UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
¨
Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or
S
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year endedJuly 31, 2004
or
¨
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 to 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________
Commission File Number: 0-29328
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact Name of Company as Specified in its Charter)
Province of British Columbia, Canada
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
322 - 4585 Canada Way
Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 4L6
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
None | | |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common shares without par value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
20,007,297 Common Shares outstanding as of July 31, 2004
Indicate by checkmark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES
__X__ NO _____
Indicate by checkmark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
ITEM 17 __X__
ITEM 18 _____
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements,” including without limitation statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” and words of similar import, as well as all projections of future results. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or achievements to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following:
- | Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend on our ability to sell certain of our assets, to restructure our existing debt and/or to raise additional financing. |
- | We have defaulted on certain of our debt obligations in excess of $2.6 million, and we currently do not have the ability to satisfy such obligations; |
- | We granted security interests in our assets to certain of our creditors, who may foreclose on our assets if we are unable to restructure our debt or obtain additional financing; |
- | We have a history of losses and declining revenues; |
- | We market only two products, the Top E® and Skycoaster® attractions, and we did not install any attractions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 and currently do not have any orders to install attractions in fiscal 2005; |
- | Our business is seasonal and our results of operations will fluctuate due to weather conditions, economic conditions, amusement park attendance and other factors, many of which are beyond our control; |
- | There are a limited number of potential customers and amusement parks for our products, and our rides have been installed in some locations for a number of years and may be unable to compete effectively against newer rides; |
- | We no longer maintain liability insurance and are subject to liability in the event our products prove defective; and |
- | Other factors affecting our business are described in the section under Item 3 “Key Information – Risk Factors”. |
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, opinions and expectations at the time they are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances, should change. You should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information disclosed in this Annual Report is presented in United States dollars and prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
PART I
ITEM 1
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3
KEY INFORMATION
A.
Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data regarding the our consolidated operating results and financial position. The data has been derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (“Canadian GAAP”). For a reconciliation to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), see note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements as at July 31, 2004 and 2003 and for the years ended July 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002. The financial data as at July 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 and for the years ended July 31, 2001 and 2000 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report. The following selected financial data is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected financial data is expressed in United States dollars.
| Fiscal year Ended July 31 |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
| | | | | |
Revenue (1) | | | | | |
Product Sales | $683,725 | $963,749 | $1,678,899 | $ 2,950,306 | $ 2,236,342 |
Cost of Sales | 426,236 | 592,897 | l,110,444 | 2,439,128 | 1,482,853 |
Gross Margin | 257,489 | 370,852 | 568,455 | 511,178 | 753,489 |
Other Revenue | | | | | |
Royalty Revenue | 1,007,774 | 1,024,889 | 982,547 | 1,141,134 | 1,287,413 |
Other Revenue | 51,848 | 261,166 | 299,650 | 88,974 | 605,331 |
| 1,317,111 | 1,656,907 | 1,850,652 | 1,741,286 | 2,646,233 |
| | | | | |
Expenses (2) | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | 1,381,927 | 2,897,035 | 3,882,788 | 3,737,269 | 4,114,485 |
US GAAP | 1,381,927 | 2,639,490 | 3,441,435 | 3,295,916 | 3,657,385 |
Asset write-downs and other costs | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | - | 1 | 331,000 | 876,495 | 300,000 |
US GAAP | - | 1 | 331,000 | 876,495 | 300,000 |
Income (Loss) | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | (65,508) | 4,818,993 (3) | (2,443,166) | (3,065,943) | (2,012,612) |
US GAAP | (65,508) | 5,076,538 (3) | (2,001,813) | (2,624,590) | (1,555,512) |
Income (Loss) per Share | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | ($0.003) | $0.26 | ($0.14) | ($0.18) | ($0.11) |
US GAAP | ($0.003) | $0.27 | ($0.11) | ($0.15) | ($0.09) |
| | | | | |
(1) | Certain of the comparative figures were reclassified to conform with the presentation for the current year |
(2) | Includes operating expenses, interest expense net of interest income and amortization of capital assets, and amortization of patent rights |
(3) | Includes a gain on a settlement of convertible securities in the amount of $6,116,246 resulting from our settlement of a $5,950,000 convertible debenture ($7,564,127 including accrued interest and an equity component of $495,381 prior to discharge) for $60,000 in cash, a promissory note in the principal amount of $60,000 and the issuance of 750,000 shares of common stock. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” below. |
| As at July 31 |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
| | | | | |
Working Capital (Deficiency) (1) | $(2,441,123) | $(2,551,245) | $(6,792,422) | $ 226,026 | $ 2,117,662 |
Total Assets | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | 730,603 | 839,226 | 1,995,697 | 5,448,650 | 8,470,803 |
US GAAP | 730,603 | 829,226 | 1,787,094 | 4,894,514 | 7,571,134 |
Long-term Obligations | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | 150,463 | - | 2,567,938 | 9,005,936 | 9,895,928 |
US GAAP | 150,463 | - | 2,567,938 | 9,141,698 | 10,127,510 |
Total Liabilities | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP (2) | 3,299,983 | 3,340,098 | 10,226,776 | 11,236,563 | 11,192,773 |
US GAAP (2) | 3,299,983 | 3,340,098 | 10,266,718 | 11,372,325 | 11,424,355 |
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency) | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | (2,569,380) | (2,503,872) | (8,231,079) | (5,787,913) | (2,721,970) |
US GAAP | (2,560,380) | (2,494,872) | (8,479,624) | (6,477,811) | (3,853,221) |
Outstanding Number of Shares | 20,007,297 | 20,007,297 | 17,504,497 | 17,504,497 | 17,504,497 |
Dividends Declared | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| | | | | |
(1) | Current Assets less Current Liabilities. Includes the full amount of the Convertible Debenture as a current liability in 2003. |
(2) | On December 20, 2002, the we entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement related to the settlement of a convertible debenture with a value prior to discharge on January 23, 2003 of $7,564,127 (including accrued interest and an equity component of $495,381) for $60,000 in cash, a promissory note in the principal amount of $60,000 and the issuance of 750,000 shares of common stock. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” below. We recognized a gain on the settlement of $6,116,246. |
Currency and Exchange Rates
Our consolidated financial statements are denominated in United States dollars.
| | Canadian Dollars Per United States Dollar |
| |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
End of period | 1.3296 | 1.4074 | 1.5845 | 1.5310 | 1.4880 |
Average for the period | 1.3388 | 1.4384 | 1.5036 | 1.4712 | 1.4711 |
High for the period | 1.4100 | 1.5963 | 1.6128 | 1.5788 | 1.5085 |
Low for the period | 1.2690 | 1.3348 | 1.5036 | 1.4720 | 1.4350 |
The following table sets forth the high and low exchange rates for one Canadian dollar expressed in terms of one United States dollar for each of the last six (6) months.
| November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004 | August 2004 | July 2004 | June 2004 |
High for the month | 1.2263 | 1.2726 | 1.3071 | 1.3323 | 1.3082 | 1.3772 |
Low for the month | 1.1775 | 1.2194 | 1.2648 | 1.2964 | 1.3353 | 1.3407 |
Exchange rates are based upon the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The noon rate of exchange on December 20, 2004 as reported by the United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars was $0.813 (US$1.00 = Cdn $1.2297). Unless otherwise indicated, in this annual report on Form 20-F (the “Annual Report” or “Form 20-F”) all references are to United States Dollars.
B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.
Risk Factors
The terms “Company”, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to the ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc. (ThrillTime) and its subsidiaries. Our securities are highly speculative. To date, we have had only limited revenues. A prospective investor or other person reviewing our business should not consider an investment unless the investor is capable of sustaining an economic loss of the entire investment. All our development, acquisition and operating costs have been funded through equity, debt, and, through product sales. Certain risks are associated with our business, including the following:
We are in default on obligations in excess of $2.6 million, subjecting our assets to foreclosure
We have defaulted on payments totaling approximately $1.8 million, as of December 20, 2004, due under a 10.5% non-convertible secured loan. The loan is secured by the shares of Skycoaster, Inc., and its assets including patents and trademarks and related recurring royalty stream generated from license agreements. We currently do not have the funds to satisfy this obligation. If we cannot successfully renegotiate the terms of the loan or make alternative arrangements to satisfy the obligations, the lender may foreclose on our assets. Due to the default status of this loan, this debt instrument has been classified as a current liability, increasing our working capital deficiency.
We defaulted under our obligation to make a lump sum payment in the amount of $100,000 on August 1, 2003 in connection with a Top E® settlement agreement. In May 2004 we negotiated an amendment to the payment schedule whereby commencing June 1, 2004, the monthly payments to retire the full amount outstanding at that time of $202,600 was decreased to $4,995 from $11,825. The unpaid amount bears interest at 8.5% per annum and is payable over a period of forty-eight months. We granted the third party a security interest in ten Top Eliminator® dragsters and an option to purchase two Skycoasters® at cost and royalty free until the debt is fully retired. We may not be able to pay the monthly payments as they become due.
We defaulted on our obligation to make four monthly payments in the amount of $15,000 plus interest in July, August, September, and October 2003, under the terms of a $60,000 promissory note. The promissory note is due on demand and bears interest at 18% per annum until the entire amount is paid in full. We currently do not have the funds to satisfy this obligation and are attempting to restructure this obligation.
As of December 20, 2004, our debt excluding accounts payable and accrued liabilities and interest consisted of:
| |
Non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum | $2,465,697 |
Note payable bearing interest at 18% per annum (5% in 2003) | 60,000 |
Amount due for settlement agreement | 195,515 |
| $2,721,212 |
We cannot assure you that we will be able to restructure these obligations on more favorable terms, if at all, or to raise additional financing. Certain of our debt is secured by our assets and the lenders may elect to foreclose on our assets or we may elect to sell some or all of our assets to meet our obligations. We cannot assure you that the proceeds from the sale of our assets will be greater than our outstanding debt obligations. We may be unable to continue as a going concern.
We have a history of operational losses
As of July 31, 2004, we had an accumulated deficit of $10,875,739. We have a history of losses including losses of $65,508 during our fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 and $2,443,166 during our fiscal year ended July 31, 2002. We would have recognized a loss during our fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, absent a $6,116,246 gain on a settlement of a convertible debenture, which resulted in net income of $4,818,993. We are currently using cash of approximately $100,000 per month for general operating and interest expenses, and anticipate that we will incur losses in our fiscal year ending July 31, 2005. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient sales in the future to attain any appreciable level of profits.
We may be unable to continue as a going concern
The auditors’ report on our consolidated financial statements includes comments for U.S. readers on Canada-U.S. reporting difference and Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements outlines factors that cast substantial doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern. We had a working capital deficiency of $2,441,123 at July 31, 2004, a shareholders’ deficiency of $2,569,380, were non-compliant with terms in certain debt instruments, and generated a loss in the current fiscal year. We had $170,213 in cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2004. Operations to date have been covered primarily from operating revenues generated by the amusement ride businesses and financings associated with long-term debt and equity transactions. We do not anticipate that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our obligations as they become due. ;Issuing shares to eliminate or reduce our outstanding debt is expected to cause substantial dilution to our existing shareholders. We will likely be required to sell some or all of our assets, including our subsidiaries, to continue as a going concern. As a result, our future operations are dependent upon completing the sale of our subsidiary companies to resolve our debt obligations, the continued support of creditors and shareholders, and, ultimately, the achievement of profitable operations.
There can be no assurances that we will be successful in raising additional cash to finance operations, successfully negotiate the sales of our subsidiary companies, or that the continued support of lenders will be available. If not, we will be required to reduce operations and/or liquidate assets. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Our overall revenues have experienced a decline
Revenue from product sales declined from $1,678,889 in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002, to $963,749 in fiscal 2003, to $683,725 in fiscal 2004. Revenue from royalties was $982,547 in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002, $1,024,889 in fiscal 2003, and $1,007,774 in fiscal 2004. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004, we did not install any new attractions, and we do not have any orders for new attractions for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2005. We have experienced an overall decline in revenues during the last five fiscal years, and this decline is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Recent declines in revenue resulted from weak general economic conditions, a decline in tourism, the age of our attractions and our lack of a marketing budget. We have no control over many of the factors that affect the sales of our products or demand for our rides.
Our rides are value added rides and must compete with other amusement park rides that are included in the price of admission
Our Top E® and Skycoaster® attractions must compete with other amusement rides for market acceptance and for the capital investment funds available at each amusement park. Our attractions are sold and licensed as an added value ride so that a park customer must pay for each ride in addition to any park entrance fee. While the park provides a showcase for the Top E® and Skycoaster® attractions, our rides must attract customers on their own merits since these attractions have a smaller rider capacity than competing rides. We currently have no meaningful marketing resources, which limits our ability to effectively market our Top E® or Skycoaster®to amusement parks.
Reliance upon the Top E® and Skycoaster® Products
We have only two commercial products and a limited installed base. We did not install any new rides in fiscal 2004 and do not anticipate that we will install any new rides in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we generate all of our revenue from products that are installed in amusement parks. Unlike other amusement ride manufacturers, we have only two established rides and these rides must be attractive enough to a sufficient number of riders to generate interest in new orders.
We rely on third parties to assemble our rides
For both our rides, we rely on a small number of suppliers for major manufactured parts used in the assembly of the end product, as well as for after-market part sales. An interruption in the supply of any of these parts could negatively affect the timely delivery of rides and parts to the buyers of our rides. This could result in a default in our obligations under these contracts, resulting in the loss of the sales and other revenue opportunities.
