Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | Annual report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 | ||
¨ | Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________ |
Commission File Number: 000-31805
Power Efficiency Corporation | ||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter) | ||
Delaware | 22-3337365 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Ste 460 | ||
Las Vegas, NV | 89169 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |
(702) 697-0377 | ||
(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) | ||
Securities Registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: | ||
Common Stock, $.001 Par Value | ||
(Title of Class) |
Check whether the Company: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of Company’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ | Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the Company is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the issuer was $10,180,314 This amount is based on the closing price of $0.34 per share for the Company’s common stock as of such date.
On March 30, 2009 there were 43,255,441 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
In this report, references to “we”, “us” or “our” collectively refer to Power Efficiency Corporation.
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report and the documents incorporated into this report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”), including, but not limited to, statements relating to the Company’s business objectives and strategy. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, management beliefs, certain assumptions made by the Company’s management, and estimates and projections about the Company’s industry. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “judgment,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with respect to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed, forecasted, or contemplated by any such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: continued market acceptance of the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to expand and/or modify its products on an ongoing basis; general demand for the Company’s products, intense competition from other developers, manufacturers and/or marketers of energy reduction and/or power saving products; the Company’s negative net tangible book value; the Company’s negative cash flow from operations; delays or errors in the Company’s ability to meet customer demand and deliver products on a timely basis; the Company’s lack of working capital; the Company’s need to upgrade its facilities; changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company and/or its products; the impact of technological advances and issues; the outcomes of pending and future litigation and contingencies; trends in energy use and consumer behavior; changes in the local and national economies; and other risks inherent in and associated with doing business in an engineering and technology intensive industry. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.” Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), particularly Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Set forth below are technical terms used in the discussion in this document and explanations of the meanings of those terms.
Alternating Current (AC) | A type of electrical current, the direction of which is reversed at regular intervals or cycles; in the U.S. the standard is 120 reversals or 60 cycles per second; typically abbreviated as AC. | |
Ampere (amp) | A unit of measure for an electrical current; the amount of current that flows in a circuit; abbreviated as amp. | |
Current (Electrical) | The flow of electrical energy (electricity) in a conductor, measured in amperes. | |
Cycle | In an alternating current, the current goes from zero potential (or voltage) to a maximum in one direction, back to zero, and then to a maximum potential (or voltage) in the other direction. The number of complete cycles per second determines the current frequency; in the U.S. the standard for alternating current is 60 cycles. | |
Efficiency | Efficiency is the ratio of work (or energy) output to work (or energy) input, and cannot exceed 100 percent. | |
Energy | The capability of doing work. | |
Horsepower (HP) | A unit for measuring the power of motors or the rate of doing work. One horsepower equals 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute or 746 watts. | |
Induction | The production of an electric current in a conductor by the variation of a magnetic field in its vicinity. | |
Induction Motor | The simplest and most rugged electric motor, it consists of a wound stator and a rotor assembly. The AC induction motor is so named because the electric current flowing in its secondary member (the rotor) is induced by the alternating current flowing in its primary member (stator). The power supply is connected only to the stator. The combined electromagnetic efforts of the two currents produce the force to create rotation. | |
Inrush Current | The current that flows at the instant of connection of a motor to the power source. Usually expressed as a multiple of motor full-load current. | |
Kilowatt (kW) | A standard unit of electrical power equal to one thousand watts. | |
Load | The demand on an energy producing system. The energy consumption or requirement of a piece or group of equipment. | |
Motor | A machine supplied with external energy that is converted into force and/or motion. | |
Power | The rate at which work is done, typically measured in watts or horsepower. | |
Power Factor | The ratio of watts to volt-amperes of an AC electric circuit. | |
Soft-start | Soft-start is the regulation of the supply voltage from an initial low value to full voltage during the starting process. | |
Torque (Motor) | The rotating force provided by a motor. The units of torque may be expressed as pound-foot, pound-inch (English system), or newton-meter (metric system). |
Torque (Starting) | This torque is what is available to initially get the load moving and begin its acceleration. | |
Transformer | An electromagnetic device that changes the voltage of alternating current electricity; it consists of an induction coil having a primary and secondary winding and a closed iron core. | |
Voltage | The amount of electromotive force, measured in volts that exists between two points. | |
Watt | The amount of power required maintaining a current of one ampere at a pressure of one volt when the two are in phase with each other. One horsepower is equal to 746 watts. |
PART I
Item 1. | Description of Business. |
(a) | Business Development |
Formation
Power Efficiency Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on October 19, 1994. From inception through 1997, the Company was a development stage entity that was engaged in the design, development, marketing and sale of proprietary solid state electrical components designed to reduce energy consumption in alternating current induction motors. Alternating current induction motors are commonly found in industrial and commercial facilities throughout the world.
(b) | Business of the Company |
The Company’s Principal Products and Technology
In the late 1990s the Company commenced the sale of its initial product, which is based on analog technology and reduces energy consumption in alternating current induction motors in certain applications. This product has been known by several names, including the Power Commander® and Power Genius. In 2005 the Company began development of a digital product that would overcome many of the commercial limitations of the analog product. In 2008 the first generation of the digital product was launched. Going forward, the company has chosen to call its products Motor Efficiency Controllers (“MEC”).
The Company has developed patented and patent-pending technologies for effectively controlling the energy usage of an electric motor. The Company’s first United States Patent was granted in 1998. Over the past three years the Company has undertaken extensive study and computer modeling of motors and their energy use, and has developed digital technologies for its controllers. In the process, the Company has discovered what it believes are significant innovations and has completed numerous patent filings around these new inventions. The Company has branded these collective patented and patent pending technologies as E-SAVE Technology® and has a registered trademark on this name.
The Company has developed technologies and products for use on three-phase and single-phase motors. Three-phase power and motors are generally found in industrial and commercial buildings for larger applications than single-phase power and motors.
The Company’s marketing efforts initially focused on the three-phase version but it is also now marketing the single-phase product. The Company’s digital Three-Phase MEC is designed to have the following functionality:
1. | Start a motor |
2. | Provide a soft start for the motor, bringing it gradually from rest to full speed |
3. | Provide various motor protection capabilities, such as sensing current overload, phase loss, under- and over-voltage, and more. |
4. | Save energy when the motor is at full speed but is less than fully loaded |
The Company’s digital Single-Phase MEC is designed to have the following functionality:
1. | Start a motor |
2. | Provide a soft start for the motor, bringing it gradually from rest to full speed |
3. | Save energy when the motor is at full speed but is less than fully loaded |
Three-Phase and Single-Phase MECs are unique particularly because of their energy savings capabilities. The product reduces energy consumption by electric motors by electronically sensing and controlling the amount of energy the motor consumes. A motor with an MEC installed only uses the energy it needs to perform its work task, thereby increasing its efficiency. The result is a reduction of energy consumption typically ranging from 15% - 35% in applications that do not always run at peak load levels. The amount of energy savings depends on a variety of factors, including the load on the motor and the motor’s characteristics.
The Company’s management believes its Motor Efficiency Controllers offer certain advantages over competing products for the following reasons:
· | Motor and Equipment Life: The MEC extends motor life by reducing the stress and strain on the motor and surrounding equipment, and reduces the amperage to the motor, which results in cooler running. |
· | Successful Utility and Customer Tests: The MEC has been successfully tested by numerous electric utilities and customers. For example, Paragon Consulting Services, a contractor for Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for southern Nevada, performed 8 field tests on escalators and one on an elevator in major Las Vegas casinos. The tests resulted in average energy savings of over 30% on the escalators and 20% on the elevator. |
· | Utility Incentive Financing: The three-phase product has qualified for rebate incentive financing, most frequently called “rebates”, from many electric utilities. This financing is generally paid to the end user of the MEC as an incentive to invest in energy saving products. As such, this financing effectively decreases the cost of the Company’s MEC for end users. The utilities that have approved the Company’s products for incentive financing include: NV Energy (formerly Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Anaheim Utilities, the New York Power Authority, Excel Energy and San Diego Gas and Electric. |
· | Acceptance by Original Equipment Manufacturers: The Company’s products have been approved and installed by numerous original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) in the escalator and granulator industries. |
Three-Phase MEC
The Company initially focused its marketing efforts for the Three-Phase MEC in the elevator and escalator industry, although the Company is also actively marketing this product to other industries such as recycling, mining, plastics, and manufacturing. Industries that operate equipment such as conveyor systems, crushing equipment, stamping presses, granulators, grinders, shredders and other motor driven equipment with varying loads, are believed to be viable target markets for the Three-Phase MEC. The Company is seeking to target markets with appropriate applications and market access, using direct sales, OEMs and select resellers and representatives to address these markets.
Single-Phase Product
Like the Company’s three-phase product described above, the Company’s single-phase product reduces energy consumption in electric motors by sensing and controlling the amount of energy the motor consumes. Many motors commonly used in home appliances and other consumer goods are single-phase AC motors. Since the single-phase product is much smaller, has a much lower price point, and can be incorporated directly into a broad variety of applications, the Company believes it is a product most suitable for installation at the OEM level.
Product Development
The Company has devoted significant time and resources in the past several years toward developing “digital” versions of its three-phase and single-phase products. Through this process, the Company has transformed its technology so that its key technological breakthroughs are primarily incorporated in algorithms and software on a microchip. The Company believes the digital versions of its products have several distinct advantages over the older analog versions, including:
· | Motor starter and motor protection capabilities similar to standard solid state starters sold by large motor control companies. The analog product could not start a motor and provided no motor protection, so the customer had to purchase these items at additional costs for components and installation. The digital MEC instead incorporates all these functions and therefore replaces a standard solid state motor control. |
· | Increased ease of installation and reduced technical support requirements. For example, instead of approximated and manual adjustments during installation, which can require technical support from the Company, the digitized unit will allow more simplified and precise adjustments by customers and third party installers. |
· | Reduced product size, which is important for many installations. |
· | Input-output communications capabilities, so the device can communicate with external control systems. |
· | Increased functionality. The Company expects to be able to add new functionality to the products. These new functions may include such things as: |
o | Recording and reporting of actual energy savings; |
o | Prediction of maintenance problems by reading and reporting on changes in the motor’s operating characteristics; and |
o | More secure intellectual property protection through the use of secured chips and software. |
Marketing and Sales
The Company’s marketing efforts have historically been concentrated in the elevator and escalator industry, primarily to OEMs of elevator and escalator equipment and end users that own this equipment. The Company is also focused on the mining and aggregate industry and the plastics industry. End users of the Company’s products include retail chains, hotels, airports, transit systems, and mining, plastics and manufacturing companies.
The Company sells products primarily through direct sales and with OEM resellers. The Company is focused on initially penetrating markets through direct sales to end users. Once some market penetration and traction is achieved, the Company will then work with OEMs and other resellers to achieve higher volume sales. The Company’s longer term goal is to be a high value supplier of technologies, with numerous OEMs and other resellers engaged with high volume sales and/or licensing agreements.
Manufacturing and Distribution
The Company’s products are manufactured internally and by a multi-billion dollar global contract manufacturer, Sanmina SCI (“Sanmina”). The Company’s strategy is to manufacture internally products that sell at lower volumes, such as MECs for very large motors, and to have Sanmina manufacture higher volume products, such as smaller units and circuit boards. The Company believes this strategy allows for high quality production, cost efficiencies, and the capability to rapidly increase production volumes. Management believes this strategy has the ability to meet the Company’s production needs and the Company would be successful in finding alternative manufacturers should Sanmina not be available to manufacture our product.
Competition
Power Efficiency believes the principal competitive factors in the Company’s markets include innovative product development, return on investment from energy savings, product quality, product performance, utility rebate acceptance, established customer relationships, name recognition, distribution and price.
Three-Phase Competition. The Company’s Three-Phase MEC’s principal capabilities include being a motor starter, providing a soft start and protection for the motor, and reducing the motor’s electricity consumption once the motor is at full speed. The Company believes its products are unique primarily because of the last capability – energy savings.
The first two capabilities are commonly found in existing motor control products. There are billions of dollars of motor starters and soft starts sold every year. These products are typically manufactured and marketed by large motor control companies, many of which have longer operating histories, established markets and far greater financial, advertising, research and development, manufacturing, marketing, personnel and other resources than the Company currently has or may reasonably be expected to have in the foreseeable future. This competition may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to commence and expand its operations or operate in a profitable manner.
There are also several small companies that reportedly make products that combine motor starting, soft starting and energy savings. The Company is unaware of any large company that makes a product of this nature. Although the Company has not completed any formal market study, the Company believes its Three-Phase MEC has the following competitive advantages over other products:
· | It combines soft start features with energy savings features in a single integrated unit that is CSA and CE certified and achieves energy savings levels of up to 15% to 35% in independent, third party testing; |
· | Its circuitry is proprietary, protected by one patent. Numerous other patent filings on new innovations are pending approval of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; |
· | It has been tested extensively by utilities with documented energy savings and approval for incentive financing rebates; |
· | It is accepted by OEMs in the escalator and granulator industries. |
Single-Phase Competition. There have been several companies that have, with different technologies, attempted to exploit this market due to the enormous opportunity in single-phase motor applications. These products include among others, “Green Plug” (voltage clamping), “Power Planner” (digital microchip) and “Econelectric” (power factor control). The Company has made numerous innovations in the past three years that it believes overcome many of the problems with these and the Company’s earlier designs. The Company has filed for patents on these innovations and has reduced the product in size and cost to the point it can be sold to OEMs of applicable appliances and other equipment driven by single-phase AC motors.
Premium Efficiency Motors. Motors are rated by their efficiency at full load. However, when motors, including “premium efficiency motors” are lightly loaded, they become very inefficient. Management believes that the energy savings gain attributable to premium efficiency motors is materially lower than that of its MEC on underloaded motor applications. Furthermore, the Company’s products are able to save energy on underloaded premium efficiency motors, so that such motors and the Company’s technology are not mutually exclusive.
