UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý       Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended October 1, 2016

 

or

 

o          Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission File No. 0-19621

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

41-1454591

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

     

175 Jackson Avenue North Suite 102, Minneapolis, Minnesota

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

55343

(Zip Code)

 

952-930-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ý  Yes   o  No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  o   Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  Smaller reporting company  ý

 

 

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

 

As of November 10, 2016, there were outstanding 6,655,365 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, without par value.

 

 

 

 
 

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

    Page
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 2
     
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 2016 (unaudited) and January 2, 2016 2
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months and Nine Months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015 3
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015 4
     
  Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 6
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 15
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 21
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 21
     
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 23
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 23
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 23
     
Item 5. Other Information 25
     
Item 6. Exhibits 26
     
SIGNATURES 27

 

 

 

 

  2  

 

 

PART I.                 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.   Financial Statements

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
  (unaudited)        
ASSETS            
Current assets:            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,709     $ 1,969  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $27 and $73, respectively     9,569       11,536  
Inventories     16,348       16,733  
Income taxes receivable     284       1,126  
Other current assets     820       1,350  
Deferred income tax assets     1,301       1,657  
Total current assets     30,031       34,371  
Property and equipment, net     10,315       10,985  
Restricted cash     500       500  
Other assets     599       596  
Deferred income tax assets     244       327  
Total assets (a)   $ 41,689     $ 46,779  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 7,189     $ 7,019  
Accrued expenses     8,048       8,934  
Line of credit     9,809       12,668  
Current maturities of long-term obligations     2,297       1,251  
Total current liabilities     27,343       29,872  
Long-term obligations, less current maturities     3,310       4,506  
Other noncurrent liabilities     389       357  
Total liabilities (a)     31,042       34,735  
Commitments and contingencies                
Shareholders’ equity:                
Common Stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 6,036 shares and 5,901 shares, respectively     21,730       21,466  
Accumulated deficit     (11,008 )     (9,577 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (551 )     (565 )
Total shareholders’ equity     10,171       11,324  
Noncontrolling interest     476       720  
      10,647       12,044  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 41,689     $ 46,779  

 

(a) Assets of ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (AAP), our consolidated variable interest entity that can only be used to settle obligations of AAP were $8,116 and $8,856 as of October 1, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively. Liabilities of AAP for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. were $2,314 and $2,838 as of October 1, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively.

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

  3  

 

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Revenues:                                
Retail   $ 15,103     $ 16,253     $ 47,769     $ 50,845  
Recycling     8,503       9,528       21,852       26,717  
Byproduct     3,750       2,348       7,836       8,269  
Total revenues     27,356       28,129       77,457       85,831  
Costs of revenues     18,905       21,907       56,379       65,864  
Gross profit     8,451       6,222       21,078       19,967  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     7,036       7,330       21,543       22,453  
Operating income (loss)     1,415       (1,108 )     (465 )     (2,486 )
Other income (expense):                                
Interest expense, net     (341 )     (312 )     (928 )     (878 )
Other income (expense), net     61       (34 )     155       (175 )
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest     1,135       (1,454 )     (1,238 )     (3,539 )
Provision for (benefit of) income taxes           (308 )     438       (894 )
Net income (loss)     1,135       (1,146 )     (1,676 )     (2,645 )
Net loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest     (12 )     373       245       774  
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest   $ 1,123     $ (773 )   $ (1,431 )   $ (1,871 )
Income (loss) per common share:                                
Basic   $ 0.19     $ (0.13 )   $ (0.24 )   $ (0.32 )
Diluted   $ 0.19     $ (0.13 )   $ (0.24 )   $ (0.32 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                
Basic     5,991       5,836       5,940       5,811  
Diluted     5,991       5,836       5,940       5,811  
Net income (loss)   $ 1,135     $ (1,146 )   $ (1,676 )   $ (2,645 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                                
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments     (29 )     (66 )     14       (199 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax     (29 )     (66 )     14       (199 )
Comprehensive income (loss)     1,106       (1,212 )     (1,662 )     (2,844 )
Comprehensive loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest     (12 )     373       245       774  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interest   $ 1,094     $ (839 )   $ (1,417 )   $ (2,070 )

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

  4  

 

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (1,676 )   $ (2,645 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     936       968  
Share-based compensation     264       265  
Deferred tax assets     439       209  
Amortization of debt issuance costs     136       81  
Other     (37 )     (44 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     2,004       (780 )
Inventories     385       (165 )
Other assets     108       94  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     301       621  
Income taxes receivable/payable     859       (695 )
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities     3,719       (2,091 )
Investing activities:                
Purchases of property and equipment     (244 )     (272 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment           5  
Other     (22 )     (552 )
Net cash flows used in investing activities     (266 )     (819 )
Financing activities:                
Net advances (payments) under line of credit     (2,859 )     3,170  
Payments on debt obligations     (821 )     (623 )
Proceeds from issuance of debt obligations     100       379  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock           24  
Payment of debt issuance costs     (125 )      
Net cash flows provided (used) in financing activities     (3,705 )     2,950  
Effect of changes in exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents     (8 )     (199 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (260 )     (159 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     1,969       3,523  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 1,709     $ 3,364  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

  5  

 

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash payments for interest   $ 1,033     $ 612  
Cash receipts for income taxes   $ 860     $ 394  
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Debt issuance costs related to credit agreement renewal   $ 63     $  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  6  

 

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

1.          Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and subsidiaries (“we,” the “Company” or “ARCA”) are in the business of providing turnkey appliance recycling and replacement services for electric utilities and other sponsors of energy efficiency programs. We also sell new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart ® . In addition, we have a 50% interest in a joint venture operating under the name ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”).

 

The accompanying balance sheet as of January 2, 2016, which has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements and the unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial information and Article 8 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, normal and recurring adjustments and accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation for the periods indicated have been included. Operating results for the three month and nine month periods ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, are presented using 13-week and 39-week periods, respectively. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

 

In preparation of the Company’s financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended January 2, 2016, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2016.

 

Principles of consolidation :   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

ApplianceSmart, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed through a corporate reorganization in July 2011 to hold our business of selling new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned retail stores. ARCA Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed in September 2006 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs. ARCA Recycling, Inc., a California corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed in November 1991 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs. The operating results of our wholly owned subsidiaries are consolidated in our financial statements.

 

AAP is a joint venture that was formed in October 2009 between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”) to employ advanced technology to refine traditional appliance recycling techniques to achieve optimal revenue-generating and environmental benefits. ARCA and 4301 have a 50% interest in AAP. The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity due to our contribution in excess of 50% of the total equity, subordinated debt and other forms of financial support. We have a controlling financial interest in AAP and have provided substantial financial support to fund the operations of AAP since its inception.

 

2.          Inventories

 

The Company's inventories primarily consist of appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market. Process metals include ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, and are valued at the lower of average purchased cost or market based on the specific scrap commodity.

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
Appliances held for resale   $ 16,139     $ 16,360  
Processed metals from recycled appliances held for resale     203       367  
Other     6       6  
    $ 16,348     $ 16,733  

 

We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustments to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions. We look at historical inventory aging and margin analysis in determining our provision estimate. A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded.

 

 

  7  

 

 

 

3.          Earnings per Share

 

Basic income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued. Potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock include unexercised stock options and warrants. Basic per share amounts are computed, generally, by dividing net income attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted per share amounts assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential Common Stock instruments unless their effect is anti-dilutive, thereby reducing the loss or increasing the income per common share. In calculating diluted weighted average shares and per share amounts, we included stock options and warrants with exercise prices below average market prices, for the respective reporting periods in which they were dilutive, using the treasury stock method. We calculated the number of additional shares by assuming the outstanding stock options were exercised and that the proceeds from such exercises were used to acquire Common Stock at the average market price during the quarter. For the three months and nine months ended October 1, 2016, we excluded options and warrants to purchase 641 and 743 shares of common stock from the diluted weighted average share outstanding calculation as the effect of these options and warrants were anti-dilutive. For the three months and nine months ended October 3, 2015, we excluded options and warrants to purchase 789 and 750 shares of common stock from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation as the effect of these options and warrants were anti-dilutive.

 

4.          Share-Based Compensation

 

We recognized share-based compensation expense of $123 and $217 for the three months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015, respectively and $264 and $265 for the nine months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, respectively.

 

Based on the value of options outstanding as of October 1, 2016, estimated future share-based compensation expense (benefit) is as follows:

 

Balance of fiscal year 2016   $ (2 )
Fiscal year 2017     14  
    $ 12  

 

The estimate above does not include any expense for additional options that may be granted and vest during the remainder of 2016 and 2017.

 

5.          Product Warranty

 

We provide a warranty for the replacement or repair of certain defective units, which varies based on the product sold.  Our standard warranty policy requires us to repair or replace certain defective units at no cost to our customers. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty and record an accrual in the amount of such costs at the time we recognize product revenue. Factors that affect our warranty accrual for covered units include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on these units, and the cost of such claims. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty accrual and adjust the amounts as necessary.

 

Changes in our warranty accrual are as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Beginning Balance   $ 33     $ 33     $ 42     $ 30  
Standard accrual based on units sold     4       12       13       31  
Actual costs incurred     (3 )     (4 )     (12 )     (12 )
Periodic accrual adjustments     (4 )     (4 )     (13 )     (12 )
Ending Balance   $ 30     $ 37     $ 30     $ 37  

 

 

 

 

 

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6.          Variable Interest Entity

 

The financial position and results of operations of AAP are consolidated in our financial statements based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity due to our contribution in excess of 50% of the total equity, subordinated debt and other forms of financial support. We have a controlling financial interest in AAP and have provided substantial financial support to fund the operations of AAP since its inception. The financial position and results of operations for AAP are reported in our recycling segment.

 

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of AAP as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016:

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
Assets                
Current assets   $ 522     $ 696  
Property and equipment, net     7,511       8,077  
Other assets     83       83  
Total Assets   $ 8,116     $ 8,856  
Liabilities                
Accounts payable (a)   $ 1,496     $ 1,872  
Accrued expenses     500       399  
Current maturities of long-term debt obligations     705       946  
Long-term debt obligations, net of current maturities     3,337       3,439  
Other liabilities (b)     1,126       759  
Total Liabilities   $ 7,164     $ 7,415  

 

(a) As of October 1, 2016, AAP has $431 in advances payable to 4301 included in accounts payable.
(b) Other liabilities represent loans and advances between ARCA and AAP that are eliminated in consolidation.

 

In April 2016, an officer of the Company loaned $75 to AAP through the issuance of an 8% promissory note. In August 2016, the note was repaid with the collection of carbon offset program revenues.

 

The following table summarizes the operating results of AAP for the three months and nine months ended July 2, 2016, and October 3, 2015:

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Revenues   $ 2,076     $ 1,577     $ 5,557     $ 5,455  
Gross profit     492       (234 )     967       69  
Operating income (loss)     79       (684 )     (285 )     (1,366 )
Net income (loss)     24       (748 )     (490 )     (1,548 )

 

7.          Other Assets

 

Other assets as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, consist of the following:

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
Deposits   $ 440     $ 416  
Cash surrender value     102       102  
Finite intangible assets     19       40  
Goodwill     38       38  
    $ 599     $ 596  

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015, we recorded amortization expense of $0 and $20, respectively, related to our recycling contract. For the nine months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015, we recorded amortization expense of $20 and $60, respectively, related to our recycling contract.

 

 

  9  

 

8.          Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, consist of the following:

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
Sales tax estimates, including interest   $ 4,175     $ 4,804  
Compensation and benefits     1,775       1,446  
Accrued incentive and rebate checks     189       293  
Accrued rent     204       235  
Warranty expense     30       42  
Accrued payables     412       749  
Deferred revenue     230       413  
Other     1,033       952  
    $ 8,048     $ 8,934  

 

9.          Line of Credit

 

We have a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) that provides us with a $15,000 revolving line of credit. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding the Term Loan entered into with PNC. The Revolving Credit Agreement had a stated maturity date of January 24, 2016, and was renewed on January 22, 2016. Our financial covenants were reset in connection with this renewal.

 

The renewed Revolving Credit Agreement has a stated maturity of January 31, 2017 and is recorded as a current liability.. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a lockbox agreement, a subjective acceleration clause and is collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets. PNC is also secured by an inventory repurchase agreement with Whirlpool Corporation for Whirlpool purchases only in which we issued a $750 letter of credit in favor of Whirlpool Corporation. The Revolving Credit Agreement requires, starting with the fiscal quarter ending April 2, 2016, that we meet a minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and continuing at the end of each quarter thereafter, that we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0. The Revolving Credit Agreement limits investments we can purchase, the amount of other debt and leases we can incur, the amount of loans we can issue to our affiliates and the amount we can spend on fixed assets, along with prohibiting the payment of dividends. In the January 22, 2016 renewal, the affiliate loan balance is capped at $1,000 on December 31, 2015, and thereafter. As of October 1, 2016, we were in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant; however, PNC notified us that we exceeded the affiliate loan limitations, and we have disputed such notice. As of January 2, 2016, we were not in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement which were subsequently waived with the January 22, 2016 renewal.

 

The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Agreement, in our renewal agreement on January 22, 2016, is PNC Base Rate plus 1.75% to 3.25%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 2.75% to 4.25%, with the rate being dependent on our level of fixed charge coverage. The PNC Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by PNC as its prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (1%). As of October 1, 2016, the outstanding line of credit balance was $9,809 with a weighted average interest rate of 8.75%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default premium. As of January 2, 2016, the outstanding line of credit balance was $12,668 with a weighted average interest rate of 7.25%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default premium.

 

The amount of revolving borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement is based on a formula using accounts receivable and inventories. We may not have access to the full $15,000 revolving line of credit due to the formula using accounts receivable and inventories, the amount of the letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation and the amount of outstanding loans between PNC and our AAP joint venture. As of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, our available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was $3,097 and $1,382, respectively.

 

 

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10.          Borrowings

 

Long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, consist of the following:

 

    October 1, 2016     January 2, 2016  
PNC term loan   $ 1,084     $ 1,275  
Susquehanna term loans     3,242       3,242  
2.75% note, due in monthly installments of $3, including interest, due October 2024, collateralized by equipment     295       319  
Capital leases and other financing obligations     1,100       988  
Debt issuance costs, net     (114 )     (67 )
      5,607       5,757  
Less current maturities     2,297       1,251  
    $ 3,310     $ 4,506  

 

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a $2,550 Term Loan (“Term Loan”) with PNC Bank to refinance the mortgage on our California facility. The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default or termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: 119 consecutive monthly principal payments of $21 plus interest commencing on February 1, 2011, and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter followed by a 120th payment of all unpaid principal, interest and fees on February 1, 2021. If the Revolving Credit Agreement is not renewed, a balloon payment of $1,020 in principal plus interest and additional fees will be due on January 31, 2017. The Term Loan is collateralized with our California facility located in Compton, California. The Term Loan interest rate is PNC Base Rate plus 2.25% to 3.75%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 3.25% to 4.75%, with the rate being dependent on our level of fixed charge coverage.

 

The interest rate will be fixed for the first half of 2016 at PNC Base Rate plus 3.75%, or 1-,2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 4.75%. As of October 1, 2016, the weighted average interest rate was 9.25%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default rate premium. As of January 2, 2016, the weighted average interest rate was 7.75%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default rate premium. As of October 1, 2016, the balance due on the Term Loan is classified as current as the maturity of our credit facility is January 31, 2017.

 

On March 10, 2011, AAP entered into three separate commercial term loans (“Term Loans”) with Susquehanna Bank, pursuant to the guidelines of the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program.  The total amount of the Term Loans is $4,750, split into three separate loans for $2,100; $1,400; and $1,250. The Term Loans mature on March 10, 2021 and bear an interest rate of Prime plus 2.75%. As of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, the interest rate was 6.00%. Borrowings under the Term Loans are secured by substantially all of the assets of AAP along with liens on the business assets and certain personal assets of the owners of 4301 Operations, LLC. We are a guarantor of the Term Loans along with 4301 Operations, LLC and its owners. In connection with these Term Loans, Susquehanna Bank also has a security interest in the assets of the Company.