We are subject to risk of accidents resulting from design/manufacturing defects and our general liability insurance policy expired on October 31, 2004
Sales and other revenue from our attractions may be adversely affected by any serious accident or similar occurrence with respect to the attraction. Our general liability insurance policy expired on July 31, 2004 and we were granted monthly extensions to October 31, 2004. Due to the uncertainty, timing and nature of our current financial condition and operations, we were unable to secure a general liability insurance policy.
Inclement weather adversely affects our business
Most of the attractions at amusement parks are located outdoors; consequently, attendance at parks and our revenues may be significantly affected by the weather. Unfavorable weekend weather and unusual weather of any kind can adversely affect park attendance. In addition, the Top E® attraction cannot operate in wet weather.
Our business is subject to seasonal effects
The operations of most parks are highly seasonal with park attendance occurring primarily in the second and third calendar quarters. As a result, the vast majority of our royalty and ancillary cash flow revenue from our attractions will be generated during this period.
Economic conditions affect the demand for our products
The amusement and entertainment industries are highly dependent on tourism and consumers with disposable income, which may be affected by general economic conditions. Approximately 90% of our total revenue was derived from the United States. The recent downturn in the United States economy and recessionary trend have had and may continue to have an adverse affect on our revenues from royalties and product sales.
Our revenue and results of operations will likely be adversely affected by increased unemployment, inflation and decreases in travel and vacation expenditures. The condition of the capital markets will affect our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms.
We are subject to governmental regulation
Park operations are subject to increasingly stringent federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations governing noise levels, air emissions, soil contamination and the disposal of waste and hazardous materials. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with applicable current regulatory standards. If these standards change, we may require significant modifications and expenditures on our attractions to meet such requirements.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property
Our success will depend significantly on our ability to obtain and enforce intellectual property protection for the proprietary hardware and software and the other proprietary portions of our rides in the United States and in other jurisdictions. Our U.S. patent protection covers major aspects of our technology and our trademark protection covers proprietary marks in the United States. There can be no assurance that the claims allowed will be sufficient to protect our technology, or that patent laws will provide remedies sufficient to preclude any infringement of our rights, either in the United States or elsewhere. In addition, there is no assurance that a patent issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that our competitors will not independently develop or patent technologies that are equivalent or superior to ours. While we have attempted to prot ect our technology and general intellectual property rights under the applicable patent and trademark laws of the United States and will undertake, as economics allow and circumstances require, obtaining similar protection in other jurisdictions, there is no assurance that our efforts will effectively protect us or our products against piracy. Monitoring and identifying unauthorized use of technology, trademarks, service marks and other proprietary rights and property may prove difficult, particularly outside of North America, and the cost of litigation may impair our ability to adequately guard against such piracy or infringement.
Delays in delivery of our products may adversely affect our business
The timing or the amount of any revenues which we will receive from the sale of our rides or from the continuing royalties, merchandise sales or new product applications or developments cannot be precisely predicted. Any substantial delay in product development, technology introduction or market acceptance could result in significant delays in revenues and could allow competitors to reach the market with products that could successfully compete with us for market acceptance and access. In addition, we are dependent on third party manufacturers, and production scheduling problems, beyond our control, could affect our ability to deliver rides to buyers on a timely basis.
We cannot assure you that a public market for our stock will continue to be available
Our shares are listed and traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “THL” and OTCBB under the symbol “THLL-F”. While we intend to maintain our listings on the TSX Venture and OTCBB, we cannot assure you that we will continue to meet listing and reporting obligations to remain eligible for listing or that these trading markets will be retained so as to correspond with an investor’s desire for a ready market for our shares.
As part of its restructuring activities, which includes the possible sale of our subsidiaries or their assets to eliminate and/or significantly reduce the current debt load, the Board of Directors is currently developing a transition plan that will involve exploring and pursuing other business opportunities aimed at increasing shareholder value. After the sale of its interests in its subsidiaries, if the Company does not meet certain working capital requirements, it may be dropped to the NEX tier level of the TSX Venture Exchange and, as a result, certain limitations would be imposed on our ability to raise equity capital.
Speculative Nature of TSX Venture Exchange Market and Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board Market
The TSX Venture is known as a risk capital exchange where shares of speculative companies are often brought to market and traded. Many of the companies on the TSX Venture have not engaged in profitable operations and are undertaking start up or mineral exploration activities. The liquidity and depth of the market of the TSX and OTCBB may be dependent upon a substantial number of factors including the economies in British Columbia, Canada and the United States and the desire of investors to enter into a speculative market. This may affect the pricing of our securities.
Rules 15g-1 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on NASD broker-dealers who make a market in a “penny stock.” A penny stock generally includes any non-NASDAQ equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. The closing price of our shares on the OTCBB on December 20, 2004 was $0.019 per share. As such, our shares are deemed penny stock for the purposes of the Exchange Act. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon broker-dealers may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in the shares, which could severely limit the market liquidity of our shares and impede the sale of our shares in the secondary market.
Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or “accredited investor,” generally, an individual with net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with his or her spouse, must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and t he registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer’s account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.
Our business may be affected by currency fluctuations and other international factors
We anticipate that we will pursue product markets on a world-wide basis. We have sold the Top E® and Skycoaster® to customers throughout the world. As a result, our business and results of operations may be affected by currency fluctuations, income tax matters and government regulations of the various jurisdictions, all of which will increase the complexities of our operations at this stage of our development.
It may be difficult to enforce judgments against our officers and directors in the United States
All of our directors and officers are residents of Canada. Consequently, it may be difficult for United States investors to affect service of process within the United States upon directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities under the Exchange Act, as amended. A judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities may be enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained had jurisdiction, as determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or us predicated solely upon such civil liabilities.
Our contracts may be governed by the laws of foreign jurisdictions
The various material agreements to which we are a party are governed by the law of several different countries and jurisdictions and there is no assurance that such agreements can be enforced in the courts of Canada. The inability to enforce such agreements in Canada may have a material adverse effect on our business.
ITEM 4
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.
History and Development of the Company
ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc., a British Columbia corporation (“ThrillTime”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Superstar Dragsters, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Superstar”), Skycoaster, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Skycoaster”), and ThrillTime Entertainment (US), Inc., a Nevada corporation (collectively, as applicable, the “Company”), is in the business of designing, prototyping, manufacturing and selling actual experience, amusement rides for destination and regional amusement thrill parks and family fun centers.
ThrillTime was incorporated on August 29, 1988, as a British Columbia corporation under the name Aramis Ventures Ltd. In 1992, under new management, we changed the nature of our business from mineral exploration to designing, manufacturing and marketing amusement park rides. We discontinued all of its mineral exploration activities in connection with our change of business. On April 5, 1994, we changed our name to Newera Capital Corporation and on August 12, 1997, we changed our name to our current name. The memorandum of the Company was amended on January 22, 1999 to increase the authorized capital from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 shares without par value.
The principal executive office of ThrillTime is located at #322 – 4585 Canada Way, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 4L6. Our registered office’s address and telephone number are: #1500 – 1055 West Georgia Street, P.O. Box 11117, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7, (604) 689-9111.
Neither ThrillTime nor any of our subsidiaries have been subject to any bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings. Where the context requires, the term “Company” includes the subsidiaries of the Company.
Our common shares commenced trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange on September 14, 1989, now the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX Venture”), and are currently traded under the symbol “THL.” Our common shares have been quoted on the National Securities Dealers’ Association Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) since January 15, 1996, and are quoted under the symbol “THLL-F”. (See “Nature of Trading Market”.)
There have been no indications of any public takeover offers by third parties in respect to our shares or by us in respect of other companies’ shares which have occurred during the last and current financial year.
B.
Business Overview
As part of its restructuring activities, which includes the possible sale of our subsidiaries or their assets to eliminate and/or significantly reduce the current debt load, the Board of Directors is currently developing a transition plan that will involve exploring and pursuing other business opportunities aimed at increasing shareholder value. The outcome of this process is not determinable.
At the present, we are in the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing amusement park “thrill rides.” We currently market two such thrill rides:
The Skycoaster®
In 1998, we acquired rights to the Skycoaster®, which is currently installed and licensed in 69 amusement parks throughout the world. The Skycoaster® consists of a swing, suspended by steel flight cables from either an arch or an A-Frame structure. One, two or three people (flyers) are harnessed and attached to the flight cables. A steel launch cable suspended from a launch tower behind the flyers is attached to the flyers. The flyers are then towed to the top of the launch tower. Once the flyers have reached the top of the launch tower, one flyer pulls a rip cord device, and all of the flyers free fall until the flight cables take hold of the flyers and swing them back and forth in a pendulum motion.
The Top E®
In 1992, we began developing a thrill ride called the Top E®, which is currently installed in 4 amusement parks in the U.S. The Top E® package consists of parallel lanes of metal tracking, and a series of 18 foot dragster cars, each with a fully powered General Motors 300 horse power engine, a control tower and a complex computer hardware and software system that controls the starting line, the timing, the braking and safety systems of the ride. Riders are able to control the speed with their own gas pedal and have an actual race experience with the drivers in the other lanes.
The Amusement Park Ride Industry
The amusement park and ride industry in North America can be characterized based on two types of competitors, which also represents our target market:
Large Corporations and Amusement Park Developers: There are a small number of very large corporate firms that develop and operate destination amusement theme parks and resort areas. The large corporations include, among others, Disney, MCA, Anheuser Busch, Cedar Fair, and Six Flags, Inc. These parks are generally built in conjunction with existing attractions, studios or other facilities, such as Universal City in Burbank, California, or on a stand-alone basis, such as Disney World and EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. In some cases, developers of theme parks have also designed and installed amusement park rides.
Private Companies: The remaining segments of the United States amusement ride and park markets include a large number of privately or family-owned businesses, which have developed in particular cities or regions and have operated as independent, privately held enterprises or structural and engineering companies that build a single product line, such as roller coasters or ferris wheels and sell them to the parks.
Traditionally, rides have been manufactured by private enterprises or structural engineering companies which have built and sold rides sometimes referred to as “hard rides.” Hard rides are traditional mechanical rides that entertain riders through physical movement or ride experiences. Hard rides include (i) “thrill rides,” such as roller coasters, bungy jumping and high speed spinning rides and (ii) “specialty rides,” such as carousels and ferris wheels. Our Top E® and Skycoaster® are thrill rides. Hard rides are generally sold either on a pre designed-to-build or a specialty manufacturing basis.
In recent years, with the advent of computer and multi-media systems, there has been a trend to develop “virtual reality” rides, which provide computerized simulations of hard or thrill rides. We do not currently intend to develop or market any virtual reality rides.
The Company’s Business
Business Strategy
In the early 1990’s, management identified a potential business opportunity to manufacture, install and service “hard rides” in various mid-sized and regional amusement parks. We believed that we could develop a market for thrill rides that we designed, developed and manufactured and achieve certain economies by replicating installations of these rides in other amusement parks.
In addition, through analyzing the existing industry, management recognized that hard ride manufacturers generally sold their rides to the user. This practice resulted in only a single revenue event, rather than an opportunity to participate in ongoing revenues generated from the ride or amusement attraction. As an integral part of our business strategy, we generally arrange for the manufacture and sale of our attractions to amusement parks and retain a license, which entitles us to royalties based on revenues from ridership, merchandise, rider videos, photography and advertising generated by the thrill ride attraction. We currently outsource manufacturing and marketing functions and use internal purchasing agents to minimize our overhead expenses. (See “Description of Business - The Company’s Manufacturing and Procurement Strategy”.)
There can be no assurance that we will continue to successfully market the Skycoaster®, Top E® attractions, or successfully develop other projects or that such projects, if developed, will generate any revenues or profits from operations.
The Company’s Market Approach
In the amusement ride industry, most amusement ride manufacturers sell their rides without retaining a residual royalty or other revenue interests. As a result, after an initial sale, amusement ride manufacturers have not had an on-going source of cash flow from their rides. To address this limitation, when we sell our rides or attractions we also enter into a license for the use of our patents and trademarks. We not only receive the initial sales price, but also receive on-going cash flow from participation in royalties, joint venture revenue, merchandising, and video/photography opportunities. The on-going cash flow enables us to share in the success of our attractions.
The Company’s Marketing Strategy
Our marketing plan is based on a strategy of generating revenues from the sale of attractions; royalties based on on-going ride usage or revenue; and royalties on ancillary products, videos and photography, related merchandise, advertising and revenues from joint ventures. Due to our current financial condition we have been unable to effectively market our products.
The Company’s Manufacturing and Procurement Strategy
We do not own or operate a manufacturing facility and rely primarily on third-party vendors to manufacture components for our Skycoaster® and Top E®. We contract with several third-party vendors to manufacture Skycoaster® components, which are delivered to and consolidated at the buyer’s site for installation and construction. The Top E® consists of components that are purchased from third-party vendors under contractual or supply arrangements. These components include the electrical and computer control systems and software, steel/metal fabrication, braking systems, and the dragster cars. Our manufacturing outsourcing has relieved us of the start-up and overhead costs of a manufacturing plant and of maintaining or financing significant related inventory. We believe we will have sufficient lead time to allow us to plan, coordinate and adapt our manufacturing requirements in advance.
We generally enter into new contractual arrangements once a new sale to a customer is finalized. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to procure components for our rides in a timely manner, if at all, or on commercially reasonable terms. In the event that we are not, delivery of customer orders may be delayed and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
The Company’s Delivery and Support Programs
We provide each purchaser with detailed engineering requirements to install the Skycoaster® , and the Top E®. The purchaser can elect to do its own construction and installation, retain an independent contractor or have us arrange for the construction and installation.