Source of Supply and Availability of Raw Materials
The MEC has been designed to use standard, off-the-shelf, easily acquired components, except for the custom made circuit boards. Such off-the-shelf components are basic items readily available worldwide at competitive prices. They come in standard and miniature versions and offer the Company latitude in product design and production. Although the Company believes most of the key components required for the production of its products are currently available in sufficient production quantities from multiple sources, there can be no assurance they will remain so readily available or at comparable prices.
Customers
The Company currently does business with approximately 20 customers. Of this number, four customers presently account for approximately 82% of the Company’s gross revenues. These customers and their respective gross revenue percentages are KONE – 60%; Berry Plastics – 10%; CED Elevator – 6%; and The Las Vegas Conventions and Visitors Authority – 6%. In light of the Company’s intentions to focus its business on a limited number of markets, the Company is, and may continue to be, dependent upon a limited number of customers. Accordingly, the loss of one or more of these customers may have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business.
Patents and Proprietary Rights
The Company currently relies on a combination of trade secrets, non-disclosure agreements and patent protection to establish and protect its proprietary rights in its products. There can be no assurance these mechanisms will provide the Company with any competitive advantages. Furthermore, there can be no assurance others will not independently develop similar technologies, duplicate or “reverse engineer” the proprietary aspects of the Company’s technology.
The Company has one U.S. patent issued with respect to its products. The “Balanced and Synchronized Phase Detector for an AC Induction Motor Controller,” No. 5,821,726, was issued on October 13, 1998 and expires in 2017. This patent covers improvements to the technology under the NASA License Agreement (described below), which were developed by the Company. Management believes this patent protects the Company’s intellectual property position beyond the expiration of the NASA License Agreement.
The Company has filed three utility patents on new inventions associated with the development of its digital products. The Company is continually making improvements to its products and technologies, and anticipates making additional patent filings on new inventions when warranted.
The Company has obtained U.S. Trademark registration of the Power Commander® mark and the E-Save Technology® mark.
NASA License Agreement
The Company had been the exclusive United States licensee of certain power factor controller technology owned by the United States of America, as represented by NASA. This license agreement covered the United States and its territories and possessions and did not require the Company to pay royalties to NASA in connection with the Company’s sale of products employing technology utilizing the licensed patents. The Company’s rights under the license agreement were non-transferable and were not to be sublicensed without NASA’s consent. The license agreement terminated on December 16, 2002 upon expiration of all of the licensed patents.
The Company believes its products and other proprietary rights do not infringe any proprietary rights possessed by third parties. There can be no assurance, however, that third parties will not assert infringement claims in the future, the defense costs of which could be substantial.
Government Regulation
The Company is not required to be certified by any government agencies. However, most of the Company’s products are manufactured to comply with specific codes that meet industry accepted safety standards. Presently, many of the Company’s products comply with UL 508 Industrial Control Equipment and the Company has also received certification meeting CSA (Canadian Standards Association) B44.1/ASME-17.5 Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment for many of the Company’s products. Many of the Company’s products are also CE marked. The Department of Commerce does not require the Company’s technology to be certified for export. The Company’s industrial code is 421610 and the SIC code is 5063.
Deregulation of Electrical Energy
Sales of the Company’s product are not dependent on deregulation of the electrical energy market as the Company’s product can be sold in regulated and deregulated markets.
Research and Development
The Company intends to continue its research and development effort to introduce new products based on its energy saving technology. Towards this end, the Company spent $1,016,158 and $667,786 in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively, on research and development activities, virtually none of which was borne by customers. A major focus of the Company’s foreseeable research and development activities will be on completing additional features and refinements to the three-phase and single phase products. The Company also anticipates the possibility of working with OEMs that make or purchase motor control equipment, in order to develop products with features or specifications they require.
Effect of Environmental Regulations
The Company is not aware of any federal, state, or local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment with which compliance by the Company has had, or is expected to have, a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of the Company.
Employees
At the date of this document, the Company employs eighteen people. Of this number, two are engaged in accounting and finance, three in operations and general management, five in sales and marketing, and eight in product research and development, engineering and manufacturing. At such time as business conditions dictate, the Company may hire additional personnel for, among other things, increased engineering, marketing and sales. The Company has no collective bargaining agreements and considers its relationship with its employees to be good. The Company utilizes consultants in the areas of marketing, product and technology development and finance on a regular basis.
(c) | Reports to Security Holders |
The Company is a smaller reporting company, and as such files Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the scaled disclosure requirements and Current Reports on Form 8-K on a regular basis with the SEC.
The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors. |
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Unless We Achieve Profitability and Related Positive Cash Flow, It May Not Be Able To Continue Operations, And Its Auditors Have Questioned Its Ability To Continue As A "Going Concern".
The Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, and experienced a deficiency of cash of approximately $3,100,000 and $2,851,000 from operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had net losses of $3,948,204 and $3,891,795, respectively. In our Auditor’s Report dated March 30, 2009 on our December 31, 2008 financial statements included in this report, our auditors have stated that these factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern”. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amount of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue in existence.
The Company’s continuation as a “going concern” is dependent upon achieving profitable operations and related positive cash flow and satisfying our immediate cash needs by external financing until we are profitable. Our plans to achieve profitability include developing new products, obtaining new customers and increasing sales to existing customers. We are seeking to raise additional capital through equity issuance, debt financing and other types of financing, but we cannot guarantee that sufficient capital will be raised.
We Have A Limited Operating History, Have Experienced Recurring Losses And Have Limited Revenue.
To date, and due principally to a lack of working capital, our operations have been limited in scale. Although we have an arrangement with an outsourced production facility to manufacture our products, have established relationships with suppliers, and have received contracts for our products, we may experience difficulties in production scale-up, product distribution, and obtaining and maintaining working capital until such time as our operations have been scaled-up to normal commercial levels. We have not had a profitable quarter in the past three years and we cannot guarantee we will ever operate profitably. In addition, we have limited revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2008, our total revenues were $480,513, and for the year ended December 31, 2007, our total revenues were $490,510.
We Do Not Have A Bank Line Of Credit.
At the present time, the Company does not have a bank line of credit, which further restricts its financial flexibility.
We Will Require Additional Funds To Meet Our Cash Operating Expenses And Achieve Our Current Business Strategy.
The Company continues to have limited working capital and will be dependent upon additional financing to meet capital needs and repay outstanding debt. We cannot guarantee additional financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. We also need additional financing to raise the capital required to fully implement our business plan. Our current fixed operating expense level is approximately $250,000 to $300,000 per month. Although we currently have several months of working capital, we may nevertheless need to issue additional debt or equity securities to raise required funds, and as a result existing equity owners would be diluted.
When our operations require additional financing, if we are unable to obtain it on reasonable terms, we would be forced to restructure, file for bankruptcy or cease operations, any of which could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in us.
Our Management Group Owns Or Controls A Significant Number Of The Outstanding Shares Of Our Common Stock And Will Continue To Have Significant Ownership Of Our Voting Securities For The Foreseeable Future.
As of the date of this report, management controls approximately nineteen percent (19%) of our issued and outstanding Common Stock and voting equivalents. Additionally, Summit Energy Ventures, LLC (“Summit”) owns twelve percent (12%) of our common stock and voting equivalents, which is included in the above number. Summit is controlled by Steven Strasser, our Chairman and CEO, and he has the right to vote all shares owned by Summit. The remaining equity in Summit is owned by BJ Lackland, our CFO. As a result, these persons will have the ability, acting as a group, to effectively control our affairs and business, including the election of directors and, subject to certain limitations, approval or preclusion of fundamental corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership of our common stock may:
· | delay or prevent a change in the control; |
· | impede a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other transaction involving the Company; or |
· | discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company. |
The relationships between Summit and our executive officers are discussed in more detail under “Certain Relationships And Related Party Transactions” herein.
Our Business Depends Upon The Maintenance Of Our Proprietary Technology, And We Rely, In Part, On Contractual Provisions To Protect Our Trade Secrets And Proprietary Knowledge.
The Company depends upon its proprietary technology, relying principally upon trade secret and patent law to protect this technology. The Company also regularly enters into confidentiality agreements with key employees, customers, potential customers, and vendors and limits access to and distribution of trade secrets and other proprietary information. However, these measures may not be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology. Additionally, our competitors may independently develop technologies substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. We also are subject to the risk of adverse claims and litigation alleging infringement of intellectual property rights of others.
Confidentiality agreements to which we are party may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. Our trade secrets may also be known without breach of such agreements or may be independently developed by competitors. Our inability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technology and processes could allow our competitors to limit or eliminate any competitive advantages we may have.
We Are Potentially Dependent On Third-Party Suppliers.
Although we believe most of the key components required for the production of our products are currently available in sufficient production quantities from multiple sources, they may not remain so readily available. It is possible that other components required in the future may necessitate custom fabrication in accordance with specifications developed or to be developed by us. Also, in the event that we, or our contract manufacturer, as applicable, are unable to develop or acquire components in a timely fashion, our ability to achieve production yields, revenues and net income can be expected to be adversely affected. Additionally, we are dependent on Sanmina-Sci to manufacture our higher volume products. While we believe we would be successful in finding alternative manufacturers should this manufacturer not be available to manufacture our product, it could take substantial time and effort to locate such alternatives and, depending on the timing of the loss of Sanmina-Sci, could result in disruption in delivery schedules and harm to our clients, our reputation, and future prospects.
We Are Developing And Commercializing New Energy Saving Technologies And Products Which Will Involve Uncertainty And Risks Related To Product Development And Market Acceptance.
Our success is dependent, to a large degree, upon our ability to fully develop and commercialize our technology and gain industry acceptance of our products based upon our technology and its perceived competitive advantages. Accordingly, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in connection with the establishment of a new business in a highly competitive industry, characterized by frequent new product introductions. We anticipate that we will incur substantial expense in connection with the development and testing of our proposed products and expect these expenses to result in continuing and significant losses until such time, if ever, that we are able to achieve adequate levels of sales or license revenues.
We Have Limited Experience in Direct Sales.
Our products have been distributed primarily through OEMs. We have recently begun pursuing an expanded distribution strategy designed to reduce our reliance on OEMs. Pursuant to this strategy, we are increasing our direct sales efforts into new markets. Our future growth and profitability will depend upon the successful development of business relationships with additional OEMs, growth in direct sales, and sales through select resellers and reps to penetrate the market with our products.
We Currently Depend On A Small Number Of Customers And Expect To Continue To Do So.
The Company currently does business with approximately 20 customers. Of this number, four customers accounted for approximately 82% of our gross revenues in 2008. We are, and may continue to be, dependent upon a small number of customers. Accordingly, the loss of one or more of these customers is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business.
Most Of Our Current And Potential Competitors Have Greater Name Recognition, Financial, Technical And Marketing Resources, And More Extensive Customer Bases And Industry Relationships Than We Do, All Of Which Could Be Leveraged To Gain Market Share To Our Detriment, Particularly In An Environment Of Rapid Technological Change.
We compete against a number of companies for dollars in the electric motor energy savings market, many of which have longer operating histories, established markets and far greater financial, advertising, research and development, manufacturing, marketing, personnel and other resources than we currently have or may reasonably expect to have in the foreseeable future. This competition may have an adverse effect on our ability to expand our operations or operate profitably. The motor control industry is also highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological change. Our future performance will depend in large part upon our ability to become and remain competitive and to develop, manufacture and market acceptable products in these markets. Competitive pressures may necessitate price reductions, which can adversely affect revenues and profits. If we are not competitive in our ongoing research and development efforts, our products may become obsolete, or be priced above competitive levels. However, management believes, based upon their performance and price, our products are attractive to customers. We cannot guarantee that competitors will not introduce comparable or technologically superior products, which are priced more favorably than our products.
Changes In Retail Energy Prices Could Affect Our Business.
We have found that a customer’s decision to purchase an MEC (or similar product) is primarily driven by the payback on the investment resulting from the increased energy savings. Although management believes that current retail energy prices support an attractive return on investment for our products, the future retail price of electrical energy may not remain at such levels, and price fluctuations reducing energy expense could adversely affect product demand.
Loss Of Key Personnel Could Have Significant Adverse Consequences.
We currently depend on the services of Steve Strasser, and BJ Lackland, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. The loss of the services of either of these persons could have an adverse effect on our business. As discussed under “Management”, we have entered into long-term employment contracts with Messrs. Strasser and Lackland, but such contracts do not guarantee they will remain with us.
We Do Not Have “Key Man” Life Insurance.
The Company presently does not have any key man life insurance policies. As soon as practicable following the commencement of profitable operations (which may never occur), we intend to purchase key man life insurance on the life of our principal executive officer, Steven Strasser. Upon purchase of such insurance, we intend to pay the premiums and be the sole beneficiary. The lack of such insurance may have a material adverse effect upon our business.
Delaware Law Limits The Liability Of Our Directors.
Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability in connection with a breach of the duty of loyalty, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law for dividend payments or stock repurchases illegal under Delaware law or any transaction in which a director has derived an improper personal benefit.
Potential Product Liability Claims May Not Be Fully Covered By Insurance.
The Company may be subject to potential product liability claims that could, in the absence of sufficient insurance coverage, have a material adverse impact on us. Presently, we have general liability coverage that includes product liability up to $2,000,000 and umbrella liability up to $4,000,000. Any large product liability suits occurring early in our growth may significantly and adversely affect our ability to expand the market for our products.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Trading In Our Common Stock Over The Last 12 Months Has Been Limited, So Investors May Not Be Able To Sell As Many Of Their Shares As They Want At Prevailing Prices.
Shares of our common stock are traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. Approximately 27,000 shares were traded on an average daily trading basis for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008. If limited trading in our common stock continues, it may be difficult for shareholders to sell their shares. Also, the sale of a large block of our common stock could depress the market price to a greater degree than a company that typically has a higher volume of trading of its securities.
The Limited Public Trading Market May Cause Volatility In Our Stock Price.
The Company’s common stock is currently traded on a limited basis on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “PEFF”. The quotation of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board does not assure that a meaningful, consistent and liquid trading market currently exists, and in recent years such market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of many smaller companies like us. Our common stock is thus subject to this volatility. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.