 

In March of 2015, an entity controlled by one of the noncontrolling interest holders of AAP loaned AAP $325 through the issuance of promissory notes. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 8%. In May of 2015, one of the March 2015 notes totaling $125 was repaid in full by AAP. In February 2016, an entity controlled by one of the noncontrolling interest holders of AAP loaned AAP $100 through the issuance of an 8% promissory note. In August 2016, the remaining notes totaling $300 were repaid with the collection of carbon offset program revenues.

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015, we recorded non-cash interest expense of $50 and $27, respectively, related to debt issuance costs. For the nine months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015, we recorded non-cash interest expense of $142 and $81, respectively, related to debt issuance costs.

 

Capital leases and other financing obligations :   We acquire certain equipment under capital leases and other financing obligations. The cost of the equipment was $2,607 and $2,667 as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, respectively. Accumulated amortization as of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, was approximately $1,748 and $1,635, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is included in cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

 

 

 

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11.          Commitments and Contingencies

 

Contracts :   We have entered into material contracts with three appliance manufacturers. Under the agreements there are no minimum purchase commitments; however, we have agreed to indemnify the manufacturers for certain claims, allegations or losses with respect to appliances we sell.

 

Litigation :   On March 6, 2015, a complaint was filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California by Jason Feola, individually and as a representative of a putative class consisting of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between March 15, 2012 and February 11, 2015, against Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and certain current and former officers of the Company. Mr. Feola, pursuant to terms of his retainer agreement with The Rosen Law Firm, certified that he purchased 240 shares of the Company’s common stock for approximately $1 in total consideration. On May 7, 2015, the Company and the individual defendants were served the complaint. In July 2015, the Company and the individual defendants received an amended complaint. The complaint alleges that misstatements and omissions occurred in press releases and filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that these misstatements or omissions constitute violations of Section 20 (a) and Section 10(b) of, and Rule 10b-5 under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In October 2015, the court held a hearing on the Company's motion to dismiss the complaint. On November 24, 2015, the United States District Court for the Central District of California entered an order granting the motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The Court’s order provided that the dismissal was without prejudice and that the plaintiffs may file an amended complaint within 21 days of the issuance of the order. On December 15, 2015, the Company and the individual defendants were served with a second amended complaint. In May 2016, the court held a hearing on the Company's motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. On October 21, 2016 the court entered a final judgment to dismiss the class action complaint with prejudice and the plaintiff has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

  

On November 6, 2015, a complaint was filed in the Minnesota District Court for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by David Gray and Michael Boller, purporting to bring suit derivatively and on behalf of the Company against twelve current and former officers and directors of the Company. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties based on substantially similar allegations to those asserted in Mr. Feola's putative securities class action complaint, and that the defendants have been unjustly enriched as a result thereof. The complaint seeks damages, disgorgement, an award of attorneys’ fees and other expenses, and an order compelling changes to the Company’s corporate governance and internal procedures. This matter has been stayed by the court, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, until the United States District Court for the Central District of California determines the legal sufficiency of Mr. Feola's complaint or other specified developments occur in that case.

 

In February 2012, various individuals commenced a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) and various distributors of Whirlpool products, including Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and us, alleging certain appliances Whirlpool sold through its distribution chain, which includes us, were improperly designated with the ENERGY STAR ® qualification rating established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The claims against us include breach of warranty claims, as well as various state consumer protection claims. The class action settlement was preliminarily approved in June 2016 and members have until March 2017 to opt out of the class or object to the settlement. Whirlpool has offered to fully indemnify and defend its distributors in this lawsuit. We are monitoring Whirlpool’s defense of the claims and believe the possibility of a material loss is remote.

 

AMTIM Capital, Inc. (“AMTIM”) acts as our representative to market our recycling services in Canada under an arrangement that pays AMTIM for revenues generated by recycling services in Canada as set forth in the agreements between the parties.  A dispute has arisen between AMTIM and us with respect to the calculation of amounts due to AMTIM pursuant to the agreement. In a lawsuit filed in the province of Ontario, AMTIM claims a discrepancy in the calculation of fees due to AMTIM by us of approximately $2,000. Although the outcome of this claim is uncertain, we believe that no further amounts are due under the terms of the agreement and will continue to defend our position relative to this lawsuit.

 

 

 

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We are party from time to time to ordinary course disputes that we do not believe to be material or have merit. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these ordinary course disputes.

 

Sales and Use Taxes: We operate in twenty-three states in the U.S. and in various provinces in Canada. From time to time, we are subject to sales and use tax audits that could result in additional taxes, penalties and interest owed to various taxing authorities.

 

The California Board of Equalization (“BOE”) is conducting a sales and use tax examination covering the California operations of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Company believed it was exempt from collecting sales taxes under service agreements with utility customers that included appliance replacement programs. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company received communication from the BOE indicating they are not in agreement with the Company’s interpretation of the law. As a result, the Company applied for and, as of February 9, 2015, received approval to participate in the California Board of Equalization’s Managed Audit Program. The period covered under this program includes 2011, 2012, 2013 and extends through the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. At this time, our best estimate of the amount that will be assessed by the BOE covering all periods under audit is approximately $4.2 million in sales tax and interest related to the appliance replacement programs that we administered on behalf of our customers on which we did not assess, collect or remit sales tax. The Company has been working with outside consultants to arrive at our assessment estimate and will continue to engage the services of these sales tax experts throughout the Managed Audit Program process. The sales tax amounts that we will likely be assessed relate to transactions in the period under examination by the BOE. Such assessment, however, will be subject to protest and appeal, and would not need to be funded until the matter has been fully resolved. Resolution could take up to two years.

 

12.          Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, we did not record a provision for income taxes and recorded a benefit of income taxes of $308, respectively. For the nine months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $438 and recorded a benefit of income taxes of $894, respectively.

 

Our overall effective tax rate, based on projected full-year taxable income, was 0% and 22.5% for the three months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, respectively. Our overall effective tax rate, based on projected full-year taxable income (loss), was (44.2)% and 25.9% for the nine months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015, respectively. The effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate of 34% due primarily to the impact of lower foreign tax rates, state taxes, share-based compensation and the book income (loss) of consolidated AAP attributable to noncontrolling interest.

 

We regularly evaluate both positive and negative evidence related to retaining a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future taxable income during the periods when deductible temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income. We have concluded based on the weight of negative evidence that a valuation allowance should be maintained against certain deferred tax assets that we do not expect to utilize as of October 1, 2016.

 

13.          Segment Information

 

We operate within targeted markets through two reportable segments: retail and recycling. The retail segment is comprised of income generated through our ApplianceSmart stores, which includes appliance sales and byproduct revenues from collected appliances. The recycling segment includes all fees charged and costs incurred for collecting, recycling and installing appliances for utilities and other customers and includes byproduct revenue, which is primarily generated through the recycling of appliances. We have included the results from consolidating AAP in our recycling segment. The nature of products, services and customers for both segments varies significantly. As such, the segments are managed separately. Our Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources based on revenues and income from operations of each segment.  Income from operations represents revenues less cost of revenues and operating expenses, including certain allocated selling, general and administrative costs. There are no inter-segment sales or transfers.

 

 

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The following tables present our segment information for periods indicated:

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Revenues:                                
Retail   $ 15,321     $ 16,430     $ 48,264     $ 51,363  
Recycling     12,035       11,699       29,193       34,468  
Total revenues   $ 27,356     $ 28,129     $ 77,457     $ 85,831  
                                 
Operating income (loss):                                
Retail   $ (112 )   $ (200 )   $ (549 )   $ (836 )
Recycling     1,614       (708 )     382       (1,065 )
Unallocated corporate     (87 )     (200 )     (298 )     (585 )
Total operating income (loss)   $ 1,415     $ (1,108 )   $ (465 )   $ (2,486 )
                                 
Cash capital expenditures:                                
Retail   $     $ 34     $ 9     $ 72  
Recycling     20       (4 )     107       43  
Corporate assets not allocable     31       33       128       157  
Total cash capital expenditures   $ 51     $ 63     $ 244     $ 272  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization:                                
Retail   $ 46     $ 46     $ 151     $ 142  
Recycling     218       216       672       652  
Unallocated corporate     38       57       113       174  
Total depreciation and amortization   $ 302     $ 319     $ 936     $ 968  

 

14.          Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a final standard on revenue from contracts with customers. The new standard sets forth a single comprehensive model for recognizing and reporting revenue. The new standard is effective for us in fiscal year 2018 and permits the use of either a retrospective or a cumulative effect transition method. We are currently assessing the impact of implementing the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued a standard requiring an entity’s management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the financial statements. The guidance also sets forth a series of disclosures that are required in the event the entity’s management concludes that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new standard becomes effective for us in the annual financial statements for fiscal 2016 and requires an ongoing evaluation at each interim and annual period thereafter. We are currently assessing the effect the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued a standard that primarily requires organizations that lease assets to recognize the rights and obligations created by those leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The standard is effective in 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the effect the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) Related to Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory which applies to all inventory except that which is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. Inventory measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost is included in the new amendments. Inventory within the scope of the new guidance should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments will take effect for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance should be applied prospectively, and earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We are evaluating the impact of the standard on the consolidated financial statements.

 

15.          Subsequent Event

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue up to $7,732 principal amount of 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Notes of the Company and related common stock purchase warrants. The notes will be issued from time to time, up to such aggregate principal amount, at the request of the Company, subject to certain conditions, or at the option of the Investor. Interest accrues at the rate of eight percent per annum on the principal amount of the notes outstanding from time to time, and is payable at maturity or, if earlier, upon conversion of the notes. The principal amount of notes outstanding at November 8, 2016, was $103. On November 10, 2016, we advanced to an officer of the company $75 for a short term note.

 

 

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in five sections:

 

· Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
· Overview and Recent Trends
· Results of Operations
· Liquidity and Capital Resources
· Critical Accounting Estimates and Pronouncements

 

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

 

This quarterly report contains statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Any statements contained in this quarterly report that are not purely historical or relate to our future operations, performance and results, and anticipated liquidity are forward looking. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this quarterly report, but are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed herein. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this quarterly report.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report, and other written and oral forward-looking statements made by us from time to time, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information regarding our operations will be affected primarily by individual retail stores’ profitability, the volume of appliance sales, the strength of energy conservation recycling programs and general economic conditions affecting consumer demand for appliances, prices at which we can sell by-products, and timing and prices of sales of carbon offset credits. Any forward-looking information will also be affected by our continued ability to purchase product from our suppliers at acceptable prices, the ability of individual retail stores to meet planned revenue levels, the number of retail stores, costs and expenses being realized at higher than expected levels, our ability to secure an adequate supply of special-buy appliances for resale, the ability to secure appliance recycling and replacement contracts with sponsors of energy efficiency programs, the ability of customers to supply units under their recycling contracts with us, the performance of our consolidated variable interest entity, the continued availability of our current line of credit and the outcome of the pending sales and use tax examination in California.  Our MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 (including the information presented therein under Risk Factors ), as well as our reports on Forms 10-Q and other publicly available information. All amounts herein are unaudited.

 

Overview and Recent Trends

 

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“we,” the “Company” or “ARCA”) serve as the bridge from utilities and appliance manufacturers to the end customers by recycling, replacing, and selling major household appliances in North America. We are committed to energy efficiency programs and have been a pioneer in appliance recycling programs. We have three revenue streams:

 

· Retail
· Recycling
· By-Product

 

Our retail group generates income from the sale of appliances and related services through 18 ApplianceSmart ® stores in four geographic areas. We have an online presence and sell directly to real estate developers. We specialize in appliance sales with experienced staff that are acquainted with the various brands, trends and features of our products. Our key differentiator is we provide manufacturers a channel to move their out-of-the-box products, also known as “ding and dent” or factory seconds, affordably without disrupting their normal distribution channels. For this service for we are granted access to significant purchase discounts on new products equivalent to the large big box retailers.

 

In the United States 60 million appliances which is equivalent to 17 billion dollars are sold annually. We serve less than 1% of the market and have room to grow in all of our geographic areas. A significant trend, in the appliance marketplace, is margin compression due to price competition among the major big box retailers. Our regional approach by focusing on one metropolitan area gives us an opportunity to brand ourselves locally and optimize our advertising expenditures. We believe our regional approach enables us to compete effectively with all competitors. We have an opportunity to gain market share as we are currently planning on expanding and opening new stores within the next year as our time to open a store is one of the fastest in the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our recycling programs includes all income generated from collecting, recycling and installing appliances for utilities and other customers. We have two major initiatives in this group: 1) collecting which is picking up used appliances and 2) replacement which is bringing the customer a new energy efficient product in exchange for their old product. We have over a 20 year history in both programs and our ability to purchase products at a significant discount gives us a unique advantage in the replacement programs; however, in the past few years we have seen a significant decline in the replacement business as utility companies are not realizing the energy efficient savings they once did with the older units. Furthermore, in the past year we have added several collecting programs due to the receivership of our largest competitor. The competitor reportly had contracts with 180 utilities and during the nine months ended October 1, 2015 we have added 31 new customers and continue to pursue the acquisition of the remaining contracts. In 2016, we have significantly invested in people, equipment and process improvement initiatives. This investment was for the most part expensed and has driven down our near-term profitability. We expect it will benefit us in the longer term.

 

The By-Product revenue is generated through the sale of materials obtained from de-manufacturing of appliances. We have established 17 Regional Processing Centers (“RPCs”) which we break down the units and sell the by- products such as scrap, metallic products and refrigerants. The RPC in Philadelphia is operated by ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”) through a joint venture agreement between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”). AAP which employs advanced technology to refine traditional appliance recycling techniques to achieve optimal revenue-generating and environmental benefits. AAP is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (“URT”), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances. The decline in commodity prices over the past two years has adversely affected the operations of AAP and required us to provide additional financial support to AAP. We are pursuing options to turn AAP around financially.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Sales

 

    Three Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     Change  
Retail   $ 15.1     $ 16.3       (1.2 )
Recycling     8.5       9.5       (1.0 )
By-Product     3.8       2.3       1.5  
    $ 27.4     $ 28.1     $ (0.7 )

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016 net sales declined 2.7% or $0.7 million compared to the three months ended October 3, 2015. The decrease was due to several factors. The largest decrease came from our replacement programs which were down $3.4 million due to ended or delayed contracts in 2016. This was offset by a gain of $2.3 million collected units under our new recycle programs. The number of customers invoiced in our recycling programs for the quarter ended October 1, 2016 was 48 compared to 21 in the three months ended October 3, 2015. Our By-Product revenue increased as we recorded a $1.5 million payment from the sale of carbon offset credits.

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     Change  
Retail   $ 47.8     $ 50.8       (3.0 )
Recycling     21.9       26.7       (4.8 )
By-Product     7.8       8.3       (0.5 )
    $ 77.5     $ 85.8     $ (8.3 )

 

 

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For the nine months ended October 1, 2016 net sales declined 9.8% or $8.3 million compared to the nine months ended October 3, 2015. This was due to several factors. Retail sales declined $3.0 million for the nine month ended October 1, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 due to price competition among major big box retailers. Our average selling price per unit was $613 for nine months ended October 1, 2016 in comparison to $620 for the same period in 2015. We are working to find additional value added products to increase our per ticket sale.

 

Revenue from appliance replacement programs were down $8.4 million due to the ending or delay of some contracts which was offset by a $3.6 million increase in revenue from new collecting programs.

