it is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. This notice shall be sufficient for that meeting and any adjournment of the meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken and, if after the adjournment, the Board does not fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. If any stockholder transfers any of such stockholder’s stock after notice is given, it shall not be necessary to notify the transferee.

 

Section 5. Nomination of Directors . Only a person who is nominated (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by a stockholder in accordance with this Section 5, may be eligible to serve as a director of the Corporation. This Section 5 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to nominate director candidates.

 

(a) Timing of Notice. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice of director nomination(s) to be made at an annual meeting of stockholders must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not less than one hundred twenty (120) days before the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, such notice will be timely only if so delivered or mailed and received no later than the later of one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the annual meeting or ten (10) days after the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, a stockholder’s notice of director nomination(s) to be made at the meeting must be so delivered or mailed and received within ten (10) days after the first public announcement of such special meeting. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the adjournment of a meeting of stockholders shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

 
 

 

(b) Content of Notice. A stockholder’s notice of nominations for a meeting of stockholders shall set forth: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (1) such person’s name, (2) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (3) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (4) a completed and signed written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be in the form used for other directors of the Corporation and provided by the Secretary upon written request), (5) a statement whether such person, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon such person’s failure to receive the required vote for re-election at the next meeting at which such person would stand for re-election and upon acceptance of such resignation by the board of directors, in accordance with any policies and procedures adopted by the board of directors for such purpose and (6) a written representation and agreement (in such form as shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (C) and in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (1) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such stockholder and any (A) person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (B) beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder or (C) person controlling, controlled by or under common control with a person or beneficial owner identified by (A) or (B) above (each, a “Stockholder Associated Person”), (2) the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (3) a description of all other securities or contracts, with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any shares of stock of the Corporation, held by or to which the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party, (4) a description of any material relationships, including financial transactions and compensation, between the stockholder and the proposed nominee(s), and (5) a representation and other appropriate evidence that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting, will continue to be a holder of record of shares of stock entitled to vote for the election of directors through the date of the meeting, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) specified in the notice.

 

(c) Consequences of Failure to Give Proper Notice. No stockholder nominee shall be eligible to serve as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 5.

 

Section 6. Notice of Business to be Brought Before a Meeting . OTHER THAN DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS. At any meeting of stockholders, the proposal of business (other than nomination and election of directors, which shall be subject to Article I, Section 5) to be considered by the stockholders may be made (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on the business at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6. This Section 6 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be considered at a meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders.

 

(a) Timing of Notice. For a stockholder to properly propose business to be considered at a stockholder meeting, such stockholder’s notice of business to be considered at such meeting must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, not less than one hundred twenty (120) days before the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, such notice will be timely only if so delivered or mailed and received no later than the later of one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the meeting or ten (10) days after the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice of business to be considered at the meeting must be so delivered or mailed and received within ten (10) days after the first public announcement of such special meeting. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the adjournment of a meeting of stockholders shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as describe above.

 

 
 

 

(b) Content of Notice. A stockholder’s notice of business to be considered shall set forth (a) as to each item of business the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (1) a reasonably brief description of the business desired to be considered, (2) the reasons for considering such business at the meeting, (3) the text of the business to be considered (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), and (4) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among the stockholder and any such beneficial owner in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice, (1) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person, (2) the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (3) a description of all other securities or contracts, with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any shares of stock of the Corporation, held by or to which the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party, (4) any material interest of the stockholder or any such Stockholder Associated Person in the business the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting and (5) a representation and other appropriate evidence that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of stock entitled to vote on such business at the meeting, will continue to be a holder of record of shares of stock entitled to vote on such business through the date of the meeting, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose the item of business.

 

(c) Consequences of Failure to Give Proper Notice. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no proposal of business by a stockholder (other than nomination and election of directors, which shall be subject to Article I, Section 5) shall be considered by the stockholders unless given in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6; provided, however, that a proposal submitted by a stockholder for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement for an annual meeting that is appropriate for inclusion therein and otherwise complies with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including timeliness) shall be deemed to have also been submitted on a timely basis pursuant to this Section 6. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 6.

 

Section 7. Relation to Exchange Act . Nothing in these By-Laws shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SECTION 8. WAIVERS OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder under these Bylaws, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, or the Delaware General Corporation Law, a written waiver of notice signed at any time by the person entitled to that notice shall be equivalent to giving that notice. Attendance by a stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting, in person or by proxy, constitutes a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when a stockholder attends a meeting for the purpose, expressed at the beginning of the meeting, of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

SECTION 9. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to payment of any dividend or to receive notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment of any meeting or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other purpose, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days. If the stock transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, they shall be closed at least ten (10) days immediately preceding that meeting. Instead of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for the determination of stockholders but that date shall never be more than sixty (60) days nor, in case of a meeting of stockholders, less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the action requiring the determination of stockholders is to be taken. If the stock transfer books are not closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of stockholders, the date on which either notice of the meeting is mailed or the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring a dividend or authorizing the action that requires a determination of stockholders is adopted shall be the record date for the determination of stockholders. When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this section, the determination shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 10. VOTING RECORD. At least ten (10) days before each meeting of stockholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall make a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at that meeting or at any adjournment of such meeting, stating each stockholder’s address and the number, class, and series of the shares that he holds. This list shall be kept on file for a period of at least ten (10) days before the meeting at the Corporation’s registered office or principal place of business or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, and any stockholder may inspect the list anytime during usual business hours. The list also shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting, and any stockholder may inspect it anytime during the meeting. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section does not affect the validity of .any action taken at the meeting.

 

SECTION 11. STOCKHOLDER QUORUM AND VOTING. A majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum at any meeting of stockholders. When an item of business must be voted on by a class or series of stock, a majority of the shares of that class or series constitutes a quorum for the transaction of that business by that class or series. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter is the act of the stockholders unless otherwise provided by law or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation. After a quorum has been established at a stockholders’ meeting, a withdrawal of stockholders that reduces the number of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting below the number required for a quorum does not affect the validity of any action taken at the meeting.