We supervise the final installation of the ride components and provide on-site training on safety, operations, maintenance and inspections upon installation of either ride. We test and certify ride operators prior to allowing a purchaser to operate a Skycoaster® or Top E® ride. We provide operators with periodic refresher courses in operations and safety.
Generally, the buyer takes delivery of its Skycoaster® or Top E® at a manufacturing facility designated by us pursuant to a standard form of purchase and license agreement. Delivery to countries in Asia, Europe and South America are made by container shipment, which is economical and enables secure packaging of the rides. We anticipate that we will generate additional revenues from the supply of parts and service to operating parks.
The Company’s Research and Development
In 1998, ThrillTime acquired a company which owned the patents and trademarks related to the Skycoaster® ride system. The Skycoaster® was fully developed at that time.
We developed the Top E® attraction using a combination of our own personnel and outside resources.
We spent $15,726, $11,210, and $9,053 on research and development for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
The Company’s Proprietary Systems
The Skycoaster® proprietary system is a combination of the flight and launch towers, flight cables, launch cable and winch, harnesses, loading platform, copyrighted manuals and logos and the registered trademarks and patents.
The Top E® dragster ride is a patented amusement ride, and the computer operating safety hardware and software developed for the Top E® are also proprietary. We believe these systems can be adapted to other attractions that we may develop. We anticipate that continued use and adaptation of the proprietary system may allow us to develop similar systems and applications for other rides. Top E®, Top Eliminator® and Top Eliminator Dragsters® are all registered trademarks of ThrillTime.
The Company’s Proprietary Protection
We obtained United States patents for the Top E® and Skycoaster® attractions. We made international PCT patent filings both attractions and national filings in most of the major countries of the world to obtain international patent protection. We have also developed proprietary information with respect to the Top E® attraction’s computer software safety and operating systems. There can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain any new patents, protect our existing US and foreign patents or that such patents, if granted, will protect us from potential competitors.
Material Agreements Related to the Company’s Business
Acquisition of Skycoaster® Attraction
On July 3, 1998, ThrillTime and Skycoaster entered into an agreement with Sky Fun 1, Inc. (“Sky Fun”) and William J. Kitchen (“Kitchen”) to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Sky Fun.
We agreed to purchase the shares of Sky Fun for a total of $12,075,000, consisting of a cash payment of $6,000,000 and 607,500 of ThrillTime’s common shares at a deemed value of $10 per share. We also agreed to make additional payments or issue additional shares to Kitchen in the event (i) the market price of our shares was less than $10 per share and/or (ii) the average daily trading volume of our shares for the 30 consecutive trading days prior to July 3, 1999 was less than 15,000 shares. We assigned certain intellectual property acquired from Sky Fun to Kitchen to secure payment, and Kitchen granted an exclusive license to the intellectual property to us.
Based on the closing share price of our shares on July 3, 1999, our liability to Kitchen relating to the share price provisions was $5,950,470. We and Kitchen subsequently agreed to settle this liability for $4,000,000, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding dated August 17, 1999, as amended November 2, 1999. We paid the settlement amount on November 8, 1999. The $543,522 difference between the contingent amount due, calculated at the time of the acquisition, and the ultimate settlement price of $4,000,000, was recorded as a reduction in the value of the patent rights acquired.
In November 1999, we completed a $4,000,000 financing througha non-convertible secured loan with a rate of interest of 10.5% per annum. We used these funds to complete the acquisition of Sky Fun. Under the terms of the loan agreement, we pledged to the lender our common shares of Skycoaster, as well as the Skycoaster® worldwide patents, trademarks and royalty stream.
Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc. (“Malibu”)
During fiscal 1997, we entered into a master sales and license agreement with Malibu to provide 32 lanes of the Top E® ride in fiscal 1997, 40 lanes in fiscal 1998 and 48 lanes in fiscal 1999. Malibu defaulted on the agreement in 1999 and during fiscal 2000, we entered into a settlement agreement with Malibu whereby they paid us $1.1 million in cash and issued us 4,633,922 common shares that had an average trading value of $0.3237 per share at the time of issuance. The shares were subject to a one year hold period that expired February 18, 2001. The settlement agreement provided Malibu the option to purchase the shares from the Company for cash of $1.5 million to August 16, 2000, which expired unexercised.
As a result of the hold period, we initially recorded the Malibu shares at their estimated fair value of $500,000. On July 31, 2000, the quoted market value of the shares was $0.22 per share and on November 10, 2000, the quoted market value of shares had declined to $0.045 per share. As a result, On July 31, 2000, we recorded a provision for a $300,000 decline in value of the Malibu shares. On July 31, 2001, the quoted market value of the shares was $0.02 per share and we recorded a further decline in value from $200,000 to $1. On January 21, 2002, Malibu announced that it would terminate the registration of its common shares under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and to cause its common shares to cease to be traded on the OTC Bulletin Board on January 24, 2002 and subsequently our investment in Malibu was completely written off on July 31, 2003.
On July 5, 2002 we consented to the assignment by Malibu of two of its license agreements along with all of its Top E® inventory to Festival Fun Parks LLC (“FFC”) (d/b/a Palace Entertainment). FFC have agreed to observe and perform all covenants and obligations under the license agreements. Malibu surrendered all rights to territorial protection under the December 1999 Settlement Agreement and FFC agreed to observe and be bound by the inventory obligations contained in the Agreement. FFC have agreed to refrain from installing any of the inventory at any location without entering into a License Agreement with us.
Purchase and License Agreements
We sell our attractions under a purchase and license agreement which specifies the price, and terms of payment and, provides the purchaser with a license to operate the attraction and to use the trademarks associated with it. In the past the term of each agreement began on the date of execution and continued for the life of the patent. The Skycoaster® patent expires on August 19, 2012 and the Top E® patent expires on December 31, 2015. Throughout the term of each purchase and license agreement, we generally grants each park exclusive territory rights within a specified mile radius of the location of the ride.
Each purchase and license agreement also includes a royalty payable to us equal to a negotiated percentage of the ticket price for a ride on the attraction, as well as a royalty based on the selling price of the sale of products or services bearing our trademarks. In most cases, there is a minimum royalty payment per year depending on the agreement with the park. In some cases, depending on individual negotiations, we may be paid a one time royalty payment on the date the purchase and license agreement is executed. Currently, Skycoaster has a joint venture agreement with an amusement park, under which the park shares in the revenues generated from ride and merchandise sales. For Top E®, royalties vary according to individual negotiations.
C.
Organization Structure
The following table sets forth the name of each material subsidiary of ThrillTime, the jurisdiction of its incorporation and the director or indirect percentage of our ownership in such subsidiary.
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction of Incorporation | Percentage Ownership |
Superstar Dragsters, Inc. | Nevada | 100% |
Skycoaster, Inc. | Nevada | 100% |
ThrillTime Entertainment (US), Inc. | Nevada | 100% |
D.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Our corporate headquarters is located in Burnaby, British Columbia. In an effort to streamline both our Skycoaster and Superstar Dragsters operations, in addition to cutting costs, the Skycoaster operations office was moved from Longmont, Colorado to Layton, Utah in August 2002. ThrillTime and Skycoaster now lease approximately 4,989 square feet of office space at an annual aggregate rental of approximately $45,000. The leases expire on December 31, 2004 and July 31, 2005, respectively. We believe these offices are adequate for our needs.
ITEM 5
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion and analysis explains trends in our financial condition and results of operations for the three fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. This discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes, as well as statements made elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP which conforms to U.S. GAAP, except as described in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all references to dollar amounts in this section are in United States dollars. The discussion is based on the consolidated financial statements as prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
We are in the business of developing, manufacturing and acquiring proprietary actual experience amusement rides for sale to destination and regional amusement parks and family fun centers throughout the world. Operations from 1995 through 1998 consisted primarily of developing and refining the Top E® attraction, and in 1996, we commenced marketing the attraction. In 1998, we acquired the Skycoaster®, a fully developed amusement ride and are currently marketing that ride to buyers.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions which can affect the reported balances. In determining estimates of net recoverable amounts and net realizable values, or whether there has been a permanent impairment in value for accounts receivable, inventories, capital assets, investments, patent rights and other assets, we rely on assumptions regarding applicable industry performance and prospects, as well as general business and economic conditions that prevail and are expected to prevail. Assumptions underlying asset valuations are limited by the availability of reliable comparable data and the uncertainty of predictions concerning future events.
By nature, asset valuations are subjective and do not necessarily result in precise determinations. Should the underlying assumptions change, the estimated net recoverable amounts and net realizable values may change by a material amount. Our significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which should be read in conjunction with management’s discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates set forth below.
Going Concern and continuing operations
Our financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business notwithstanding that, at July 31, 2004, we had a working capital deficiency of $2,441,123, a shareholders’ deficiency of $2,569,380, was non-compliant with terms in certain debt instruments, and generated a loss in the current fiscal year.
As at July 31, 2004 we had $170,213 in cash and short-term deposits compared to $202,943 as at July 31, 2003, a decrease of $32,730.
Operations to date have been covered primarily from operating revenues generated by the amusement ride businesses and financings associated with long-term debt and equity transactions. Despite the fact that the long term debt has been reduced significantly over the past few years, we continue to struggle to meet our debt servicing requirements. With the current low share price, issuing shares to eliminate or reduce the debt load would be punitive to the current shareholders from a dilution perspective. As a result, our future operations are dependent upon completing the sale of our subsidiaries to resolve our debt obligations, the continued support of creditors and shareholders, and, ultimately, the achievement of profitable operations.
There can be no assurances that we will be successful in raising additional cash to finance operations, successfully negotiate the sales of our subsidiary companies, or that the continued support of lenders will be available. If not, we will be required to reduce operations and/or liquidate assets. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Revenue recognition
Revenues from the sale of entertainment rides are recognized by the percentage of completion method whereby revenue recognized in the statement of operations is the percentage of estimated total revenue relating to the contract that incurred costs to date bear to estimated total costs, after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information. Royalty revenues are recorded as they have been earned and a fixed payment is received or receivable in accordance with the specific terms and conditions of royalty agreements. Other revenues, consisting primarily of sales of parts, are recorded at the time of delivery.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, and net realizable value. We are required to make a periodic assessment of the net realizable value in valuing out inventory. In making this assessment we consider market demand for our products, other available market information and historical experience. Due to the lack of sales of the Top EliminatorÒ attraction, from 2000-2002, we wrote-down 100% of its finished goods and work in process, initially valued at approximately $1.2 million.
Capital assets
Capital assets are recorded at cost and are amortized over their remaining estimated useful life. We amortize equipment on a declining-balance basis at between 20% and 30% per annum, and our joint venture Skycoaster on a straight-line basis over the term of our operating agreement. When certain events occur that indicate that the capital assets’ carrying value may not be recoverable, we test for impairment by reference to future undiscounted cash flows estimated from use or disposition. In this process, we consider our business risks outlined elsewhere in this annual report.
A.
Operating Results
We generate revenues by installing our attractions pursuant to purchase and license agreements, which typically include a license to operate our attractions and to use the trademarks associated therewith. Each purchase and license agreement also includes a royalty payable to us equal to a negotiated percentage of the ticket price for a ride on the attraction, as well as a royalty based on the selling price of the sale of products or services bearing the trademarks. In most cases, we have minimum royalty payments per year depending on the agreement with the park.
Year ended July 31, 2004 Compared to July 31, 2003
Revenues and Cost of Sales
Revenues from product sales, royalties, interest income and other revenue for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 were $1,743,472 compared to $2,250,519 for the comparable period a year earlier. We did not install any new rides in fiscal 2004, and currently have no orders to install rides in fiscal 2005. All of our product revenues in fiscal 2004 were derived from sales of parts and services. The 22.5% decline in product revenue is due in part to the continued sluggish U.S. economy, lower attendance at parks, lower capital spending by parks and territorial limitations in the U.S. built into our existing contracts hampering new ride sales. Our financial condition has adversely affected our ability to market our products.
Gross margin for the fiscal year was $257,489 compared to $370,852 for the corresponding period a year ago due to lower product sales revenue. As a percentage of product sales, gross profit for the fiscal year 2004 came in at 37.7 % compared to 38.5% for the comparable period.
Royalty and other revenue for the fiscal year 2004 was $1,059,622, compared to $1,286,055 for the previous year due in part to lower ride revenue associated with lower attendance at the parks, and the fact that in 2003 we sold a Skycoaster® asset to a joint venture partner as part of a buy out option and we are now receiving royalty rather than joint venture revenue.
Operating Expenses
As a result of implementing cost cutting measures, general and administration expenses for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 were $984,517, compared to $1,285,377 for the corresponding fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, down $300,860, or 23%. These expenses include $244,779 for insurance coverage, down $154,929 for the same period in 2003. This decrease in insurance expense has resulted from management’s decision to not carry excess liability insurance coverage over the $1 million primary coverage. Management believes that our safety track record and risk management and safety compliance programs followed by our subsidiaries and their respective customers justified our decision to reduce overall coverage and related costs during fiscal 2004. Our policy expired on July 31, 2004 and we were granted monthly extensions to October 31, 2004. However, due to th e uncertainty, timing and nature of our current financial condition and operations, we have been unable to secure a new policy.