 

Our By-Product revenue for the year was lower primarily due to the decline of commodity prices of $1.0 million offset by an increase of $0.5 carbon offsets credits payments in the nine months ended October 1, 2016 compared to the nine months ended October 3, 2015.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross Profit is impacted by the following for the three and for the nine months ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015:

 

· The product and service mix of retail products and programs.
· The prices at which we purchase product from the major appliance manufacturers and retailers that supply product to us.
· The prices at which we can purchase recyclable appliances for processing at our RPCs.
· The volume of appliances we receive through our utility company energy efficiency programs.
· The volume and price of commodity/byproduct materials we sell.
· The volume and price of carbon offset sales created by the destruction of ozone-depleting refrigerants.

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016 gross profit was 30.9% an increase of 35.8% or $2.2 million compared to 22.1% in the three months ended October 3, 2015. Our gross profit increased primarily due to two items, the payment of $1.3 million carbon offset credits and $1.3 million from the move to higher margin collecting versus replacing. This was offset by a decrease of 1% or $0.4 million in retail sales due to product mix and market pressures.

 

For the nine months ended October 1, 2016 gross profit was 27.2% an increase of $1.1 million compared to 23.3% in the same nine months ended October 3, 2015. Our gross profit increased primarily due to the carbon offset credit payment of $1.3 million in the third quarter and the move to collect versus replacement programs which have a higher gross margin. This was offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in retail sales due to price compression and product mix.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

    Three Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     Change  
Advertising   $ 0.1     $ 0.3       (0.2 )
Retail Expenses     3.5       3.8       (0.3 )
Corporate     3.4       3.3       0.1  
    $ 7.0     $ 7.4     $ (0.4 )

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016 SGA decreased by 5% or $0.4 million compared to the three months ended October 3, 2015. This was due to a decrease in occupancy costs as we contracted space in our retail stores and focused on lowering the costs as we continue to look for opportunities to operate the stores more efficiently. Advertising expense is lower as we decided to reduce advertising to focus on rebranding our message for 2017. The increase in SGA is primarily due to adding new position to the corporate team.

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015     Change  
Advertising   $ .9     $ 1.2       (0.3 )
Retail Expenses     10.7       11.3       (0.6 )
Corporate     9.9       9.9        
    $ 21.5     $ 22.4     $ (0.9 )

 

 

 

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For the nine months ended October 1, 2016 SG&A decreased by $0.9 million compared to the same nine months ended October 3, 2015 due to lower costs by contracting store size, scaling back advertising and increasing efficiencies.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the three and nine months ended October 1, 2016, interest expense was $0.3 million and $0.9 million respectively, unchanged from the three and nine months ended October 3, 2015. Our cost of borrowing with our bank increased but due to tight inventory management and reduced replacement programs our net borrowings under our line of credit were reduced, keeping interest expense the same. We are actively working to reduce interest rates as our expansion plans to gain market share will require capital outlays and investment.

 

Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended October 1, 2016, we recorded no provision or benefit for income taxes compared with a benefit of $0.3 million in the same period ended October 3, 2015. Income tax expense, for the nine months ended October 1, 2016 included a provision for income tax expense of $0.4 million for writedown of the valuation allowance asset compared to a tax benefit of $0.9 million due to the financial losses of same period of 2015.

 

Noncontrolling Interest

 

Noncontrolling interest represents 4301’s share of AAP’s net income (loss). Under the AAP joint venture agreement, ARCA and 4301 each have a 50% interest in AAP. For the nine months ended, October 1, 2016, AAP reported net loss of $0.5 million of which $0.2 million represented the loss attributable to noncontrolling interest compared to a loss of $1.5 million of which $0.7 million represented the loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in the nine month period ended October 3, 2015. The operation results of AAP are dependent upon the market prices of commodities and on a supply of product from a limited number of sources. Management is actively working to improve our return and limit our exposure on this investment.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of October 1, 2016, were $1.7 million compared with $2.0 million as of January 2, 2016. Working capital, the excess of current assets over current liabilities, decreased to $2.7 million as of October 1, 2016, compared with $4.5 million as of January 2, 2016. The decrease was primarily the result of the classification of the term loan with PNC as a current liability, operating losses and the pay down of accruals.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended October 1, 2016, and October 3, 2015 (in millions):

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    October 1, 2016     October 3, 2015  
Total cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):                
Operating activities   $ 3.7     $ (2.1 )
Investing activities     (0.3 )     (0.8 )
Financing activities     (3.7 )     2.9  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents           (0.2 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents   $ (0.3 )   $ (0.2 )

 

Operating Activities .  Our net cash provided by operating activities was $3.7 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2016, compared with $(2.1) million for the nine months ended October 3, 2015. The increase of cash generated from operating activities was primarily the result of $2.0 million collection of trade receivables, $0.9 million collection of tax receivables and $0.4 million reduction of inventory. 

 

 

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Investing Activities .  Cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2016, and the nine months ended October 3, 2015, respectively. Cash used for the purchase of equipment was $0.2 million and $0.3 million in the nine months ended October 1, 2016, and the nine months ended October 3, 2015, respectively.

 

Financing Activities .  Our net cash used in financing activities was $3.7 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2016, compared with $3.0 million of net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended October 3, 2015.  Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended October 1, 2016, was related primarily to net payments under our line of credit and the repayment of long-term debt obligations. Net cash provided in financing activities for the nine months ended October 3, 2015, was related to $3.2 million advance on the line of credit and $0.4 million of new debt offset by $0.6 million of payments of long term debt.

 

Sources of Liquidity .    Our principal sources of liquidity are cash from operations and borrowings under our revolving line of credit. Our principal liquidity requirements consist of long-term debt obligations, capital expenditures and working capital. Our total capital requirements for the next twelve months will depend upon, among other things, the number and size of ApplianceSmart stores operating during the period, the volumes generated from recycling and appliance replacement contracts during the period and our needs related to AAP. Currently, we have eighteen ApplianceSmart stores and seventeen recycling centers, including AAP, in operation. Approximately $0.8 million of our cash at the end of the October 1, 2016 is held in Canadian banks.

 

We believe, based on the anticipated revenues from our recycling and appliance replacement contracts, the anticipated sales per retail store, and our anticipated gross profit, that our cash balance, anticipated funds generated from operations and our bank borrowings will be sufficient to finance our operations, long-term debt obligations and capital expenditures through at least the next twelve months. We may need additional capital to finance our operations if our revenues are lower than anticipated, our expenses are higher than anticipated or we pursue new opportunities, or if our Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) is not renewed or replaced on the stated maturity date of January 31, 2017. We are currently seeking a new bank credit facility.

 

On November 8, 2016, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with an investor under which the Company may issue up to $7.7 million principal amount of 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Notes of the Company and related common stock purchase warrants. The principal amount of the notes outstanding at November 8, 2016, was $0.1 million. The Notes will be issued from time to time, up to such aggregate principal amount, at the request of the Company, subject to certain conditions, or at the option of the investor. Interest accrues at the rate of eight percent per annum on the principal amount of the Notes outstanding from time to time, and is payable at maturity or, if earlier, upon conversion of the Notes. We believe this financing arrangement will enhance our ability to obtain a new bank credit facility. Sources of additional financing, if needed in the future, may include further debt financing or the sale of equity (Common or Preferred Stock) or other financing opportunities. There can be no assurance that such additional sources of financing will be available on terms satisfactory to us or permitted by bank credit facility.

 

Outstanding Indebtedness .  We have a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) that provides us with a $15.0 million revolving line of credit. The Revolving Credit Agreement had a stated maturity date of January 24, 2016, and was renewed on January 22, 2016. Our financial covenants were reset in connection with this renewal. The renewed Revolving Credit Agreement has a stated maturity of January 31, 2017, if not renewed and as a result, we have classified the revolving line of credit as a current liability. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a lockbox agreement and a subjective acceleration clause. The Revolving Credit Agreement is collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and PNC is also secured by an inventory repurchase agreement with Whirlpool Corporation for Whirlpool purchases only. We also issued a $0.8 million letter of credit in favor of Whirlpool Corporation. The Revolving Credit Agreement requires, starting with the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2016, that we meet a minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and continuing at the end of each quarter thereafter, that we meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0. The Revolving Credit Agreement limits investments we can purchase, the amount of other debt and leases we can incur, the amount of loans we can issue to our affiliates and the amount we can spend on fixed assets, along with prohibiting the payment of dividends. In the January 22, 2016 renewal, the affiliate loan balance is capped at $1.0 million on December 31, 2015, and thereafter. As of October 1, 2016, we were in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant; however, PNC notified us that we exceeded the affiliate loan limitation, and we have disputed such notice. As of January 2, 2016, we were not in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement, which was subsequently waived with the January 22, 2016 renewal.

 

The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Agreement, in our renewal agreement on January 22, 2016, is PNC Base Rate plus 1.75% to 3.25%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 2.75% to 4.25%, with the rate being dependent on our level of fixed charge coverage. The PNC Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (i) the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by PNC as its prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points (1%).  As of October 1, 2016, the outstanding line of credit balance was $9.8 million with a weighted average interest rate of 8.75%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default premium. As of January 2, 2016, the outstanding line of credit balance was $12.7 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.25%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default premium.

 

 

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The amount of revolving borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement is based on a formula using accounts receivable and inventories.  We may not have access to the full $15 million revolving line of credit due to the formula using accounts receivable and inventories, the amount of the letter of credit issued in favor of Whirlpool Corporation and the amount of outstanding loans between PNC and our AAP joint venture. As of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, our available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement was $3.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

On January 24, 2011, we entered into a $2.55 million Term Loan (“Term Loan”) with PNC Bank to refinance the mortgage on our California facility. The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default or termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: 119 consecutive monthly principal payments of $21,000 plus interest commencing on February 1, 2011, and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter followed by a 120th payment of all unpaid principal, interest and fees on February 1, 2021. If the Revolving Credit Agreement is not renewed, a balloon payment of $1.02 million in principal plus interest and additional fees will be due on January 31, 2017. The Term Loan is collateralized with our California facility located in Compton, California. The Term Loan interest rate is PNC Base Rate plus 2.25% to 3.75%, or 1-, 2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 3.25% to 4.75%, with the rate being dependent on our level of fixed charge coverage.

 

The interest rate will be fixed for the first half of 2016 at PNC Base Rate plus 3.75%, or 1-,2- or 3-month PNC LIBOR Rate plus 4.75%. As of October 1, 2016, the weighted average interest rate was 9.25%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default rate premium. As of January 2, 2016, the weighted average interest rate was 7.75%, which was the PNC Base Rate plus a default rate premium. As of October 1, 2016, the balance due on the Term Loan is classified as current as the maturity of our credit facility is January 31, 2017.

 

On March 10, 2011, AAP entered into three separate commercial term loans (“Term Loans”) with Susquehanna Bank, pursuant to the guidelines of the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program. The total amount of the Term Loans is $4.75 million, split into three separate loans for $2.1 million, $1.4 million, and $1.25 million. The Term Loans mature on March 10, 2021 and bear an interest rate of Prime plus 2.75%. As of October 1, 2016, and January 2, 2016, the interest rate was 6.00%.  Borrowings under the Term Loans are secured by substantially all of the assets of AAP along with liens on the business assets and certain personal assets of the owners of 4301 Operations, LLC. We are a guarantor of the Term Loans along with 4301 Operations, LLC and its owners. In connection with these Term Loans, Susquehanna Bank also has a security interest in the assets of the Company.

 

In March of 2015, an entity controlled by one of the noncontrolling interest holders of AAP loaned AAP $0.3 million through the issuance of promissory notes. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 8%. In May of 2015, one of the March 2015 notes totaling $125,000 was repaid in full by AAP. In February 2016, an entity controlled by one of the noncontrolling interest holders of AAP loaned AAP $100,000 through the issuance of an 8% promissory note. In August 2016, the remaining notes totaling $0.3 million were repaid with the collection of carbon offset program revenues.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Pronouncements

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which require estimates and assumptions about future events that may affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and the accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and any such differences may be material to the financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application and represent the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from reported results.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued a standard that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. We adopted the provisions of this statement in the first quarter of 2016 and prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted. The adoption of this standard resulted in a $0.1 million reduction of other assets and a $01 million reduction of the current portion of long term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the period ended December 31, 2015.

 

 

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Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a final standard on revenue from contracts with customers. The new standard sets forth a single comprehensive model for recognizing and reporting revenue. The new standard is effective for us in fiscal year 2018 and permits the use of either a retrospective or a cumulative effect transition method. We are currently assessing the impact of implementing the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued a standard requiring an entity’s management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the financial statements. The guidance also sets forth a series of disclosures that are required in the event the entity’s management concludes that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new standard becomes effective for us in the annual financial statements for fiscal 2016 and requires an ongoing evaluation at each interim and annual period thereafter. We are currently assessing the effect the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued a standard that primarily requires organizations that lease assets to recognize the rights and obligations created by those leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The standard is effective in 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the effect the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market Risk and Impact of Inflation

 

Interest Rate Risk .   We do not believe there is any significant risk related to interest rate fluctuations on our long-term fixed-rate debt. There is interest rate risk on the line of credit, PNC Term Loan and Susquehanna Bank Term Loans, since our interest rate floats. The outstanding balance on our floating rate loans as of October 1, 2016, was approximately $14.2 million. Based on average floating rate borrowings of $15.7 million, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in the applicable interest rate would have caused our interest expense to change for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2016, by approximately $39,000 and $117,000.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.   We currently generate revenues in Canada.  The reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is U.S. dollars. It is not possible to determine the exact impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes; however, the effect on reported revenue and net earnings can be estimated.  We estimate that the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar had an immaterial impact on revenues and net income for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2016.  We do not currently hedge foreign currency fluctuations and do not intend to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

We do not hold any derivative financial instruments nor do we hold any securities for trading or speculative purposes.

  

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

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Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), at October 1, 2016. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at October 1, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART II.        Other Information

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

On March 6, 2015, a complaint was filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California by Jason Feola, individually and as a representative of a putative class consisting of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between March 15, 2012 and February 11, 2015, against Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and certain current and former officers of the Company. Mr. Feola, pursuant to terms of his retainer agreement with The Rosen Law Firm, certified that he purchased 240 shares of the Company’s common stock for $984 in total consideration. In May 2015, the Company and the individual defendants were served the complaint. In July 2015, the Company and the individual defendants received an amended complaint. The complaint alleges that misstatements and omissions occurred in press releases and filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that these misstatements or omissions constitute violations of Section 20 (a) and Section 10(b) of, and Rule 10b-5 under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In October 2015, the court held a hearing on the Company's motion to dismiss the complaint. In November 2015, the Court entered an order granting the motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The Court’s order provided that the dismissal was without prejudice and that the plaintiffs could file an amended complaint within 21 days of the issuance of the order. In December 2015, the Company and the individual defendants were served with a second amended complaint. In May 2016, the court held a hearing on the Company's motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. On October 21, 2016 the court entered a final judgment to dismiss the class action complaint with prejudice and the plaintiff has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

 

On November 6, 2015, a complaint was filed in the Minnesota District Court for Hennepin County, Minnesota, by David Gray and Michael Boller, purporting to bring suit derivatively and on behalf of the Company against twelve current and former officers and directors of the Company. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties based on substantially similar allegations to those asserted in Mr. Feola's putative securities class action complaint, and that the defendants have been unjustly enriched as a result thereof. The complaint seeks damages, disgorgement, an award of attorneys’ fees and other expenses, and an order compelling changes to the Company’s corporate governance and internal procedures. This matter has been stayed by the court, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, until the United States District Court for the Central District of California determines the legal sufficiency of Mr. Feola's complaint or other specified developments occur in that case. This matter has been submitted to our insurance carriers.

 

Given the uncertainty of litigation we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from these actions. The Company maintains liability insurance policies that may reduce the Company’s exposure, if any.