 

SECTION 12. VOTING OF SHARES. Every stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders is entitled, upon each proposal presented to the meeting, to one vote for each share of voting stock recorded in his/her/its name on the books of the Corporation on the record date fixed as provided in Article I, Section 9 of these Bylaws. A stockholder may vote either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder or his/her/its duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Treasury shares, shares of stock of this Corporation owned by another corporation the majority of the voting stock of which is owned or controlled by this Corporation, and shares of stock of this Corporation that it holds in a fiduciary capacity shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares. The Chairman of the Board, the CEO, any Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of a corporate stockholder, in that order, are presumed to possess authority to vote shares standing in the name of the corporate stockholder in the absence of a bylaw or other instrument of the corporate stockholder designating some other officer, agent, or proxy to vote the shares. Proof of that designation shall be made by presentation of a certified copy of the bylaws or other instrument of the corporate stockholder. Shares held by a personal representative, executive, administrator, guardian, conservator, trustee or other fiduciary may be voted by him/her/it, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of those shares into his/her/its name. Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the bylaw (or comparable instrument) of such corporation may prescribe, or in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors (or comparable body) of such corporation may determine. Shares registered in the name of a deceased person may be voted by his or her executor or administrator, either in person or by proxy. If he or she is authorized to do so by an appropriate order of the court by which he was appointed, a receiver may vote shares standing in his or her name or held by or under his or her control without a transfer of those shares into his or her name. A stockholder whose shares are pledged may vote those shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee or his/her/its nominee shall be entitled to vote the shares transferred, unless the instrument creating the pledge provides otherwise.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 13. PROXIES. A stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the stockholders or to express consent or dissent without a meeting or a stockholder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact may authorize one or more persons to act for him/her/it by proxy. To be effective, a proxy must be signed by the stockholder or his/her/its attorney-in-fact. A proxy granting authority to vote shares that are registered in the names of multiple owners is effective only if each record owner signs it. A proxy is not valid after three (3) years from its date unless it provides otherwise. A proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it, except as otherwise provided by law. A proxy holder’s authority to act is not revoked by the incompetence or death of the stockholder who executed the proxy unless, before the authority is exercised, the officer or agent responsible for maintaining the list of stockholders receives written notice of an adjudication of incompetence or death. If a proxy for the same shares confers authority on two or more persons and does not otherwise indicate how the shares should be voted, a majority of those proxies who are present at the meeting (or a single proxy holder if only one is present) may exercise all the powers conferred by the proxy, but if the proxy holders present at the meeting are equally divided as to the manner of voting in any case, the voting of the shares subject to the proxy shall be prorated. If a proxy expressly provides, the proxy holder may appoint in writing a substitute to act in his/her/its place.

 

SECTION 14. ACTION BY STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required by law, these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a written consent, setting forth the action taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the matter were present and voted. All stockholders need not sign the same document. If any class of shares is entitled to vote as a class, written consent is required of both (a) the holders of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class, and (b) the total shares entitled to vote on the matter. In the case of each vote required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of the immediately preceding sentence, each such vote shall have not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the matter were present and voted. Promptly after the stockholders authorize an action by written consent, written notice shall be given to the stockholders who did not consent.

 

SECTION 15. VOTING TRUSTS. Any number of stockholders of this Corporation may create a voting trust in the manner provided by law for the purpose of conferring upon the trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent their shares. When the counterpart of a voting trust agreement and a copy of the record of the holders of voting trust certificates are deposited with the Corporation as provided by law, those documents shall be subject to the same right of examination by a stockholder of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and records of the Corporation, and the counterpart and the copy of the records shall be subject to examination by any holder of record of voting trust certificates, either in person or by agent or attorney at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

 

SECTION 16. STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT. Two or more stockholders of this Corporation may enter into an agreement providing for the exercise of voting rights in the manner provided in the agreement or relating to any phase of the affairs of the Corporation, in the manner and to the extent provided by law. The agreement shall not impair the right of this Corporation to treat a stockholder of record as entitled to vote the shares as standing in his/her/its name.

 

ARTICLE II. DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1. FUNCTION. The business of this Corporation shall be managed and its corporate powers exercised by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2. NUMBER. The number of members of the Corporation’s Board of Directors shall not be less than one (1) nor more than nine (9), as fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, except that in the absence of any such designation, such number shall be five (5). All the Directors shall be of full age and at least one shall be a citizen of the United States. Each director shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. The presence of a majority of all Directors shall be necessary at any meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Meetings of the Directors may be held within or without the state of Delaware. Whenever the authorized number of directors is increased between annual meetings of the stockholders, a majority of the directors then in office shall have the power to elect such new directors for the balance of a term and until their successors are elected and qualified. Any decrease in the authorized number of directors shall not become effective until the expiration of the term of the directors then in office unless, at the time of such decrease, there shall be vacancies on the board which are being eliminated by the decrease.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 3. QUALIFICATION. Each Director need not be a resident of Delaware.

 

SECTION 4. COMPENSATION. The Board of Directors has authority to fix the compensation of the Directors as Directors and as officers.

 

SECTION 5. DUTIES OF DIRECTORS. A Director shall perform his or her duties as a Director, including his or her duties as a member of any committee of the Board upon which he serves, in good faith, in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Corporation, and with such care as an ordinarily prudent person in a similar position would use under similar circumstances. In performing his or her duties, a Director may rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by the following:

 

(a) one or more officers or employees of the Corporation whom the Director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;

 

(b) counsel, public accountants, or other persons as to matters that the Director reasonably believes to be within that person’s professional or expert competence; or

 

(c) a committee of the Board upon which he does not serve and which he reasonably believes to merit confidence, as to matters within the authority designated to it by the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws. A Director shall not be considered as acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause the reliance described above to be unwarranted. A person who performs his or her duties in compliance with this section shall have no liability because of being or having been a Director of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 6. PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT. A Director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken is presumed to have assented to the action unless he votes against it or expressly abstains from voting on it. The Secretary of the meeting shall record each abstention or negative vote in the minutes of the meeting.

 

SECTION 7. NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES. If the office of any director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause, a majority of the directors remaining in office, although less than a quorum, may elect a successor for the unexpired term and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

 

SECTION 8. QUORUM AND VOTING. A majority of the full Board of Directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 9. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors by resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board of Directors, may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees each of which, to the extent provided in the resolution shall have and may exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors, except that no committee shall have the authority to:

 

(a) approve, adopt or recommend to stockholders actions or proposals required by law to be submitted to the stockholders, or

 

(b) amend or repeal the Bylaws.

 

The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted according to this section, may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may act in the place of any absent member at any meeting of that committee.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 10. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Regular and special meetings by the Board of Directors may be held within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

SECTION 11. REGULAR MEETINGS. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without notice other than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings without notice other than this Bylaw.

 

SECTION 12. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the CEO or any two Directors.