General and Administrative expenses also included legal fees which amounted to $68,060, down $21,384 over the same period in 2003. These fees primarily include costs associated with our Self Insured Retention (deductible) on insurance claims and maintenance of our patents and trademarks. Wages, benefits and consulting fees amounted to $419,407 down $58,916 or 12% from the previous fiscal year. We prepaid certain consulting fees and compensation for August and September 2004, which were included in prepaid expenses Rent, telephone and travel amounted to $122,976, down $29,546, or 19%. Audit and regulatory fees were $59,013, down $15,063, or 20%. The remaining $70,282 in General and Administrative expenses relate to general office expenditures, down $21,022, or 23% from the comparable period the previous year.
Marketing and selling costs for the fiscal year amounted to $28,685, down $8,493, or 23% from the same period a year ago. Included in these costs is $5,850 for shareholder communications, $2,800 in advertising and promotion of our attractions and $20,035 for the annual IAAPA trade show held in Orlando, FL in November 2003. Our marketing efforts declined in the second half of fiscal 2004 due to our financial condition.
Research and development costs of $15,726 for the fiscal year relate to costs incurred to explore new concepts for the existing rides, up $4,516 from the previous year.
Operating Income
Operating income, before interest expense, income taxes and amortization for the fiscal year end July 31, 2004 was $288,183 compared to an operating income of $323,142 for fiscal 2003. This decrease was due primarily to the decline in product sales and other revenue. We anticipate that operating income will continue to decline in fiscal 2005.
Interest expense, net of interest income of $124 was $347,295, compared to interest expense of $513,792 for fiscal 2003. The decrease of $166,497 is due primarily to the settlement of the convertible securities on January 23, 2003.
Amortization expense for fiscal 2004 of $5,704 relates to capital assets, compared to $44,318 for fiscal 2003. The decrease is attributed to the sale of the Skycoaster® asset to a joint venture partner in the prior year.
Net Income
Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2004 was $65,508 or $0.003 loss per share, compared to a net income of $4,818,993 or $0.26 earnings per share for fiscal 2003. Included in the $4,818,993 fiscal 2003 figure is a gain of $6,116,246 relating to the settlement reached with the convertible debenture holder on January 23, 2003. Excluding the gain of $6,116,246, the net loss for the same period in 2003 was $1,297,253, or $0.07 loss per share.
Net cash flow used in operations for the period was $40,074 or $0.002 per share compared to $232,917 or $0.01 per share for the same period last year.
Year ended July 31, 2003 Compared to July 31, 2002
Revenues: Aggregate gross revenues from product sales, royalties and other revenue excluding interest income were approximately $2,249,804 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003 compared to $2,961,096 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002. Revenue from sales in the United States constituted approximately 90% of our total revenue in fiscal 2003 compared to 92% in fiscal 2002. Revenues for 2003 were down compared to 2002 due to lower ride sales (one sale in 2003 versus two sales in 2002); and a general decline in ticket sales and royalties due to lower attendance at parks as a result of September 11, 2001 and the current U.S. economy.
Gross revenues from the Top E® ride were $217,415 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $394,761 for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2002. Included in gross revenues from the Top E® ride was royalty income of $78,555 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $86,866 in fiscal 2002.
Gross revenues from the Skycoaster® ride were $2,032,928 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $2,582,207 for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2002, which included royalty income and joint venture revenue of $1,017,560 in fiscal 2003, compared to $1,012,516 in fiscal 2002. The $0.6 million net difference resulted from lower Skycoaster® sales (one versus two in 2002).
Royalty revenue was $1,024,889 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $982,547 for the same period in fiscal 2002, an increase of $42,342 or 4.3% due to the conversion of a Skycoaster® attraction from a joint venture arrangement to a sale and royalty arrangement plus the incremental royalty revenue associated with a ride sale made in 2002.
Other revenue was $261,166 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $299,650 for the same period in fiscal 2002, a decrease of $38,484. Included in other revenue of $261,166 was $175,000 for the sale of a Skycoaster® that was owned by us and operated under a joint venture agreement.
Operating Expenses: Operating expenses, excluding interest expense, amortization, write-downs and income taxes, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003 were $1,333,765 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $1,438,461 for fiscal 2002, a decrease of $104,696 or 7.3%. Operating expenses include $399,708 for general liability and property insurance coverage, up $212,839 or 114% for the same period in 2002. Insurance premiums charged to the amusement ride industry as a whole have risen dramatically over the past two years, primarily as the continuing result of the events of September 11, 2001 as well as risks associated with the amusement industry. Marketing and selling expenses decreased to $37,178 in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $56,984 in fiscal 2002, and research and development expenses relating to trademarking and design fees for new product conc epts increased to $11,210 in fiscal 2003, compared to $9,053 in fiscal 2002.
Amortization of capital assets in the amount of $44,318 ($103,326 in 2002), amortization of patent rights in the amount of $1,005,160 ($1,664,946 in 2002) and write-down of assets, legal and other costs in the amount of $1 ($331,000 in the 2002) were recorded in the year. We had income tax expense of $57,124 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, compared to $80,031 in fiscal 2002.
The net income for fiscal 2003 was $4,818,993 or $0.26 per share, compared to a net loss of $2,443,166 or $0.14 per share for the prior year, an increase of $7,262,159. The $7.2 million change is attributed primarily to the $6.1 million gain on the one-time settlement of convertible securities, and to a lesser extent to $.162 million in lower interest associated with the convertible securities and other debt, the final $.66 million in amortization costs associated with the patent rights and lower operating expenses.
The $6.1 million gain on the one-time settlement of convertible securities resulted from ThrillTime entering into a Satisfaction and Release Agreement dated December 20, 2002 with the holder of a $5,950,000 convertible debenture (the “Debenture”), and all of the Company’s obligations thereunder were satisfied and discharged through a combination of cash and common shares of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to pay $120,000 in cash and issued 750,000 common shares to the holder in full and final satisfaction of the Debenture obligation. $60,000 of the $120,000 was paid on January 23, 2003 and we signed a promissory note for the remaining $60,000, payable in four monthly installments commencing on July 31, 2003. The net effect of the settlement was a gain of $6,116,246 on the settlement of the Debenture. The net income result for fiscal 2003 is not indicativ e of future performance as we do not anticipate any future adjustments on the magnitude of gain on the one-time settlement of the Debenture.
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At July 31, 2004, we had a working capital deficiency of $2,441,123. Cash on hand July 31, 2004 amounted to $170,213, accounts receivable, income taxes recoverable and prepaid expenses aggregated $390,930 and inventory amounted to $147,254. Current liabilities including $2,570,749 relating to current classification of three debt instruments which totaled $3,149,520.
We were unable to raise any capital through debt or equity financings during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.
Our only source of internal liquidity is from revenues earned from product sales and royalties. We are currently using cash of approximately $100,000 per month for general operating and interest expenses. We do not anticipate that we will generate sufficient revenue from product sales and royalties to satisfy our on going general operating and interest expenses. We anticipate that we will incur losses in our fiscal year ending July 31, 2005, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient sales in the future to attain any appreciable level of profits.
Debt Reduction Plan
In 1998, we issued convertible securities for $6 million to fund the initial portion of the acquisition costs of Skycoaster. The same year, we entered into a Top E® Settlement Agreement associated with Superstar Dragsters. In 1999, the remaining portion of the acquisition costs of Skycoaster was funded by way of a $4 million secured debenture.
As a result of the continued decline in capital spending by amusement and theme parks due to the sluggish economy and the territorial constraints built into the existing licenses, our operating businesses have not been successful in generating sufficient cash flow from the sale of rides, parts and service and royalties to cover our debt service obligations associated with these debts.
Faced with declining revenue, no new ride sales and declining market price for our shares, our Board of Directors implemented a plan to aggressively reduce our debt obligations. In fiscal 2003, as a key initiative in our debt reduction plan, we successfully negotiated the elimination of the $6 million convertible debenture. In fiscal 2004, we continued to work with the holder of the $4 million secured debenture and were successful in renegotiating the payment terms of the Top E® settlement agreement. Several requests to the secured debenture holder to extend the amortization term of the Skycoaster acquisition loan to more closely match the expiry of the life of the patents have been turned down by the secured debenture holder in favor of finding a buyer for the our subsidiaries We have negotiated with possible purchasers of our subsidiaries or their assets in an effort to restructure our business but have been unsuccessful to date.
Summary of Debt as at:
| July 31, 2004 | July 31, 2003 | July 31, 2002 |
Convertible securities which are unsecured, bear interest at 6% per annum and is convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $1.11 per share (net of equity component of $495,381) | $– | $– | $5,500,000 |
Accretion of implicit interest in convertible securities | - | - | 455,439 |
6% implicit interest on convertible securities | - | - | 979,368 |
Less $60,000 of convertible debenture, plus accrued interest converted into common shares | - | - | (55,381) |
| - | - | 6,879,426 |
Deferred gain on modification of convertible securities, net of amortization of $476,502 | - | - | 62,697 |
Unsecured promissory note bearing interest at 18% per annum | 60,000 | 60,000 | - |
Amount due for Settlement Agreement bearing interest at 8.5% per annum | 195,515 | 235,573 | 360,135 |
Non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum | 2,465,697 | 2,656,667 | 2,656,667 |
| $2,721,212 | $2,952,240 | $9,958,925 |
As part of our restructuring, our Board of Directors elected to locate buyers for our two subsidiary companies, preferable as one package since the operations, product knowledge and customer care are currently shared between the two. In order to cure the defaults with our lenders, we, with the support of our lenders, approached a number of parties about acquiring the shares and assets of Skycoaster and Superstar Dragsters.
On January 22, 2004, we entered into a Letter of Intent with Crates Thompson Capital (“CTC”) and S&S Worldwide, Inc., which contemplated the purchase of shares of both Skycoaster and Superstar Dragsters and a seven year revenue share tied to future sales, related royalties and parts and service revenue.
In March, 2004, CTC exercised its option to restructure the acquisition as an asset purchase of our two subsidiaries on the basis that all of our obligations would be satisfied and an earnout would be paid based on revenue. We agreed that management would obtain interim approval for the transaction from our lead lender, shareholder approval at an extraordinary meeting held May 5, 2004 and conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. However, we were unable to negotiate definitive agreements and complete satisfactory due diligence to ensure that that the debt and liabilities relating to both companies would be properly assumed.
Under an asset purchase structure, the buyer had a choice in terms of what specific assets and/or liabilities it will be acquiring and assuming from either subsidiary. An asset based transaction can and will be problematic for the future of the subsidiaries as well as ThrillTime, especially if the assets are not sold on an “as is” basis and the buyer is not willing to assume all obligations as Licensor in each and every license agreement. It is management’s contention that if a buyer takes over the rights to the patents and trademarks, and by doing so is entitled to receive future royalties and benefits outlined in each License Agreement, the buyer should rightfully take over the risks associated with the ownership of those patents and trademarks. Without indemnification from the Buyer, we face unlimited exposure and risks (over which we have no control) s hould the buyer decide at any time in the future to drop the safety and risk management programs currently in place.
In May, 2004, CTC informed us that it was not prepared to assume Superstar’s debt and terminated the Superstar transaction, which would have left us with a substantial debt obligation and no effective business operations to continue to support the Superstar business. In addition, the revised terms proposed by CTC did not provide us with the liability protection and debt free status on which both shareholder approval and TSX conditional approval were obtained.
The complications associated with breaking up the combined operations of our subsidiary companies, including the selective choosing of assets and contracts, the non-assumption of certain liabilities, the payout mechanics and restrictions of the seven year earnout, and CTC’s unwillingness to assume the debt related to Superstar, led to strained negotiations and revised draft definitive agreements were never delivered by CTC. On September 1, 2004, we announced that negotiations with CTC were terminated.
We continued our discussions with our secured debenture holder. Management is also continuing to pursue the possibility of the sale of Superstar to other potential buyers in an effort to eliminate the Top E® Settlement Agreement debt. At this time, there is no assurance that the lenders will continue to work with us and our viability is at risk.
Outlook
We have experienced a decline in revenue due to lack of sales and installations of our attractions and declining royalties from our installed base. We believe that the sluggish economy and territorial limitations built into our existing licensing agreements have adversely affected the demand for our products. Our current financial condition and debt has adversely affected our ability to promote and market our products. We do not maintain a professional sales force and have financial resources to engage in only limited marketing. We are in default in our secured obligations and are in arrears in approximately $1.8 million in payments to our creditors as of December 20, 2004.
We have been unsuccessful in our efforts to re-negotiate more favorable terms with our current lender, and our efforts to obtain new financing has been unsuccessful. Given the uncertain future in the amusement ride industry, we have evaluated a variety of options, including selling our subsidiaries in order to explore other business opportunities and liquidating our business. We may not be able to completely eliminate and/or mitigate the risks associated with restructuring our business. If we cannot successfully reorganize, we may need to seek creditor protection and/or bankruptcy as a means to eliminating our potential exposure to future product liability claims resulting from events arising outside of our control. Without ensuring that we are free and clear of any ongoing or collateral risks associated with our investments in Skycoaster and Superstar, the ability to attract new capital or new investments could prove to be difficult.
C.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Our research and development activities over the past three fiscal years have focused on improvements to our attractions. We spent $15,726, $11,210, and $9,053 on research and development for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. In 1998, we acquired the Skycoaster® ride system, which was fully developed at that time. We developed the Top E® attraction using a combination of our own personnel and outside resources.
D.