 

In February 2012, various individuals commenced a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) and various distributors of Whirlpool products, including Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and us, alleging certain appliances Whirlpool sold through its distribution chain, which includes us, were improperly designated with the ENERGY STAR ® qualification rating established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The claims against us include breach of warranty claims, as well as various state consumer protection claims. The class action settlement was preliminarily approved in June 2016 and members have until March 2017 to opt out of the class or object to the settlement. Whirlpool has offered to fully indemnify and defend its distributors in this lawsuit,.  We are monitoring Whirlpool’s defense of the claims and believe the possibility of a material loss is remote.

 

 

 

 

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AMTIM Capital, Inc. (“AMTIM”) acts as our representative to market our recycling services in Canada under an arrangement that pays AMTIM for revenues generated by recycling services in Canada as set forth in the agreements between the parties.  A dispute has arisen between AMTIM and us with respect to the calculation of amounts due to AMTIM pursuant to the agreement.  In a lawsuit filed in the province of Ontario, AMTIM claims a discrepancy in the calculation of fees due to AMTIM by us of approximately $2,000. Although the outcome of this claim is uncertain, we believe that no further amounts are due under the terms of the agreement and will continue to defend our position relative to this lawsuit.

 

We are party from time to time to ordinary course disputes that we do not believe to be material or have merit. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these ordinary course disputes.

 

Sales and Use Taxes:  We operate in twenty-three states in the U.S. and in various provinces in Canada. From time to time, we are subject to sales and use tax audits that could result in additional taxes, penalties and interest owed to various taxing authorities.

 

As previously disclosed, the California Board of Equalization (“BOE”) is conducting a sales and use tax examination covering the California operations of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Company believed it was exempt from collecting sales taxes under service agreements with utility customers that included appliance replacement programs. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company received communication from the BOE indicating they are not in agreement with the Company’s interpretation of the law. As a result, the Company applied for and, as of February 9, 2015, received approval to participate in the California Board of Equalization’s Managed Audit Program. The period covered under this program includes 2011, 2012, 2013 and extends through the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. At this time, our best estimate of the amount that will be assessed by the BOE covering all periods under audit is approximately $4.1 million in sales tax and interest related to the appliance replacement programs that we administered on behalf of our customers on which we did not assess, collect or remit sales tax. The Company has been working with outside consultants to arrive at our assessment estimate and will continue to engage the services of these sales tax experts throughout the Managed Audit Program process. The sales tax amounts that we will likely be assessed relate to transactions in the period under examination by the BOE. Such assessment, however, will be subject to protest and appeal, and would not need to be funded until the matter has been fully resolved. Resolution could take up to two years.

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

As described in Item 5, below, on November 8, 2016, the Company issued and agreed to issue shares of Common Stock and Notes and Warrants which are convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock. The Common Stock, Notes and Warrants were issued pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), provided under Section 4(a)(2) thereof and pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D only to “accredited investors” (as defined under Rule 501(a) of the Securities Act) based in part on the representations and warranties of the Investor.

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

As of October 1, 2016, ARCA had borrowings totaling $1.1 million on its Term Loan with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) and $9.8 million under its $15 million Revolving Credit Agreement. The PNC loan agreements (“Loan Agreements”) require ARCA to, among other things; satisfy certain financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter. A failure to satisfy any covenant constitutes an event of default under the Loan Agreements. As of October 1, 2016, PNC notified ARCA that it was not in compliance with a covenant relating to loans to affiliates. ARCA has notified PNC that it disputes this determination, and is working with PNC for a resolution. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Item 5.    Other Information

 

On November 8, 2016, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC, an accredited Investor (the “Investor”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue up to $7,731,959 principal amount of 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Notes of the Company (the “Notes”) and related common stock purchase warrants (the “Warrants”). The Notes will be issued from time to time, up to such aggregate principal amount, at the request of the Company, subject to certain conditions, or at the option of the Investor. Interest accrues at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum on the principal amount of the Notes outstanding from time to time, and is payable at maturity or, if earlier, upon conversion of the Notes. Interest is payable in cash or, subject to certain conditions, in shares of Common Stock at the Company’s option. The Company has the right to prepay the Notes under certain circumstances. At the initial closing on November 8, 2016, we issued Notes for $103,000, which are convertible into 166,817 shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), at a conversion price of $0.618 per share. In connection with the Note issued at the initial closing, the Company issued five-year Warrants to purchase 166,817 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.68 per share. The Notes may not be converted and the Warrants may not be exercised to the extent such conversion or exercise would result in the investor owning more than 9.99% of the Company’s common stock. With each Note subsequently issued under the Purchase Agreement, the Company will also issue a Warrant for a number of shares equal to the number of shares issuable upon conversion of such Note. The Notes and Warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution provisions. The conversion price for the Notes is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, but in no event to less than $0.50 (or in the case of default, in no event less than $0.325), subject to equitable adjustment. The Warrants include a cashless exercise right. If the Company fails to make timely delivery of shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes or exercise of the Warrants, the Company will be subject to certain liquidated damages provisions. At the initial closing the Company issued 619,547 shares of Common Stock to the Investor as Commitment Shares for the convertible promissory note arrangements. The Company will not issue shares upon conversion of the Notes or exercise of the Warrants to the extent the aggregate number of shares issued under the Purchase Agreement would exceed 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the date of the Purchase Agreement, unless and until the Company obtains shareholder approval permitting such issuances in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. In addition, the Investor has the right to participate in certain subsequent financings by the Company, subject to certain limitations. The Purchase Agreement provides that the Investor will have the right to include the shares of Common Stock underlying the Notes and Warrants in certain registration statements filed by the Company.

 

The above is a summary of the material terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, the Notes and the Warrants and is qualified in its entirety by the full terms and conditions of such agreements which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.3 and are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

 

 

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Item 6.    Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
     
10.1+ Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 8, 2016, between Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC and the Company
     
10.2+   Form of 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Note issuable under Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 8, 2016, between Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC and the Company
     
10.3+   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issuable under Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 8, 2016, between Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC and the Company
     
31.1+   Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2+   Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1†   Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2†   Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101**   The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month and nine month periods ended October 1, 2016 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (v) document and entity information.

 

+      Filed herewith.

 

†      Furnished herewith.

 

**   Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed part of a registration statement, prospectus or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filings.

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
    (Registrant)
       
Date: November 15, 2016 By: /s/ Tony Isaac
      Tony Isaac
      Chief Executive Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)

 

       
Date: November 15, 2016 By: /s/ Tony Isaac
      Tony Isaac
      Acting Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of November 8, 2016, by and between Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ”), and the purchaser identified on the signature page hereto (including its successors and assigns, the “ Purchaser ”).

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1        Definitions . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement: (a) capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Note (as defined herein), and (b) the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

 

Acquiring Person ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.7.

 

Action ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).

 

Affiliate ” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

BakerHostetler ” means Baker & Hostetler LLP, with offices located at 600 Anton Blvd., Suite 900, Costa Mesa, California 92626.

 

Bankruptcy Event ” means any of the following events: (a) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) thereof commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction relating to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, (b) there is commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof any such case or proceeding that is not dismissed within 60 days after commencement, (c) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, (d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or stayed within 60 calendar days after such appointment, (e) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof calls a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition, adjustment or restructuring of its debts or (g) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, by any act or failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

 

 

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Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day ” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day that is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Call Right ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.6.

 

Call Exercise Period ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.6.

 

Call Exercise Notice ” means the written and irrevocable notice from the Company to the Purchaser that instructs the Purchaser to purchase a Note from the Company, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

Closing Dates ” means the Trading Day(s) on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto in connection with a Closing, and all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchaser’s obligations to pay the Subscription Amount as to such Closing and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities as to such Closing, in each case, have been satisfied or waived.

 

Closing(s) ” means the one or more closings of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.

 

Closing Statement ” means the Closing Statement in the form on Annex A attached hereto.

 

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Commitment Shares ” means that number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and delivered by the Company to the Purchaser as noted hereinbelow and calculated as follows: 5% multiplied by $7,731,958.76 (the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes issuable pursuant to this Agreement), which product is divided by sixty-five percent (65%) of the VWAP as of the date that is two Trading Days prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company, no par value per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

Common Stock Equivalents ” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries that would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant, or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

 

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Company Counsel ” means Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. , with offices located at 200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-1425.

 

Conversion Price ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Note.

 

Conversion Shares ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Note.

 

Disclosure Schedules ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1.

 

Evaluation Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(r).

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exempt Issuance ” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options that the Company issues to employees, officers, or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the Board of Directors, (b) Securities issued hereunder or securities issued upon the exercise of or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder, (c) securities issued upon the exercise of or exchange of or conversion of other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement as set forth in Schedule 3.1(g) , provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities, (d) shares issued pursuant to any equipment loan or leasing arrangement, real property leasing arrangement or debt financing from a bank or similar institution approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, (e) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, and (f) shares issuable to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) that is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall be intended to provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.

 

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

GAAP ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).

 

Indebtedness ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(aa).

 

Intellectual Property Rights ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(o).

 

Legend Removal Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(c).

 

Liens ” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

 

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Material Adverse Effect ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).

 

Material Permits ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(m).

 

Maximum Rate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.17.

 

Maximum Share Amount ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.7.

 

Maximum Voting Amount ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.7.

 

Note ” means the 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Notes issued by the Company to the Purchaser hereunder in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

OID ” means the Original Issue Discount in respect of the Note.

 

Person ” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Pre-Notice ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.12(b).

 

Principal Amount ” means the amount set forth below the Purchaser’s signature block on the signature pages hereto next to the heading “Principal Amount,” or the “Principal Amount” specified in the applicable Put Exercise Notice or Call Exercise Notice, in United States Dollars, which shall equal the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as to the Closing divided by 0.97.

 

Public Information Failure ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.3(b).

 

Public Information Failure Payments ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.3(b).

 

Purchaser Party ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.10.

 

Put Right ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.5.

 

Put Exercise Period ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.5.

 

Put Exercise Notice ” means the written, unconditional, and irrevocable notice from the Purchaser to the Company that instructs the Company to issue a Note to the Purchaser, in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

Registrable Securities ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 14.4.

 

Required Approvals ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).

 

 

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Required Minimum ” means, as of any date, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then potentially issuable in the future pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including any Underlying Shares issuable upon conversion in full of all Notes (including Underlying Shares issuable as payment of interest on the Notes), ignoring any conversion limits set forth therein, and assuming that the Conversion Price is at all times on and after the date of determination 75% of the then-Conversion Price on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

SEC Reports ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).

 

Securities ” means the Commitment Shares, the Note and the Underlying Shares.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Short Sales ” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock).

 

Stockholder Approval ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.7.

 

Subscription Amount ” means, as to the Purchaser, the aggregate amount to be paid for each Note purchased at each Closing hereunder, including the Subscription Amount payable at the initial Closing and the amount specified in each Put Exercise Notice or Call Exercise Notice, as applicable, with respect to a subsequent Closing, in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.

 

Subsequent Financing ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.12(a).

 

Subsequent Financing Notice ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.12(b).

 

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

Trading Market ” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTC Bulletin Board, or the OTC Markets Group Inc.’s OTCQX, OTCQB, or OTC Pink marketplaces (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

 

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Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the Note, the Warrant, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

Transfer Agent ” means Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101, St. Paul, Minnesota 55120, and a facsimile number of 651-450-4033 , and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

Transfer Agent Instruction Letter ” means the letter from the Company to the Transfer Agent that instructs the Transfer Agent to issue Underlying Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents, in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

 

Underlying Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon (i) conversion or redemption of the Note and issued and issuable in lieu of the cash payment of interest on the Note in accordance with the terms of the Note and (ii) exercise of the Warrant in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

Variable Rate Transaction ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13(b).

 

VWAP ” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the OTC Bulletin Board, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchaser and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Warrant ” means the five-year common stock purchase warrants to be granted by the Company to the Purchaser in an amount equivalent to the number of Underlying Shares of each Note issued in each Closing with a per-share exercise price equivalent to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the conversion price of the Note issued contemporaneously therewith, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto.

 

ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1         Purchase . The Purchaser will purchase a series of Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $7,731,958.76 (attributable to an aggregate Subscription Amount of up to $7,500,000.00, net of the OID). Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and as set forth in Section 2.2 below, (a) the Subscription Amount for the first installment hereunder, in the gross amount of $100,000.00 (net of the OID), shall be tendered at the first installment Closing, which shall be on or about the date hereof, and (b) the Subscription Amount for subsequent Closings, in the gross amount specified in the applicable Put Exercise Notice or Call Exercise Notice, shall be tendered in accordance with the Put Right and Call Right (each, a “ Closing ”). At the first installment Closing, $23,000.00 shall be tendered to BakerHostetler in connection with the Purchaser’s legal fees and the Commitment Shares shall be delivered to the Purchaser.

 

 

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2.2        Closings . On the initial Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, substantially concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, a Note in the Principal Amount attributable to the Subscription Amount of $100,000.00 (net of the OID). On subsequent Closing Dates, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, a Note in the Principal Amount attributable to the Subscription Amount specified in the applicable Put Exercise Notice or Call Exercise Notice, to be tendered in accordance with the Put Right and the Call Right, separate from and in addition to the first installment hereunder (up to an aggregate Subscription Amount of $7,500,000.00 (net of the OID) for all Closings). At each Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Company, via wire transfer or a certified check, immediately available funds equal to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount for such Closing, less any deductions therefrom as noted herein and as otherwise set forth on the signature page hereto executed by the Purchaser or in the applicable Put Exercise Notice or Call Exercise Notice, and the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser its Note for the Principal Amount attributable to the specific Subscription Amount for each Closing. At each Closing, the Company and the Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.3. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 for the Closing, the Closing shall occur at the offices of BakerHostetler or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree. The final Closing Date shall be not later than November 8, 2021.

 

2.3         Deliveries .

 

(a)         On or prior to the Closing Date (except as noted), the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser the following:

 

(i)    this Agreement duly executed by the Company (at the first installment Closing);

 

(ii)    the Transfer Agent Instruction Letter duly executed by the Company and the Transfer Agent (when required); and

 

(iii)    a Note with a principal amount equal to the Principal Amount attributable to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as to each Closing, registered in the name of the Purchaser.

 

(b)         On or prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, as applicable, the following:

 

(i)    this Agreement duly executed by the Purchaser (at the first installment Closing); and

 

 

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(ii)    the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as to the relevant Closing by wire transfer to the account specified in writing by the Company (except that, as to the first installment Closing, such delivery shall occur within 48 hours after such Closing).

 

2.4         Closing Conditions .

 

(a)         The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with each Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i)    the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);

 

(ii)    all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;

 

(iii)   the delivery by the Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement; and

 

(iv)    the Company must have complied with SEC Reports and filings as described in Section 3.1(h).

 

(b)         The obligations of the Purchaser hereunder in connection with each Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i)  the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);

 

(ii)    all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;

 

(iii)    the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement;

 

(iv)    there is no existing Event of Default (as defined in the Note) and no existing event that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default;

 

(v)    the Company shall be fully current on all SEC filings and reports and there shall be no adverse proceeding initiated, ongoing, or threatened by any governmental or regulatory body;

 

(vi)    there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof;

 

(vii)    the Common Stock is DWAC Eligible (as defined in the Note); and

 

 

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(viii)   from the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market and, at any time prior to the Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market that, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of the Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at the Closing.

 

2.5         Put Option . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at any time and from time to time during the period that commences on the date of this Agreement and terminates at the close of business on November 8, 2021 (the “ Put Exercise Period ”), the Purchaser shall have the right (the “ Put Right ”), but not the obligation, to cause the Company to issue a Note to the Purchaser in the amount referenced in the Put Exercise Notice. A Closing pursuant to a Put Exercise Notice shall take place not later than five calendar days following the date of delivery to the Company of such Put Exercise Notice.