An Active And Visible Trading Market For Our Common Stock May Not Develop.
We cannot predict whether an active market for our common stock will develop in the future. In the absence of an active trading market:
· | Investors may have difficulty buying and selling or obtaining market quotations; |
· | Market visibility for our common stock may be limited; and |
· | A lack of visibility for our common stock may have a depressive effect on the market price for our common stock. |
The OTC Bulletin Board is an inter-dealer, over-the-counter market that provides significantly less liquidity than NASDAQ, and quotes for stocks included on the OTC Bulletin Board are not listed in the financial sections of newspapers, as are those for the NASDAQ Stock Market. The trading price of the common stock is expected to be subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating results, changes in analysts’ earnings estimates, announcements of innovations by the Company or its competitors, general conditions in the industry in which we operate and other factors. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, may have a material or adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Penny Stock Regulations May Impose Certain Restrictions On Marketability Of Our Securities.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. As a result, our common stock is subject to rules that impose additional requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally those with net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouse). For transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such securities and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a risk disclosure document relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also disclose the commission payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and, if the broker-dealer is the sole market maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer’s presumed control over the market. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, the “penny stock” rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell the Company’s securities and may affect the ability of investors to sell the Company’s securities in the secondary market and the price at which such purchasers can sell any such securities.
Stockholders should be aware that, according to the Commission, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include:
· | Control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; |
· | Manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; |
· | "Boiler room" practices involving high pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; |
· | Excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers; and |
· | The wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the inevitable collapse of those prices with consequent investor losses. |
The Company’s management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market.
We May Never Pay Cash Dividends On Our Common Stock.
We have not paid or declared any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying or declaring any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Sales Of Common Stock Under Rule 144 May Adversely Affect The Market Price Of Our Common Stock.
Possible Resales under Rule 144. Of the 43,255,441 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the date of this report, 27,238,284 shares are freely trading in the market place (the “Free Trading Shares”). The Free Trading Shares are comprised mostly of shares (1) originally issued in private offerings of common stock from June through March 2007, that were later registered in the Company’s S-1 Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”), declared effective on October 10, 2008 and (2) shares originally issued in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
The remaining 15,869,157 shares of our common stock outstanding are restricted securities as defined in Rule 144 and under certain circumstances may be resold without registration pursuant to Rule 144. These shares include the 9,035,294 shares held by Summit and Steven Strasser in the aggregate, and 1,340,539 shares held by directors and insiders
In addition, the Company had approximately 29,994,780 common stock purchase warrants outstanding and approximately 13,579,896 common stock options outstanding as of the date of this report, including the warrants issued in connection with the private offer and sale of preferred stock units in 2007 (See Note 18 to the Financial Statements). The shares issuable on exercise of the options and warrants may, under certain circumstances, be available for public sale in the open market under the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144, subject to certain limitations.
In general, pursuant to Rule 144, after satisfying a six month holding period: (i) affiliated stockholder (or stockholders whose shares are aggregated) may, under certain circumstances, sell within any three month period a number of securities which does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of common stock or the average weekly trading volume of the class during the four calendar weeks prior to such sale and (ii) non-affiliated stockholders may sell without such limitations, provided we are current in our public reporting obligations. Rule 144 also permits the sale of securities by non-affiliates that have satisfied a one year holding period without any limitation or restriction. Any substantial sale of the common stock pursuant to Rule 144 may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s shares.
Exercise Of Outstanding Options And Warrants Will Dilute Ownership Of Outstanding Shares.
As of the date of this report, the Company has reserved 71,429 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of stock options or similar awards which may be granted pursuant to the 1994 Plan, of which no options are outstanding. Furthermore, we have reserved 20,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance upon exercise of stock options or similar awards which may be granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan, of which options to purchase an aggregate of 13,579,896 shares are outstanding. The outstanding options under the 2000 Plan have a weighted average exercise price of $0.37. As of the date of this report, we have issued warrants exercisable for 29,994,780 shares of common stock to financial consultants, investors, former employees and other business partners, having a weighted average exercise price of $0.45 and expiring on various dates from October 2009 to July 2013. Exercise of these options and warrants in the future will reduce the percentage of common stock held by the public stockholders. Furthermore, the terms on which we could obtain additional capital during the life of the options and warrants may be adversely affected, and it should be expected that the holders of the options and warrants would exercise them at a time when we would be able to obtain equity capital on terms more favorable than those provided for by such options and warrants.
Our Issuance Of “Blank Check” Preferred Stock Could Adversely Affect Our Common Stockholders.
The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the relative voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. In the event of issuance, the preferred stock could be used as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company, which could have the effect of discouraging bids for the Company and thereby prevent stockholders from receiving the maximum value for their shares. From October 29, 2007, through January 21, 2008, the Company sold 140,000 shares of its Series B preferred stock in a private offering of units (See Note 18 to the Financial Statements).
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments. |
None
Item 2. | Description of Property. |
The Company’s corporate office space is located at 3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Suite 460, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169. The office lease calls for rent of $11,292 per month, plus annual increases equal to 3%, through the end of the lease term in February 2011.
The Company leased research and development space at 6380 South Valley View Blvd, Suite 412, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118. The lease calls for rent of $1,995 plus common area maintenance charges, per month, through the end of the lease term in August 2010.
The Company leased manufacturing and warehouse space at 6380 South Valley View Blvd, Suite 402, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118. The lease calls for rent of $1,605 plus common area maintenance charges, per month, through the end of the lease term in August 2010.
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings. |
The Company is currently involved in a lawsuit against two of its former directors, who were also employees of the Company, and the company formed by the two former directors (collectively, the “Defendants”). The Company filed this action against the Defendants for misappropriation of trade secrets, false advertising, defamation/libel and other claims primarily arising from the Defendant’s use of the Company’s confidential and proprietary information in the development and marketing of motor control products. The Company seeks a temporary retraining order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction, damages, exemplary damages, attorneys’ fees and costs against the Defendants. The Company’s original complaint was filed on November 25, 2008, and its amended complaint was filed on January 5, 2009, in the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada.
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
None.
PART II
Item 5. | Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. |
Market for Common Stock
The Company’s common stock is thinly traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) under the symbol “PEFF”.
The following table sets forth the high and low bid information for quarterly periods in the two twelve month periods ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
Twelve months Ended December 31, 2008 | High | Low | ||||||
October 1, 2008 — December 31, 2008 | $ | 0.25 | 0.08 | |||||
July 1, 2008 — September 30, 2008 | 0.32 | 0.19 | ||||||
April 1, 2008 — June 30, 2008 | 0.39 | 0.26 | ||||||
January 1, 2008 — March 31, 2008 | 0.55 | 0.26 |
Twelve months Ended December 31, 2007 | High | Low | ||||||
October 1, 2007 — December 31, 2007 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.37 | ||||
July 1, 2007 — September 30, 2007 | 0.75 | 0.20 | ||||||
April 1, 2007 — June 30, 2007 | 0.26 | 0.20 | ||||||
January 1, 2007 — March 31, 2007 | 0.30 | 0.18 |
As of the date of this report, there were 162 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock and 647 shareholders who hold the Company’s common stock in street name.
The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since its incorporation. The Company does not expect to pay cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to invest funds otherwise available for dividends, if any, on improving the Company’s capital assets.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of Securities Remaining available for future issuance under 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (excluding securities reflected in column (a))(c) | ||||||||||
2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan approved by security holders | 13,579,869 | $ | 0.37 | 6,420,131 | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | |||||||||
Total | 13,579,896 | $ | 0.37 | 6,420,131 |
The Company maintains a Stock Option Equity Compensation Plan. (See Note 12 to the Financial Statements)
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the period covered by this report we did not issue any securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except previously disclosed in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or a current report on Form 8-K.
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Regulation S-K and as such, are not providing the information contained in this item pursuant to Regulation S-K.
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
OVERVIEW
The Company generates revenues from a single business segment: the design, development, marketing and sale of proprietary solid state electrical components designed to reduce energy consumption in alternating current induction motors.
The Company began generating revenues from sales of its MEC line of motor controllers in the late 1990s. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had total stockholders’ equity of $4,046,747 primarily due to (i) the Company’s sale of 140,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in a private offering from October of 2007 through January of 2008, (ii) the Company’s sale of 12,950,016 shares of common stock in a private stock offering from November of 2006 through March of 2007, (iii) the Company’s sale of 14,500,000 shares of common stock in a private stock offering in July and August of 2005, (iv) the Company’s sale of 2,346,233 shares of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred stock to Summit Energy Ventures, LLC in June of 2002 and (v) the conversion of notes payable of approximately $1,047,000 into 982,504 shares of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock in October of 2003.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: FISCAL YEAR 2008 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2007
REVENUES
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008, were approximately $481,000 compared to approximately $491,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $10,000 or 2%. This decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in sales in the elevator and escalator market segment in 2008. Specifically, escalator manufacturer and service provider sales fell to approximately $363,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, from $466,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Sales of the analog product to one escalator manufacturer and service provider, which is one of the Company’s largest customers, slowed during this period in anticipation of release of their private label version of our digital product. The digital product is being tested and evaluated for use on a retrofit and OEM basis by this customer. The digital product offers greater features and functionality compared to the analog product, making it more attractive as an OEM product. The decrease in sales to the escalator segment was partially offset by an increase in sales to industrial and other customers, which totaled approximately $117,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $24,000 for the year ending December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, industrial and other sales, which entirely consisted of digital units, was approximately 21% of total sales, and escalator and elevator sales, which consisted almost entirely of analog units, was approximately 79% of total sales.
COST OF REVENUES
Cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 were approximately $398,000 compared to approximately $340,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $58,000, or 17%. As a percentage of revenues, total costs of sales increased to approximately 82% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to approximately 69% for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in the costs as a percentage of revenues was primarily due the Company’s replacement of 40 Platform E MECs with more feature rich and expensive Platform 1 MECs for no additional charge to the customer. This transaction added approximately $22,000 to the Company’s cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2008. All of the Platform E MECs returned to the Company were not installed, and in good working condition. However, with the release of the new digital line of MECs, the Company determined that the Platform E units that were returned were obsolete, and therefore did not record the units back into inventory. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company also wrote off the remaining Platform E components, as well as many components that were for analog use only, held in its inventory. In total, the Company recorded a direct write off of inventory of approximately $41,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Excluding the direct write off of inventory of $41,000 and the $22,000 charge from replacing Platform E units with Platform 1 units, the Company’s cost of sales was approximately $335,000, or 70% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Allocated overhead costs were approximately $25,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to approximately $20,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $5,000 or 25%. As a percentage of revenues, allocated overhead costs were 5% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 4% for the year ended December 31, 2007. Allocated overhead costs as a percentage of sales increased due to the Company developing in-house light manufacturing and warehousing capabilities in December of 2007.
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $83,000 compared to approximately $150,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $67,000 or 45%. This decrease was primarily due to the factors described above.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $1,016,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to approximately $668,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $348,000 or 52%. This increase is mainly attributable to the Company’s continued research and development efforts on its digital controller for both its single-phase and three-phase products. Specifically, the increased costs include additional personnel in the Company’s research and development department, which resulted in higher salaries and related payroll costs during the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as new product testing and certification expenses. These increased costs were partially offset by a decrease in stock based compensation expenses during the year ended December 31, 2008.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $3,033,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to approximately $2,721,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $312,000 or 11%. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in payroll, and payroll related costs, as well as increases in sales travel expenses, marketing, tradeshows and advertising expenses, and sales related legal and consulting expenses. The increases in payroll expenses were due to the growth of the Company’s sales personnel.
Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources: For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
Since inception, the Company has financed its operations primarily through the sale of its securities. In 2008 and 2007, the Company received a total of approximately $8,025,000 in gross proceeds from a private placement of its preferred stock, common stock and warrants to purchase common stock, as to which the Company was required to file a registration statement on Form SB-2 or other relevant registration statement. Of this amount, $1,850,000 was converted from existing debt securities. Also in 2007, the Company grossed approximately $680,000 in cash from the exercise of warrants. As of December 31, 2008 the Company has received a total of approximately $20,305,000 from public and private offerings of its equity securities, received $300,000 from a bridge note with a shareholder (which was converted into 3,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,500,000 warrants with an additional investment of $300,000 on July 8, 2005), received approximately $445,386 under a bank line of credit (which was repaid during 2002), and received $1,000,000 under a line of credit with a shareholder (which was converted to Series A-1 Preferred Convertible shares during 2003). In October 2004 and February 2005, the Company received $1,589,806 in debt financing through a debt offering arranged by a placement agent, Pali Capital. Of this total, $300,000 plus accrued interest was converted from borrowings with the same shareholder as referenced above. In April 2006, the Company received $1,000,000 in debt financing from EMTUCK , LLC, in which the managing member is a management company wholly owned and controlled by Steven Strasser, the Company's CEO. In May 2006, the Company received an additional $500,000 in debt financing from EMTUCK. In November 2006, the Company received $2,000,000 in debt financing. Of this amount, $1,450,000 was converted from borrowings from prior investors. This $2,000,000 note was paid off in full in October of 2007. As of December 31, 2008 the Company had cash of $2,100,013 and has no outstanding debt securities.
Net cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $3,102,847 which primarily consisted of: a net loss of $3,948,204; less bad debt expense of $7,770, inventory obsolescence expense of $40,758, depreciation and amortization of $74,539, amortization of capitalized manufacturing expenses of $6,791, warrants and options issued in connection with the issuance of debt securities, and to employees and consultants of $765,504, common stock issued for consulting services of $7,960, decreases in accounts receivable of $57,323 and deposits of $84,057, increases in inventory of $155,016 and prepaid expenses of $12,660. In addition, these amounts were partially offset by decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $30,669 and customer deposits of $1,605, and increases in deferred rent of $605.