Trend Information
Revenue from operations declined in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004, compared to fiscal 2003 due to a general downturn in the U.S. economy and the effect the events of September 11, 2001 have had and are anticipated to continue to have on tourism and the amusement park industry. We anticipate that amusement parks may continue to reduce or delay capital expenditures on amusement park rides, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We anticipate that revenue will decline in the foreseeable future and that we will continue to incur losses.
We are in the process of evaluating alternatives to restructure our business and reduce or eliminate our debt obligations. These alternatives include disposing of some or all of our operating assets and pursuing alternative business opportunities. We cannot assure you that we can successfully restructure our business.
E.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheets arrangements that have or are likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources (see Item F – Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations - Operating Lease Obligations).
F.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
| Payments Due by Period |
Contractual Obligations as of July 31, 2003 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
Long term debt reclassified as short term: | | | | | |
Non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum |
$2,465,697 |
$2,465,697 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Promissory Note bearing interest at 18% per annum |
$60,000 |
$60,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Settlement Agreement | $195,515 | $45,052 | 150,463 | 0 | 0 |
Capital Lease Obligations: | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Operating Lease Obligations: (rent & office equipment) |
$52,471 |
$42,688 |
$9,783 |
0 |
0 |
Purchase Obligations: | 0 | 0 | | | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities: | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | | |
Total | $2,773,683 | $2,613,437 | 160,246 | 0 | 0 |
See Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt Reduction Plan above for a description of our debt obligations and other contractual obligations.
ITEM 6
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.
Directors and Senior Management
All of the directors of ThrillTime are elected annually by the shareholders and hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless they resign sooner or cease to be directors in accordance with the Company’s Articles. Our last annual regular general meeting was held on January 27, 2004. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
The names, municipality of residence, position(s) with ThrillTime and principal occupation(s) of each of our directors and executive director are as follows:
Name and Municipality | First and Present Position with the Company | Principal Occupation During the Last Five Years |
Ralph Proceviat Burnaby, British Columbia Canada | CEO & CFO November 26, 2001 to August 28, 2002 Director and President July 3, 2002 to present Treasurer August 30, 2002 to present | Thrilltime Entertainment International, Inc. November 2001 to present CFO NxGen Networks, Inc. June 2000 to July 2001 CFO Milborne Real Estate Corp. September 1997 to May 2000 |
Sherrill Cyr Surrey, British Columbia Canada | Secretary August 25, 1995 to present Director November 3, 1999 to April 26, 2002 Director August 28, 2002 to present | Corporate Secretary/Director of Corporate Services ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc. April 1994 to present |
Darrel Taylor Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada | Director August 28, 2002 to present | President Attica Equipment Ltd. 1979 to present |
Frank Deacon Port Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada | Director November 25, 2002 to December 14, 2004 | Director Sales & Marketing Grimms Fine Foods April 1989 to present |
Ben Catalano Burnaby, British Columbia Canada | Director December 14, 2004 to Present | Real Estate Broker Sutton Group Director, Pan African Mining Corp. |
The following is brief biographical information on each of the officers and directors listed above:
Ralph F. Proceviat, B. Comm., CA, age 54, joined the Company as CFO in December 2001. He was appointed President and Director on July 3, 2002. Mr. Proceviat has more than twenty years of business experience spanning a number of industries including high tech, telecommunications, real estate development and brokerage and manufacturing. He has held various CEO, CFO and COO positions with public and private organizations operating throughout the United States and Canada. As the CEO of Cue Datawest, a large national based banking service provider to the credit union system, Mr. Proceviat oversaw the rebuilding of the company including the funding and development of a $50 million banking system that has been installed throughout the world. Over his career, he has developed a specialty in turn-arounds, directing companies towards driving profitable growth and inc reasing shareholder value. Mr. Proceviat received his Chartered Accountant designation during his tenure with PriceWaterhouse Coopers. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.
Sherrill Cyr, age 55, served on the Board of Directors from November 1999 to April 2002, when she resigned for personal reasons. Ms. Cyr has been with the Company since April 1994 and has served as Corporate Secretary since August 25, 1995. As Director of Corporate Services she is responsible for the Regulatory, Contractual, Risk Management and Corporate Governance functions for the ThrillTime group of companies. Ms. Cyr was instrumental in setting up the internal administrative structure of the Company and was involved in the acquisition of Skycoaster, Inc. As part of her corporate services functions, Ms. Cyr is responsible for filing the Company’s proprietary patents and trademarks covering many countries throughout the world. Although currently inactive, Ms. Cyr earned her Canadian securities license through the Canadian Securities Insti tute in 1981. In 1995 she completed the Corporate Governance of VSE Issuers Course through Simon Fraser University, B.C. Ms. Cyr was reappointed to the Board on August 28, 2002.
Darrel Taylor, age 69, joined the Board of Directors on August 28, 2002. Mr. Taylor brings a wealth of experience and knowledge gained in over 28 years in the materials handling industry. Mr. Taylor is President of Attica Equipment Ltd., specialists in providing heavy duty equipment such as forklift trucks, container handlers and log handling equipment to the industries of Western Canada, as well as servicing the golf cart industry in BC. He is also President of Canport Industries Ltd., specialists in heavy duty equipment leasing; and President of Mayfair Industrial Painting Ltd., providing paint services to the transportation equipment and movie industry in Western Canada.
Frank Deacon, age 54, joined the Board on November 25, 2002. He has been in the grocery industry for over 30 years, having worked in manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing. Mr. Deacon is currently Director of Sales and Marketing for Grimms Fine Foods, a manufacturer and supplier to the food industry in Canada and abroad. Effective December 14, 2004 Mr. Deacon resigned from the board to allow Mr. Deacon more time to concentrate on his own day to day responsibilities in his present occupation.
Ben Catalano age 40, was appointed by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2004 to replace Mr. Deacon. Mr. Catalano brings more than twenty years of business experience spanning a number of industries including real estate marketing and development, high tech, telecommunications, Securities Trading/ Brokerage and Mining and Resources. Mr. Catalano holds a board position with Pan African Mining Corp. and has been a director on several public and private companies in the past.
No director and/or executive officer of the Company has been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree of any governmental agency or administrator or of any court of competent jurisdiction, revoking or suspending for cause any license, permit or other authority of such person or of any corporation of which he is a director and/or executive officer, to engage in the securities business or in the sale of a particular security or temporarily or permanently restraining or enjoining any such person or any corporation of which he is an officer or director from engaging in or continuing any conduct, practice, or employment in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, or convicting such person of any felony or misdemeanor involving a security or any aspect of the securities business or of theft or of any felony.
No director or executive officer of the Company has any family relationship with any other officer or director of the Company.
No director or officer has any arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers, or others, pursuant to which they were selected as a director or member of senior management.
The Company also announced that Ralph Proceviat, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO and Sherrill Cyr, Director and Corporate Secretary, will be stepping down as directors and officers, effective as of December 31, 2004.
B.
Compensation
We do not generally compensate our directors for their services as directors. Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors makes separate remuneration to any director undertaking services on our behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director. No director received any compensation for his services as a director, including any committee participation or special assignments.
The following table sets forth, for the last full financial year, our most highly compensated executive officer.
| Annual Compensation | Long-Term Compensation | |
| | | | | Awards | Payouts | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Other Annual Compen- sation ($) | Securities Under Options/ SARsgranted (#) | Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units ($) | LTIP(3) payouts ($) | All Other Compen- sation ($) |
| | | | | | | | |
Ralph Proceviat CFO/President | 2004 | $154,580 | Nil | Nil | 400,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Notes:
Stock appreciation rights – consists of 400,000 stock options which were granted on September 12, 2002 with an exercise price of Cdn. $0.10 per share and an expiry date of October 31, 2005.
Long Term Incentive Plan
The Company does not have a long term incentive plan.
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs")
There were no incentive stock options granted to or exercised by any Director or Senior Officer during the Financial Period.
On November 30, 2003, 300,000 stock options granted to Ralph Proceviat, exercisable at Cdn. $0.16 on or before December 31, 2005, were cancelled.
Pension Plan
The Company has no pension plan.
C.
Board Practices
Members of the Board of Directors are elected annually by our shareholders to represent the interests of all shareholders. The Board of Directors meets periodically to review significant developments affecting us and to act on matters requiring Board approval. Although the Board of Directors delegates many matters to others, it reserves certain powers and functions to itself. The only standing committee of the Board of Directors is the Audit Committee. As of July 31, 2004, the members of the Audit Committee were Ralph Proceviat, Darrel Taylor and Frank Deacon. This committee is directed to review the scope, cost and results of the independent audit of our books and records, the results of the annual audit with management and the external auditors and the adequacy of our accounting, financial and operating controls; to recommend annually to the Board of Directors t he selection of the independent auditors; to consider proposals made by our independent auditors for audit, audit related and non-audit services; and to report to the Board of Directors, when so requested, on any accounting or financial matters. None of our directors or executive officers are party to any arrangement or understanding with any other person pursuant to which said individual was elected as a director or officer of the Company.
Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts
Pursuant to an agreement entered into on November 8, 2001 between the Company and Mr. Ralph F. Proceviat, we agreed to engage the services of Mr. Proceviat as Chief Financial Officer. In consideration, we agreed to compensate Mr. Proceviat on the following basis:
1.
Bonus equal to 1% of fiscal pre-tax accounting income for fiscal year 2002. In successive years, 1% of fiscal pre-tax accounting income if fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $2.0 million. 1 1/2% of fiscal pre-tax accounting income if fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $3.5 million. 2% of fiscal pre-tax accounting income if fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $5.0 million.
2.
300,000 stock options issued by the Company vesting according to the following schedule:
a)
100,000 options shall vest anytime after July 31, 2002 (Year One) provided that fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $2.0 million in either Year One or Year Two (July 31, 2003);
b)
100,000 options shall vest anytime after July 31, 2003 (Year Three) provided that fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $3.5 million;
c)
100,000 options shall vest anytime after July 31, 2004 (Year Four) provided that fiscal pre-tax accounting income is greater than $5.5 million; or
d)
If the target pre-tax accounting income in Years One, Two and/or Three is not achieved but the aggregate of Years One, Two, Three and Four pre-tax accounting income is equal to or greater than $10.5 million, then all options, aggregating 300,000, shall fully vest at the end of Year Four.
3.
Should the Company be acquired by way of a takeover and Mr. Proceviat is not offered equivalent employment he will be entitled to receive two month’s compensation per year of employment to a maximum of six months based on the prior year’s base salary plus bonus. In the case of termination of employment, except for termination for just cause, Mr. Proceviat shall be entitled to two month’s base salary for each year of employment to a maximum of six months.
D.
Employees
As of December 20, 2004, we have 5 full time employees, of whom 2 are involved in overseeing sales, manufacturing and installation, and 3 are in administration. We also have, under contract, a sales force of which 2 personnel are actively engaged in sales of the Company’s products.
E.
Share Ownership
Our common shares are publicly traded on the TSX Venture in Canada and quoted on the OTCBB in the United States. Our shares are held by residents of Canada, the United States and other countries. To the best of our knowledge, the Company is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation or any government and, as at July 31, 2004, no person owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares. As of July 31, 2004 there were 20,007,297 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of shares of our common stock owned beneficially as of November 25, 2004 by: (i) each person (including any group) known to us to own more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers, and (iii) directors and executive officers as a group. ;Unless otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed possess sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown.
Name of Jurisdiction of Residence of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percentage of Class (1) |
Sherrill Cyr Canada |
460,033 |
2.25% (2) |
Frank Deacon Canada | 552,900 | 2.70% (3) |
Ralph Proceviat Canada | 800,000 | 3.88% (4) |
Darrel Taylor Canada |
723,000 |
3.55% (5) |
Officers and Directors, as a group (4 persons) |
2,535,933 |
11.63% (6) |
(1) | Based on 20,007,297 common shares issued and outstanding on December 20, 2004 |
(2) | Includes 60,033 common shares, 50,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at any time until January 21, 2005 and 350,000 stock options exercisable at any time until October 31, 2005 |
(3) | Includes 102,900 common shares, 100,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at any time until January 21, 2005 and 350,000 stock options exercisable at any time until October 31, 2005 |
(4) | Includes 200,000 common shares, and 200,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at any time until January 21, 2005 and 400,000 stock options exercisable at any time until October 31, 2005. |
(5) | Includes 373,00 common shares, and 350,000 stock options exercisable at any time until October 31, 2005. |
(6) | Includes 735,933 common shares, 350,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at any time until January 21, 2005 and 1,450,000 stock options exercisable at any time until October 31, 2005 |
There are no arrangements known to us which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.
Stock Option Purchase Plan
Under the terms of our Stock Option Plan approved by the shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on November 7, 1997, the Directors may, from time to time, designate full and part-time employees, officers and Directors of ThrillTime or its subsidiaries, consultants and persons performing special technical or other services to ThrillTime or its subsidiaries, (collectively, "Eligible Individuals"), and the personal holding corporations of any of the Eligible Individuals, as persons to whom options to purchase common shares may be granted, provided that the total number of common shares under option shall not exceed the aggregate limit of 3,407,850 (as approved by members at the Annual General Meeting held on January 22, 1999) and, further provided, that the total number of shares to be reserved for issuance to any one person shall not exceed 5 percent of the issued and outst anding shares. Shares in respect of which options have expired unexercised or have been cancelled and are no longer subject to being purchased pursuant to the terms of any option shall be available for further options under the Plan. Options which were issued and outstanding on the date the Plan was established are included in the aggregate limit established. A person is entitled to have one or more stock options outstanding at a time.