 

2.6         Call Option . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at any time and from time to time during the period that commences on the date of this Agreement and terminates at the close of business on November 8, 2021 (the “ Call Exercise Period ”), the Company shall have the right (the “ Call Right ”), but not the obligation, to cause the Purchaser to purchase a Note in the amount referenced in the Call Exercise Notice. A Closing pursuant to a Call Exercise Notice shall take place not later than five calendar days following the earlier of (i) date of delivery to the Purchaser of such Call Exercise Notice or (ii) the date on which all of the conditions precedent (as set forth hereinbelow) have been met. As of the date of delivery of the Call Exercise Notice and the relevant Closing thereunder:

 

(a)         the Company shall have reported “operating income” (in the manner historically calculated except as provided below) on its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter in which the Call Exercise Notice was delivered; provided , however , that, if such “immediately preceding” fiscal quarter is the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of its fiscal year, then such “operating income” shall be determined by subtracting from the Company’s operating income for such fiscal year (as reported on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and calculated as provided below) the Company’s operating income for the first three fiscal quarters of its fiscal year (as reported on the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and calculated as provided below); and provided , further , that in calculating “operating income” for purposes of this Agreement, there shall be excluded (i) charges, expenses or deductions for amortization and depreciation, and (ii) charges, expenses or deductions relating to the issuance, existence, conversion or exercise of Commitment Shares, Notes or Warrants pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(b)         the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall not be in default of any of its obligations to any third party, other than defaults existing at the date of this Agreement or that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

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(c)         the Company shall not be in default under its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act;

 

(d)         the Company shall not be subject to a Bankruptcy Event;

 

(e)        the Company shall have commenced the process of preparation of (and thereafter be actively prosecuting) its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, one of the items of which shall be the Company’s proposal to redomicile the Company from Minnesota to Nevada, which proposal shall be actively supported and unanimously recommended by the Board of Directors; and

 

(f)         no less than two weeks shall have elapsed since the immediately previous Closing.

 

Further, the number of Underlying Shares in respect of such exercised Call Right shall be not greater than 200% of the aggregate trading volume of the Common Stock during the three weeks prior to the date of the relevant Closing.

 

2.7         Limitations on the Number of Shares Issuable . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not issue to the Purchaser any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes or exercise of Warrants issued hereunder to the extent such shares, after giving effect to such issuance and when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued and issuable as Commitment Shares or upon conversion of any other Notes or exercise of any other Warrants issued hereunder would exceed (i) 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the date of this Agreement (the “ Maximum Share Amount ”) or (ii) 19.9% of the total voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately before the date of this Agreement that are entitled to vote on a matter being voted on by holders of the Common Stock (the “ Maximum Voting Amount ”), unless and until the Company obtains Stockholder Approval (as defined below). For purposes of this Section 2.7, beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2.7, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Purchaser may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of the Purchaser, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Purchaser the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. If on any attempted conversion of a Note or exercise of a Warrant, the issuance of shares of Common Stock would exceed the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount, and the Company shall not have previously obtained Stockholder Approval at the time of exercise, then the Company shall issue to the Purchaser such number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued below the Maximum Share Amount or Maximum Voting Amount, as the case may be, and, with respect to the remainder of the aggregate number of shares, the Notes and Warrants shall not be convertible or exercisable until and unless Stockholder Approval has been obtained. “ Stockholder Approval ” means approval by the stockholders of the Company (i) amending the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock so that the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock is at least the Required Minimum, or to include such number of authorized shares of Common Stock in the certificate or articles of incorporation in connection with the Company’s proposal to redomicile the Company from Minnesota to Nevada, and (ii) permitting the issuance of shares of Common Stock in excess of the Maximum Share Amount and Maximum Voting Amount, such issuances in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

 

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ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1         Representations and Warranties of the Company . Except as set forth in the SEC Reports or the “ Disclosure Schedules ,” which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Purchaser:

 

(a)         Subsidiaries . All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) . The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable, and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.

 

(b)        Organization and Qualification . The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation or default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, would not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “ Material Adverse Effect ”) and no Action has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.

 

(c)         Authorization; Enforcement . The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s shareholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

 

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(d)         No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.1(d) , (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)        Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 4.6 of this Agreement, (ii) the notice and/or application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the issuance and sale of the Securities and the listing of the Underlying Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, (iii) the filing of Form D with the Commission and such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws, and (iv) the Stockholder Approval with respect to Underlying Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes or exercise of the Warrants, as required pursuant to the terms of the Notes and Warrants, but only to the extent such components of the Stockholder Approval are required by The NASDAQ Capital Market (collectively, the “ Required Approvals ”).

 

(f)        Issuance of the Securities. The Securities, to the extent issuable without Stockholder Approval, are, and upon receipt of components of the Stockholder Approval relating to an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the remaining Securities will be, duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Underlying Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company other than restrictions on transfer provided for in the Transaction Documents. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock a number of shares of Common Stock for issuance of the Underlying Shares at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date hereof.

 

 

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(g)         Capitalization . The capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g) , which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g) or as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire any shares of Common Stock, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Purchaser) and will not result in a right of any holder of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under any of such securities. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in material compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g) , no further approval or authorization of any shareholder, the Board of Directors, or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no shareholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s shareholders.

 

(h)         SEC Reports; Financial Statements . The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “ SEC Reports ”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“ GAAP ”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.

 

 

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(i)         Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments . Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as specifically disclosed in a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof: (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any material liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its shareholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i) , no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, properties, operations, assets or financial condition, that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.

 

(j)         Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(j) , there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “ Action ”) that (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) would, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(j) , neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(j) , there has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

 

 

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(k)         Labor Relations . No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(l)         Compliance . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(l) , neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)         Regulatory Permits . The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“ Material Permits ”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.

 

 

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(n)         Title to Assets . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(n), the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting, and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.

 

(o)         Intellectual Property . The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights as described in the SEC Reports as necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses and for which the failure so to have would have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “ Intellectual Property Rights ”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as would not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality, and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(p)         Insurance . The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.

 

(q)        Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for: (i) payment of salary, bonuses or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.

 

 

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(r)         Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls . The Company and the Subsidiaries are in material compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “ Evaluation Date ”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(s)         Certain Fees . Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.1(s) , no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiaries to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Purchaser shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

(t)         Private Placement . Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Purchaser as contemplated hereby. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Trading Market other than the need for Stockholder Approval.

 

 

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(u)         Investment Company . The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(v)         Reserved .

 

(w)         Listing and Maintenance Requirements . The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(w) , (i) the Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market, and (ii) the Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.

 

(x)         Application of Takeover Protections . The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or would become applicable to the Purchaser as a result of the Purchaser and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Purchaser’s ownership of the Securities.

 

(y)         Disclosure . Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Purchaser or any of its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchaser regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.

 

 

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(z)        No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of (i) the Securities Act that would require the registration of any such securities under the Securities Act, or (ii) any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.

 

(aa)         Reserved .

 

(bb)        Tax Status. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, there are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.

 

(cc)    No General Solicitation . Neither the Company nor any person acting on behalf of the Company has offered or sold any of the Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising. The Company has offered the Securities for sale only to the Purchaser.

 

(dd)         Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) that is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.

 

(ee)         Accountants . The Company’s accounting firm is set forth on Schedule 3.1(ee) of the Disclosure Schedules. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm: (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

 

 

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(ff)        Seniority. As of the Closing Date, with the sole exception of other obligations of the Company currently in favor of the Purchaser or as set forth on Schedule 3.1(ff) , no Indebtedness or other claim against the Company is senior to the Note in right of payment, whether with respect to interest or upon liquidation or dissolution, or otherwise, other than indebtedness secured by purchase money security interests (which indebtedness is senior only as to underlying assets covered thereby) and capital lease obligations (which obligations are senior only as to the property covered thereby).

 

(gg)         No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers. There are no disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Company to arise, between the Company and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Company that would affect the Company’s ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, and the Company is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers.

 

(hh)        Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by the Purchaser or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.

 

(ii)         Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except for Sections 3.2(f) and 4.15 hereof), it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) the Purchaser has not been asked by the Company to agree, nor has the Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by the Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or “derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities, and (iii) the Purchaser, and counter-parties in “derivative” transactions to which the Purchaser is a party, directly or indirectly, may presently have a “short” position in the Common Stock. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) the Purchaser may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Underlying Shares deliverable with respect to Securities are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing shareholders’ equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents, provided such activities are conducted in accordance with applicable law.

 

 

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(jj)        Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agent (if any) in connection with the placement of the Securities.

 

(kk)        Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

 

(ll)         Office of Foreign Assets Control . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

 

(mm)        U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Purchaser’s request.

 

(nn)         Bank Holding Company Act . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “ BHCA ”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “ Federal Reserve ”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

 

(oo)        Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.

 

 

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(pp)        Representations and Warranties and Information Provided by the Company Is Not Materially Misleading. The representations and warranties contained herein and the information otherwise provided by the Company to the Purchaser at any time prior to any Closing did not and will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

3.2         Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser . The Purchaser, for itself and for no other Purchaser, hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein):

 

(a)         Organization; Authority . The Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company, or similar action, as applicable, on the part of the Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by the Purchaser, and when delivered by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

(b)         Own Account . The Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting the Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). The Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.

 

(c)         Purchaser Status . At the time the Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it converts the Note it will be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act. The Purchaser is not required to be registered as a broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Exchange Act. The Purchaser has the authority and is duly and legally qualified to purchase and own the Securities. The Purchaser is able to bear the risk of such investment for an indefinite period and to afford a complete loss thereof. The Purchaser has had no position, office or other material relationship within the past two years with the Company or persons known to the Purchaser to be affiliates of the Company, and is not a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or an “associated person” (as such term is defined under the FINRA Membership and Registration Rules Section 1011).

 

 

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(d)        Experience of the Purchaser. The Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication, and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

(e)        Compliance with Securities Act; Reliance on Exemptions. The Purchaser understands and agrees that the Securities have not been registered under the 1933 Act or any applicable state securities laws, by reason of their issuance in a transaction that does not require registration under the 1933 Act, and that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless a subsequent disposition is registered under the 1933 Act or any applicable state securities laws or is exempt from such registration. The Purchaser understands and agrees that the Securities are being offered and sold to the Purchaser in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and regulations and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire the Securities.

 

(f)         General Solicitation . The Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.

 

(g)        Opportunity to Obtain Information. The Purchaser has been furnished with or has had access to the EDGAR Website of the Commission to the Company’s SEC Reports filed with the Commission. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as the Purchaser deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the merits and risks of acquiring the Securities; (ii) the right of access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable the Purchaser to evaluate the Securities; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to acquiring the Securities.

 

(h)        No Governmental Review. The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other governmental or state agency has passed on or made recommendations or endorsement of the Securities or the suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the investment.

 

 

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(i)         Certain Transactions and Confidentiality . Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, the Purchaser has not directly or indirectly, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with the Purchaser, executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that the Purchaser first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case that the Purchaser is or becomes a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of the Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of the Purchaser’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement, the Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to the identification of the availability of, or securing of, available shares to borrow in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.

 

The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in Section 3.2 shall not modify, amend or affect the Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

4.1         Transfer Restrictions .

 

(a)         The Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Securities other than pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company or to an Affiliate of the Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated in Section 4.1(b), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does not require registration of such transferred Securities under the Securities Act. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement.

 

(b)         The Purchaser agrees to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 4.1, of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:

 

[NEITHER] THIS SECURITY [NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS [EXERCISABLE] [CONVERTIBLE]] HAS [NOT] BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY [AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON [EXERCISE] [CONVERSION] OF THIS SECURITY] MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

 

 

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The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Purchaser may from time to time pledge pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and , if required under the terms of such arrangement, the Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee, secured party, or pledger, shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities .

 

(c)         Certificates evidencing the Underlying Shares shall not contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof): (i) while a registration statement (including the Registration Statement) covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act, (ii) following any sale of such Underlying Shares pursuant to Rule 144, (iii) if such Underlying Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such Underlying Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, or (iv) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission). The Company shall cause its counsel to issue a legal opinion to the Transfer Agent promptly after any of the events described in (i)-(iv) in the preceding sentence if required by the Transfer Agent to effect the removal of the legend hereunder (with a copy to the applicable Purchaser and its broker). If all or any portion of a Note is converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the Underlying Shares, or if such Underlying Shares may be sold under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such Underlying Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions, or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission) then such Underlying Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the Effective Date or at such time as such legend is no longer required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no later than three (3) Trading Days following the delivery by the Purchaser to the Company or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Underlying Shares, as applicable, issued with a restrictive legend (such third Trading Day, the “ Legend Removal Date ”), deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser a certificate representing such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4. Certificates for Underlying Shares subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Purchaser by crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by the Purchaser.

 

 

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(d)        In addition to the Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to the Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000.00 of Underlying Shares (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date such Securities are submitted to the Transfer Agent) delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section 4.1(c), $10.00 per Trading Day (increasing to $20.00 per Trading Day seven (7) Trading Days after such Legend Removal Date) for each Trading Day commencing two (2) Trading Days after the Legend Removal Date until such certificate is delivered without a legend. Nothing herein shall limit the Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Company’s failure to deliver certificates representing any Securities as required by the Transaction Documents, and the Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.

 

4.2         Acknowledgment of Dilution . The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities may result in dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, its obligation to issue the Underlying Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents, are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any right of set off, counterclaim, delay or reduction, regardless of the effect of any such dilution or any claim the Company may have against the Purchaser and regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership of the other shareholders of the Company. In the event of an issuance of stock involving tranches or other multiple closings, the anti-dilution adjustment shall be calculated as if all stock was issued at the Closing.

 

4.3         Furnishing of Information; Public Information .

 

(a)         Until the earliest of the time that (i) the Purchaser owns no Securities, or (ii) the Warrants have expired, the Company covenants to maintain the registration of the Common Stock under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the Exchange Act even if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.

 

 

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(b)         At any time during the period commencing from the six (6) month anniversary of the date hereof and ending at such time that all of the Securities may be sold without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the Company shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) (a “ Public Information Failure ”) then, in addition to the Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to the Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the Securities, an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate amount of the Note eligible to be converted at the time of the Public Information Failure of the Purchaser’s Securities on the day of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30 th ) day (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for the Purchaser to transfer the Underlying Shares pursuant to Rule 144. The payments to which the Purchaser shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) are referred to herein as “ Public Information Failure Payments .” Public Information Failure Payments shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Payments are incurred and (ii) the third (3 rd ) Business Day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Payments is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Payments in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Payments shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Nothing herein shall limit the Purchaser’s right to pursue actual damages for the Public Information Failure, and the Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.

 

4.4         Integration . The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.

 

4.5         Conversion and Exercise Procedures . The form of Notice of Conversion included in the Note sets forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchaser in order to convert the Note. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Exercise or Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required in order to convert the Note or of any Notice of Exercise form be required in order to exercise the Warrant. No additional legal opinion, other information, or instructions shall be required of the Purchaser to convert its Note or to exercise its Warrant. The Company shall honor conversions of the Note and exercises of the Warrant and shall deliver Underlying Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions, and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.

 

4.6         Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity . The Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto (the “ Form 8-K ”), with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. The Company and the Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor the Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of the Purchaser, or without the prior consent of the Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, delayed, denied, or conditioned except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of the Purchaser, or include the name of the Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, except to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchaser with prior notice of such disclosure permitted hereunder.

 

 

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4.7         Shareholder Rights Plan . No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that the Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that the Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents.

 

4.8         Non-Public Information . Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf, will provide the Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material non-public information, unless prior thereto the Purchaser shall have entered into a written agreement with the Company regarding the confidentiality and use of such information. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.

 

4.9         Use of Proceeds . The Company shall use the net proceeds hereunder as set forth on Schedule 4.9 attached hereto.

 

4.10          Indemnification of the Purchaser . Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.10, the Company will indemnify and hold the Purchaser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, managers, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, managers, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “ Purchaser Party ”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any material breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any shareholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is based upon a breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such shareholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party that constitutes fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or malfeasance). If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by the Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied, or conditioned; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 4.10 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.