Net cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $2,850,927 which primarily consisted of: a net loss of $3,891,795; less bad debt expense of $16,934, depreciation and amortization of $47,036, loss on disposal of fixed assets of $3,516, amortization of debt discounts of $419,859, amortization of deferred financing costs of $11,228, warrants and options issued in connection with the issuance of debt securities, and to employees and consultants of $655,392, decreases in inventory of $25,090 and prepaid expenses of $29,173, increases in accounts receivable of $93,994, and deposits of $88,388. In addition, these amounts were partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,354, and customer deposits of $1,605 and deferred rent of $12,063.
Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal year 2008 was $132,364, compared to $92,537 in fiscal year 2007. The amount for 2008 consisted of the purchase of fixed assets of $104,857, and costs related to patent applications of $27,507. The amount for 2007 consisted of the purchase of fixed assets of $85,610, and costs related to patent applications of $6,927.
Net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal year 2008 was $248,846. The entire amount consisted of the net proceeds from the issuance of equity securities.
Net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal year 2007 was $6,336,258 which consisted of proceeds from the issuance of equity securities, net of costs, of $8,347,369. This amount was offset by payments on notes payable of $2,011,111.
The Company expects to increase its operating expenses, particularly in research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses, for the foreseeable future in order to execute its business strategy. As a result, the Company anticipates that operating expenses will constitute a material use of any cash resources.
Cash Requirements and Need for Additional Funds
The Company anticipates a substantial need for cash to fund its working capital requirements. In accordance with the Company’s prepared expansion plan, it is the opinion of management that approximately $3 million will be required to cover operating expenses, including, but not limited to, marketing, sales, research and operations during the next twelve months. Although we currently have several months of working capital, we may nevertheless need to issue additional debt or equity securities to raise required funds. If the Company is unable to obtain funding on reasonable terms or finance its needs through current operations, the Company will be forced to restructure, file for bankruptcy or cease operations.
Notable changes to expenses are expected to include an increase in the Company’s sales personnel and efforts, and developing more advanced versions of the Company’s technology and products.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See “Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Financial Statements for an explanation of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company.
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Regulation S-K and as such, are not providing the information contained in this item pursuant to Regulation S-K.
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
INDEX
Page | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-1 | |
Financial Statements: | ||
Balance Sheets | F-2 | |
Statements of Operations | F-3 | |
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity | F-4 | |
Statements of Cash Flows | F-5 | |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-6 - F-24 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Power Efficiency Corporation
Las Vegas, Nevada
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Power Efficiency Corporation, (a Delaware corporation) (the "Company") as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Power Efficiency Corporation at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, and the Company has experienced a deficiency of cash from operations. These matters raise substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also discussed in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
/s/Sobel & Co., LLC |
Certified Public Accountants |
March 30, 2009
Livingston, New Jersey
F-1 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION |
BALANCE SHEETS |
December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 2,100,013 | $ | 5,086,378 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $ 26,082 in 2008 and $19,648 in 2007 | 44,159 | 109,252 | ||||||
Inventories | 246,020 | 131,762 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 47,165 | 41,296 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 2,437,357 | 5,368,688 | ||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net | 144,967 | 112,106 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS: | ||||||||
Deposits | 38,206 | 122,263 | ||||||
Patents, net | 64,711 | 39,746 | ||||||
Goodwill | 1,929,963 | 1,929,963 | ||||||
Total Other Assets | 2,032,880 | 2,091,972 | ||||||
$ | 4,615,204 | $ | 7,572,766 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 555,789 | $ | 586,458 | ||||
Customer Deposits | - | 1,605 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 555,789 | 588,063 | ||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Deferred Rent | 12,668 | 12,063 | ||||||
Total Long-Term Liabilities | 12,668 | 12,063 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 568,457 | 600,126 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value 10,000,000 shares authorized, 140,000 issued and outstanding in 2008 and 134,000 issued and outstanding in 2007 | 140 | 134 | ||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized, 43,255,441 shares issued and oustanding in 2008 and 40,367,523 shares issued and oustanding in 2007 | 43,256 | 40,368 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 35,307,119 | 33,741,902 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (31,303,768 | ) | (26,809,764 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 4,096,747 | 6,972,640 | ||||||
$ | 4,615,204 | $ | 7,572,766 |
See report of independent registered public accounting firm and notes to financial statements. | F-2 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION |
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
REVENUES | $ | 480,513 | $ | 490,510 | ||||
COMPONENTS OF COST OF SALES: | ||||||||
Material, labor and overhead | 356,942 | 340,468 | ||||||
Inventory obsolesence expense | 40,758 | - | ||||||
Total Cost of Sales | 397,700 | 340,468 | ||||||
GROSS PROFIT | 82,813 | 150,042 | ||||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES: | ||||||||
Research and development | 1,016,158 | 667,786 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 3,032,733 | 2,721,284 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 74,539 | 47,036 | ||||||
Total Costs and Expenses | 4,123,430 | 3,436,106 | ||||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (4,040,617 | ) | (3,286,064 | ) | ||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | ||||||||
Interest income | 104,684 | 80,481 | ||||||
Interest expense | - | (679,306 | ) | |||||
Total Other Income (Expenses), Net | 104,684 | (598,825 | ) | |||||
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR TAXES | (3,935,933 | ) | (3,884,889 | ) | ||||
PROVISION FOR TAXES | (12,271 | ) | (6,906 | ) | ||||
NET LOSS | $ | (3,948,204 | ) | $ | (3,891,795 | ) | ||
BASIC AND FULLY DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | ||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING | ||||||||
BASIC | 40,909,504 | 38,541,012 |
See report of independent registered public accounting firm and notes to financial statements. | F-3 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007 |
Additional | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2007 | 35,042,009 | $ | 35,042 | - | $ | - | $ | 24,927,839 | $ | (22,917,969 | ) | $ | 2,044,912 | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 3,416,672 | 3,417 | - | - | 1,021,583 | - | 1,025,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of preferred stock | - | - | 134,400 | 134 | 6,719,866 | - | 6,720,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon exercise of options and warrants | 1,908,842 | 1,909 | - | - | 681,591 | - | 683,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants and options issued with common stock and debt and to employees and consultants, including debt discount | - | - | - | - | 472,153 | - | 472,153 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses related to issuance of preferred and common stock | - | - | - | - | (81,130 | ) | - | (81,130 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (3,891,795 | ) | (3,891,795 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 40,367,523 | 40,368 | 134,400 | 134 | 33,741,902 | (26,809,764 | ) | 6,972,640 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 40,000 | 40 | - | - | 7,960 | - | 8,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of preferred stock | - | - | 5,600 | 6 | 279,994 | - | 280,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividends paid | 2,729,000 | 2,729 | - | - | 543,071 | (545,800 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon exercise of options and warrants | 118,918 | 119 | - | - | (119 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants and options issued with common stock and debt and to employees and consultants, including debt discount | - | - | - | - | 765,504 | - | 765,504 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses related to issuances of preferred and common stock | - | - | - | - | (31,193 | ) | - | (31,193 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (3,948,204 | ) | (3,948,204 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 | 43,255,441 | $ | 43,256 | 140,000 | $ | 140 | $ | 35,307,119 | $ | (31,303,768 | ) | $ | 4,046,747 |
See report of independent registered public accounting firm and notes to financial statements. | F-4 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION |
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR): | ||||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (3,948,204 | ) | $ | (3,891,795 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities: | ||||||||
Bad debt expense | 7,770 | 16,934 | ||||||
Inventory obsolescence expense | 40,758 | - | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 74,539 | 47,036 | ||||||
Amortization of capitalized manufacturing expenses | 6,791 | - | ||||||
Loss on disposition of fixed assets | - | 3,516 | ||||||
Debt discount related to issuance of debt securities | - | 419,859 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | - | 11,228 | ||||||
Warrants and options issued in connection with settlements, services from consultants, vendors, the forgiveness of indebtedness, the issuance of debt, and to employees and consultants | 765,504 | 655,392 | ||||||
Common Stock issued for consulting services | 7,960 | - | ||||||
Changes in certain assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 57,323 | (93,994 | ) | |||||
Inventory | (155,016 | ) | 25,090 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (12,660 | ) | 29,173 | |||||
Deposits | 84,057 | (88,388 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (30,669 | ) | 1,354 | |||||
Customer deposits | (1,605 | ) | 1,605 | |||||
Deferred rent | 605 | 12,063 | ||||||
Net Cash Used for Operating Activities | (3,102,847 | ) | (2,850,927 | ) | ||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Costs related to patent applications | (27,507 | ) | (6,927 | ) | ||||
Purchase of property, equipment and other assets | (104,857 | ) | (85,610 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities | (132,364 | ) | (92,537 | ) | ||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of equity securities, net of costs | 248,846 | 8,347,369 | ||||||
Payments on notes payable | - | (2,011,111 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 248,846 | 6,336,258 | ||||||
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH | (2,986,365 | ) | 3,392,794 | |||||
CASH | ||||||||
Beginning of year | 5,086,378 | 1,693,584 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 2,100,013 | $ | 5,086,378 |
See report of independent registered public accounting firm and notes to financial statements. | F-5 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 1 - NATURE OF BUSINESS:
Power Efficiency Corporation ("Power Efficiency" and/or the "Company"), is incorporated in Delaware. Power Efficiency designs, develops, markets and sells proprietary solid state electrical devices designed to reduce energy consumption in alternating current induction motors. Alternating current induction motors are commonly found in industrial and commercial facilities throughout the world. The Company currently has one principal and proprietary product: the three phase Motor Efficiency Controller, which is used in industrial and commercial applications, such as rock crushers, granulators, and escalators. Additionally, the Company has developed a digital single phase controller in pre-production form, in preparation for working with Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) to incorporate the technology into their equipment.
The Company's primary customers have been original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) and commercial accounts located throughout the United States of America and various countries.
Power Efficiency formed Design Efficient Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. This entity was formed to obtain energy grants and rebates for customers of the Company from state governmental bodies. Design Efficient Energy Services, LLC has been inactive since inception.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Inventories:
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The Company reviews inventory for impairments to net realizable value whenever circumstances arise. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited too, the discontinuation of a product line or re-engineering certain components making certain parts obsolete. Management has determined a reserve for inventory obsolescence is not necessary at December 31, 2008 or 2007.
As of December 31, inventories are comprised as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | 178,698 | $ | 131,762 | ||||
Finished Goods | 67,322 | - | ||||||
Inventories | $ | 246,020 | $ | 131,762 |
Accounts Receivable:
The Company carries its accounts receivable at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts and returns. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts, based on a history of past write-offs and collections and current credit conditions.
F-6 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Research and Development:
Research and development expenditures are charged to expense as incurred.
Property, Equipment and Depreciation:
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while betterments are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 7 years.
Website:
Website development, maintenance and hosting costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Shipping and Handling Costs:
The Company bills customers for freight. Actual costs for shipping and handling are included as a component of cost of sales.
Deferred Financing Costs:
Expenditures incurred in conjunction with debt or equity capital issuances are deferred as other assets until the related offering is complete. Once the offering is completed, costs related to equity issuances will be offset against equity proceeds, and such costs related to debt issuances are amortized on a straight line basis, over the life of the debt. Both equity and debt related costs are expensed if the offering is not completed.
Patents:
Costs associated with applying for U.S. patents based upon technology developed by the Company are capitalized. At the time the patent is awarded, the asset will be amortized on a straight line basis, over the remaining term of the patent. If no patent is issued, these costs will be expensed in the period when it is determined that no patent will be issued.
Deferred Rent:
The Company accounts for rent expense on a straight-line basis for financial reporting purposes. The difference between cash payments and rent expense is included in deferred rent.
Revenue Recognition:
Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time of shipment, when all services are complete. Returns and other sales adjustments (warranty accruals, discounts and shipping credits) are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded.
Loss Per Common Share:
Loss per common share is determined by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is not presented since giving effect to potential common shares would be anti-dilutive.
Accounting for Stock Based Compensation:
The Company accounts for employee stock options as compensation expense, in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payments.” SFAS No. 123R requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards, and applies to all outstanding and vested stock-based awards.
F-7 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
In computing the impact, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes options-pricing model utilizing certain assumptions for a risk free interest rate; volatility; and expected remaining lives of the awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the amount of vested options as a percentage of total options outstanding. If the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period. The impact of applying SFAS No. 123R approximated $766,000 and $655,000 in additional compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Such amounts are included in research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expense on the statement of operations.
Product Warranties:
The Company warrants its products for two years. Estimated product warranty expenses are accrued in cost of sales at the time the related sale is recognized. Estimates of warranty expenses are based primarily on historical warranty claim experience. Warranty expenses include accruals for basic warranties for products sold.
Provision for Income Taxes:
The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes". SFAS No. 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected future tax impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. SFAS No. 109 additionally requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets.
In May 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48”. FIN 48-1 provides guidance on how to determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. FIN 48-1 is effective retroactively to January 1, 2007. Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken on an income tax return must be recognized in the financial statements at the amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized in the financial statements unless it is more likely than not of being sustained. The implementation of FIN 48 and FIN 48-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The provision for taxes represents state franchise taxes, interest and penalties.
Goodwill:
SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” requires that goodwill shall no longer be amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests on a quarterly basis, utilizing a two-step test, as described in SFAS No. 142.
F-8 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Advertising:
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $48,987 and $7,504 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements:
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). This Statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In addition to the amendments to ARB 51, this Statement amends SFAS 128, Earnings per Share; so that earnings-per-share data will continue to be calculated the same way those data were calculated before this Statement was issued. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company will apply the provisions of SFAS 160 to any noncontrolling interests acquired after the effective date.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS 161). The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for our consolidated financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning with our quarter ended March 31, 2009. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 161 to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 162, "The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" ("SFAS 162"). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC's approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, "The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles." The Company is currently reviewing the effect, if any; the proposed guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 142-3, "Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets" (FSP FAS 142-3). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning with our quarter ended March 31, 2009, and will be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. FSP FAS 142-3 also requires expanded disclosure related to the determination of intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to the effective date. The impact of FSP FAS 142-3 will depend on the size and nature of acquisitions on or after January 1, 2009.
F-9 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Financial Statement Reclassifications:
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2007 financial statements in order for them to conform to the 2008 financial statement presentation.