 

SECTION 13. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director by either personal delivery or first-class United States mail, telegram, or cablegram at least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting held or shall be sent to him or her by facsimile transmission or telephoned or personally delivered to him or her not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is held. Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to any Director who signs a waiver of notice before, during, or after the meeting. Attendance of a Director at a meeting constitutes a waiver of notice of that meeting and waiver of all objections to the time and place of the meeting, and the manner in which it was called or convened, except when the Director attends the meeting solely to object, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of that meeting. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a quorum exists, may adjourn any meeting of the Board of Directors to another time and place. Notice of any adjourned meeting shall be given to the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the time of the adjournment, to the other Directors.

 

SECTION 14. METHOD OF MEETING. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in the meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.

 

SECTION 15. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Directors or a committee of the Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a written consent, setting forth the action to be taken and signed by all the Directors or committee members, is filed in the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or the committee. All Directors need not sign the same document. A unanimous, written consent has the same effect as a unanimous vote.

 

SECTION 16. DIRECTOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. No transaction or contract involving a Corporation shall be invalid solely because one or more of its officers or directors has an interest, directly or indirectly, in the party with whom the Corporation is contracting or doing business. The presence for quorum purpose of such interested directors, their participation in the consideration of the matter or even their votes in favor will not render the transaction void or voidable, if at least one of three additional circumstances is present:

 

(a) The facts concerning the interest are known and the transaction is approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, even though such disinterested directors may be less than a quorum; or

 

(b) The facts concerning the interest are known, and the transaction is approved in good faith by the stockholders; or

 

(c) The transaction was fair to the Corporation at the time it was made.

 

SECTION 17. APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF ACTS OR CONTRACT BY STOCKHOLDERS. The Board of Directors in its discretion may submit any act or contract for approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders, or at any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any act or contract that shall be approved or be ratified by the vote of the stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at such meeting (provided that a quorum is present), shall be as valid and as binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as if it has been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation. In addition, any such act or contract may be approved or ratified by the written consent of stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote and such consent shall be as valid and as binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as if it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1. OFFICERS. The Executive Officers of the Corporation shall consist of a CEO, President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, and may include one or more Executive and Senior Vice Presidents. The Executive Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors, at the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of the stockholders each year. The Board from time to time may elect or appoint other officers (including Vice Presidents), assistant officers, and agents, who shall have the authority and perform such duties as the Board prescribes. Each Executive Officer shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed and has qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal from office. One (1) person may hold any two (2) or more Executive Offices. The failure to elect any Executive Officer shall not affect the existence of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2. PRESIDENT. The President may also be the CEO of the Corporation. Subject to the directions of the Board of Directors, the CEO has general and active management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and Board of Directors. The duties, powers and functions of the CEO and other officers shall be such as is and has been customary for such CEO and officers of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 3. VICE PRESIDENTS. The Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents have the powers and shall perform the duties that the Board of Directors or the President prescribes. Unless the Board otherwise provides, if the President is absent or unable to act, the Executive Vice President shall perform all the duties and may exercise all the powers of the President. If the Executive Vice President is absent or unable to act, the Vice President who has served in the capacity for the longest time and who is present and able to act shall perform all the duties and may exercise all the powers of the Executive Vice President. Unless the Board otherwise provides, any Executive or Senior Vice President may sign bonds, deeds, and contracts for the Corporation and, with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, may sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 4. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose, (b) see that all notices are duly given according to the relevant provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law, (c) maintain custody of the corporate records and seal, attest the signatures of officers who execute documents on behalf of the Corporation, and affix the seal to all documents that are executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal, (d) keep a register of each stockholder’s mailing address that the stockholder furnishes to the Secretary, (e) sign with the President or a Vice President certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, the issuance of which has been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors, (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation, and (g) in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as the President or the Board of Directors from time to time prescribes.

 

SECTION 5. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, (b) receive and give receipts for all monies due and payable to the Corporation and deposit all monies in the name of the Corporation in the banks, trust companies, or other depositories selected by the Board of Directors, and (c) in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as the President or the Board of Directors from time to time assigns to him or her. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum and with such sureties as the Board of Directors determines.

 

SECTION 6. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS. An officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board or the CEO whenever in the judgment of either, his or her removal would serve the best interests of the Corporation. Removal shall be without prejudice to any contract rights of the person removed. The mere appointment of any person as an officer, agent, or employee of the Corporation does not create any contract rights. The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy in any office.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 7. SALARIES. The Board of Directors from time to time shall fix the salaries of the officers, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary merely because he is also a director of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IV. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,

EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS

 

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

 

SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation, individually or as a group, with the same scope and effect as the indemnification of directors and officers provided for in this Article.

 

SECTION 3. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article IV shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law (common or statutory), provision of the Certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

SECTION 4. INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

SECTION 5. SAVINGS CLAUSE. If this Article IV or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each director and officer of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article IV that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE V. STOCK CERTIFICATES

 

SECTION 1. ISSUANCE. Every stockholder of this Corporation is entitled to have a certificate, evidencing all shares to which he is entitled. No certificate shall be issued for any share until the share is fully paid.

 

SECTION 2. FORM. Certificates evidencing shares in this Corporation shall be signed by the CEO or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and may be sealed with the seal of this Corporation or a facsimile of the seal. The signatures of the foregoing officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is manually signed on behalf of a transfer agent or a registrar, other than the Corporation or an employee of the Corporation. If, before the certificate is issued, any officer who signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on the certificate ceases to hold that office, the certificate may be issued and will be as effective as if that person were an officer at the date of issuance. Every certificate evidencing shares that are restricted as to the sale, disposition, or other transfer shall (a) bear a legend stating that those shares are restricted as to transfer and (b) the circumstances under which the shares may be transferred. Every certificate evidencing shares shall state on its face (a) the name of the Corporation, (b) that the Corporation is organized under the laws of Delaware, (c) the name of the person or persons to whom the shares are issued, (d) the number and class of shares, (e) the designation of the series, if any, that the certificate evidences and (f) the par value of each share evidenced by the certificate..

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in these Bylaws, the Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares by electronic or other means not involving any issuance of certificates, including provisions for notice to purchasers in substitution for any required statements on certificates, and as may be required by applicable corporate securities laws, which system has been approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any system so adopted shall not become effective as to issued and outstanding certificated securities until the certificates therefore have been surrendered to the Corporation.

 

SECTION 3. LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Corporation may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate previously issued if the holder of record of the Corporation (a) makes proof in affidavit form that it has been lost, destroyed, or wrongfully taken, (b) requests the issuance of a new certificate before the Corporation has notice the certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim, (c) if requested by the Corporation, gives bond in such form as the Corporation directs, to indemnify the Corporation, the transfer agent, and the registrar against any claim that may be made because of the alleged loss, destruction, or theft of a certificate, and (d) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI. BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 1. RECORDS REQUIRED. This Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders, Board of Directors and committees of Directors, and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders, and the number, class and series, if any, of the shares held by each.