 

 

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4.11          Reservation and Listing of Securities .

 

(a)          As of the first installment Closing, the Company shall have commenced the process of preparation of (and thereafter be actively prosecuting) its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, one of the items of which shall be the Company’s proposal to amend the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock so that the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock is at least the Required Minimum, or to include such number of authorized shares of Common Stock in the certificate or articles of incorporation in connection with the Company’s proposal to redomicile the Company from Minnesota to Nevada, which proposal(s) shall be actively supported and unanimously recommended by the Board of Directors; and upon the effectiveness of such amendment the Company shall reserve the Required Minimum from its duly authorized shares of Common Stock and, thereafter, the Company shall maintain a reserve from its duly authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amount as may then be required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction Documents, such that, on a monthly basis, the Company will adjust the reserve as necessary to make sure that of the Required Minimum is available.

 

(b)         If, on any date, the number of authorized but unissued (and otherwise unreserved) shares of Common Stock is less than the Required Minimum on such date, then the Board of Directors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to at least the Required Minimum at such time, as soon as possible and in any event not later than the 90 th day after such date.

 

 

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(c)         The Company shall, if applicable: (i) in the time and manner required by the principal Trading Market, prepare and file with such Trading Market an additional shares listing application covering a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the Required Minimum on the date of such application, (ii) take all steps necessary to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing or quotation on such Trading Market as soon as possible thereafter, (iii) provide to the Purchaser evidence of such listing or quotation and (iv) maintain the listing or quotation of such Common Stock on any date at least equal to the Required Minimum on such date on such Trading Market or another Trading Market.

 

4.12          Participation in Future Financing . The provisions of this Section 4.12 shall not be applicable unless and until Stockholder Approval thereof has been obtained.

 

(a)         For so long as any portion of any of the Notes is outstanding, upon any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents, or debt for cash consideration, Indebtedness, assignment, or any combination of units hereof (a “ Subsequent Financing ”), the Purchaser shall have the right to participate in up to an amount of the Subsequent Financing equal to 100% of the Subsequent Financing on the same terms, conditions and price provided for in the Subsequent Financing, unless the Subsequent Financing is an underwritten public offering, in which case the Company shall notify the Purchaser of such public offering when it is lawful for the Company to do so, but the Purchaser shall not be entitled to purchase any particular amount of such public offering without the approval of the lead underwriter of such underwritten public offering. If the Company fails to permit the Purchaser to participate in any Subsequent Financing as provided in this Section 4.12, then, in addition to the Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to the Purchaser, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, the sum of $50,000.00 (either in cash or in the form of a convertible note on terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions of the Notes, in each case at the sole option of the Purchaser).

 

(b)         At least five (5) Trading Days prior to the closing of the Subsequent Financing, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser a written notice of its intention to effect a Subsequent Financing (“ Pre-Notice ”), which Pre-Notice shall ask the Purchaser if it wants to review the details of such financing (such additional notice, a “ Subsequent Financing Notice ”). Upon the request of the Purchaser, and only upon a request by the Purchaser, for a Subsequent Financing Notice, the Company shall promptly, but no later than one (1) Trading Day after such request, deliver a Subsequent Financing Notice to the Purchaser. The Subsequent Financing Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such Subsequent Financing, the amount of proceeds intended to be raised thereunder and the Person or Persons through or with whom such Subsequent Financing is proposed to be effected and shall include a term sheet or similar document relating thereto as an attachment.

 

(c)         If the Purchaser desires to participate in such Subsequent Financing, the Purchaser must provide written notice to the Company by not later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5 th ) Trading Day after the Purchaser has received the Pre-Notice that the Purchaser is willing to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the amount of the Purchaser’s participation, and representing and warranting that the Purchaser has such funds ready, willing, and available for investment on the terms set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice. If the Company receives no such notice from the Purchaser as of such fifth (5 th ) Trading Day, the Purchaser shall be deemed to have notified the Company that it does not elect to participate.

 

 

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(d)         If by 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5 th ) Trading Day after the Purchaser has received the Pre-Notice, notifications by the Purchaser of its willingness to participate in the Subsequent Financing (or to cause their designees to participate) is, in the aggregate, less than the total amount of the Subsequent Financing, then the Company may effect the remaining portion of such Subsequent Financing on the terms and with the Persons set forth in the Subsequent Financing Notice.

 

(e)         [Reserved]

 

(f)         [Reserved]

 

(g)        The Company and the Purchaser agree that if the Purchaser elects to participate in the Subsequent Financing, the transaction documents related to the Subsequent Financing shall not include any term or provision whereby the Purchaser shall be required to agree to any restrictions on trading as to any of the Securities purchased hereunder or be required to consent to any amendment to or termination of, or grant any waiver, release or the like under or in connection with, this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.

 

(h)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.12 and unless otherwise agreed to by the Purchaser, the Company shall either confirm in writing to the Purchaser that the transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been abandoned or shall publicly disclose its intention to issue the securities in the Subsequent Financing, in either case in such a manner such that the Purchaser will not be in possession of any material, non-public information, by the tenth (10 th ) Business Day following delivery of the Subsequent Financing Notice. If by such tenth (10 th ) Business Day, no public disclosure regarding a transaction with respect to the Subsequent Financing has been made, and no notice regarding the abandonment of such transaction has been received by the Purchaser, such transaction shall be deemed to have been abandoned and the Purchaser shall not be deemed to be in possession of any material, non-public information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(i)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.12 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance.

 

4.13          Subsequent Equity Sales .

 

(a)          From the date hereof until such time that the Purchaser no longer holds the Note, in the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received and wishes to accept a bona fide offer from a Person(s) other than the Purchaser (the “ Third-Party Offer ”), to effect or enter into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction (the “ Offered Securities ”), the Company shall give notice thereof to the Purchaser, which notice shall include a description of the material economic terms and conditions of such Third-Party Offer in connection with the Offered Securities (the “ Sale Notice ”). “ 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 at a price that is less than the Conversion Price in effect as of the date of such transaction or the date of any such conversion, exchange, or exercise 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 at a price that is less than the Conversion Price in effect as of the date of such transaction or the date of any such reset 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 that is less than the Conversion Price in effect as of the date of entry into such agreement or the date of any such issuance thereunder. In the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not follow the provisions of this Section 4.13, then the Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

 

 

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(b)         The Purchaser shall have the option for a period of two (2) days from the giving of the Sale Notice (the “ Two-Day Period ”) to elect to purchase the Offered Securities at the same price and subject to the same material terms and conditions as described in the Sales Notice. The Purchaser may exercise such right by notifying the Company in writing, before expiration of the Two-Day Period.

 

(c)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Purchaser has not elected to purchase the Offered Securities within the Two-Day Period, the Purchaser shall be deemed to have forfeited any right to purchase the Offered Securities, and the Company or the Subsidiary shall be free to sell all, but not less than all, of the Offered Securities on terms and conditions substantially similar to (and in no event more favorable to the Person(s) identified in the Sale Notice) the terms and conditions set forth in the Sale Notice, provided that such sale is consummated within ninety (90) days after receipt of the Sale Notice (if such sale is not consummated within such ninety (90) day period, such sale again becoming subject to the provisions of this Section 4.13).

 

(d)         Section 4.13 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance.

 

4.14          Piggy-Back Registrations . If, at any time while a Note or a Warrant is outstanding, there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the underlying shares of Common Stock thereof (the “ Registrable Securities ”) and the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with the Company’s stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the Company shall send to the Purchaser a written notice of such determination and, if, within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of such notice, the Purchaser shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities the Purchaser requests to be registered; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 4.14 that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or that are the subject of a then-effective Registration Statement.

 

 

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4.15          Certain Transactions and Confidentiality . The Purchaser covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will (i) execute any Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the Form 8-K as described in Section 4.6 and (ii) execute any Short Sales of the Common Stock from the date hereof until the earlier of (x) 5 month anniversary of the date hereof and (y) the date that the Note is no longer outstanding (provided that this provision shall not prohibit any sales made where a corresponding Notice of Conversion or Notice of Exercise is tendered to the Company and the shares received upon such conversion or exercise are used to close out such sale) (a “ Prohibited Short Sale ”). The Purchaser covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the Form 8-K as described in Section 4.6, the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Transaction Documents and the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) no Purchaser makes any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the Form 8-K as described in Section 4.6, (ii) except for a Prohibited Short Sale, no Purchaser shall be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the Form 8-K as described in Section 4.6 and (iii) no Purchaser shall have any duty of confidentiality to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the Form 8-K as described in Section 4.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of the Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of the Purchaser’s assets, the covenant set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.

 

4.16          Form D; Blue Sky Filings . The Company agrees to timely file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof, promptly upon request of the Purchaser. The Company shall take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to qualify the Securities for, sale to the Purchaser at the Closing under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States, and shall provide evidence of such actions promptly upon request of the Purchaser.

 

4.17          Other Limitations on Additional Financings . During the thirty (30)-day period that commences upon the final Closing, the Company shall not engage in any other equity or debt financing transactions of any nature, including transactions similar to those referenced in Sections 4.12 and 4.13.

 

 

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ARTICLE V.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1         Termination . This Agreement may be terminated by the Purchaser, as to the Purchaser’s obligations hereunder, by written notice to the other parties, if the Closing has not been consummated on or before November 8, 2016; provided , however , that such termination will not affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).

 

5.2         Fees and Expenses . At the first installment Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Purchaser the sum of $23,000.00 for its legal fees, which shall be paid or offset at the first installment Closing, and shall deliver the Commitment Shares. The Company shall deliver to the Purchaser, prior to each Closing, as relevant, a completed and executed copy of the Closing Statement, the Statement for the first Closing is attached hereto as Annex A . Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company and any conversion or exercise notice delivered by the Purchaser), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchaser. The Company shall pay any and all other reasonable costs and expenses associated with conversion of the Notes and exercise of the Warrants, including, but not limited to, opinion or related letters for the removal of any related trading restrictions.

 

5.3         Entire Agreement . The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits, and schedules.

 

5.4         Notices . Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2 nd ) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.

 

5.5         Amendments; Waivers . No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Purchaser or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

 

 

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5.6         Headings . The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

5.7         Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (other than by merger). Solely with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, denied, or conditioned the Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom the Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchaser.”

 

5.8         No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.10.

 

5.9         Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Las Vegas, County of Clark, State of Nevada for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.10, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

5.10          Survival . The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closings and the delivery of the Securities and shall continue to survive for a period of two years from the last Closing.

 

 

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5.11          Execution . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

5.12          Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

5.13          Rescission and Withdrawal Right . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever the Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then the Purchaser may, at any time prior to the Company’s performance of such obligations, rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights; provided , however , that in the case of a rescission of a conversion of a Note, the applicable Purchaser shall be required to return any shares of Common Stock subject to any such rescinded conversion concurrently with the return to the Purchaser of the aggregate exercise price paid to the Company for such shares and the restoration of the Purchaser’s right to acquire such shares.

 

5.14          Replacement of Securities . If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.

 

5.15          Remedies . In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Purchaser and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

5.16          Payment Set Aside . To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to the Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or the Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

 

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5.17          Usury . To the extent it may lawfully do so, the Company hereby agrees not to insist upon or plead or in any manner whatsoever claim, and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, usury laws wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, in connection with any claim, action or proceeding that may be brought by the Purchaser in order to enforce any right or remedy under any Transaction Document. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any Transaction Document, it is expressly agreed and provided that the total liability of the Company under the Transaction Documents for payments in the nature of interest shall not exceed the maximum lawful rate authorized under applicable law (the “ Maximum Rate ”), and, without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any rate of interest or default interest, or both of them, when aggregated with any other sums in the nature of interest that the Company may be obligated to pay under the Transaction Documents exceed such Maximum Rate. It is agreed that if the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law and applicable to the Transaction Documents is increased or decreased by statute or any official governmental action subsequent to the date hereof, the new maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law will be the Maximum Rate applicable to the Transaction Documents from the effective date thereof forward, unless such application is precluded by applicable law. If under any circumstances whatsoever, interest in excess of the Maximum Rate is paid by the Company to the Purchaser with respect to indebtedness evidenced by the Transaction Documents, such excess shall be applied by the Purchaser to the unpaid principal balance of any such indebtedness or be refunded to the Company, the manner of handling such excess to be at the Purchaser’s election.

 

5.18          Liquidated Damages . The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.

 

5.19          Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

5.20          Construction . The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.

 

 

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5.21          WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

Address for Notice :

175 Jackson Avenue North Suite 102

Minneapolis, MN 55343-4565

Facsimile No. 952-930-1803

 

By:      /s/ Tony Isaac

Name:       Tony Isaac

Title:       Chief Executive Officer

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

 

 

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-1425

E-mail: EMadson@fredlaw.com

Attn: Eric Madson

 

 

 

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]

 

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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

Name of Purchaser: Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser :      /s/ Janez Kocmur

 

Name of Authorized Signatory:      Janez Kocmur

 

Title of Authorized Signatory:      Managing Member

 

E-mail Address of Authorized Signatory:                                       

 

Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory:                                     

 

Address for Notice to Purchaser:

 

     c/o Baker Hostetler

600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 900, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

 

Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closing Subscription Amount: $100,000.00

 

Closing Principal Amount: $103,092.78

 

 

 

EIN Number:     ________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annex A

 

CLOSING STATEMENT

 

Pursuant to the attached Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereto, the purchaser shall purchase Note from Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “ Company ”). All funds will be wired into an account maintained by the Company. All funds will be disbursed in accordance with this Closing Statement.

 

First Closing Disbursement Date: November 8, 2016

 

I.        PURCHASE PRICE

 

 

 

 
  Gross Proceeds to be Received $100,000.00
   

II.        DISBURSEMENTS

 

 

 

 
  Baker & Hostetler LLP – legal fees $23,000.00
  Company $77,000.00
     
Total Amount Disbursed: $100,000.00
   

WIRE INSTRUCTIONS :

 

Bank Name:      __________

 

Bank Address:     __________

                               __________

                               __________

                               __________

                               __________

 

 

Routing Number:     __________

 

 

 

 

Account Number:

 

____________________

 

Beneficiary:

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.

 

Beneficiary Address:

175 Jackson Avenue North

Suite 102

Minneapolis, MN 55343-4565

 

Duly executed this 8th day of November, 2016:

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

By:    /s/ Tony Isaac

         Name:       Tony Isaac

         Title:       Chief Executive Officer

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

 

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

 

Original Issue Date: ___________, 201_

Original Conversion Price (subject to adjustment herein): $0.___

 

Principal Amount: $_______.__

Purchase Price: $_______.__

 

3% ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

DUE ___________, 202_

 

THIS 3% ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SENIOR CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE is a duly authorized and validly issued 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Note of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ” or the “ Borrower ”), having its principal place of business at 175 Jackson Avenue North, Suite 102, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55343-4565, designated as its 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Note due ___________, 202_ (the “ Note ”).

 

Section 1.                FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Company promises to pay to Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC, a California limited liability company, or its registered assigns (as permitted in the Transaction Documents) (the “ Holder ”), or shall have paid pursuant to the terms hereunder, the principal sum of $_______.__ on ___________, 202_ (the “ Maturity Date ”), or such earlier date as this Note is required or permitted to be repaid as provided hereunder, and to pay interest to the Holder on the aggregate unconverted and then-outstanding principal amount of this Note in accordance with the provisions hereof. This Note is subject to the following additional provisions:

 

Section 1.                Definitions . For the purposes hereof, in addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Note, (a) capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement and (b) the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Alternate Conversion Price ” means sixty-five percent (65%) of the lower of (a) $0.618, which is sixty-five percent (65%) of the VWAP on the date of the Purchase Agreement or (b) sixty-five percent (65%) of the VWAP during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately prior to the applicable Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Alternate Conversion Price be less than sixty-five percent (65%) of fifty cents ($0.50) per share.