NOTE 3 - GOING CONCERN:
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company is a going concern, which assumption contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, and the Company experienced a $3,102,847 deficiency of cash from operations in 2008. While the Company appears to have adequate liquidity at December 31, 2008, there can be no assurances that such liquidity will remain sufficient.
These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amount of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence. Continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon achieving profitable operations. Management's plans to achieve profitability include developing new products, obtaining new customers and increasing sales to existing customers. Management is seeking to raise additional capital through equity issuance, debt financing or other types of financing (See Note 22). However, there are no assurances that sufficient capital will be raised.
NOTE 4 - PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS:
As of December 31, prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Prepaid insurance | $ | 10,192 | $ | 19,705 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 36,973 | 21,591 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | 47,165 | $ | 41,296 |
NOTE 5 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
At December 31, 2007, property and equipment is comprised as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Machinery and equipment | $ | 253,976 | $ | 151,497 | ||||
Office furniture and equipment | 20,113 | 26,326 | ||||||
274,089 | 177,923 | |||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | 129,122 | 65,717 | ||||||
Property and Equipment, Net | $ | 144,967 | $ | 112,106 |
Depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $71,996 and $46,044, respectively.
F-10 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 6 - GOODWILL:
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", previously recognized intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives were tested by management for impairment during fiscal 2008 and 2007 utilizing a two-step test. An annual goodwill impairment test was performed by management in addition to quarterly goodwill impairment tests.
The first part of the test is to compare the Company’s fair market value (the number of the Company’s common shares outstanding multiplied by the closing stock price of the date of the test), to the book value of the Company (the Company’s total stockholders’ equity, as of the date of the test). If the fair market value of the Company is greater than the book value, no impairment exists as of the date of the test. However, if book value exceeds fair market value, the Company must perform part two of the test, which involves recalculating the implied goodwill by repeating the acquisition analysis that was originally used to calculate goodwill, using purchase accounting as if the acquisition happened on the date of the test, to calculate the implied goodwill as of the date of the test.
The Company’s most recent impairment analysis was performed on December 31, 2008, on the Company’s single reporting unit. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s fair market value was $8,651,088, and the Company’s book value was $4,046,747. As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s fair market value was $22,199,036, and the Company’s book value was $6,972,640. Based on this, no impairment exists as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Circumstances may arise in which the Company will perform an impairment test in addition to its annual and quarterly tests. An example of one of these circumstances would be a sudden sharp drop in the Company’s stock price not as a result of market conditions.
NOTE 7 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
Intangible assets subject to amortization consists of the following for the years ended December 31:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Patents | $ | 77,109 | $ | 49,602 | ||||
Less: Accumulated amortization | 12,398 | 9,856 | ||||||
Intangible Assets, Net | $ | 64,711 | $ | 39,746 |
Amortization expense in 2008 and 2007 amounted to $2,542 and $992, respectively.
During 2008 and 2007, the Company capitalized approximately $28,000 and $7,000 in expenses related to patent filings, respectively. The Company will begin amortizing these costs over the life of the patent, once the patent is approved by the appropriate authorities.
F-11 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Amortization expense expected in the succeeding five years for the Company’s existing patents is as follows:
2009 | $ | 2,542 | ||
2010 | 2,542 | |||
2011 | 2,542 | |||
2012 | 2,542 | |||
2013 | 2,542 | |||
Thereafter | 52,001 | |||
$ | 64,711 |
NOTE 8 - CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISKS:
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and temporary cash investments and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash balances which at times may be in excess of the insured limits.
Sales and accounts receivable currently are from a relatively small number of customers of the Company's products. The Company closely monitors extensions of credit.
Four customers accounted for approximately 82% of 2008 sales and 21% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2008. Three customers accounted for approximately 84% of 2007 sales and 70% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2007.
International sales as a percentage of total revenues for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
Country | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Sweden | 1 | % | 2 | % |
NOTE 9 – PRODUCT WARRANTIES
Accrued warranty expenses at December 31, 2007 and 2008 consist of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2007 | $ | - | ||
Additions | 4,151 | |||
Deductions | (742 | ) | ||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 3,409 | |||
Additions | 6,758 | |||
Deductions | (5,735 | ) | ||
Balance, December 31, 2008 | $ | 4,432 |
F-12 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 10 - PROVISION FOR TAXES:
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company has available, on a federal tax basis, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $23,700,000 and $19,800,000, respectively. These net operating losses expire at varying amounts through 2028. The net operating loss carryforwards result in deferred tax assets of approximately $8,000,000 and $6,700,000 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively; however, a valuation reserve has been recorded for the full amount due to the uncertainty of realization of the deferred tax assets.
A reconciliation of the statutory tax rates for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Statutory rate | (34 | )% | (34 | )% | ||||
State income tax – all states | (6 | )% | (6 | )% | ||||
(40 | )% | (40 | )% | |||||
Current year valuation allowance | 40 | % | 40 | % | ||||
Benefit for income taxes | 0 | % | 0 | % |
NOTE 11 - WARRANTS:
Warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 follows:
Warrants | Average Exercise Price | |||||||
Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2007 | 22,372,730 | $ | 0.42 | |||||
Issued during 2007 | 9,528,338 | 0.52 | ||||||
Exercised during 2007 | (2,143,659 | ) | 0.40 | |||||
Cancelled and expired during 2007 | (743,441 | ) | 0.40 | |||||
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2007 | 29,013,968 | 0.45 | ||||||
Issued during 2008 | 1,280,000 | 0.44 | ||||||
Exercised during 2008 | (299,188 | ) | 0.20 | |||||
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2008 | 29,994,780 | $ | 0.45 |
During 2008, the Company issued the following warrants: 1,000,000 warrants as consulting fees to sales consultants, which were valued at $290,000, however, these warrants have special vesting provisions, therefore, the Company did not recognize an expense for these warrants in 2008; 280,000 warrants to investors, in connection with the Company’s private offering of common stock (see Note 19), which were valued at $90,160, and recorded as additional paid in capital. During 2008, the Company also expensed and included in selling general and administrative expenses, $5,153 related to warrants, which vested during 2008. These warrants were issued in 2007 as consulting fees to a sales consultant.
F-13 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
During 2007, the Company issued the following warrants: 100,000 warrants as consulting fees to a sales consultant, which were valued at $15,458 and expensed and included in selling, general and administrative expenses; 1,000,000 warrants as consulting fees to a technical consultant, which were valued at $228,200, however, these warrants have special vesting provisions, therefore the Company did not recognize an expense for these warrants in 2007; 1,708,338 warrants to investors, in connection with the Company’s private offering of common stock (See Note 19), which were valued at $224,843 and recorded as additional paid in capital; 6,720,000 warrants to investors, in connection with the Company’s private offering of its Series B preferred stock (See Note 19), which were valued at $3,421,631 and recorded as additional paid in capital. During 2007, the Company also expense and included in research and development expenses, $5,492 related to warrants which vested during 2007. These warrants were issued in 2006 as consulting fees to a technical consultant.
The fair value of each warrant is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes options-pricing model utilizing certain assumptions for a risk free interest rate; volatility; and expected remaining lives of the awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the amount of vested options as a percentage of total options outstanding.
The fair value of warrants granted is estimated on the date of grant based on the weighted-average assumptions in the table below. The assumption for the expected life is based on evaluations of historical and expected exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at the grant date. The historical stock volatility of the Company’s common stock is used as the basis for the volatility assumption.
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Weighted average risk-free rate | 4.06 | % | 4.5 | % | ||||
Average expected life in years | 3.5 | 3.6 | ||||||
Expected dividends | None | None | ||||||
Volatility | 275 | % | 166 | % | ||||
Forfeiture rate | 43 | % | 40 | % |
F-14 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 12 - STOCK OPTION PLAN:
Stock Option Plan activity during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 follows:
Shares | Average Exercise Price | |||||||
Options outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2007 | 14,734,896 | $ | 0.33 | |||||
Granted during 2007 | 3,725,000 | 0.35 | ||||||
Cancelled during 2007 | (4,050,000 | ) | 0.23 | |||||
Exercised during 2007 | (100,000 | ) | 0.20 | |||||
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2007 | 14,309,896 | $ | 0.36 | |||||
Granted during 2008 | 1,095,000 | 0.50 | ||||||
Cancelled during 2008 | (1,825,000 | ) | 0.37 | |||||
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2008 | 13,579,896 | $ | 0.37 |
Weighted average remaining contractual life at December 31, 2008, for all options is 7.03 years.
In 2000, the Company adopted the 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "2000 Plan"). On June 8, 2007, the 2000 Plan was amended and restated. The 2000 Plan, as restated and amended, provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 20,000,000 shares of common stock. 100,000 options have been exercised to date. There are 13,579,896 options outstanding under the 2000 Plan.
During 2008, the Company granted 1,095,000 stock options to directors and employees at exercise prices approximating fair market value of the stock on the date of each grant. Such issuances to directors and employees were valued at $760,350, utilizing similar factors as described below, which were expensed and are included in research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses.
During 2007, the Company granted 3,725,000 stock options to directors and employees at exercise prices approximating fair market value of the stock on the date of each grant. Such issuances to directors and employees were valued at $634,442, utilizing similar factors as described below, which were expensed and are included in research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses.
In 1994, the Company adopted a Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Plan"). The 1994 Plan provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 71,429 shares of common stock. No options have been exercised to date. There are no options outstanding under the 1994 Plan, and the Company does not plan to issue any more options under this plan.
Share Based Compensation Payments:
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the net issuance of 1,095,000 stock options to directors and employees. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the net issuance of 3,725,000 stock options to directors, officers and employees. The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants: average expected volatility of 275% and 166% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively; average risk-free interest rate of 4.06 % and 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively; and expected lives of approximately 10.0 years.
F-15 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
The Company accounts for employee stock options as compensation expense, in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payments.” SFAS No. 123R requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards.
In computing the impact, the fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes options-pricing model utilizing certain assumptions for a risk free interest rate; volatility; and expected remaining lives of the awards. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the amount of vested options as a percentage of total options outstanding. If the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.
NOTE 13 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Leases:
The Company leases office space, a manufacturing and warehousing facility, and a research and development facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The office space lease was assigned to the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, on the same terms and conditions, effective February 24, 2006. The lease includes a payment of $11,292 per month, plus annual increases of 3% per year, which includes all cleaning and utilities, except phone and internet service. The term of the lease is five years.
On July 1, 2007, the Company began leasing a research and development facility. The lease includes a payment of $1,995, plus common area maintenance charges, per month. The term of the lease is three years and one month. On November 1, 2007, the Company amended the lease to include additional space, which it will utilize for its manufacturing and warehousing facility. The amendment to the lease calls for an additional payment of $1,605, plus common area maintenance charges, per month, and carries the same terms and conditions as the original lease.
Minimum future rentals are as follows:
Year | ||||
2009 | 190,664 | |||
2010 | 177,091 | |||
2011 | 12,688 | |||
$ | 380,443 |
Rent expense, including base rent and additional charges, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $212,742 and $173,545, respectively.
F-16 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Patent License Agreements:
The Company was an exclusive licensee pursuant to a patent license agreement of certain power factor controller technology owned by the United States, as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This license agreement covered the United States of America and its territories and possessions on an exclusive basis and foreign sales on a non-exclusive basis. Such license agreement did not require the Company to pay royalties to NASA in connection with the Company's sale of products employing technology utilizing the licensed patents. The agreement terminated on December 16, 2002 upon the expiration of all of the licensed patents.
The Company filed and received its own patent (No. 5.821.726) that expires in 2017 that management believes will protect the Company's intellectual property position. The Company has also filed three utility patents in new inventions associated with the development of its digital products, which are all pending approval with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Software User License Agreements:
The Company entered into an agreement to purchase software licenses for accounting, manufacturing and CRM software. The total amount of the software license agreement is approximately $27,000 and the software licenses begin in 2009.
Litigation:
The Company is currently involved in a lawsuit against two of its former directors, who were also employees of the Company, and the company the two former directors formed (collectively, the “Defendants”). The Company filed this action against the Defendants for misappropriation of trade secrets, false advertising, defamation/libel and other claims primarily arising from the Defendant’s use of the Company’s confidential and proprietary information in the development and marketing of motor control products. The Company seeks a temporary retraining order, preliminary injunction, permanent injunction, damages, exemplary damages, attorneys’ fees and costs against the Defendants. The Company’s original complaint was filed on November 25, 2008, and its amended complaint was filed on January 5, 2009, in the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada.
On March 19, 2007, the Company reached an agreement with GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc. (“GE Fanuc”) to cease using its Power Genius name for its products. As consideration, GE Fanuc paid the Company $20,000.
Subcontractors:
During 2007, the Company utilized one subcontractor in Nevada as turn-key manufacturers for its analog product. In December of 2007, the Company ceased using the Las Vegas, Nevada subcontractor and began to manufacture its analog and some of its digital product in-house.
The Company directly sources its own analog circuit boards from a contract circuit board manufacturer. Over the past year, the Company has primarily sourced analog circuit boards from RMF Design and Manufacturing (“RMF”), based outside of Toronto, Canada. The Company believes RMF has the ability to meet the Company’s analog circuit board production needs and the Company would be successful in finding alternative manufacturers should RMF not be available to manufacture these circuit boards.
F-17 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
On September 6, 2007, the Company entered into a manufacturing service agreement with Sanima-Sci Corporation (“Sanmina-Sci”) for the production of digital units and digital circuit boards. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company will purchase an amount of digital units, subject to certain minimum quantities, from Sanmina-Sci equal to an initial firm order agreed upon by the Company and Sanmina-Sci and subsequent nine-month requirements forecasts. The initial term of the contract is one year, and upon expiration of the initial term, the contract will continue on a year to year basis until one party gives notice to terminate. At the present time the Company is not able to determine if the actual purchases will be in excess of these minimum commitments, or if any potential liability will be incurred. At December 31, 2008, the Company has approximately $340,000 in open purchase orders with this subcontractor. At December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $100,000 in open purchase orders with this subcontractor. At December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $81,000 on deposit with Sanmina-Sci.