 

SECTION 2. FORM. The Corporation’s books, records, and minutes may be written or kept in any other form capable of being converted into writing within a reasonable time.

 

SECTION 3. INSPECTION. Upon written demand stating a proper purpose, any stockholder may examine, in person or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours for business, the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and any other books and records permitted by law, and may make copies or extracts from any of the foregoing.

 

 
 

 

SECTION 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS. Unless modified by resolution of the stockholders, not later than four (4) months after the close of each fiscal year, this Corporation shall prepare a balance sheet showing in reasonable detail the financial condition of the Corporation as of the close of its fiscal year and a profit and loss statement showing the results of its operation during its fiscal year. These balance sheets and profit and loss statements shall be (a) filed at the office of the Corporation, (b) kept for at least three (3) years, and (c) subject to inspection during business hours by any stockholder or holder of voting trust certificates, in person or by agent. The Corporation shall mail a copy of the most recent balance sheet and profit and loss statement to any stockholder or holder of voting trust certificates for shares of the Corporation, upon his/her/its written request.

 

SECTION 5. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VII. DIVIDENDS

 

The Board of Directors from time to time may declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on the Corporation’s outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law.

 

ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 1. CORPORATE SEAL. The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal containing the name of the Corporation. The Secretary shall have charge of the seal (if any). If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer.

 

SECTION 2. RESIGNATIONS. Any director, member of a committee or officer may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the chief executive officer or secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

 

SECTION 3. FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. In addition to the provisions for the use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT

 

The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation or adopt new bylaws, without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the vote of a majority of the directors; provided, however, that no such adoption, amendment, or repeal shall be valid with respect to bylaw provisions which have been adopted, amended, or repealed by the stockholders; and further provided, that bylaws adopted or amended by the Board of Directors and any powers thereby conferred may be amended, altered, or repealed by the stockholders.

 

 
 

 

 

Reed’s Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan

 

1. Purpose of the Plan

 

This Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company (as defined below) and its shareholders by providing employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and other selected service providers of the Company, who are largely responsible for the management, growth, and protection of the business of the Company, with incentives and rewards to encourage them to continue in the service of the Company.

 

2. Definitions

 

As used in the Plan or in any instrument governing the terms of any award granted under the Plan, the following definitions apply to the terms indicated below:

 

(a) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement, in a form determined by the Committee from time to time, entered into by each Participant and the Company, evidencing the grant of a Stock Incentive Award under the Plan.

 

(b) “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of Reed’s Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(c) “Change-in-Control”: “Change-in-Control” means (i) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)) other than the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent of the total fair market value or total Voting Power of the stock of the Company; or (ii) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)) other than the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty percent or more of the total Voting Power of the stock of the Company; or (iii) a majority of members of the Board of Directors is replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors before the date of each appointment or election; or (iv) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of subsection (iv), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. The foregoing subsections (i) through (iv) shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to section 409A of the Code so that all, and only, such transactions or events that could qualify as a “change-in-control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(i) will be deemed to be a Change-in-Control for purposes of this Plan.

 

(d) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and all regulations, interpretations, and administrative guidance issued thereunder.

 

 
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(e) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, a sub-committee of the Compensation Committee, or such other committee as the Board of Directors shall appoint from time to time to administer the Plan and to otherwise exercise and perform the authority and functions assigned to the Committee under the terms of the Plan.

 

(f) “Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or any other security into which the common stock shall be changed pursuant to the adjustment provisions of Section 9 of the Plan.

 

(g) “Company” means Reed’s Inc., a Delaware corporation, and all of its Subsidiaries, collectively.

 

(h) “Covered Employee” means each Participant who is an executive officer (within the meaning of Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company.

 

(i) “Deferred Compensation Plan” means any plan, agreement, or arrangement maintained by the Company from time to time that provides opportunities for deferral of compensation.

 

(j) “Effective Date” means the date the Plan is approved by shareholders of the Company.

 

(k) “Employment” means the period during which an individual is classified or treated by the Company as an employee, non-employee director, consultant, or other service provider of the Company, as applicable.

 

(l) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(m) “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of Common Stock, as of the applicable date of determination or if the market is not open for trading on such date, the immediately preceding day on which the market is open for trading, the closing price as reported on the date of determination on the principal securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then listed or admitted to trading (or if shares of Common Stock are then principally traded on a national securities exchange, in the reported “composite transactions” for such exchange). In the event that the price of a share of Common Stock shall not be so reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(n) “Option” means a stock option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.

 

(o) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7.

 

(p) “Participant” means an employee, consultant or director of the Company who is eligible to participate in the Plan and to whom one or more Stock Incentive Awards have been granted pursuant to the Plan and have not been fully settled or cancelled and, following the death of any such Person, his successors, heirs, executors, and administrators, as the case may be.

 

(q) “Performance-Based Award” means any Stock Incentive Award pursuant to which any compensation paid is intended to be Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(r) “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation that satisfies the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code for “qualified performance-based compensation.”

 

(s) “Performance Measures” means such measures as are described in Section 8 on which performance goals are based in order to qualify certain awards granted hereunder as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(t) “Performance Percentage” means the factor determined pursuant to a Performance Schedule that is to be applied to a Target Award and that reflects actual performance compared to the Performance Target.

 

(u) “Performance Period” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to a Stock Incentive Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Performance Periods may be overlapping.

 

 
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(v) “Performance Schedule” means a schedule or other objective method for determining the applicable Performance Percentage to be applied to each Target Award.

 

(w) “Performance Target” means performance goals and objectives with respect to a Performance Period.

 

(x) “Person” means a “person” as such term is used in section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including any “group” within the meaning of section 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act.

 

(y) “Plan” means the 2017 Reed’s Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(z) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(aa) “Stock Incentive Award” means an Option or Other Stock-Based Award granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

 

(bb) “Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(cc) “Target Award” means target payout amount for a Stock Incentive Award.

 

(dd) “Voting Power” means the number of votes available to be cast (determined by reference to the maximum number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of Voting Securities, or by the holders of any Voting Securities for which other Voting Securities may be convertible, exercisable, or exchangeable, upon any matter submitted to shareholders where the holders of all Voting Securities vote together as a single class) by the holders of Voting Securities.