The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Directors when such option is granted, provided that such price as is acceptable to the TSX. In accordance with the Policies of the TSX Corporate Finance Manual, the exercise price must not be less that the Discounted Market Price, subject to a minimum price of Cdn. $0.10.
The names and titles of the directors, executive officers and employees to whom outstanding stock options have been granted and the number of shares subject to such stock options are set forth below as at December 20, 2004. The exercise prices of the stock options are stated in Canadian dollars.
Name of Optionees | Options Granted | Exercise Price (Cdn $) | Expiry Date | Outstanding Options at December 31/03 |
Officers & Directors: | | | | |
| | | | |
Sherrill Cyr | 350,000 | $0.10 | Oct. 31, 2005 | 350,000 |
Frank Deacon | 350,000 | $0.10 | Oct. 31, 2005 | 350,000 |
Ralph Proceviat | 400,000 | $0.10 | Oct. 31, 2005 | 400,000 |
| | | | |
Darrel Taylor | 350,000 | $0.10 | Oct. 31, 2005 | 350,000 |
| | | | |
Employees as a group: | 450,000 | $0.10 | Oct. 31, 2005 | 450,000 |
| | | Total | 1,900,000 |
ITEM 7
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A.
Major Shareholders
ThrillTime is a publicly-owned corporation, the majority of the common shares are owned by persons resident outside of the United States. To the best of our knowledge, the Company is not directly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any foreign government.
There are 20,007,297 common shares issued and outstanding and as at April 5, 2004 (the record date set for the Company’s Special Meeting held May 5, 2004), 3,447,188 shares were held by Cede & Co. and 13,124,636 shares were held by CDS & Co. Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Investor Communication Services advised that there were 301 beneficial holders in the United States as of April 5, 1004.
To the best of our knowledge, no shareholders beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the issued shares. and there are no voting arrangements with other shareholders of the Company.
B.
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions
To the best of our knowledge, except for the ownership of our securities and the compensation described herein, none of the directors or executive officers, , or any associate or affiliate of such person, have had a material interest, direct or indirect, during the last fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 or in any proposed transaction which may materially affect us.
None of our executive officers or directors are indebted to us or were indebted to us during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004
C.
Interests Of Experts And Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Financial Statements
Attached to this annual report are consolidated financial statements audited by independent auditors and accompanied by an Auditors’ Report and Comments by Auditors for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting Difference, consisting of the following:
(a) | Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2004 and July 31, 2003; |
(b) | Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002; |
(c) | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002; and |
(d) | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
Legal Claims
To the best of our knowledge, were not subject to any active or pending material legal proceedings or claims against us or any of our properties other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business. However, from time to time, we may become subject to claims and litigation generally associated with any business venture. In addition, attractions sold by us and the operation of those attractions are subject to risks of accident and injury and possible violations of environmental noise and other government regulations, some of which cannot be fully covered by insurance or other strategies.
Dividend Policy
No dividends have been declared or paid on our common shares since incorporation and it is not anticipated that any dividends will be declared or paid in the immediate or foreseeable future. Any decision to pay dividends will be made by the board of directors on the basis of our earnings, financial requirements and other conditions existing at such future time.
B.
Significant Changes
Subsequent to July 31, 2004, the following events have occurred:
(a) | On September 1, 2004, we announced in a press release that negotiations with Crates Thompson Capital to acquire the shares and/or assets of Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc. were terminated (see Item 5 B Liquidity and Capital Resources). |
(b) | As a party to the proposed transaction with Crates Thompson Capital, the secured debenture holder agreed to the deferment of the scheduled quarterly payments of $261,319 since May 2003 and, as of November 25, 2004, we are in arrears to the secured debenture holder in the amount of approximately $1.8 million. |
(c) | We are currently negotiating to restructure our obligations under the Top E® Settlement Agreement under which we have proposed that the holder of this obligation accept a cash settlement or assume our interests in Superstar Dragsters, Inc. in consideration of our obligations. |
(d) | We are currently in default on and negotiating to restructure our obligations under our $60,000 Promissory Note in its effort to settle this debt. As at December 20, 2004, no settlement has been reached. |
(e) | In order to ensure that the continuity of our business operations and retain our employees, in September 2004, our board of directors authorized and we agreed to prepay certain of our contractual obligations, including salaries of approximately $78,000. |
(f) | Our general liability insurance policy expired on July 31, 2004 and we were granted monthly extensions to October 31, 2004. Due to the uncertainty, timing and nature of our current financial condition and operations, we were unable to secure a general liability insurance policy. Effective as of November 1, 2004, we no longer have a general liability insurance policy. |
(g) | On December 15, 2004, we announced that Mr. Frank Deacon resigned as a director to allow Mr. Deacon more time to concentrate on his own day to day responsibilities in his present occupation. Mr. Ben Catalano was appointed to the Board to replace Mr. Deacon until the next Annual General Meeting. |
(h) | As part of its overall restructuring activities, on December 15, 2004, we announced that Ralph Proceviat, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO and Sherrill Cyr, Director and Corporate Secretary, will be stepping down as directors and officers, effective as of December 31, 2004. The Board of Directors are currently searching for a replacements of Mr. Proceviat and Ms. Cyr |
| |
ITEM 9
THE OFFER AND LISTING
A.
Offer and Listing Details
There is no offering of securities contemplated herein.
Nature of Trading Market
Our shares of common stock trade on the TSX Venture in Canada and are quoted on the OTCBB in the United States.
The following tables set forth the reported annual high and low market prices of our common shares on the designated exchanges for (a) the five most recent fiscal years; (b) each quarterly period for the past two fiscal years and subsequent first quarter (c) for the last six months ending November 30, 2004.
Five Most Recent Fiscal Years
| TSX Venture (Cdn$) | NASD OTCBB (US$) |
| High | Low | High | Low |
2004 | .06 | .03 | .05 | .01 |
2003 | .14 | .01 | .06 | .01 |
2002 | .10 | .01 | .04 | .01 |
2001 | .30 | .05 | .12 | .021 |
2000 | .75 | .11 | .55 | .06 |
Quarterly Periods
| TSX Venture (Cdn$) | NASD OTCBB (US$) |
| High | Low | High | Low |
2004 | | | | |
First Quarter Ended October, 31, 2004 | .04 | .03 | .028 | .01 |
Fourth Quarter Ended July 31, 2004 | .04 | .03 | .02 | .01 |
Third Quarter Ended April 30, 2004 | .06 | .03 | .05 | .02 |
Second Quarter Ended January 31, 2004 | .05 | .03 | .04 | .011 |
First Quarter Ended October 31, 2003 | .04 | .03 | .015 | .011 |
2003 | | | | |
Fourth Quarter Ended July 31, 2003 | .04 | .03 | .04 | .011 |
Third Quarter Ended April 30, 2003 | .10 | .05 | .041 | .021 |
Second Quarter Ended January 31, 2003 | .14 | .01 | .06 | .01 |
First Quarter Ended October 31, 2002 | .05 | .02 | .02 | .005 |
Six Most Recent Months
| TSX Venture (Cdn$) | NASD OTCBB (US$) |
| High | Low | High | Low |
November 2004 | .04 | .03 | .024 | .024 |
October 2004 | .03 | .03 | .025 | .025 |
September 2004 | .04 | .03 | .028 | .010 |
August 2004 | .03 | .03 | .015 | .010 |
July 2004 | .04 | .03 | .010 | .010 |
June 2004 | .03 | .03 | .015 | .010 |
The closing price of our common shares on December 20, 2004 was CDN$0.03 on TSX Venture and US$0.019 on the NASD OTCBB.
ITEM 10
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.
Share Capital
Not applicable.
B.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Incorporation
ThrillTime was incorporated on August 29, 1988, as a British Columbia corporation under the name Aramis Ventures Ltd. under Certificate of Incorporation number 350733. In 1992, under new management, we changed the nature of our business from mineral exploration to designing, manufacturing and marketing amusement park rides. We discontinued all of its mineral exploration activities in connection with its change of business. On April 5, 1994, we changed our name to Newera Capital Corporation. On August 12, 1997, we changed our name to ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc. The memorandum of the Company was amended on January 22, 1999 to increase the authorized capital from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 shares without par value (“Common Shares”).
Objects and Purposes of the Company
The Memorandum of the Company places no restrictions upon our objects and purposes.
Directors’ Powers
Section 16.1 of the Articles of the Company (the “Articles”) provides that a director who is directly or indirectly interested in a proposed contract or transaction with the Company, or who holds any office or possesses any property whereby, directly or indirectly, a duty or interest might be created to conflict with his duty or interest as a director shall declare the nature and extent of his interest in such contract or transaction or of the conflict or potential conflict of his duty and interest as a director, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the British ColumbiaCompany Act.
Furthermore, a director shall not vote in respect of any contract or transaction with the Company in which the director is materially interested, and if the director does vote that vote shall not be counted, but the director shall be counted in the quorum present at the meeting at which such vote is taken. The prohibition does not apply to:
(a) | any contract or transaction relating to a loan to the Company, which a director or a specified corporation or a specified firm in which the director has an interest has guaranteed or joined in guaranteeing the repayment of the loan or any part of the loan; |
(b) | any contract or transaction made or to be made with, or for the benefit of an affiliated corporation of which a director is a director or officer; |
(c) | determining the remuneration of the directors; |
(d) | purchasing and maintaining insurance to cover directors against liability incurred by them as director under section 128(4) of theCompany Act; or |
(e) | the indemnification of any director by the Company under section 128 of theCompany Act. |
These exceptions may from time to time be suspended or amended to any extent approved by the Company in general meeting and permitted by theCompany Act, either generally or in respect of any particular contract or transaction or for any particular period.
Section 17.6 of the Articles provides that the quorum necessary for the transaction of business at the meeting of directors may be fixed by the directors and if not so fixed shall be a majority of directors holding office at the time, or, if the number of directors is fixed at one, shall be one director.
Section 13.2 of the Articles provides that the remuneration of the directors may be determined from time to time by the directors or, if the directors shall so decide, by the members. There are no restrictions in the Articles upon the directors’ power, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body.
Section 15.1 of the Articles gives directors a broad discretion to manage or supervise the management of, the affairs and business of the Company, and to exercise all such powers of the Company as are required by theCompany Act or by the Memorandum or the Articles to be exercised by the Company in a general meeting. Section 8.1 of the Articles specifically provides that the directors may from time to time on behalf of the Company, borrow money in such manner and amount, on such security, from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as they think fit, and may authorize the guaranteeing of any obligations of any other person. Furthermore, the directors may issued bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person. Finally, the directors may mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, or give other security on the undertaking, or on the whole or any part of the present and future property and assets of the Company.
The powers of the directors set forth in the Articles can be varied by altering the Articles of the Company, section 219 of theCompany Act, by filing with the registrar of companies a certified copy of a special resolution altering the Articles. A special resolution is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than three quarters of the votes cast by those members of a company who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting of the company. Alternatively, a special resolution may be consented to in writing by every member of a company who would have been entitled to vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting of the company.
Qualifications of Directors
There is no provision in the Articles imposing a requirement for retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement.
Section 13.3 of the Articles provides that director shall not be required to hold a share in the capital of the Company as qualification for his office but shall be qualified as required by theCompany Act, to become or act as a director. Section 114 of theCompany Act provides that no person is qualified to act as a director if that person is:
(a) | under the age of 18 years; |
(b) | found to be incapable of managing the person’s own affairs by reason of mental infirmity; |
(c) | a company; |
(d) | an undischarged bankrupt; |
(e) | unless the court orders otherwise, convicted in or out of British Columbia of an offence in connection with the promotion, formation or management of a company, or involving fraud, unless five years have elapsed since the expiration of the period fixed for suspension of the passing of sentence without sentencing or since a fine was imposed, or the term of imprisonment and probation imposed, if any, was concluded, whichever is the latest, but the disability imposed by this paragraph ceased on a pardon being granted under theCriminal Records Act(Canada); or |
(f) | in the case of a reporting company, a person whose registration in any capacity has been cancelled under: - theSecurities Act by either the British Columbia Securities Commission or the executive director, or - theMortgage Brokers Act by either the Commercial Appeals Commission or the registrar, unless the commission, the executive director or the registrar, whichever is applicable, otherwise orders, or unless five years have elapsed since the cancellation of the registration. |
Section 114(3) of theCompany Act provides that every person who acts as a director of a company and is a person who, because of section 114(1) of theCompany Act, is not qualified to act as a director of a company commits an offence.
Section 108 of theCompany Act provides that every company must have at least one director, and a reporting company must have at least three directors. Section 109(1) states that the majority of the directors of every company must be person ordinarily resident in Canada, and section 109(2) specifies that one director of every company must be ordinarily resident in British Columbia.
Section 130 of theCompany Act provides that the office of director shall be vacated if the director: (i) resigns his office by notice in writing delivered to the registered office of the Company; (ii) is convicted of an indictable offence and the other directors shall have resolved to remove him; or (iii) ceases to be qualified to act as a director pursuant to theCompany Act. In addition, the Company may be special resolution remove any director before the expiration of his period of office, and may by an ordinary resolution appoint another person in his stead.
Share Rights
The Company’s authorized capital consists of 100,000,000 common shares without par value, all of which are of the same class and, once issued as fully paid and non-assessable, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets and in all other respects, on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs after the Company has paid out its liabilities. The Company’s issued shares are not subject to call or assessment rights or any pre-emptive or conversion rights. The holders of the Company’s shares are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted on at a meeting of the members. There are no provisions for redemption, purchase for cancellation, surrender or pu rchase funds.