Investment Advisory Agreements:
The Company entered into an agreement with an investment bank on October 13, 2006. In accordance with this agreement, the investment bank served as the Company’s non-exclusive placement agent for a private stock offering of 10,700,008 shares of common stock and 5,350,004 warrants which closed on November 30, 2006 (See Note 19). The investment bank was paid a retainer fee of $5,000, and the agreement called for the investment bank to receive 5.5% of the total cash invested by investors introduced by the investment bank upon closing. The investment bank introduced no investors in the private stock offering which closed on November 30, 2006. The Company subsequently terminated this agreement on January 13, 2007.
On October 31, 2008, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with an investor relations consulting firm. This consulting agreement calls for the consultant to perform investor relations services for the Company. For its services, the Company has agreed to pay the consultant a monthly retainer of $6,500 and a total of 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The term of the consulting agreement is initially for 3 months, and can be extended at the end of the term. The agreement terminated in January 2009 and has not been renewed.
NOTE 14 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, consulting fees of $12,000 were paid in each year to a director and stockholder of the Company, respectively, for serving as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
On October 29, 2007, the Company entered into a financing transaction in which it issued 113,500 units, each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s series B preferred stock and a warrant to purchase up to 50 shares of the Company’s common stock for $3,825,000 in cash and the cancellation of $1,850,000 of debt securities. In this transaction, Steven Strasser, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer purchased 16,000 units for $250,000 in cash and the cancellation of a $550,000 note; George Boyadjieff, a director and senior technical advisor of the Company, purchased 4,000 units for $200,000 in cash; Douglas Dunn, a director of the Company, purchased 1,000 units for $50,000 in cash; Gary Rado, a director of the Company, purchased 2,000 units for $100,000 in cash (See Note 18).
F-18 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
On January 21, 2008, the Company issued and sold and additional 5,600 units under the above referenced financing transaction. In this closing, Steven Strasser purchased 1,600 units for $80,000 in cash (See Note 18).
On November 30, 2006, the Company entered into a financing transaction in which it issued 10,700,008 shares of its common stock and 5,350,004 warrants to purchase common stock for $3,210,000 and $2,000,000 in senior secured notes in a private offering of equity and debt. In this transaction, Steven Strasser, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer purchased 1,166,668 shares of common stock and 583,334 warrants for $350,000, and was issued a senior secured note for $550,000; John (BJ) Lackland, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer purchased 100,000 shares of common stock and 50,000 warrants for $30,000; Robert Murray, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer purchased 100,000 shares and 50,000 warrants for $30,000; George Boyadjieff, a director and senior technical advisor of the Company was issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock and 500,000 warrants for $300,000; and Commerce Energy Group was issued a $200,000 secured note and 250,000 warrants (See Notes 16 and 19). The $2,000,000 in senior secured notes were paid off in full on October 29, 2007 (See Note 18).
Interest expense of approximately $0 and $665,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, was associated with related parties. Of the $665,000 amount, approximately $75,000 was cash interest paid to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, approximately $173,000 was cash interest paid to other investors who owned more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and voting equivalents, and approximately $417,000 was amortization of debt discount associated with related parties.
NOTE 15 - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year ended December 31, for:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Interest | $ | - | $ | 248,218 | ||||
Income/Franchise Taxes | $ | 12,271 | $ | 6,906 |
Non-cash items recorded during the year ended December 31, for:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Common Stock Dividends | $ | 545,800 | $ | - |
NOTE 16 - NOTES PAYABLE:
On November 30, 2006, the Company entered into a financing transaction in which the Company issued $2,000,000 of its two year, senior, secured promissory notes (collectively the “Notes”, individually a “Note”). The Notes were paid off in full on October 29, 2007 (See Note 18.)
F-19 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
The $2,000,000 loan consisted of $550,000 from Steven Strasser, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s largest beneficial shareholder, $200,000 from Commerce Energy Group, Inc, the Company’s second largest shareholder prior to the Offering, and $1,250,000 from individual investors. $1,450,000 of these Notes came from the exchange of existing promissory notes of the Company.
During 2005, the Company issued a $50,000 promissory note payable to its former landlord in connection with a settlement agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company paid $11,111 in principal. As of December 31, 2007, this note has been paid off in full.
NOTE 17 - EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENTS:
On June 1, 2005, the Company entered into an employment and compensation agreement with Steven Strasser, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The agreement is for a term of five years, with a base salary for the first year of the agreement of $275,000 with annual increases of at least 5% of the current year’s base salary and bonuses at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors. During the first year of the Agreement, an amount equal to $215,000 of the base salary shall be paid by grant of stock options under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to purchase 1,612,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, vesting in equal quarterly installments over the year ending June 1, 2006, and the remaining $60,000 of the base salary is to be paid in cash. The agreement with this Chief Executive Officer also provides, among other things, for reimbursement of certain business expenses and for certain payments to be made to this Chief Executive Officer in the event of a change of control. This Chief Executive Officer also received 1,818,180 incentive stock options which will vest over a five year period and have an exercise price of $0.22, and 1,181,820 non-qualified stock options which will vest over a five year period and have an exercise price of $0.20. The agreement also provides for certain non-competition and nondisclosure covenants.
On June 1, 2005, the Company entered into an employment and compensation agreement with John Lackland, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The agreement is for a term of five years, with a base salary for the first year of the agreement of $175,000 with annual increases of at least 5% of the current year’s base salary and bonuses at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors. During the first year of the Agreement, an amount equal to $55,000 of the base salary shall be paid by grant of stock options under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to purchase 412,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, vesting in equal quarterly installments over the year ending June 1, 2006, and the remaining $120,000 of the base salary is to be paid in cash. The agreement with this Chief Financial Officer also provides, among other things, for reimbursement of certain business expenses and for certain payments to be made to this Chief Financial Officer in the event of a change of control. This Chief Financial Officer also received 1,733,750 incentive stock options which will vest over a five year period and have an exercise price of $0.20, and 66,250 non-qualified stock options which vested on June 1, 2006 and have an exercise price of $0.20. The agreement also provides for certain non-competition and nondisclosure covenants.
F-20 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
On June 1, 2005, the Company entered into an employment and compensation agreement with Nicholas Anderson, the Company’s former Chief Technology Officer. On May 15, 2006, the Company terminated Nicholas Anderson, for cause, and cancelled his employment agreement with the Company. The Company has not accrued a loss related to this termination and does not foresee any material loss in its ability to manufacture current products or develop new products.
On June 9, 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with an advisor to serve as the Company’s Senior Technical Advisor. The term of this agreement is for 24 months and calls for the advisor to assist the Company in digitizing the Company’s technology. For his services, the Company agreed to issue the advisor 400,000 options, vesting quarterly from the date of the agreement. In addition, the Company will reimburse all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the advisor. In the event that the Company’s annual sales from digital products reaches $5,000,000, the Company will pay the advisor a $100,000 one time bonus. The agreement contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. This agreement can be terminated in 90 days by either party by written notices. On June 6, 2007, the Company renewed the agreement with the advisor. In connection with the renewal, the Company granted the advisor 1,000,000 warrants, which vest upon the approval of certain patents, created by the advisor, by the US Patent Office, or the buy-out of the Company, whichever occurs first.
On March 1, 2007, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a sales and marketing consultant. The term of this agreement is for 12 months and calls for the consultant to assist the Company in its business development, sales and marketing efforts. For his services, the Company has agreed to issue the consultant 100,000 warrants, vesting quarterly from the date of the agreement. In addition, the Company will reimburse all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the consultant. This agreement contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. Each party has the right to cancel this agreement with no less than 10 days notice in writing.
On March 21, 2007, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a product manager. This agreement was terminated on April 11, 2007 and all obligations have been satisfied in full, and all stock options issued to the product manager were cancelled.
On January 7, 2008, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a European sales and marketing consultant. This agreement was terminated on September 1, 2008 and all obligations have been satisfied in full and all stock options issued to the consultant were cancelled.
On January 23, 2008, the Company signed an efficiency aggregation contract with San Diego Gas & Electric Company (“SDG&E”). Under the terms of this contract, SDG&E will pay the Company $0.14 per kWh of energy saved in the first year of operation of the MEC, for new installations of the MEC in SDG&E’s service area. Payment to the Company is subject to certain inspections, approvals and time restrictions. The term of this contract is for 5 years, and either party may terminate this contract upon written notice.
F-21 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
On October 8, 2008 and October 27, 2008, the Company entered into two business advisory agreements with two advisors. The agreements call for each of the advisors to perform introductory and business development services for the Company. For their services, the Company has agreed to grant each advisor 250,000 common stock warrants, 50,000 of which will vest upon the commencement of testing of the Company’s technology as a direct result of the advisors efforts, and the remaining 200,000 will vest upon the purchase of the Company’s products or an agreement to license the Company’s technology as a direct result of the advisors’ efforts. The term of each agreement is for one year or until the engagement is completed, whichever occurs first, and can be cancelled by either party upon 60 days written notice.
NOTE 18 - ISSUANCE OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:
On October 29, 2007, the Company issued and sold 113,500 units (the “Units”), each Unit consisting of one share of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), and a warrant to purchase 50 shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in the sale and issuance of an aggregate of 113,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase, initially, up to 5,675,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrants”), in a private offering (the “Preferred Offering”) for $5,675,000 in cash and cancellation of indebtedness (See Note 16). Many of the purchasers of Units were either officers, directors or pre-existing stockholders or noteholders of the Company (See Note 14).
In connection with the Preferred Offering, the Company has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) to register the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock issued, as well as the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, not later than 60 days from the termination date of the Offering (the “Termination Date”), and must use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective not later than 120 days from the Termination Date.
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is initially convertible into 100 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder at any time. The Series B Preferred Stock is also subject to mandatory conversion in the event the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for any ten day period equals or exceeds $1.00 per share, such conversion to be effective on the trading day immediately following such ten day period. The Series B Preferred Stock has an 8% dividend, payable annually in cash or stock, at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. As such, none is accrued in these financial statements.
The Preferred Offering was conducted pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Regulation D, Section 4(2) and Rule 506 thereunder. No placement agent or underwriter was used in connection with the Offering and there is no commission, finder’s fee or other compensation due or owing to any party.
On November 8, 2007, the Company sold 5,000 units, resulting in the sale and issuance of 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $250,000 under the Preferred Offering.
F-22 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
On November 15, 2007, the Company sold 1,400 units, resulting in the sale and issuance of 1,400 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 70,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $70,000 under the Preferred Offering.
On December 20, 2007, the Company sold 9,500 units, resulting in the sale and issuance of 9,500 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 475,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $475,000 under the Preferred Offering.
On December 28, 2007, the Company sold 5,000 units, resulting in the sale and issuance of 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $250,000 under the Preferred Offering.
On January 21, 2008, the Company issued and sold 5,600 units, resulting in the sale and issuance of an aggregate of 5,600 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 280,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for $280,000 in cash under the Preferred Offering.
On November 1, 2008, the Company declared a stock dividend of 2,729,000 shares of common stock, valued at $545,800, payable to all of the holders of it’s Series B Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on November 24, 2008.
NOTE 19 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
On various dates from November 30, 2006 through March 31, 2007, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 14,116,680 shares of its common stock and 7,058,340 warrants to purchase its common stock (the “Equity Warrants”), in a private offering (the “Offering”) for $4,235,000 in cash, cancellation of indebtedness and in lieu of compensation owed to certain employees, officers and directors of the Company. The per share purchase price of the common stock was $0.30. The Equity Warrants have a per share exercise price of $0.40, are exercisable immediately and expire on various dates from November 29, 2011 through March 30, 2012.
The $4,235,000 investment included $250,000 from Steven Strasser, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, $30,000 from John (BJ) Lackland, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, $30,000 from Robert Murray, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer, and $300,000 from George Boyadjieff, a Director of the Company.
The Offering was conducted pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Regulation D, Section 4(2) and Rule 506 thereunder. No placement agent or underwriter is entitled to compensation in connection with either the Offering or the sale of the Notes and there is no commission, finder’s fee or other compensation due or owing to any party.
F-23 |
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
NOTE 20 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
SFAS No. 107 “Disclosure About the Fair Value of Financial Instruments”, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short term nature.
NOTE 21 - 401(K) RETIREMENT PLANS:
The Company maintains a 401(k) retirement plan (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan is voluntary, and available to all employees who have been with the Company for at least six months. The Company may make discretionary contributions. The Company did not make any contributions in 2008 or 2007.
NOTE 22 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
On March 11, 2009, the Company elected a new director to its Board of Directors. For his services on the Board of Directors, the new director received 100,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.11 per share.
On March 11, 2009, the Company entered into an consulting agreement with the newly elected director mentioned above. The agreement is for a term of 12 months. The consultant will receive $3,000 per month and 360,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $0.11 per share, under the terms of this agreement. The warrants vest equally over the term of the agreement.
F-24 |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
None
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (2) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2008, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, nor were there any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls. Accordingly, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.
(c) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Internal control over financial reporting is promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
• Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
• Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Readers are cautioned that internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even effective internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to the financial statement preparation and presentation.
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and15d-15(f) as of the end of the period covered by this Report based upon the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on such evaluation, our management has made an assessment that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2008.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
Item 9B. | Other Information. |
None.
PART III
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance. |
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table lists the current executive officers and directors and, in the case of directors, their length of service on the board. Each director is elected to hold office for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders held following such director's election and until his successor has been elected and qualified, or until his prior resignation or removal. All of the Company's current directors were either appointed by the plurality of votes cast by the holders of our common stock present, or represented, at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders in July 2008, or elected by the board.