 

(ee) “Voting Securities” means any securities or other ownership interests of an entity entitled, or which may be entitled, to matters submitted to Persons holding such securities or other ownership interests in such entity generally (whether or not entitled to vote in the general election of directors), or securities or other ownership interests which are convertible into, or exercisable in exchange for, such Voting Securities, whether or not subject to the passage of time or any contingency.

 

(ff) “Reed’s” means Reed’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successor thereto).

 

3. Stock Subject to the Plan

 

(a) Stock Subject to the Plan

 

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Stock Incentive Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate. Out of such aggregate, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Options that are designated as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of section 422 of the Code shall not exceed 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The maximum number of shares referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 3(a) shall in each case be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 and the following provisions of this Section 3. Of the shares described, one hundred percent may be delivered in connection with “full-value Awards,” meaning Stock Incentive Awards other than Options or stock appreciation rights; provided, however, that any shares granted under Options or stock appreciation rights shall be counted against the share limit on a one-for-one basis and any shares granted as full-value Stock Incentive Awards shall be counted against the share limit as one share for every one share subject to such Stock Incentive Award. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares, shares purchased by the Company in the open market, or any combination of the preceding categories as the Committee determines in its sole discretion.

 

For purposes of the preceding paragraph, shares of Common Stock covered by Stock Incentive Awards shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant (or such Participant’s permitted transferees as described in the Plan) pursuant to the Plan; provided, however, that if a Stock Incentive Award is settled for cash or if shares of Common Stock are withheld to pay the exercise price of an Option or to satisfy any tax withholding requirement in connection with a Stock Incentive Award, the shares issued (if any) in connection with such settlement, the shares in respect of which the Stock Incentive Award was cash-settled, and the shares withheld, will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the number of shares of Common Stock that are available for delivery under the Plan. In addition, if shares of Common Stock are issued subject to conditions which may result in the forfeiture, cancellation, or return of such shares to the Company, any portion of the shares forfeited, cancelled or returned shall be treated as not issued pursuant to the Plan. In addition, if shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant (or such Participant’s permitted transferees as described in the Plan) are tendered (either actually or through attestation) to the Company in payment of any obligation in connection with a Stock Incentive Award, the number of shares tendered shall be added to the number of shares of Common Stock that are available for delivery under the Plan.

 

 
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Shares of Common Stock covered by Stock Incentive Awards granted pursuant to the Plan in connection with the assumption, replacement, conversion, or adjustment of outstanding equity-based awards in the context of a corporate acquisition or merger (within the meaning of section 303A.08 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual) shall not count as used under the Plan for purposes of this Section 3.

 

(b) Individual Award Limits

 

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Stock Incentive Awards granted under the Plan to any Covered Employee in any calendar year shall not exceed Fair Market Value of $1,000,000. For purposes of the preceding sentences, the phrase “amount payable with respect to any calendar year” means the amount of cash, or value of other property, required to be paid based on the achievement of applicable Performance Measures during a Performance Period that ends in such calendar year, disregarding any deferral pursuant to the terms of a Deferred Compensation Plan unless the terms of the deferral are intended to comply with the requirements for qualified performance-based compensation under section 162(m) of the Code.

 

4. Administration of the Plan

 

The Plan shall be administered by a Committee consisting of two or more persons, each of whom qualifies as a “non-employee director” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under section 16 of the Exchange Act), an “outside director” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.162-27(e)(3) and as “independent” as required by NYSE or any security exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, in each case if and to the extent required by applicable law or necessary to meet the requirements of such rule, section or listing requirement at the time of determination. The Committee shall, consistent with the terms of the Plan, from time to time designate those individuals who shall be granted Stock Incentive Awards under the Plan and the amount, type, and other terms and conditions of such Stock Incentive Awards. All of the powers and responsibilities of the Committee under the Plan may be delegated by the Committee, in writing, to any subcommittee thereof, in which case the acts of such subcommittee shall be deemed to be acts of the Committee hereunder. The Committee may also from time to time authorize a subcommittee consisting of one or more members of the Board of Directors (including members who are employees of the Company) or employees of the Company to grant Stock Incentive Awards to persons who are not “executive officers” of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act), subject to such restrictions and limitations as the Committee may specify and to the requirements of section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

The Committee shall have full discretionary authority to administer the Plan, including discretionary authority to interpret and construe any and all provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement thereunder, and to adopt, amend, and rescind from time to time such rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, including rules and regulations related to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws and/or qualifying for preferred tax treatment under applicable foreign tax laws, as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate. Decisions of the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee may exercise all discretion granted to it under the Plan in a non-uniform manner among Participants.

 

 
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The Committee may delegate the administration of the Plan to one or more officers or employees of the Company, and such administrator(s) may have the authority to execute and distribute Award Agreements, to maintain records relating to Stock Incentive Awards, to process or oversee the issuance of Common Stock under Stock Incentive Awards, to interpret and administer the terms of Stock Incentive Awards, and to take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan and of Stock Incentive Awards under the Plan, provided that in no case shall any such administrator be authorized (i) to grant Stock Incentive Awards under the Plan (except in connection with any delegation made by the Committee pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4), (ii) to take any action that would cause Stock Incentive Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation to fail to so qualify, (iii) to take any action inconsistent with section 409A of the Code, or (iv) to take any action inconsistent with applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Any action by any such administrator within the scope of its delegation shall be deemed for all purposes to have been taken by the Committee and, except as otherwise specifically provided, references in this Plan to the Committee shall include any such administrator. The Committee and, to the extent it so provides, any subcommittee, shall have sole authority to determine whether to review any actions and/or interpretations of any such administrator, and if the Committee shall decide to conduct such a review, any such actions and/or interpretations of any such administrator shall be subject to approval, disapproval, or modification by the Committee.

 

On or after the date of grant of a Stock Incentive Award under the Plan, the Committee may (i) accelerate the date on which any such Stock Incentive Award becomes vested, exercisable, or transferable, as the case may be, (ii) extend the term of any such Stock Incentive Award, including, without limitation, extending the period following a termination of a Participant’s Employment during which any such Stock Incentive Award may remain outstanding, (iii) waive any conditions to the vesting, exercisability, or transferability, as the case may be, of any such Stock Incentive Award or (iv) provide for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to any such Stock Incentive Award; provided , that the Committee shall not have any such authority to the extent that the grant of such authority would cause any tax to become due under section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not reprice any stock option (within the meaning of Section 711 of the NYSE American Company
Guide and any other formal or informal guidance issued by the NYSE) without the approval of the shareholders of the Company.