Subject to the provisions of theCompany Act, Part 6 of the Articles governs the alteration of the Company’s share capital, including the alternation of rights and restrictions attached to issued and unissued shares. Section 6.1 of the Articles permits the Company to alter its Memorandum by ordinary resolution to increase the authorized capital of the company by: (a) creating shares with par value or shares without par value, or both; (b) increasing the number of shares with par value or shares without par value, or both; or (c) increase par value of a class of shares with par value, if no share of that class are issued, but the Company cannot prejudice or interfere with the rights or special rights of issued shares unless it obtains from the holders of the affected class or series of share, as the case may be, consent by a separate resolution of requiring a majority of 75% of the votes cast in accordance with section 226 of theCompany Act.
Meetings
By section 139 of theCompany Act the Company is required to hold an annual general meeting of its members at least once in every calendar year and not more than 13 months after the date that the last annual general meeting was held, whichever is later.
Section 9.2 of the Articles provides that the directors of the Company may convene an extraordinary general meeting whenever they think fit.
In accordance with section 143 of theCompany Act, the Company must give to its members entitled to receive notice of a general meeting not less than 21 days’ notice of any general meeting, but those members may waive or reduce the period of notice for a particular meeting by unanimous consent in writing. Every member entitled to vote at a general meeting with notice of the general meeting and a form of proxy for use at such meeting, as well as with an information circular containing prescribed information regarding the matters to be dealt with and the conduct of the general meeting. The directors of the Company must place before each annual general meeting of its member comparative financial statements, made up to a date not more than six months before the annual general meeting, the report of the auditor on such financial statements, and the report of the direct ors to the members. Section 10.3 of the Articles states that a quorum for a meeting of members of the Company shall be one member or one proxy holder representing members holding not less than 5% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at such meeting.
Section 147 of theCompany Act provides that one or more members of the Company holding not less than 5% of the issued voting shares can requisition a general meeting, and if such a requisition is delivered to the Company as required, the meeting shall be convened by the directors or, if not convened by the directors, may be convened by the requisitionists as provided by theCompany Act.
Where the Articles do not make any provision for a meeting of the holders of a class of shares, section 148 of theCompany Act states that the provisions of the Articles relating to the call and conduct of general meetings apply to such a class meeting, and despite the Articles, a quorum for a class meeting of the Company shall be at least one person holding or representing by proxy 1/3 of the class of shares affected.
Limitations of Ownership of Securities
There are no limitations on the right to own securities of the Company imposed either by foreign law or by the Memorandum or the Articles.
Change in Control of the Company
There is no provision in the Company’s Memorandum or Articles that would have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of the Company, and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring of the Company or its subsidiaries, if any.
Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions in the Company’s Articles governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
C.
Material Contracts
Letter of Intent
On January 23, 2004, we entered into a letter of intent with Crates Thompson Capital, Inc. (“CTC”) and S&S Worldwide, Inc. (“S&S”), under which CTC agreed to acquire certain assets and S&S agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc. On September 1, 2004 we announced that negotiations with CTC and S&S were terminated (see Item 5 B Liquidity and Capital Resources).
Satisfaction and Release Agreement
On January 23, 2003, we entered into a Satisfaction and Release Agreement with the holder of a $5,950,000 convertible debenture (the “Debenture”) to satisfy and discharge all of our obligations through a combination payment of cash and common shares. The Debenture, including accrued interest, was to have automatically converted into 6,368,247 common shares at $1.11 per share on December 31, 2002. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to pay $120,000 in cash and issued 750,000 common shares to the holder in full and final satisfaction of the Debenture obligation. $60,000 of the $120,000 was paid on January 23, 2003 and we signed a promissory note for the remaining $60,000 whereby the principal amount together with interest was to be paid in four monthly installments commencing July 31, 2003. We did not meet our payment obligations and the promissory note is now due on demand and bears interest at 18% per annum until the entire amount is paid in full.
Amendment to Settlement Agreement
In May, 2004, we negotiated an amendment to the Top E® Settlement Agreement payment schedule whereby commencing June 1, 2004, the monthly payments to retire the full amount of the principal and interest outstanding amounting to $202,660 was decreased to $4,995 from $11,825. The unpaid amount bears interest at the rate of eight and one half percent per year payable over a period of forty-eight months. We have the option to pay off this debt by making a payment of $140,000 on or before January 1, 2005. The security interest in ten Top ® dragsters in favor of the third party, along with the option to acquire two Skycoaster at cost and royalty free, remain with the third party until such time as the debt is retired in full. We defaulted on this obligation.
D.
Exchange Controls
Canada has no system of exchange controls. There are no exchange restrictions on borrowing from foreign countries nor on the remittance of dividends, interest, royalties and similar payments, management fees, loan repayments, settlement of trade debts, or the repatriation of capital. However, any dividends remitted to U.S. Holders, as defined below, will be subject to withholding tax. (See “Item 10E – Taxation”.)
There are limitations under the laws of the Province of British Columbia or in the memorandum and articles of the Company on the rights of non-Canadians to hold or vote the shares of the Company. Under the provisions of the Investment Canada Act (the “ICA”), as amended by the Canada-United States Free Trade Implementation Act (Canada), and the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, review and approval of the transaction by the Investment Canada Agency (“Investment Canada”), the federal agency created by the ICA are required where a U.S. person directly acquires control of a Canadian business with assets of more than $209 million. The term “control” is defined as any one or more non-Canadian persons acquiring all or substantially all of the assets used in the Canadian business, or the acquisition of the voting shares of a Canadian corporation carrying on the Canadian business. The acquisition of the majority of the outstanding shares is deemed to be an “acquisition of control” of a corporation unless it can be established that the purchaser will not, in fact, control the Canadian corporation.
Subject to the comments contained in the following paragraph regarding WTO investors, investments requiring notification and review are all direct acquisitions of Canadian businesses with assets of Cdn. $5,000,000 or more; all indirect acquisitions of Canadian businesses with assets between Cdn. $5,000,000 and Cdn. $50,000,000 which represent more than 50% of the value of the total international transaction. (Indirect acquisition means the acquisition of the voting rights of an entity controlling the Canadian corporation.) In addition, specific acquisitions or new businesses in designated types of business activities related to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity, which would normally only be notifiable, could be reviewed if the Government of Canada considers it in the public interest to do so.
The ICA was amended with the implementation of the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) to provide for special review thresholds for “WTO investors”, as defined in the Act. “WTO investor” generally means (i) an individual, other than a Canadian, who is a national of a WTO member (such as, for example, the United States), or who has the right of permanent residence in relation to that WTO member, (ii) governments of WTO members, and (iii) entities that are not Canadian controlled, but which are WTO investor controlled, as determined by rules specified in the Act. The special review thresholds for WTO investors do not apply, and the general rules described above do apply, to the acquisition of control of certain types of businesses specified in the Act, including a business that is a “cultural business”. If th e WTO Investor rules apply, an investment in the share of the Company by or from a WTO investor will be reviewable only if it is an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company is equal to or greater than a specified amount (the “WTO Review Threshold”). The WTO Review Threshold is adjusted annually by a formula relating to increases in the nominal gross domestic product of Canada. The 2001 WTO Review Threshold is $209,000,000.
If any non-Canadian, whether or not a WTO Investor, acquires control of the Company by the acquisition of shares, but the transaction is not reviewable as described above, the non-Canadian is required to notify the Canadian government and to provide certain basic information relating to the investment. A non-Canadian, whether or not a WTO investor, is also required to provide a notice to the government on the establishment of a new Canadian business. If the business of the Company is then a prescribed type of business activity relating to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity, and if the Canadian government considers it to be in the public interest to do so, then the Canadian government may give a notice in writing within 21 days requiring the investment be reviewed.
For non-Canadians (other than WTO investors), an indirect acquisition of control, by the acquisition of voting interests of an entity that directly or indirectly controls the Issuer, is reviewable if the value of the assets of the Company is then $50,000,000 or more. If the WTO investor rules apply, then this requirement does not apply to a WTO investor, or to a person acquiring the entity from a WTO investor. Special rules specified in the ICA apply if the value of the assets of the Company is more than 50% of the value of the entity so required. By these special rules, if the non-Canadian (whether or not a WTO investor) is acquiring control of an entity that directly or indirectly controls the Issuer, and the value of the assets of the Company and all other entities carrying on business in Canada, calculated in the manner provided in the ICA and the regulations under the Act, is more than 50% of the value, calculated in the manner provided in the ICA and the regulations under the Act, of the assets of all entities, the control of the Company forms a part, then the thresholds for a direct acquisition of control as discussed above will apply. That is, a WTO Review threshold of $209,000,000 (in 2001) for a WTO investor or threshold of $5,000,000 for a non-Canadian other than a WTO investor. If the value exceeds that level, then the transaction must be reviewed in the same manner as a direct acquisition of control by the purchase of shares of the Issuer.
If an investment is reviewable, an application for review in the form prescribed by regulations is normally required to be filed with the agency established by the ICA (the “Agency”) prior to the investment taking place and the investment may not be consummated until the review has been completed. There are, however, certain exceptions. Applications concerning indirect acquisition may be filed up to 30 days after the investment is consummated and applications concerning reviewable investments in culture-sensitive sectors are required upon receipt of a notice for review. There is, moreover, provision for the Minister (a person designated as such under the Act) to permit an investment to be consummated prior to completion of review, if he is satisfied that delay would cause undue hardship to the acquiror or jeopardize the operation of the Canadian business that is being acquired. The Agency will submit the application to the Minister, together with any other information or written undertakings given by the acquiror and any representation submitted to the Agency by a province that is likely to be significantly affected by the investment.
The Minister will then determine whether the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, taking into account the information provided and having regard for other factors where they are relevant. Some of the factors to be considered are the effect of the investment on the level and nature of economic activity in Canada, including the effect on employment, on resource processing, on the utilization of parts, components and services produced in Canada, and on exports from Canada.
Additional factors of assessment include (i) the degree and significance of participation by Canadians in the Canadian business and in any industry in Canada of which it forms a part; (ii) the effect of the investment on productivity, industrial efficiency, technological development, product innovation and product variety in Canada; (iii) the effect of the investment on competition within any industry or industries in Canada; (iv) the compatibility of the investment and the national industrial, economic and cultural policies taking into consideration industrial, economic and cultural objectives enunciated by the government or legislature of any province likely to be significantly affected by the investment; and (v) the contribution of the investment to Canada’s ability to compete in world markets.
To insure prompt review and decision, the ICA sets certain time limits for the Agency and the Minister. Within 45 days after a completed application has been received, the Minister must notify the acquiror that (a) he is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, or (b) he is unable to complete his review, in which case he shall have 30 additional days to complete his review (unless the acquiror agrees to a longer period), or (c) he is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada.
Where the Minister has advised the acquiror that he is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, the acquiror has the right to make representations and submit undertakings within 30 days of the date of the notice (or any further period that is agreed upon between the acquiror and Minister). On the expiration of the 30-day period (or the agreed extension, the Minister must quickly notify the acquiror (a) that he is now satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada or (b) confirming that he is not satisfied that the investment or is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. In the latter case, the acquiror may not proceed with the investment or, if the investment has already been consummated, must relinquish control of the Canadian business. The ICA authorizes the Minister to give written opinions, binding the Minist er, on the application of the ICA or regulations to the persons seeking the opinions to the Agency or a designated official. The ICA also authorizes the Minister to issue guidelines and interpretations with respect to the application and administration of any provision of the ICA or the regulations.
The ICA provides for civil penalties for non-compliance with any provision except breach of confidentiality or provision of false information, for which there are criminal penalties.
E.
Taxation
A brief description of certain provisions of the tax treaty between Canada and the United States is included below, together with a brief outline of certain taxes, including withholding provisions, to which United States security holders are subject under existing laws and regulations of Canada. The consequences, if any, of provincial, state and local taxes are not considered.
The following information is general and security holders should seek the advice of their own tax advisors, tax counsel or accountants with respect to the applicability or effect on their own individual circumstances of the matters referred to herein and of any provincial, state or local taxes.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
The discussion under this heading summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares of common stock of the Company for a shareholder of the Company who is not a resident of Canada but is a resident of the United States and who will acquire and hold shares of common stock of the Company as capital property for the purposes of theIncome Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Tax Act”). This summary does not apply to a shareholder who carries on business in Canada through a “permanent establishment” situated in Canada or performs independent personal services in Canada through a fixed base in Canada if the shareholder’s holding in the Company is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. This summary is based on the provisions of the Canadian Tax Act and the regula tions thereunder and on an understanding of the administrative practices of Canada Revenue Agency, and takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act or regulations made by the Minister of Finance of Canada as of the date hereof. It has been assumed that there will be no other relevant amendment of any governing law although no assurance can be given in this respect. This discussion is general only and is not a substitute for independent advice from a shareholder’s own Canadian and U.S. tax advisors.
The provisions of the Canadian Tax Act are subject to income tax treaties to which Canada is party, including the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Convention”).
Dividends on Common Shares and Other Income
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a non-resident of Canada is generally subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% on dividends paid or deemed to have been paid to him or her by a corporation resident in Canada. The Company is responsible for withholding of tax at the source. The Convention limits the rate to 15% if the shareholder is a resident of the United States and the dividends are beneficially owned by and paid to such shareholder, and to 5% if the shareholder is also a corporation that beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the payor corporation.