Name | Age | Director Since | Position | |||
Steven Z. Strasser | 60 | 2002 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer | |||
John (BJ) Lackland | 38 | 2002 | Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary | |||
Raymond J. Skiptunis | 66 | 2002 | Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee | |||
George Boyadjieff | 70 | 2006 | Director, Senior Technical Advisor | |||
Douglas M. Dunn | 66 | 2006 | Director | |||
Richard Morgan | 63 | 2007 | Director | |||
Gary Rado | 69 | 2005 | Director | |||
Gregory Curhan | 47 | 2009 | Director, Consultant |
Director Independence
Pursuant to SEC rules, a majority of our Board of Directors is comprised of independent directors, as defined under Section 121(A) of the New York Stock Exchange Constitution and Rules. Messrs. Boyadjieff, Skiptunis, Dunn, Morgan and Rado are independent directors. Our audit committee is comprised of Messrs. Skiptunis, Dunn and Rado; and our compensation committee is comprised of Messrs. Skiptunis and Dunn, all of whom are independent directors.
Steven Strasser – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to becoming the Company’s CEO in October 2004, Mr. Strasser was the Managing Director, founder and majority owner of Summit Energy Ventures LLC, currently the largest shareholder in Power Efficiency Corporation. Summit is a private equity firm focused on investments in companies with energy efficiency technologies. At Summit, Mr. Strasser spent four years, from 2001 through 2005, evaluating and investing in energy technology companies and serving on the boards of portfolio companies. Mr. Strasser has been a director since August 2002.
From 1984 through 2000, Mr. Strasser was the founder and CEO of Northwest Power Enterprises. Over its seventeen-year history, Northwest Power Enterprises and its predecessor companies were involved in multiple aspects of the energy development business. Mr. Strasser received law degrees from McGill University, Montreal, Canada and the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
John (BJ) Lackland – Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary. Mr. Lackland became the Company’s CFO in October 2004. Mr. Lackland has been the Vice President and Director Summit Energy Ventures since 2001, a private equity firm that is the largest shareholder in Power Efficiency Corporation. Summit focuses on investments in companies with energy efficiency technologies. At Summit, Mr. Lackland evaluated and invested in energy technology companies and served on the boards of portfolio companies. Prior to joining Summit, Mr. Lackland was the Director of Strategic Relations at Encompass Globalization, where he was in charge of strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Encompass, he was the Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development at an Internet business development consulting company, where he was in charge of strategic planning and investor relations. Mr. Lackland has been an independent consultant to Fortune 1,000 companies and startups. Mr. Lackland also worked at The National Bureau of Asian Research, an internationally acclaimed research company focusing on U.S. policy toward Asia, where he led economic and political research projects for Microsoft, Dell, Compaq and U.S. government agencies. Mr. Lackland has been a director since August 2002.
Mr. Lackland earned an M.B.A. from the University of Washington Business School, an M.A. in International Studies (Asian Studies) from the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies, and a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Claremont McKenna College.
Raymond J. Skiptunis – Mr. Skiptunis was a director at TAG Entertainment, a movie production company from 2004 until January, 2007. Until September 2006, Mr. Skiptunis also served as an executive consultant at TAG Entertainment, from 2004. Prior to TAG Entertainment, Mr. Skiptunis was a self employed business consultant from 2003 to 2005. From November of 2001 through October of 2003, Mr. Skiptunis worked with the Company in various capacities, including consultant, CFO and interim CEO. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Skiptunis served as Vice Chairman and CEO of Teamstaff, Inc., a professional employer organization. Prior to his time with Teamstaff, Inc., Mr. Skiptunis was the Chairman and President of Venray Management Corp, a venture capital firm, from 1983 to 1990, and the Vice President, CFO and a board member of Biosearch Medical Products from 1978 to 1983. Mr. Skiptunis earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University.
George Boyadjieff — Director and Senior Technical Advisor. Mr. Boyadjieff has been a director of the Company since May 2006, and Senior Technical Advisor of the Company since April 2005. Mr. Boyadjieff is the retired CEO of the former Varco International, a New York Stock Exchange traded oil service company with over $1.3 billion in annual revenues at the time of Mr. Boyadjieff’s retirement. Varco has recently merged with National Oil Well to become National Oil Well Varco (NOV). Mr. Boyadjieff joined Varco in 1969 as Chief Engineer and was appointed CEO in 1991. Currently Mr. Boyadjieff is a director of Southwall Technologies, a Silicon Valley hi-tech firm. Mr. Boyadjieff joined Southwall in December 2004.
Mr. Boyadjieff holds over 50 US patents related to oil and gas well drilling equipment. Mr. Boyadjieff holds BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine executive program.
Dr. Douglas Dunn — Dr. Dunn has had an extensive career in research, business and academic leadership. Dr. Dunn served as dean of Carnegie Mellon University's Graduate School of Industrial Administration (now the Tepper School of Business) from July 1996 through June 2002, after which he retired. He began his career AT&T Bell Laboratories, and his corporate experienced culminated in senior positions as a corporate officer leading Federal Regulatory Matters, Regional Government Affairs, and Visual Communications and Multimedia Strategy for AT&T. Dr. Dunn is a board member of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (NasdaqNM: USAP) and Solutions Consulting, a technology consulting firm, which is wholly owned by Perot Systems, Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in business from the University of Michigan, an MS in industrial management and a BS in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Richard Morgan – Mr. Morgan is currently of counsel to the law firm of Lionel, Sawyer & Collins, and is the Dean Emeritus and a former Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a position he held from September 1, 1997 through June 30, 2007. Mr. Morgan is an experienced legal educator, having served as dean at both the Arizona State University College of Law and the University of Wyoming College of Law. Mr. Morgan earned his B.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley in 1967. In 1971 he received his J.D. from UCLA, where he was an editor of the UCLA Law Review. He practiced with the Los Angeles law firm of Nossaman, Krueger & Marsh in the corporate/securities areas from 1971 to 1980. He was a professor at the Arizona State University College of Law from 1980 to 1987 and served as associate dean from 1983 to 1987. He was dean at the University of Wyoming College of Law from 1987 to 1990 and returned to the Arizona State University College of Law in 1990, where he served as dean and professor of law until 1997.
Gary Rado – Mr. Rado retired in 2002 after being the President of Casio Inc. USA. Before joining Casio Inc. in 1996, Mr. Rado was with Texas Instruments Inc. for 21 years. He moved from District Sales Manager to Area Sales Manager to National Sales Manager of the Consumer Products Division. This division was responsible for home computer, calculator and educational products such as Speak and Spell. Mr. Rado was then promoted to Division Manager of Consumer Products worldwide and VP of marketing and sales. He ran the division for 7 years, with two years of running the division while based in Europe. Mr. Rado earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Concord College in 1963.
Gregory Curhan – Mr. Curhan most recently served as Executive Vice President of Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc. He also was President, Chairman of the Commitment Committee and Head of the Cleantech investment banking team of Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., the investment banking subsidiary of Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc., where he worked from January 2002 to January 2009. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer of WorldRes.com from May 1999 through June 2001. Prior to joining WorldRes.com, Mr. Curhan served as Director of Global Technology Research Marketing and Managing Director, specialty Technology Institutional Equity Sales at Merrill Lynch & Co. from May 1998 to May 1999. From 1993 through 1998, Mr. Curhan served as Partner, Director of Equities, and as Managing Director, Research Analyst at Volpe Brown Whelan. Mr. Curhan was a founder and principal of the investment advisor Curhan, Merriman Capital Management from July 1988 through December 1992. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Curhan was Vice President, Institutional Sales at Montgomery Securities, and was a Financial Analyst at Merrill Lynch from 1983 to 1985. Mr. Curhan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College.
Board of Directors and Committees of the Board
Our business affairs are conducted under the direction of our board of directors. The role of our board of directors is to effectively govern our affairs for the benefit of our stockholders and, to the extent appropriate under governing law, of other constituencies, which include our employees, customers, suppliers and creditors. Our board strives to ensure the success and continuity of our business through the selection of a qualified management team. It is also responsible for ensuring that our activities are conducted in a responsible ethical manner. Our board of directors has two standing committees – an audit committee and a compensation committee.
Our board of directors met five times in 2008. None of the current directors missed any meetings during 2008 and the meetings held by committees of the board of directors on which they serve.
We do not have a policy that requires directors to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. All but one of the directors attended the 2008 Meeting of Stockholders on July 11, 2008.
Audit Committee
Raymond Skiptunis, Douglas Dunn and Gary Rado currently serve on our audit committee. Messrs. Skiptunis, Dunn and Rado are each independent directors as required by Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Rule 10A(3)(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 121(A) of the New York Stock Exchange Constitution and Rules. Raymond Skiptunis, the Chairman of our audit committee, qualifies as a financial expert. Our audit committee, among other things:
• selects the independent auditors, considering independence and effectiveness;
• discusses the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditors and reviews with management and the independent auditors our interim and year-end operating results;
• considers the adequacy of our internal accounting controls and audit procedures;
• reviews and approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors; and
• administers the whistleblower policy.
The audit committee has the sole and direct responsibility for appointing, evaluating and retaining our independent auditors and for overseeing their work.
Compensation Committee
Raymond Skiptunis and Douglas Dunn currently serve on our compensation committee. Messrs. Skiptunis and Dunn are independent directors as required by SEC Rules and as defined in Section 121(A) of the American Stock Exchange Constitution and Rules. Our compensation committee, among other things:
• recommends to the board of directors the compensation level of the executive officers;
• reviews and makes recommendations to our board of directors with respect to our equity incentive plans;
• establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees.
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serve as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that all executive officers and directors of the Company and all persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the Company's common stock file an initial report of their ownership of the Company's securities on Form 3 and report changes in their ownership of the Company's securities on Form 4 or Form 5. These filings must be made with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers with a copy sent to the Company. To our knowledge, all executive officers, directors and all persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the Company’s common stock have timely filed these filings.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Company adopted a code of conduct on August 8, 2008. In early 2006, the Company developed and implemented an official Employee Manual that requires ethical behavior from its employees, and defines the consequences of unethical behavior by its employees.
Item 11. | Executive Compensation. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes compensation information for the last two fiscal years for (i) Mr. Steven Z. Strasser, our Principal Executive Officer and (ii) John (BJ) Lackland, our Principal Financial Officer, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the fiscal year and who we refer to collectively, the Named Executive Officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and principal position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven Z. Strasser(1) | 2008 | $ | 311,208 | - | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 311,208 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman and Chief | 2007 | $ | 297,172 | - | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 297,172 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John (BJ) Lackland (2) | 2008 | $ | 198,042 | - | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 198,042 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Director and Chief | 2007 | $ | 189,109 | - | - | - | - | - | - | $ | 189,109 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Officer | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
During 2004, we hired the following officers: Steven Strasser, Chief Executive Officer, and John (BJ) Lackland, Chief Financial Officer. Effective June 1, 2005, the Company entered into employment agreements with the above officers. These two individuals comprise our current executive officers. The term of each agreement is five years. In the event of a defined change in control of the Company, each agreement will provide for accelerated vesting of stock options and a cash severance payment equal to 2.99 times the executive's then current salary and previous year's bonus.
The following table sets forth the material financial terms of the agreements for each of our executives as of December 31, 2008:
Name | Salary (1) | Bonus(4) | Common Stock Options(5) | ||||||
Steven Strasser | $ | 275,000 | (2) | 3,000,000 | |||||
BJ Lackland | $ | 175,000 | (3) | 1,800,000 |
_________________
(1) | To be increased annually by at least 5% of current year’s base salary. |
(2) | First year's salary to be paid $60,000 in cash and options to purchase 1,612,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to not less than market at date of grant in lieu of remaining cash vesting quarterly over one year. |
(3) | First year's salary to be paid $120,000 in cash and options to purchase 412,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to market at date of grant in lieu of remaining cash vesting quarterly over one year. |
(4) | At the discretion of the disinterested members of the Board. |
(5) | Vesting evenly and quarterly over five years. |
Outstanding equity awards
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OPTION AWARDS | STOCK AWARDS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven Strasser | 2,045,460 | 527,269 | - | $ | 0.22 | 5/31/2010 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1,667,060 | 327,731 | - | $ | 0.20 | 5/31/2015 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
600,000 | - | - | $ | 0.65 | 11/28/2015 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BJ Lackland | 1,672,500 | 540,000 | - | $ | 0.20 | 5/31/2015 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
375,000 | - | - | $ | 0.65 | 11/28/2015 | - | - | - | - |
Stock Option Plan Narrative Disclosure
As of December 31, 2008, we had an aggregate of 13,579,896 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under our stock plans. The following is a description of our plans.
2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, or the 2000 Plan
The 2000 Plan, was adopted by our board of directors and our stockholders in 2000. On June 8, 2007, the 2000 Plan was amended and restated. As of December 31, 2007, no restricted shares of Common Stock have been issued, and 100,000 of the outstanding options to purchase shares of our Common Stock have been exercised pursuant to the 2000 Plan. There are 13,579,896 options outstanding under the 2000 Plan as of December 31, 2008.
Share Reserve. Under the 2000 Plan, we have initially reserved for issuance an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares.
Administration. The 2000 Plan is administered by the board of directors. The stock option awards qualify as "performance-based-compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, with two or more outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The board of directors has the power to determine the terms of the awards, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each award, the exercisability of the awards and the form of consideration payable upon exercise.
Eligibility. Awards under the 2000 Plan may be granted to any of our employees, directors or consultants or those of our affiliates.
Options. With respect to non-statutory stock options intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and incentive stock options, the exercise price must be at least equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant. In addition, the exercise price for any incentive stock option granted to any employee owning more than 10% of our Common Stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant. The term of any stock option may not exceed ten years, except that with respect to any participant who owns 10% or more of the voting power of all classes of our outstanding capital stock, the term for incentive stock options must not exceed five years.
Stock Awards. The administrator may determine the number of shares to be granted and impose whatever conditions to vesting it determines to be appropriate, including performance criteria. The criteria may be based on financial performance, personal performance evaluations and/or completion of service by the participant. The administrator will determine the level of achievement of performance criteria. Unless the administrator determines otherwise, shares that do not vest typically will be subject to forfeiture or to our right of repurchase, which we may exercise upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the participant's service with us for any reason, including death or disability.