 

No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action, omission, or determination relating to the Plan, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other director or employee of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been delegated, against any cost or expense (including counsel fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee) arising out of any action, omission, or determination relating to the Plan, unless, in either case, such action, omission, or determination was taken or made by such member, director, or employee in bad faith and without reasonable belief that it was in the best interests of the Company.

 

5. Eligibility

 

The Persons who shall be eligible to receive Stock Incentive Awards pursuant to the Plan shall be those employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and other selected service providers of the Company whom the Committee shall select from time to time, including officers of the Company, whether or not they are directors. Each Stock Incentive Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

 

 
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6. Options

 

The Committee may from time to time grant Options on such terms as it shall determine, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. The Award Agreement shall clearly identify such Option as either an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of section 422 of the Code or as a non-qualified stock option.

 

(a) Exercise Price

 

The exercise price per share of Common Stock covered by any Option shall be not less than one hundred percent of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date on which such Option is granted, other than assumptions in accordance with a corporate acquisition or merger as described in Section 3.

 

(b) Term and Exercise of Options

 

(1) Each Option shall become vested and exercisable on such date or dates, during such period and for such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by the Committee on or after the date such Option is granted; provided , however that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date such Option is granted; and, provided , further , that each Option shall be subject to earlier termination, expiration, or cancellation as provided in the Plan or the Award Agreement.

 

(2) Each Option shall be exercisable in whole or in part; provided , however that no partial exercise of an Option shall be for an aggregate exercise price of less than $1,000 (unless waived by the Committee). The partial exercise of an Option shall not cause the expiration, termination, or cancellation of the remaining portion thereof.

 

(3) An Option shall be exercised by such methods and procedures as the Committee determines from time to time, including without limitation through net physical settlement or other method of cashless exercise.

 

(c) Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options

 

(1) The aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Common Stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of section 422 of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plan of the Company or any of its “subsidiaries” (within the meaning of section 424 of the Code) shall not exceed $100,000. Such Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date on which each such stock option is granted. In the event that the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Common Stock with respect to such incentive stock options exceeds $100,000, then incentive stock options granted hereunder to such Participant shall, to the extent and in the order required by regulations promulgated under the Code (or any other authority having the force of regulations), automatically be deemed to be non-qualified stock options, but all other terms and provisions of such stock options shall remain unchanged. In the absence of such regulations (and authority), or in the event such regulations (or authority) require or permit a designation of the Options which shall cease to constitute incentive stock options, incentive stock options granted hereunder shall, to the extent of such excess and in the order in which they were granted, automatically be deemed to be non-qualified stock options, but all other terms and provisions of such stock options shall remain unchanged.

 

(2) Incentive stock options may only be granted to individuals who are employees of the Company. No incentive stock option may be granted to an individual if, at the time of the proposed grant, such individual owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined Voting Power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its “subsidiaries” (within the meaning of section 424 of the Code), unless (i) the exercise price of such incentive stock option is at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time such incentive stock option is granted and (ii) such incentive stock option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such incentive stock option is granted.

 

 
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7. Other Stock-Based Awards

 

The Committee may from time to time grant equity-based or equity-related awards not otherwise described herein in such amounts and on such terms as it shall determine, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, each such Other Stock-Based Award may (i) involve the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to Participants, either at the time of grant or thereafter, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of Common Stock, (ii) be subject to performance-based and/or service-based conditions, (iii) be in the form of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units, or share-denominated performance units, (iv) be designed to comply with applicable laws of jurisdictions other than the United States, and (v) be designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation; provided , that each Other Stock-Based Award shall be denominated in, or shall have a value determined by reference to, a number of shares of Common Stock that is specified at the time of the grant of such Stock Incentive Award.

 

8. Performance-Based Compensation

 

(a) Calculation

 

The amount payable with respect to a Stock Incentive Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be determined in any manner permitted by section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(b) Discretionary Reduction

 

Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate the amount payable to any Participant with respect to the Stock Incentive Award, based on such factors as the Committee may deem relevant, but the Committee may not increase any such amount above the amount established in accordance with the relevant Performance Schedule. For purposes of clarity, the Committee may exercise the discretion provided for by the foregoing sentence in a non-uniform manner among Participants.

 

(c) Performance Measures

 

The performance goals upon which the payment or vesting of any Stock Incentive Award (other than Options and stock appreciation rights) that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation depends shall (a) be objective business criteria and shall otherwise meet the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code, including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain” at the time of grant and (b) relate to one or more of the following Performance Measures: market price of the Common Stock, net earnings, earnings before or after any or all of interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, net income (including, net income or operating income), cash flow (including, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital), cash position, cash valued added, customer satisfaction or growth measures, safety, revenues (including net revenues, net revenue growth or gross revenue), enterprise value, financial return ratios, market performance, margins (including gross margins or operating margins), productivity or efficiency ratios, costs, profits (including net profits, net operating profits, gross profit, gross profit growth, and profit returns or margins), earnings per share, stock price, working capital turnover and targets, total shareholder return, economic value added or other value added measurements, return on assets, return on capital or invested capital, return on equity, return on sales, new product innovation, product release schedules or ship targets, product cost reduction, inventory or supply chain management activities, and budget and expense management.

 

 
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A Performance Measure (i) may relate to the performance of the Participant, the Company, a Subsidiary, any business group, business unit, or other subdivision of the Company, or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee deems appropriate and (ii) may be expressed as an amount, as an increase or decrease over a specified period, as a relative comparison to the performance of a group of comparator companies or a published or special index, or any other measure of the selected performance criteria, as the Committee deems appropriate. The measurement of any Performance Measure shall exclude the impact positive and/or negative of unusual and/or infrequently occurring items or expenses; charges for restructurings; discontinued operations; acquisitions or divestitures; the cumulative effect of changes in accounting treatment; changes in tax laws, accounting standards or principles or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reporting results; any impact of impairment of tangible or intangible assets; any impact of the issuance or repurchase of equity securities and/or other changes in the number of outstanding shares of any class of the Company’s equity securities; any gain, loss, income, or expense attributable to acquisitions or dispositions of stock or assets; stock-based compensation expense; asset write-downs, in-process research and development expense; gain or loss from all or certain claims and/or litigation and insurance recoveries; foreign exchange gains and losses; any impact of changes in foreign exchange rates and any changes in currency; a change in the Company’s fiscal year; and any other items, each determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and as identified in the Company’s audited financial statements, including the notes thereto.

 

(d) Performance Schedules

 

Within ninety days after the beginning of a Performance Period, and in any case before twenty-five percent of the Performance Period has elapsed, the Committee shall establish (a) Performance Targets for such Performance Period, (b) Target Awards for each Participant, and (c) Performance Schedules for such Performance Period.