 

 

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Bankruptcy Event ” means any of the following events: (a) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) thereof commences a case or other proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction relating to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, (b) there is commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof any such case or proceeding that is not dismissed within 60 days after commencement, (c) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, (d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its property that is not discharged or stayed within 60 calendar days after such appointment, (e) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof calls a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition, adjustment or restructuring of its debts or (g) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary thereof, by any act or failure to act, expressly indicates its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing or takes any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

 

Base Conversion Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

Beneficial Ownership Limitation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).

 

Business Day ” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day that is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Change of Control Transaction ” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Company, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the Company (other than by means of conversion or exercise of the Note and the Securities issued together with the Note), (b) the Company merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Company and, after giving effect to such transaction, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate voting power of the Company or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Company sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another Person and the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a three year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors that is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the date of the Purchase Agreement (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the date hereof), or (e) the execution by the Company of an agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.

 

 

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Conversion ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.

 

Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

Conversion Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

 

Conversion Shares ” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Dilutive Issuance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

Dilutive Issuance Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

DTC ” means the Depository Trust Company.

 

DTC/FAST Program ” means the DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program.

 

DWAC ” means Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian as defined by DTC.

 

DWAC Eligible ” means that (a) the Common Stock is eligible at DTC for full services pursuant to DTC’s Operational Arrangements, including without limitation transfer through DTC’s DWAC system, (b) the Company has been approved (without revocation) by DTC’s underwriting department, (c) the Transfer Agent is approved as an agent in the DTC/FAST Program, (d) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery via DWAC, and (e) the Transfer Agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.

 

Equity Conditions ” means, during the period in question, (a) the Company shall have duly honored all conversions scheduled to occur or occurring by virtue of one or more Notices of Conversion of the Holder, if any, (b) the Company shall have paid all liquidated damages and other amounts owing to the Holder in respect of this Note, (c) all of the Conversion Shares then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including applicable Beneficial Ownership Limitations contained therein (and shares issuable in lieu of cash payments of interest) may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements as determined by the counsel to the Company as set forth in a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the Holder, (d) the Common Stock is trading on a Trading Market and all of the shares issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents are listed or quoted for trading on such Trading Market (and the Company believes, in good faith, that trading of the Common Stock on a Trading Market will continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future), (e) there is a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved shares of Common Stock for the issuance of all of the shares then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, (f) there is no existing Event of Default and no existing event that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default, (g) the issuance of the shares in question to the Holder would not exceed the limitations set forth in Section 4(d) herein, (h) there has been no public announcement of a pending or proposed Fundamental Transaction or Change of Control Transaction that has not been consummated, (i) the applicable Holder is not in possession of any information provided by the Company that constitutes, or may constitute, material non-public information, (j) for a period of ten (10) consecutive Trading Days prior to the applicable date in question, the average daily dollar trading volume for the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market exceeds $10,000.00 per Trading Day, and (k) the Company’s Common Stock must be DWAC Eligible.

 

 

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Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

Fundamental Transaction ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).

 

Las Vegas Courts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(d).

 

Late Fees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).

 

Mandatory Default Amount ” means either, at the Holder’s discretion, (i) the conversion of the outstanding principal amount of this Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest hereon, converted at the Alternative Conversion Price or (ii) the payment of the outstanding principal amount of this Note and accrued and unpaid interest hereon, in addition to, for both (i) and (ii) above, the payment of all other amounts, costs, expenses and liquidated damages due in respect of this Note.

 

Note Register ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

 

Notice of Conversion ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

Original Issue Date ” means the date of the first issuance of the Note, regardless of any transfers of any Note, and regardless of the number of instruments that may be issued to evidence such Note.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2016, among the Company and the original Holder, as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Share Delivery Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(c)(ii).

 

Successor Entity ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(e).

 

Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

Trading Market ” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTC Bulletin Board, or the OTC Markets Group Inc.’s OTCQX, OTCQB, or OTC Pink marketplaces (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

 

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VWAP ” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the OTC Bulletin Board, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by Pink OTC Markets, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Securities then-outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Section 2.                Interest .

 

a)                 Interest; Guaranteed Interest . The Company shall pay interest to the Holder at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum on the principal amount of this Note outstanding from time to time from and after the Original Issue Date through and including the Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the above and anything to the contrary contained herein, the minimum amount of interest due and payable hereunder at any time through and including the first anniversary of the Original Issue Date of this Note shall be an amount not less than equivalent to eight percent (8%) of the initial principal amount of this Note. For clarity and not for limitation, such minimum of eight percent (8%) interest shall be guaranteed, independently of any conversion or repayment of any principal hereunder. From and after the first anniversary of this Note, through and including the payment of all obligations hereunder, interest shall accrue on a daily basis at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.

 

b)                Payment of Interest in Cash or Kind . Interest shall be payable on each Conversion Date (as to that principal amount then being converted) and on the Maturity Date, as applicable, in cash or in duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option; provided , however , that in the event that all of the Equity Conditions are not met on that certain Conversion Date or Maturity Date, as applicable, such payment in cash or Common Stock or combination thereof shall be at the Holder’s option. Payment of interest in shares of Common Stock shall otherwise occur pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) herein. Interest hereunder will be paid to the Person in whose name this Note is registered on the records of the Company regarding registration and transfers of this Note (the “ Note Register ”).

 

c)                 Late Fee . All overdue accrued and unpaid interest to be paid hereunder shall entail a late fee at an interest rate equal to the lesser of twelve percent (12%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law (the “ Late Fees ”) that shall accrue daily from the date such interest is due hereunder through and including the date of actual payment in full.

 

d)                Prepayment . At any time prior to the Maturity Date, upon five (5) days written notice to the Holder, the Company may prepay any portion of the principal amount of this Note and the relevant portion of the accrued interest, including guaranteed interest, if applicable. If the Borrower exercises its right to prepay the Note, the Borrower shall make payment to the Holder of an amount in cash equal to (i) the sum of the then-outstanding principal amount of this Note and accrued interest, including guaranteed interest, if applicable, (ii) multiplied by 105%. The Holder may continue to convert the Note from the date notice of the prepayment is given until the date of the prepayment.

 

 

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Section 3.                Registration of Transfers and Exchanges .

 

a)                 Different Denominations . This Note is exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of different authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be payable for such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

b)                Investment Representations . This Note has been issued subject to certain investment representations of the original Holder set forth in the Purchase Agreement and may be transferred or exchanged only in compliance with the Purchase Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.

 

c)                 Reliance on Note Register . Prior to due presentment for transfer to the Company of this Note, the Company and any agent of the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is duly registered on the Note Register as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, whether or not this Note is overdue, and neither the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Section 4.                Conversion .

 

a)                 Voluntary Conversion . At any time after the Original Issue Date until this Note is no longer outstanding, this Note shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at the option of the Holder, at any time and from time to time (subject to the conversion limitations set forth in Section 4(d) and Section 4(e) hereof). The Holder shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (each, a “ Notice of Conversion ”), specifying therein the principal amount of this Note to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected (such date, the “ Conversion Date ”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. To effect conversions hereunder, the Holder shall not be required physically to surrender this Note to the Company unless the entire principal amount of this Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, has been so converted. Conversions hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding principal amount of this Note in an amount equal to the applicable conversion. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the principal amount(s) converted and the date of such conversion(s). The Company may deliver an objection to any Notice of Conversion within one (1) Business Day of delivery of such Notice of Conversion. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Holder shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. The Holder, and any assignee by acceptance of this Note, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of a portion of this Note, the unpaid and unconverted principal amount of this Note may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

 

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b)                Conversion Price . The fixed conversion price in effect on any Conversion Date shall be $___, 1 subject to adjustment herein (the “ Conversion Price ”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at any time after the occurrence of any Event of Default the Holder may require the Company to, at such Holder’s option and otherwise in accordance with the provisions for conversion herein, convert all or any part of this Note into Common Stock at the Alternate Conversion Price. Further, if sixty-five percent (65%) of the VWAP during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately prior to the applicable Conversion Date is less than the then-applicable Conversion Price, then the Conversion Price for such conversion and all subsequent conversions shall be reduced to equal such price, subject to further reductions in the Conversion Price for subsequent conversions to be calculated in the same manner. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall any per-share Conversion Price be less than fifty cents ($0.50) unless the Alternate Conversion Price is applicable. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification, or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such measuring period. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6 hereof and the Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.

 

c)                 Mechanics of Conversion .

 

i.                  Conversion Shares Issuable Upon Conversion of Principal Amount . The number of Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion hereunder shall be determined by the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal amount of this Note to be converted by (y) the Conversion Price.

 

ii.                 Delivery of Certificate Upon Conversion . Not later than three (3) Trading Days after each Conversion Date (the “ Share Delivery Date ”), the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Holder (A) a certificate or certificates representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of this Note, which certificate or certificates shall be free of restrictive legends and trading restrictions (other than those that may then be required by the Purchase Agreement) if (i) generated on or after the six-month anniversary of the Original Issue Date (provided that the Securities are then eligible for resale under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144 as to such Conversion Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions), (ii) such Securities are then the subject of an effective registration statement, or (iii) such Securities are otherwise freely tradable pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration, and (B) a bank check in the amount of accrued and unpaid interest (if the Company has elected or is required to pay accrued interest in cash). Each certificate or all certificates required to be delivered by the Company under this Section 4(c) shall be delivered electronically through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions. If a certificate or certificates representing the Conversion Shares shall not be free of restrictive legends because of the reasons set forth above, then the Conversion Shares shall bear a restrictive legend in the following form, as appropriate:

 

 

____________________________________

1 65% of VWAP on the Original Issue Date of this Note, but not less than $0.50

 

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“NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE HOLDER), IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.”

 

iii.               Failure to Deliver Certificates . If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such certificate or certificates are not delivered to or as directed by the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the Holder shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its receipt of such certificate or certificates, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Company shall promptly return to the Holder any original Note delivered to the Company and the Holder shall promptly return to the Company the Common Stock certificates issued to such Holder pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice. Whether or not the Holder elects to rescind any such Conversion, the Company shall promptly, upon demand therefor, reimburse the Holder in cash for any fees and costs that the Holder may have directly or indirectly incurred by virtue of such untimely delivery or absolute delivery failure. Such fees and costs include, but are not limited to, interest charges, and margin fees, and costs of “buy-in” in accordance with Section 4(c)(v) hereof.

 

 

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iv.               Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages . The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Note in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation, or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance that might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares; provided , however , that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Company of any such action the Company may have against the Holder. In the event the Holder of this Note shall elect to convert any or all of the outstanding principal amount hereof, the Company may not refuse conversion based on any claim that the Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with the Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement, or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and or enjoining conversion of all or part of this Note shall have been sought and obtained, and the Company posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Holder in the amount of 150% of the outstanding principal amount of this Note, which is subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to the Holder to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Company shall issue Conversion Shares or, if applicable, cash, upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such certificate or certificates pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii) by the date that is two (2) Trading Days after the Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000.00 of principal amount being converted, $10.00 per Trading Day (increasing to $20.00 per Trading Day on the seventh (7th) Trading Day after such Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day commencing two (2) Trading Days after such Share Delivery Date until such certificates are delivered or Holder rescinds such conversion. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6 hereof for the Company’s failure to deliver Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and the Holder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Holder from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.

 

v.                 Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Certificates Upon Conversion . In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder such certificate or certificates by two (2) Trading Days after the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 4(c)(ii), and if after two (2) Trading Days following such Share Delivery Date the Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Conversion Shares that the Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “ Buy-In ”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by the Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that the Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) this Note in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the attempted conversion (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Company had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 4(c)(ii). For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000.00 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of this Note with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000.00 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000.00. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 

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vi.               Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion . The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the Required Minimum (to be adjusted monthly) for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of this Note and payment of interest on this Note, each as herein provided, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holder (and the other holders of the Note), not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement) be issuable (taking into account the adjustments and restrictions of Section 5) upon the conversion of the then-outstanding principal amount of this Note and payment of interest hereunder. The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

vii.              Fractional Shares . No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of this Note. As to any fraction of a share that the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such conversion, the Company shall at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Conversion Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

viii.            Transfer Taxes and Expenses . The issuance of certificates for shares of the Common Stock on conversion of this Note shall be made without charge to the Holder hereof for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such certificates, provided that, the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holder of this Note so converted and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificates unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for standard or same-day processing of any Notice of Conversion. The Company shall pay all other expenses that may reasonably be expected to be incurred in respect of any conversion, including, but not limited to, legal opinions required for the issuance of such shares of Common Stock and for the removal of any restrictive legends on any certificates evidencing such shares and stop transfer instructions at the Company’s transfer agent.

 

 

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d)                Holder’s Conversion Limitations . The Company shall not effect any conversion of this Note, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Note, to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted principal amount of this Note beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, any other Notes) beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 4(d), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 4(d) applies, the determination of whether this Note is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and of which principal amount of this Note is convertible shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Note may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and which principal amount of this Note is convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. To ensure compliance with this restriction, the Holder will be deemed to represent to the Company each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 4(d), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then-outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Note, by the Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “ Beneficial Ownership Limitation ” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note held by the Holder. The Holder, upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Note held by the Holder and the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 4(d) shall continue to apply. Any such increase or decrease will not be effective until the 61 st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(d) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) that may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation contained herein or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Note.

 

 

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e)                 Limitations on the Number of Shares Issuable . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not issue to the Holder any Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Note to the extent such shares after giving effect to such issuance after conversion and when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon conversion of any other Notes or exercise of any Warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement would exceed (i) 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the date of the Purchase Agreement (the “ Maximum Share Amount ”) or (ii) 19.9% of the total voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately before the date of the Purchase Agreement that are entitled to vote on a matter being voted on by holders of the Common Stock (the “ Maximum Voting Amount ”), unless and until the Company obtains shareholder approval permitting such issuances in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Capital Market (“ Stockholder Approval ”). For purposes of this Section 4(e), beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 4(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. If on any attempted conversion of this Note, the issuance of Conversion Shares would exceed the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount, and the Company shall not have previously obtained Stockholder Approval at the time of exercise, then the Company shall issue to the Holder requesting conversion such number of Conversion Shares as may be issued below the Maximum Share Amount or Maximum Voting Amount, as the case may be, and, with respect to the remainder of the aggregate number of Conversion Shares, this Note shall not be convertible until and unless Stockholder Approval has been obtained.

 

 

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Section 5.                Certain Adjustments .

 

a)                 Stock Dividends and Stock Splits . If the Company, at any time while this Note is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon conversion of, or payment of interest on, the Note), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of the Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Company, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which, the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, or re-classification.

 

b)                Subsequent Equity Sales . If, at any time while this Note is outstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant, or any option to purchase or other disposition), any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents entitling any Person to acquire shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the then Conversion Price (such lower price, the “ Base Conversion Price ,” and, each such issuance, a “ Dilutive Issuance ”) (if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices, or otherwise, or due to warrants, options, or rights per share that are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the Conversion Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Conversion Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance), then the Conversion Price shall be reduced to equal the Base Conversion Price. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents are issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment will be made under this Section 5(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion price at which such securities may be converted or exercised. The Company shall notify the Holder in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 5(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “ Dilutive Issuance Notice ”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 5(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to acquire a number of Conversion Shares based upon the Base Conversion Price on or after the date of such Dilutive Issuance, regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Conversion Price in the Notice of Conversion.

 

 

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c)                 Subsequent Rights Offerings . In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 5(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “ Purchase Rights ”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights that the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of this Note (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, or the issuance of such Purchase Rights would exceed the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or the issuance of such Purchase Rights exceeding the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount).