Adjustments upon Merger or Change in Control. The 2000 Plan provides that in the event of a merger with or into another corporation or a "change in control," including the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and certain other events, our board of directors (or a committee of the board of directors) may, in its discretion, provide for some or all of:
· | assumption or substitution of, or adjustment to, each outstanding award; |
· | acceleration of the vesting of options and stock appreciation rights; |
· | termination of any restrictions on stock awards or cash awards; or |
· | cancellation of awards in exchange for a cash payment to the participant. |
Amendment and Termination. The board of directors has the authority to amend, alter or discontinue the 2000 Plan, subject to the approval of the stockholders, but no amendment will impair the rights of any award, unless mutually agreed to between the participant and the administrator.
Compensation of Directors Summary Table
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name (a) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond J. Skiptunis | $ | 12,000 | - | $ | 38,805 | - | - | - | $ | 50,805 | ||||||||||||||||||
George Boyadjieff | - | - | $ | 25,870 | - | - | - | $ | 25,870 | |||||||||||||||||||
Douglas M. Dunn | - | - | $ | 32,338 | - | - | - | $ | 32,338 | |||||||||||||||||||
Richard Morgan | - | - | $ | 25,870 | - | - | - | $ | 25,870 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gary Rado | - | - | $ | 32,338 | - | - | - | $ | 32,338 | |||||||||||||||||||
Greg Curahn | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Narrative to Director Compensation
In January 2008, non-employee directors received options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock per year for their board service, pro-rated for the quarters in the year they served. Employee directors do not receive compensation for serving on the board of directors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional 50,000 options per year, pro-rated for the quarters in the year he served, and $1,000 per month. The remaining members of the audit committee receive an additional 25,000, prorated for the quarters in the year they served. Depending on the anticipated workload and organization, the board of directors may elect to increase the compensation for committee members and/or all non-executive board members.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the personal liability of our directors shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL. Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL generally provides that no director shall be liable personally to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that our certificate of incorporation does not eliminate the liability of a director for (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) acts or omissions in respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases; or (iv) any transaction from which such director derives improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision is to eliminate our rights and the rights of our stockholders through stockholders' derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of her or his fiduciary duty of care as a director including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior except in the situations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above. The limitations summarized above, however, do not affect our or our stockholders' ability to seek non-monetary remedies, such as an injunction or rescission, against a director for breach of her or his fiduciary duty.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, indemnify all directors and officers who we may indemnify pursuant to Section 145 of the DGCL. Section 145 of the DGCL permits a company to indemnify an officer or director who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding because of his or her position, if the officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers consistent with indemnification to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL.
We maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by our directors and officers in connection with the performance of their duties. The entire premium for such insurance is paid by us.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, our directors and officers, and persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. |
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information as to our shares of common stock beneficially owned as of March 30, 2009 by (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Name of | Percent of | |||||||||
Title of Class | Beneficial Owner(1) | Shares Owned | Shares Owned(10) | |||||||
Common Stock | Steven Strasser, CEO, Chairman of the Board | 20,381,894 | (2) | 37.33 | % | |||||
Common Stock | John (BJ) Lackland, CFO, Director | 2,275,500 | (3) | 5.02 | % | |||||
Common Stock | Raymond J. Skiptunis, Director | 546,039 | (4) | 1.25 | % | |||||
Common Stock | Gary Rado, Director | 690,000 | (5) | 1.57 | % | |||||
Common Stock | George Boyadjieff, Director | 2,905,000 | (6) | 6.44 | % | |||||
Common Stock | Douglas Dunn, Director | 470,000 | (7) | 1.08 | % | |||||
Common Stock | Richard Morgan, Director | 200,000 | (8) | Less than 1% | ||||||
Common Stock | Summit Energy Ventures, LLC | 8,803,901 | (2) | 19.45 | % | |||||
Common Stock | Sarkowski Family L.P. | 7,356,981 | 15.63 | % | ||||||
Common Stock | Ron Boyer | 9,535,769 | 18.90 | % | ||||||
Common Stock | Michael J. Goldfarb Enterprises | 2,440,001 | 5.46 | % | ||||||
Common Stock | Byron LeBow Family Trust | 2,850,908 | 6.34 | % | ||||||
Common Stock | Marathon Resource Partners I L.P. | 4,184,107 | 9.18 | % | ||||||
Common Stock | Commerce Gas and Electric Corp. | 4,544,376 | (9) | 10.22 | % | |||||
Common Stock | All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (7 persons) | 27,468,433 | 45.52 | % |
________________________________
(1) | Information in this table regarding directors and executive officers is based on information provided by them. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes and subject to community property laws where applicable, each of the directors and executive officers has sole voting and/or investment power with respect to such shares. The address for each of the persons reported in the table other than Commerce Energy Group is in care of Power Efficiency Corporation at 3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Ste 460, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169. |
(2) | Includes 8,803,901 common shares and common shares subject to options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof held by Summit, in which Steven Strasser is one of two members, 1,760,000 common shares subject to the conversion of 17,600 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 9,586,600 common shares subject to options and warrants which are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Strasser was also granted an additional 900,000 common shares subject to options and warrants which will become exercisable after 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Strasser’s options and warrants expire on various dates from May, 2010 through November, 2015. |
(3) | Includes 2,587,500 common shares and common shares subject to options and warrants presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Lackland was also granted an additional 490,000 common shares subject to options which will become exercisable after 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Lackland’s options and warrants expire on various dates from May, 2010 through November, 2015. |
(4) | Includes 523,500 common shares subject to options and warrants presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Skiptunis’ options and warrants expire on various dates from October, 2014 through January, 2017. |
(5) | Includes 200,000 common shares subject to the conversion of 2,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 450,000 common shares subject to options presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Rado’s options expire on various dates from September, 2015 through January, 2017. |
(6) | Includes 400,000 common shares subject to the conversion of 4,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 1,425,000 common shares subject to options and warrants presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Boyadjieff’s options and warrants expire on various dates from April, 2010 through January, 2017. |
(7) | Includes 100,000 common shares subject to the conversion of 1,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 350,000 common shares subject to options presently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Dr. Dunn’s options expire on various dates from May 2016 through January, 2017. |
(8) | Includes 200,000 common shares subject to options presently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. Mr. Morgan’s options expire January, 2017. |
(9) | Includes 400,000 common shares subject to the conversion of 4,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 815,327 common shares subject to warrants presently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof, as well as 3,249,049 common shares owned by Commerce’s wholly owned subsidiary, Commonwealth Energy Corporation. Commerce’s warrants expire on various dates from October 2009 through November 2011. |
(10) | The percentage for common stock includes all common shares subject to options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof. |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence. |
Relationship with Steven Strasser and Summit
Mr. Strasser, our CEO, owns 99.5% of Summit. As of December 31, 2008, Summit owned 6,803,901 shares of our common stock and 2,000,000 warrants to purchase common stock. In addition, Mr. Strasser owns beneficially 20,381,894 shares of common stock (including those shares beneficially owned by Summit) issued or issuable on the exercise of options and warrants, and the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2008.
On January 21, 2008, Mr. Strasser purchased 1,600 units, resulting in the issuance of 1,600 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 80,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock, for $80,000 in cash.
Relationship with John (BJ) Lackland
Mr. Lackland, our CFO, owns 0.5% of Summit. Mr. Lackland owns beneficially 2,275,500 shares of common stock, issued or issuable on the exercise of options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2008.
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
(1) Audit Fees.
The aggregate fees billed in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 for professional services rendered by the principal registered accountant for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $51,125 and $52,390, respectively.
(2) Audit-Related Fees.
The aggregate fees billed in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements and are not reported under Item 14(1) above were $12,000 and $12,800, respectively. The audit-related fees were for professional services rendered in conjunction with SEC Registration Statement filings and amendments thereto.
(3) Tax Fees.
The aggregate fees billed in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $3,250 and $3,250, respectively.
(4) All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in Items 14(1) through 14(3) above were $5,000 and $0, respectively.
(5) Audit Committee Approval
During fiscal year 2008 and 2007, the Audit Committee pre-approved all engagements and fees for services the principal registered accountant provided since it was formally formed.
PART IV
Item 15. | Exhibits. |
(a) | Exhibits |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description of Document
Exhibit Number | Description | |
3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-SB filed on October 20, 2000. | |
3.2 | Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated June 5, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 18, 2002. | |
3.3 | Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated July 6, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed October 25, 2005. | |
3.4 | Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated October 13, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed October 25, 2005. | |
3.5 | Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company dated March 23, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on May 14, 2004. | |
3.6 | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Power Efficiency Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2003. | |
3.7 | Certificate of Certificate Eliminating Reference To A Series Of Shares Of Stock From the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated October 22, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on August 29, 2008. | |
3.8 | Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Registrant dated October 23, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on August 29, 2008. |
4.1 | Form of Placement Agent Warrant issued pursuant to Exhibit 10.45, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K Filed on July 19, 2005 | |
4.2 | Form of Investor Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2005 | |
4.3 | Specimen common stock certificate of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Form SB-2/A Registration Statement filed December 8, 2005. | |
4.4 | Agreement dated April 22, 2005, between the Company and Summit Energy Ventures, LLC, for the issuance of preferred stock and warrants, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed October 25, 2005. | |
4.5 | Agreement dated April 22, 2005, between the Company and Commerce Energy Group, Inc., for the issuance of preferred stock and warrants, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed October 25, 2005. | |
4.6 | Form of Equity Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 24, 2007 | |
4.7 | Form of Equity Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 8, 2007 | |
4.8 | Form of Warrant, issued to certain investors in the Company’s private placement of units on January 21, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on August 29, 2008. | |
10.1 | United States Patent #5,821,726, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-SB filed on October 20, 2000. | |
10.2 | 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-SB filed on October 20, 2000. | |
10.3 | Patent License Agreement (DN-858) with NASA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.4 | Patent License Agreement (DE-256) with NASA incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.5 | Settlement and Release Agreement with NASA incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.6 | Modification No. 1 to Patent License Agreement (DE-256) with NASA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.7 | Product Warranty, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.8 | Test Report from Medsker Electric, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.9 | Test Report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.10 | Test Report from Oregon State University - The Motor Systems Resource Facility, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. |
10.11 | Test Report from Otis Elevator Co., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-SB/A filed on October 26 2001. | |
10.12 | Certificate of Amendment of Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 25, 2003. | |
10.13 | Settlement Agreement and Mutual General Release with Stephen L. Shulman and Summit Energy Ventures, LLC dated October 3, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2003. | |
10.14 | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement among Anthony Caputo, Nicholas Anderson, Philip Elkus, Stephen Shulamn, Performance Control, LLC, Summit Energy Ventures, LLC and Power Efficiency Corporation dated September 22, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2003. | |
10.15 | Business Property Lease with Arens Investment Company dated November 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed March 10, 2004. | |
10.16 | Letter agreement with Pali Capital, Inc. dated February 25, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed March 10, 2004. | |
10.17 | Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan dated February 23, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed March 10, 2004. | |
10.18 | Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed March 10, 2004. | |
10.19 | Single Phase Licensing Agreement with Commerce Energy Group, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 15, 2004. | |
10.20 | Business Property Lease Amendment involving Glenborough LLC and Northwest Power Management, Inc. dated February 7, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2005. | |
10.21 | Settlement and Consulting Agreement with Keith Collin dated September 27, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2005. | |
10.22 | Placement Agency Agreement dated as of June 1, 2005, between the Company and Joseph Stevens & Co., Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed October 25, 2005. | |
10.24 | Consulting Agreement with George Boyadjieff, dated June 9, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006 | |
10.25 | Consulting Agreement with Steven Blum dated February 21, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006 | |
10.26 | Consulting Agreement with CEO Cast, Inc, dated January 2, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006 | |
10.27 | Letter Agreement with USBX Advisory Services, LLC, dated January 6, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB filed on March 31, 2006 | |
10.28 | Employment Agreement with Steven Strasser dated June 1, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.1 to the Company’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed July 13, 2005. |
10.29 | Employment Agreement with John Lackland dated June 1, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2005. | |
10.30 | Interim Financing Agreement with EMTUCK, LLC dated April 18, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2006. | |
10.31 | Promissory Note granted to EMTUCK, LLC dated April 19, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2006. | |
10.32 | Security Agreement with EMTUCK, LLC dated April 19, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2006. | |
10.33 | Form of EMTUCK Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2006. | |
10.34 | Promissory Note granted to EMTUCK, LLC dated May 19, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2006. | |
10.35 | Form of Pali Note Extension Consent Letter dated October 23, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2006. | |
10.36 | Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 30, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2006. | |
10.37 | Form of Note, dated November 30, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2006. | |
10.38 | Form of Debt Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2006. | |
10.39 | Form of Equity Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2006. | |
10.40 | Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007. | |
10.41 | Consulting Agreement amendment with George Boyadjieff, dated June 9, 2007, incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 13, 2007. | |
10.42 | Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated September 6, 2007 by and among the Company and Sanima-Sci Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2007. | |
10.43 | Consulting Agreement amendment with George Boyadjieff, dated June 9, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 13, 2007. | |
10.44 | Manufacturing Services Agreement, dated September 6, 2007 by and among the Company and Sanima-Sci Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 12, 2007. | |
10.45 | Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2007 by and between the Company and certain Investors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed on August 29, 2008. |
31.1 | Certification of Steven Strasser pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; filed herewith | |
31.2 | Certification of John Lackland pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; filed herewith | |
32.1 | Certification of Steven Strasser pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002; filed herewith | |
32.2 | Certification of John Lackland pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002; filed herewith |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
POWER EFFICIENCY CORPORATION | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ STEVEN STRASSER |
Steven Strasser, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ JOHN LACKLAND |
John Lackland, Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ Gary Rado |
Gary Rado, Director | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ George boydjieff |
George Boyadjieff, Director | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ Douglas Dunn |
Dr. Douglas Dunn, Director | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ Richard Morgan |
Richard Morgan, Director | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ Raymond J. Skiptunis |
Raymond J. Skiptunis, Director | ||
Dated: March 30, 2009 | By: | /s/ Gregory Curhan |
Gregory Curhan, Director |