 

(e) Committee Discretion

 

Nothing in this Plan is intended to limit the Committee’s discretion to adopt conditions with respect to any Stock Incentive Award that is not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation that relate to performance other than the Performance Measures. Furthermore, nothing in this Plan shall be construed to require the Committee to grant any Award intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. The Committee may, subject to the terms of the Plan, amend previously granted Stock Incentive Awards in a way that disqualifies them as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(f) Committee Determinations

 

Determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of Performance Measures, the level of actual achievement of Performance Targets, and the amount payable with respect to a Stock Incentive Award intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be recorded in writing. Specifically, the Committee shall certify in writing, in a manner conforming to applicable regulations under section 162(m) of the Code, prior to settlement of each such Stock Incentive Award granted to a Covered Employee, that the Performance Targets and other material terms upon which settlement of the Stock Incentive Award was conditioned have been satisfied.

 

 
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9. Adjustment upon Certain Changes

 

Subject to any action by the shareholders of the Company required by law, applicable tax rules or the rules of any exchange on which shares of common stock of the Company are listed for trading:

 

(a) Shares Available for Grants

 

In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, or exchange of shares or similar corporate change, the maximum aggregate number or type of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant Stock Incentive Awards, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Options that are designated as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of section 422 of the Code and the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant Stock Incentive Awards to any individual Participant in any year and to any non-employee director shall be appropriately adjusted or substituted by the Committee. In the event of any change in the type or number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding by reason of any other event or transaction, the Committee shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, make such adjustments to the type or number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Stock Incentive Awards may be granted.

 

(b) Increase or Decrease in Issued Shares Without Consideration

 

In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares of Common Stock or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the shares of Common Stock), or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, adjust the type or number of shares of Common Stock subject to each outstanding Stock Incentive Award and the exercise price per share of Common Stock of each such Stock Incentive Award.

 

(c) Certain Mergers and Other Transactions

 

In the event of any merger, consolidation, or similar transaction as a result of which the holders of shares of Common Stock receive consideration consisting exclusively of securities of the surviving corporation in such transaction, the Committee shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, adjust each Stock Incentive Award outstanding on the date of such merger or consolidation so that it pertains and applies to the securities which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Incentive Award would have received in such merger or consolidation.

 

In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (on a consolidated basis), (iii) a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction involving the Company in which the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities and/or other property, including cash, other than shares of the surviving corporation in such transaction, the Committee shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, have the power to:

 

(i) cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, each Stock Incentive Award (whether or not then exercisable or vested), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the Participant to whom such Stock Incentive Award was granted an amount in cash, for each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Incentive Award, equal to the value, as determined by the Committee, of such Stock Incentive Award, provided that with respect to any outstanding Option such value shall be equal to the excess of (A) the value, as determined by the Committee, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event over (B) the exercise price of such Option; or

 

 
Page 10

 

(ii) provide for the exchange of each Stock Incentive Award (whether or not then exercisable or vested) for a Stock Incentive Award with respect to (A) some or all of the property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Incentive Award would have received in such transaction or (B) securities of the acquiror or surviving entity and, incident thereto, make an equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee in the exercise price of the Stock Incentive Award, or the number of shares or amount of property subject to the Stock Incentive Award or provide for a payment (in cash or other property) to the Participant to whom such Stock Incentive Award was granted in partial consideration for the exchange of the Stock Incentive Award.

 

(d) Other Changes

 

In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company, corporate change, corporate transaction or other event other than those specifically referred to in Sections 9(a), (b) or (c), the Committee shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to Stock Incentive Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in such other terms of such Stock Incentive Awards as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

(e) No Other Rights

 

Except as expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividends or dividend equivalents, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares or amount of other property subject to, or the terms related to, any Stock Incentive Award.

 

(f) Savings Clause

 

No provision of this Section 9 shall be given effect to the extent that such provision would cause any tax to become due under section 409A of the Code.

 

With respect to Stock Incentive Awards which are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no provision of this Section 9 shall be given effect to the extent that such provision would cause such Stock Incentive Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation under section 162(m) of the Code unless the Committee expressly acknowledges and affirms such consequences.

 

10. Change-in-Control; Termination of Employment

 

(a) Change-in-Control

 

The consequences of a Change-in-Control, if any, will be set forth in the Award Agreement in addition to what is provided in Section 10 hereof.

 

(b) Termination of Employment

 

(1) Except as to any awards constituting stock rights subject to section 409A of the Code, termination of Employment shall mean a separation from service within the meaning of section 409A of the Code, unless the Participant is retained as a consultant pursuant to a written agreement and such agreement provides otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall determine whether an authorized leave of absence, or absence in military or government service, shall constitute termination of Employment, provided that a Participant who is an employee will not be deemed to cease employment in the case of any leave of absence approved by the Company. Furthermore, no payment shall be made with respect to any Stock Incentive Awards under the Plan that are subject to section 409A of the Code as a result of any such authorized leave of absence or absence in military or government service unless such authorized leave or absence constitutes a separation from service for purposes of section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 
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(2) Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, no Stock Incentive Award will continue to vest after termination of Employment and the consequences with respect to any Option of the termination of Employment of the Participant holding the Option shall be as follows:

 

(i)       If the Participant’s termination of Employment occurs prior to the Option’s expiration date, for any reason whatsoever other than death or authorized retirement (as defined in subparagraph (ii) below), any unexercised portion of the Award shall terminate automatically.

 

(ii)        If a Participant retires upon reaching the Company’s normal retirement age or earlier, with the written consent of the Company, because of physical or mental disability (collectively, “authorized retirement”), any unexercised or unvested portion of the Option shall expire three months after the effective date of such authorized retirement. The Participant may exercise all or any vested portion of a Option from the date of his or her authorized retirement to three months thereafter.

 

(iii)        If prior to the expiration date of the Option, the Participant dies while employed by the Company or its subsidiary or within three months of his or her authorized retirement, the Participant’s estate, heirs or legatees shall have the privilege of exercising all or part of the unexercised Option within six months after the Participant’s death.

 

Nothing contained in this Section shall extend the time for exercising all or any part of the then unexercised portion of an Option.

 

11. Rights Under the Plan

 

No Person shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by or relating to any Stock Incentive Award until the date of the issuance of such shares on the books and records of the Company. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 9 hereof, no adjustment of any Stock Incentive Award shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date occurs prior to the date of such issuance. Nothing in this Section 11 is intended, or should be construed, to limit authority of the Committee to cause the Company to make payments based on the dividends that would be payable with respect to any share of Common Stock if it were issued or outstanding, or from granting rights related to such dividends.