 

d)                Pro Rata Distributions . During such time as this Note is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock, or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “ Distribution ”), then, in each such case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Note Register of the Company, at least 10 calendar days prior to the date as of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution, a notice stating the date as of which such record is to be taken or such determination made, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to receive such Distribution; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

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e)                 Fundamental Transaction . If, at any time while this Note is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “ Fundamental Transaction ”), then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Note Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable effective date of such Fundamental Transaction, a notice stating the date on which such Fundamental Transaction is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such Fundamental Transaction; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert the Note during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

f)                 Calculations . All calculations under this Section 5 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 5, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Company) issued and outstanding.

 

g)                Notice to the Holder .

 

i.                  Adjustment to Conversion Price . Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 5, the Company shall promptly deliver to each Holder a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

 

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ii.                 Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder . If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of this Note, and shall cause to be delivered to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Note Register, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert this Note during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

Section 6.                Events of Default .

 

a)                 Event of Default ” means, wherever used herein, any of the following events (whatever the reason for such event and whether such event shall be voluntary or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court, or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

i.                  any default in the payment of (A) the principal amount of any Note or (B) interest, liquidated damages and other amounts owing to a Holder on any Note, as and when the same shall become due and payable (whether on a Conversion Date or the Maturity Date or by acceleration or otherwise), which default, solely in the case of an interest payment or other default under clause (B) above, is not cured within five (5) Trading Days after the Company has become or should have become aware of such failure;

 

ii.                 the Company shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the Note (other than a breach by the Company of its obligations to deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon conversion, which breach is addressed in clause (xi) below), which failure is not cured, if possible to cure, within the earlier to occur of (A) ten (10) Trading Days after notice of such failure sent by the Holder or by any other Holder to the Company and (B) fifteen (15) Trading Days after the Company has become or should have become aware of such failure;

 

 

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iii.               a default or event of default (subject to any grace or cure period provided in the applicable agreement, document or instrument) shall occur under (A) any of the Transaction Documents or (B) any other material agreement, lease, document or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is obligated (and not covered by clause (vi) below), which default or event of default, in the case of subsection (B), did not exist at the date of the Purchase Agreement and would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

iv.               any representation or warranty made in this Note, any other Transaction Documents, any written statement pursuant hereto or thereto or any other report, financial statement or certificate made or delivered to the Holder or any other Holder shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made;

 

v.                 the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) shall be subject to a Bankruptcy Event;

 

vi.               the Company or any Subsidiary shall default on any of its obligations under any mortgage, credit agreement or other facility, indenture agreement, factoring agreement or other instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for borrowed money or money due under any long term leasing or factoring arrangement that (a) involves an obligation greater than $100,000.00, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, and (b) which default or event of default did not exist at the date of the Purchase Agreement and results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable;

 

vii.              the Common Stock shall not be eligible for listing or quotation for trading on a Trading Market and shall not be eligible to resume listing or quotation for trading thereon within five (5) Trading Days, or the transfer of shares of Common Stock through the Depository Trust Company System is no longer available or “chilled”;

 

viii.            the Company shall be a party to any Change of Control Transaction or Fundamental Transaction or shall agree to sell or dispose of all or in excess of one-third (1/3) of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions (whether or not such sale would constitute a Change of Control Transaction);

 

ix.               the Company does not meet the current public information requirements under Rule 144 in respect of the Conversion Shares;

 

x.                 the Company shall fail for any reason to deliver certificates via DWAC to a Holder prior to the fifth Trading Day after a Conversion Date pursuant to Section 4(c) or the Company shall provide at any time notice to the Holder, including by way of public announcement, of the Company’s intention to not honor requests for conversions of the Note in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

 

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xi.               the Company fails to file with the Commission any required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act such that it is not in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable);

 

xii.              the occurrence of any levy upon or seizure or attachment of, or any uninsured loss of or damage to, any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair value or repair cost (as the case may be) in excess of $100,000.00 individually or in the aggregate, and any such levy, seizure or attachment shall not be set aside, bonded or discharged within thirty (30) days after the date thereof;

 

xiii.            the Company shall fail to maintain sufficient reserved shares pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Purchase Agreement; or

 

xiv.            any monetary judgment, writ, or similar final process shall be entered or filed against the Company, any subsidiary, or any of their respective property or other assets for more than $100,000.00, and such judgment, writ, or similar final process shall remain unvacated, unbonded, or unstayed for a period of 90 calendar days.

 

b)                Remedies Upon Event of Default . If any Event of Default occurs, the Company shall have five (5) Trading Days to cure such Event of Default. If following the five Trading Day period the Event of Default remains, then the outstanding principal amount of this Note, plus accrued but unpaid interest, liquidated damages and other amounts owing in respect thereof through the date of acceleration, shall become, at the Holder’s election, immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Commencing five (5) Trading Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in the eventual acceleration of this Note, the interest rate on this Note shall accrue at an interest rate equal to the lesser of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month (18% per annum) or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law. Upon the payment in full of the Mandatory Default Amount, the Holder shall promptly surrender this Note to or as directed by the Company. In connection with such acceleration described herein, the Holder need not provide, and the Company hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and the Holder may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Holder at any time prior to payment hereunder and the Holder shall have all rights as a holder of the Note until such time, if any, as the Holder receives full payment pursuant to this Section 6(b). No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 7.                Miscellaneous .

 

a)                 Notices . Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holder hereunder, including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at the address set forth above, or such other facsimile number or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holder delivered in accordance with this Section 7(a). Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number or address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company, or if no such facsimile number or address appears on the books of the Company, at the principal place of business of such Holder, as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto prior to 5:30 p.m. (Minneapolis time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (Minneapolis time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.

 

 

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b)                Absolute Obligation . Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, liquidated damages and accrued interest, as applicable, on this Note at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed. This Note is a direct debt obligation of the Company. This Note ranks pari passu with all other Notes now or hereafter issued under the terms set forth herein.

 

c)                 Lost or Mutilated Note . If this Note shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated Note, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed Note, a new Note for the principal amount of this Note so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such Note, and of the ownership hereof, reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

 

d)                Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Note shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretation, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Las Vegas, County of Clark, State of Nevada (the “ Las Vegas Courts ”). Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such Las Vegas Courts, or such Las Vegas Courts are improper or inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Note and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note or the transactions contemplated hereby. If any party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Note, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, preparation, and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

 

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e)                 Waiver . Any waiver by the Company or the Holder of a breach of any provision of this Note shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Note. The failure of the Company or the Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Note on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Note on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Company or the Holder must be in writing.

 

f)                 Severability . If any provision of this Note is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the balance of this Note shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on this Note as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Note, and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefits or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Holder, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such as though no such law has been enacted.

 

g)                Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches, and Injunctive Relief . The remedies provided in this Note shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Note and any of the other Transaction Documents at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Note. The Company covenants to the Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any such breach or any such threatened breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to the Holder that is requested by the Holder to enable the Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Note.

 

 

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h)                Next Business Day . Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

i)                  Headings . The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Note and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

*********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed in its name by an authorized officer as of the date first above indicated.

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

By:  ________________________

 

Name:   _________________

 

Title:  __________________

 

Facsimile No. for delivery of Notices:  __________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ANNEX A

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

The undersigned hereby elects to convert principal under the 3% Original Issue Discount Senior Convertible Promissory Note due ___________, 202_, of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ”), into shares of common stock (the “ Common Stock ”) of the Company according to the conditions hereof as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance therewith. No fee will be charged to the holder for any conversion, except for such transfer taxes, if any.

 

By the delivery of this Notice of Conversion the undersigned represents and warrants to the Company that its ownership of the Common Stock does not exceed the amounts specified under Section 4 of this Note, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Conversion calculations: Date to Effect Conversion:  ___________ __, 20__
   
  Principal Amount of Note to be Converted:  $ _____
   
  Payment of Interest in Common Stock:   __ yes   __ no
   
  If yes, $__________ of Interest Accrued on Account of Conversion at Issue.
   
  Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:  __________
   
  Signature: ____________________
   
  Name: __________
   
  DWAC Instructions:
   
  Broker Name, address, contact person, and telephone number:
   
   
   
   
  Broker DTC No:__________
  Account No: __________

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

 

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: _______ Initial Exercise Date: ___________, 201_

 

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “ Warrant ”) certifies that, for value received, Energy Efficiency Investments, LLC, or its assigns (the “ Holder ”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after ___________, 201_ (the “ Initial Exercise Date ”), and on or prior to the close of business on the five-year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date (the “ Termination Date ”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ”), up to _________ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “ Warrant Shares ”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

 

Section 1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), dated November 8, 2016, between the Company and the Holder.

 

Section 2. Exercise .

 

a)        Exercise of Warrant . Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date (i) by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed facsimile copy of the Notice of Exercise form annexed hereto and within three (3) Trading Days of the date said Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company, the Company shall have received payment of the aggregate Exercise Price of the shares thereby purchased by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank or, (ii) if available, pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise Form within one (1) Trading Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

 

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b)        Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of the Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.__ 1 , subject to adjustment hereunder (the “ Exercise Price ”).

 

c)        Cashless Exercise . If at any time there is no effective Registration Statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) times (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A) = the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which Holder elects to exercise this Warrant by means of a “cashless exercise,” as set forth in the applicable Notice of Exercise;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).

 

d)        Mechanics of Exercise .

 

i.        Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise . Warrant Shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime broker with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian system (“ DWAC ”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder or (B) the shares are eligible for resale by the Holder without volume or manner-of-sale limitations pursuant to Rule 144, and otherwise by physical delivery to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is three (3) Trading Days after the latest of (A) the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (B) surrender of this Warrant (if required) (such date, the “ Warrant Share Delivery Date ”). The Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Warrant has been exercised, with payment to the Company of the Exercise Price (or by cashless exercise, if permitted) and all taxes required to be paid by the Holder, if any, pursuant to Section 2(d)(v) prior to the issuance of such shares, having been paid. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the date that is two (2) Trading Days after the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000.00 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10.00 per Trading Day (increasing to $20.00 per Trading Day on the seventh (7th) Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after two (2) Trading Days following after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise.

 

 

__________

1 One hundred ten percent (110%) of the conversion price of the Note issued contemporaneously herewith.

 

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ii.        Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise . If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

iii.        Rescission Rights . If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right, at any time prior to issuance of such Warrant Shares, to rescind such exercise.

 

iv.        Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise . In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to an exercise on or before two (2) Trading Days after the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after two (2) Trading Days following such Warrant Share Delivery Date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares that the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “ Buy-In ”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000.00 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000.00, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000.00. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 

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v.        No Fractional Shares or Scrip . No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share that the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi.        Charges, Taxes and Expenses . Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided , however , that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise.

 

vii.        Closing of Books . The Company will not close its shareholder books or records in any manner that prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 

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e)        Holder’s Exercise Limitations . The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that, after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “ Beneficial Ownership Limitation ” shall be 4.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder may decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation at any time and the Holder, upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, may increase the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any such increase will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

 

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f)        Limitations on the Number of Shares Issuable . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not issue to the Holder any Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant to the extent such shares after giving effect to such issuance after exercise and when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon conversion of any Notes or exercise of any other Warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement would exceed (i) 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the date of the Purchase Agreement (the “ Maximum Share Amount ”) or (ii) 19.9% of the total voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately before the date of the Purchase Agreement that are entitled to vote on a matter being voted on by holders of the Common Stock (the “ Maximum Voting Amount ”), unless and until the Company obtains shareholder approval permitting such issuances in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Capital Market (“ Stockholder Approval ”). For purposes of this Section 2(f), beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(f), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. If on any attempted exercise of this Warrant, the issuance of Warrant Shares would exceed the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount, and the Company shall not have previously obtained Stockholder Approval at the time of exercise, then the Company shall issue to the Holder requesting exercise such number of Warrant Shares as may be issued below the Maximum Share Amount or Maximum Voting Amount, as the case may be, and, with respect to the remainder of the aggregate number of Warrant Shares, this Warrant shall not be exercisable until and unless Stockholder Approval has been obtained.

 

Section 3. Certain Adjustments .

 

a)        Stock Dividends and Splits . If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, or re - classification.

 

 

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b)        Subsequent Equity Sales . If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell or grant any option to purchase, or sell or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “ Base Share Price ” and such issuances collectively, a “ Dilutive Issuance ”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices, or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price, shall be equal to the aggregate Exercise Price prior to such adjustment. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents are issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid, or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “ Dilutive Issuance Notice ”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to acquire Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, despite the prohibition thereon in the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at the lowest possible conversion or exercise price at which such securities may be converted or exercised.

 

c)        Subsequent Rights Offerings . In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues, or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities, or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “ Purchase Rights ”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, or the issuance of such Purchase Rights would exceed the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount, the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation or the issuance of such Purchase Rights exceeding the Maximum Share Amount or the Maximum Voting Amount).

 

 

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d)        Pro Rata Distributions . During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock, or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “ Distribution ”), then, in each such case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 10 calendar days prior to the date as of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution, a notice stating the date as of which such record is to be taken or such determination made, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to receive such Distribution; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

e)        Fundamental Transaction . If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer, or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender, or exchange their shares for other securities, cash, or property and has been accepted by the holders of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash, or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each, a “ Fundamental Transaction ”), then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable effective date of such Fundamental Transaction, a notice stating the date on which such Fundamental Transaction is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such Fundamental Transaction; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the Fundamental Transaction triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

 

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f)        Calculations . All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100 th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

g)        Notice to Holder .

 

i.        Adjustment to Exercise Price . Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly mail to the Holder a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii.        Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder . If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder at its last address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 10 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights, or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights, or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

 

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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant .

 

a)        Transferability . Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth in Section 4(d) hereof and to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

 

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b)        New Warrants . This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer that may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Exercise Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

c)        Warrant Register . The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “ Warrant Register ”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

d)        Transfer Restrictions . If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be either (i) registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or (ii) eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions or current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144, the Company may require, as a condition of allowing such transfer, that the Holder or transferee of this Warrant, as the case may be, comply with the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.

 

e)        Representation by the Holder . The Holder, by the acceptance hereof, represents and warrants that it is acquiring this Warrant and, upon any exercise hereof, will acquire the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Warrant Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous .

 

a)        No Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise . This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends, or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.

 

b)        Loss, Theft, Destruction, or Mutilation of Warrant . The Company covenants that, upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and, in case of loss, theft, or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c)        Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Trading Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

 

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d)        Authorized Shares . The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all taxes, liens, and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not declare a par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions, or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action that would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

e)        Jurisdiction . All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement, and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

 

f)        Restrictions . The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered and if the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

 

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g)        Nonwaiver and Expenses . No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers, or remedies, notwithstanding the fact that all rights hereunder terminate on the Termination Date. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant that results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

h)        Notices . Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

 

i)        Limitation of Liability . No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j)        Remedies . The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k)        Successors and Assigns . Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l)        Amendment . This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

 

m)        Severability . Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n)        Headings . The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  13  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

By:   __________

 

Name:   __________

 

Title:   __________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  14  

 

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

 

 

To: APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

 

 

(1)        The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)        Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

[  ] in lawful money of the United States; or

 

[  ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3)        Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

 

(4)        Accredited Investor . The undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:

 

 

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity :

 

 

 

 

Name:  __________

 

Title:  __________

 

Date:  __________

 

 

 

  15  

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to:

 

Name:  
  (Please Print)
Address:
   
   
 

(Please Print)

 

Dated:  _______________ __, 20__  
Holder’s Signature:  __________  

Holder’s Address: __________

 

_________________________

_________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

  16  

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS:

 

I, Tony Isaac, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Date: November 15, 2016 /s/ Tony Isaac                    
  Tony Isaac
  Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS:

 

I, Tony Isaac, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Date: November 15, 2016   /s/ Tony Isaac                        
    Tony Isaac
    Acting Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned Chief Executive Officer of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended October 1, 2016 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 
     
Date: November 15, 2016 /s/ Tony Isaac
    Tony Isaac
    Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned Chief Financial Officer of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended October 1, 2016 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 
     
Date: November 15, 2016 /s/ Tony Isaac
    Tony Isaac
    Acting Chief Financial Officer