 

The Company shall not have any obligation to establish any separate fund or trust or other segregation of assets to provide for payments under the Plan. To the extent any person acquires any rights to receive payments hereunder from the Company, such rights shall be no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.

 

12. No Special Employment Rights; No Right to Stock Incentive Awards

 

(a) Nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the continuation of his or her Employment by the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company at any time to terminate such Employment or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant from the rate in existence at the time of the grant of a Stock Incentive Award.

 

(b) No person shall have any claim or right to receive a Stock Incentive Award hereunder. The Committee’s granting of a Stock Incentive Award to a Participant at any time shall neither require the Committee to grant a Stock Incentive Award to such Participant or any other Participant or other person at any time nor preclude the Committee from making subsequent grants to such Participant or any other Participant or other person.

 

 
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13. Securities Matters

 

(a) The Company shall be under no obligation to affect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of any shares of Common Stock to be issued hereunder or to effect similar compliance under any state or local laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority, and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded. The Committee may require, as a condition to the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such covenants, agreements, and representations, and that any related certificates representing such shares bear such legends, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.

 

(b) The exercise or settlement of any Stock Incentive Award (including, without limitation, any Option) granted hereunder shall only be effective at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such exercise is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority, and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded. The Company may, in its sole discretion, defer the effectiveness of any exercise or settlement of a Stock Incentive Award granted hereunder in order to allow the issuance of shares pursuant thereto to be made pursuant to registration or an exemption from registration or other methods for compliance available under federal or state or local securities laws. The Company shall inform the Participant in writing of its decision to defer the effectiveness of the exercise or settlement of a Stock Incentive Award granted hereunder. During the period that the effectiveness of the exercise of a Stock Incentive Award has been deferred, the Participant may, by written notice, withdraw such exercise and obtain the refund of any amount paid with respect thereto.

 

14. Withholding Taxes

 

(a) Cash Remittance

 

Whenever withholding tax obligations are incurred in connection with any Stock Incentive Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements, if any, attributable to such event. In addition, upon the exercise or settlement of any Stock Incentive Award in cash, or the making of any other payment with respect to any Stock Incentive Award (other than in shares of Common Stock), the Company shall have the right to withhold from any payment required to be made pursuant thereto an amount sufficient to satisfy the federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements, if any, attributable to such exercise, settlement, or payment.

 

(b) Stock Remittance

 

At the election of the Participant, subject to the approval of the Committee, whenever withholding tax obligations are incurred in connection with any Stock Incentive Award, the Participant may tender to the Company (including by attestation) a number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value at the tender date determined by the Committee to be sufficient to satisfy the minimum federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements, if any, attributable to such event. Such election shall satisfy the Participant’s obligations under Section 14(a) hereof, if any.

 

 
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(c) Stock Withholding

 

At the election of the Participant, subject to the approval of the Committee, whenever withholding tax obligations are incurred in connection with any Stock Incentive Award, the Company shall withhold a number of such shares having a Fair Market Value determined by the Committee to be sufficient to satisfy the minimum federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements, if any, attributable to such event. Such election shall satisfy the Participant’s obligations under Section 14(a) hereof, if any.

 

15. No Obligation to Exercise

 

The grant to a Participant of a Stock Incentive Award shall impose no obligation upon such Participant to exercise such Stock Incentive Award.

 

16. Transfers

 

Stock Incentive Awards may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of a Participant, only by the Participant; provided , however that the Committee may permit Options or other Stock Incentive Awards that are not incentive stock options to be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of, on a general or specific basis, subject to such conditions and limitations as the Committee may determine. Upon the death of a Participant, outstanding Stock Incentive Awards granted to such Participant may be exercised only by the executors or administrators of the Participant’s estate or by any person or persons who shall have acquired such right to exercise by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution of any Stock Incentive Award, or the right to exercise any Stock Incentive Award, shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with (a) written notice thereof and with a copy of the will and/or such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and (b) an agreement by the transferee to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Stock Incentive Award that are or would have been applicable to the Participant and to be bound by the acknowledgements made by the Participant in connection with the grant of the Stock Incentive Award.

 

17. Expenses and Receipts

 

The expenses of the Plan shall be paid by the Company. Any proceeds received by the Company in connection with any Stock Incentive Award will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

18. Failure to Comply

 

In addition to the remedies of the Company elsewhere provided for herein, failure by a Participant to comply with any of the terms and conditions of the Plan or any Award Agreement, unless such failure is remedied by such Participant within ten days after having been notified of such failure by the Committee, shall be grounds for the cancellation and forfeiture of such Stock Incentive Award, in whole or in part, as the Committee, in its absolute discretion, may determine.

 

19. Relationship to Other Benefits

 

No payment with respect to any Stock Incentive Awards under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance, or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.

 

 
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20. Governing Law

 

The Plan and the rights of all persons under the Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

21. Severability

 

If all or any part of this Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not serve to invalidate any portion of this Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section or part of a Section so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner that will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

22. Effective Date and Term of Plan

 

The Effective Date of the Plan is September 30, 2017, subject to the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company. No grants of Stock Incentive Awards may be made under the Plan after September 30, 2027.

 

23. Amendment or Termination of the Plan

 

The Board of Directors may at any time suspend or discontinue the Plan or revise or amend it or any Stock Incentive Award in any respect whatsoever; provided , however , that to the extent that any applicable law, tax requirement, or rule of a stock exchange requires shareholder approval in order for any such revision or amendment to be effective, such revision or amendment shall not be effective without such approval. The preceding sentence shall not restrict the Committee’s ability to exercise its discretionary authority hereunder pursuant to Section 4 hereof, which discretion may be exercised without amendment to the Plan. No provision of this Section 23 shall be given effect to the extent that such provision would cause any tax to become due under section 409A of the Code. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no action hereunder may, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect the Participant’s rights under any previously granted and outstanding Stock Incentive Award. Nothing herein shall cause a Performance-Based Award to cease to qualify under section 162(m) of the Code unless the Committee expressly acknowledges and affirms such consequences in connection with this Section 23. Nothing in the Plan shall limit the right of the Company to pay compensation of any kind outside the terms of the Plan.

 

 
 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the inclusion in the foregoing Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated April 24, 2017, relating to the financial statements of Reeds, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years then ended which appear in Reeds, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2017. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts”.

 

Weinberg & Company, P.A.

Los Angeles, California

October 20, 2017