The amount of a stock dividend (for tax purposes) would generally be equal to the amount by which the paid up or stated capital of the Company had increased by reason of the payment of such dividend. Interest paid or deemed to be paid on the Company’s debt securities held by non-Canadian residents may also be subject to Canadian withholding tax, depending upon the terms and provisions of such securities and any applicable tax treaty.
The Convention generally exempts from Canadian income tax dividends paid to a religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an organization constituted and operated exclusively to administer a pension, retirement or employee benefit fund or plan, if the organization is a resident of the United States and is exempt from income tax under the laws of the United States.
Dispositions Of Common Shares
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a taxpayer’s capital gain or capital loss from a disposition of a share of common stock of the Company is the amount, if any, by which his or her proceeds of disposition exceed (or are exceeded by, respectively) the aggregate of his or her adjusted cost base of the share and reasonable expenses of disposition. The capital gain or loss must be computed in Canadian currency using a weighted average adjusted cost base for identical properties. The capital gains net of losses included in income are 50%. The amount by which a shareholder’s capital loss exceeds the capital gain in a year may be deducted from a capital gain realized by the shareholder in the three previous years or any subsequent year, subject to certain restrictions in the case of a corporate shareholder.
Under the Canadian Tax Act, a non-resident of Canada is subject to Canadian tax on taxable capital gains, and may deduct allowable capital losses, realized on a disposition of “taxable Canadian property”. Shares of the common stock of the Company will constitute taxable Canadian property of a shareholder at a particular time if the shareholder used the shares in carrying on business in Canada, or if at any time in the five years immediately preceding the disposition 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series in the capital stock of the Company belonged to one or more persons in a group comprising the shareholder and persons with whom the shareholder and persons with whom the shareholder did not deal at arm’s length and in certain other circumstances.
The Convention relieves United States residents from liability for Canadian tax on capital gains derived on a disposition of shares unless:
(a) | the value of the shares is derived principally from “real property” in Canada, including the right to explore for or exploit natural resources and rights to amounts computed by reference to production; |
(b) | the shareholder was resident in Canada for 120 month during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the disposition and the shares were owned by him when he or she ceased to be resident in Canada, or |
(c) | the shares formed part of the business property of a “permanent establishment” that the holder has or had in Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition. |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the anticipated material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”).
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to a U.S. Holder as a result of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.
Scope of this Disclosure
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable as of the date of this Annual Report. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Common Shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S., (b) a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such income, or (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust.
Non-U.S. Holders
A “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Common Shares other than a U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares to non-U.S. Holders. Accordingly, a non-U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences (including the potential application of and operation of any tax treaties) of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including the following U.S. Holders: (a) U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies or that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (c) U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (d) U.S. Holders that are liable for the alternative minimum tax under the Code; (e) U.S. Holders that own Common Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquired Common Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) partners of partnerships that hold Common Shares or owners of other entities classified as partnerships or “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes that hold Common Shares; or (h) U.S. Holders that hold Common Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.
Tax Consequences Other than U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. state and local or foreign tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the U.S. state and local and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares. (See “Taxation—Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” above).
Treaty Application to Certain Individual U.S. Holders
An individual U.S. Holder who does not maintain a substantial presence, permanent home, or habitual abode in the U.S., or whose personal and economic relations are not closer to the U.S. than to any other country (other than Canada), may be unable to benefit from the provisions of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. An individual U.S. Holder described immediately above should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the availability of benefits under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Common Shares
Distributions on Common Shares
General Taxation of Distributions
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to the Common Shares will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, such distribution will be treated (a) first, as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares and, (b) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Shares. (See more detailed discussion at “Disposition of Common Shares” below).
Reduced Tax Rates for Certain Dividends
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before January 1, 2009, a dividend paid by the Company generally will be taxed at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains if (a) the Company is a “qualified foreign corporation” (as defined below), (b) the U.S. Holder receiving such dividend is an individual, estate, or trust, and (c) such dividend is paid on Common Shares that have been held by such U.S. Holder for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the “ex-dividend date” (i.e., the first date that a purchaser of such Common Shares will not be entitled to receive such dividend).
The Company generally will be a “qualified foreign corporation” under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code (a “QFC”) if (a) the Company is incorporated in a possession of the U.S., (b) the Company is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, or (c) the Common Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. However, even if the Company satisfies one or more of such requirements, the Company will not be treated as a QFC if the Company is a “foreign personal holding company,” a “foreign investment company,” or a “passive foreign investment company” (each as defined below) for the taxable year during which the Company pays a dividend or for the preceding taxable year.
As discussed below, the Company believes that it is not a “foreign personal holding company,” a “foreign investment company,” or a “passive foreign investment company” (See more detailed discussion at “Additional Rules that May Apply to U.S. Holders” below). Accordingly, the Company believes that it should be a QFC. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS will not challenge the determination made by the Company concerning its QFC status or that the Company will be a QFC for the current or any future taxable year. If the Company is not a QFC, a dividend paid by the Company to a U.S. Holder, including a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, generally will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates (and not at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains). The dividend rules are complex and each U.S. Holder shoul d consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the dividend rules.
Distributions Paid in Foreign Currency
The amount of a distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distribution based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder that does not convert foreign currency received as a distribution into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt generally will have a tax basis in such foreign currency equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency on the date of receipt. Such a U.S. Holder generally will recognize ordinary income or loss on the subsequent sale or other taxable disposition of such foreign currency (including an exchange for U.S. dollars).
Dividends Received Deduction
Dividends paid on the Common Shares generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction.” The availability of the dividends received deduction is subject to complex limitations that are beyond the scope of this discussion, and a U.S. Holder that is a corporation should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the dividends received deduction.
Disposition of Common Shares
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares are held for more than one year. ). Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares generally will be treated as “U.S. source” for purposes of the foreign tax credit rules. (See more detailed discussion at “Foreign Tax Credit” below).
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses and net capital losses are subject to complex limitations. For a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, capital losses may be used to offset capital gains and up to U.S.$3,000 of ordinary income. An unused capital loss of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust generally may be carried forward to subsequent taxable years, until such net capital loss is exhausted. For a U.S. Holder that is a corporation, capital losses may be used to offset capital gains, and an unused capital loss generally may be carried back three years and carried forward five years from the year in which such net capital loss is r ecognized.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the Common Shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.
Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income (including “passive income,” “high withholding tax interest,” “financial services income,” “shipping income,” and certain other categories of income). Dividends paid by the Company generally will constitute “foreign source” income and generally will be classified as “passive income” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “financial services income.” In addition, a U.S. Holder that is a corporation and that owns 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company may, subject to complex limitations, be entitled to an “indirect” foreign tax credit under Section 902 of the Code with respect to dividends paid by the Company. The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Information Reporting; Backup Withholding Tax
Payments made within the U.S. of dividends on, and proceeds arising from certain sales or other taxable dispositions of, Common Shares generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, U.S. Holders that are corporations generally are excluded from these information reporting and ba ckup withholding tax rules. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the information reporting and backup withholding tax rules.
Additional Rules that May Apply to U.S. Holders
If the Company is a “foreign personal holding company,” a “foreign investment company,” a “controlled foreign corporation,” or a “passive foreign investment company” (each as defined below), the preceding sections of this summary may not describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.
Foreign Personal Holding Company
The Company generally will be a “foreign personal holding company” under Section 552 of the Code (a “FPHC”) if (a) at any time during a taxable year, more than 50% of the total voting power or the total value of the outstanding shares of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the U.S. and (b) 60% (or 50% in certain cases) or more of the gross income of the Company for such taxable year is foreign personal holding company income. “Foreign personal holding company income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.
If the Company is a FPHC, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income such U.S. Holder’s allocable portion of the “undistributed foreign personal holding company income” (as defined in Section 556 of the Code) of the Company. The Company does not believe that it has previously been, or currently is, a FPHC. The FPHC rules are repealed for tax years of foreign corporations beginning after December 31, 2004 (and for tax years of U.S. Holders with or within which such tax years of foreign corporations end).
Foreign Investment Company
The Company generally will be a “foreign investment company” under Section 1246 of the Code (a “FIC”) if (a) 50% or more of the total voting power or the total value of the outstanding shares of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by citizens or residents of the U.S., domestic partnerships, domestic corporations, domestic estates, or domestic trusts (each as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and (b) the Company is (i) registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a “management company” or a “unit investment trust” or (ii) engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest in securities or commodities.
If the Company is a FIC, all or part of any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares will be treated as ordinary income (rather than as capital gain). The Company does not believe that it has previously been, or currently is, a FIC. The FIC rules are repealed for tax years of foreign corporations beginning after December 31, 2004 (and for tax years of U.S. Holders with or within which such tax years of foreign corporations end).
Controlled Foreign Corporation
The Company generally will be a “controlled foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code (a “CFC”) if more than 50% of the total voting power or the total value of the outstanding shares of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by citizens or residents of the U.S., domestic partnerships, domestic corporations, domestic estates, or domestic trusts (each as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), each of which own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company (a “10% Shareholder”).
If the Company is a CFC, a 10% Shareholder generally will be subject to current U.S. federal income tax with respect to (a) such 10% Shareholder’s pro rata share of the “subpart F income” (as defined in Section 952 of the Code) of the Company and (b) such 10% Shareholder’s pro rata share of the earnings of the Company invested in “United States property” (as defined in Section 956 of the Code). In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares by a U.S. Holder that was a 10% Shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending with such sale or other taxable disposition generally will be treated as a dividend to the extent of the “earnings and profits” of the Company that are attributable to such Common Shares. If the Company is both a C FC and a “passive foreign investment company” (as defined below), the Company generally will be treated as a CFC (and not as a “passive foreign investment company”) with respect to any 10% Shareholder.
The Company does not believe that it has previously been, or currently is, a CFC. However, there can be no assurance that the Companywill not be a CFC for the current or any future taxable year.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
The Company generally will be a “passive foreign investment company” under Section 1297 of the Code (a “PFIC”) if, for a taxable year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company for such taxable year is passive income or (b) 50% or more of the assets held by the Company either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on the fair market value of such assets (or on the adjusted tax basis of such assets, if the Company is not publicly traded and either is a “controlled foreign corporation” or makes an election). “Passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.
For purposes of the PFIC income test and assets test described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another foreign corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other foreign corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other foreign corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, “passive income” does not include any interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the Company from a “related person” (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.
If the Company is a PFIC, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares will depend on whether such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF” under Section 1295 of the Code (a “QEF Election”) or a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (a “Mark-to-Market Election”). A U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election will be referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”
Under Section 1291 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, and any “excess distribution” (as defined in Section 1291(b) of the Code) paid on the Common Shares, must be ratably allocated to each day in a Non-Electing U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to prior years of such Non-Electing U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year.
A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. However, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of (a) the “net capital gain” of the Company, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) and the “ordinary earnings” of the Company, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such amounts for each taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. Holder by the Company.
A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. A U.S. Holder may make a Mark-to-Market Election only if the Common Shares are “marketable stock” (as defined in Section 1296(e) of the Code). A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will include in gross income, for each taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the Common Shares as of the close of such taxable year over (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such Common Shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will, subject to certain limitations, be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares over (b) the fair market value o f such Common Shares as of the close of such taxable year.
The Company does not believe that it was a PFIC for the taxable year ended July 31, 2004. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS will not challenge the determination made by the Company concerning its PFIC status or that the Company will not be a PFIC for the current or any future taxable year.
The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the PFIC rules and how the PFIC rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.U.S.
F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Generally, dividends that are paid by Canadian corporations to non-resident shareholders are subject to non-resident tax of 25%. However, Paragraph 2 of Article X of the Tax Convention provides that, dividends paid by a Canadian corporation to a corporation resident in the United States, which owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the corporation paying the dividend, are subject to Canadian Non-Resident withholding tax at the source of 5% of the gross amount of the dividend.
In all other cases, when a dividend is paid by a Canadian corporation to the beneficial owner of shares resident in the United States, the Canadian Non-Resident withholding tax at the source is 15% of the gross amount of the dividend.
G.
Statements by Experts
Not Applicable.
H.
Documents on Display
Any documents referred to above can be viewed at our principal executive office at 322-4585 Canada Way, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 4L6. All of the documents referred to above are in English.
I.
Subsidiary Information
Not Applicable.
ITEM 11
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our financial results are quantified in United States dollars and a majority of our obligations and expenditures with respect to our operations are incurred in United States dollars. In the past, we have raised equity funding through the sale of securities denominated in Canadian dollars, and we may in the future raise additional equity funding denominated in Canadian dollars. It is anticipated that any future debt financings would be in United States dollars. We do not believe we currently have any materially significant market risks relating to our operations resulting from foreign exchange rates. However, if we enter into financings or other business arrangements denominated in a currency other than the United States dollar, variations in the exchange rate may give rise to foreign exchange gains or losses that could be significant.
We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes and are not a party to any derivatives. In the event we experience substantial growth in the future, our business and results of operations may be materially effected by changes in interest rates on new debt financings, the granting of credit or lease financing options to our customers for new rides at applicable market interest rates, or rollovers of an existing 10.5% debt issue and, certain other credit risks associated with our operations.
ITEM 12
DEBT SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15
CONTROL AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Treasurer, Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to the material information relating to us (or our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
During the period covered by this annual report, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer does not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance, not absolute assurance, that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered in relation to the costs. Because of inherent limitation in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, with the Company has been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. &nbs p;Additional controls can be circumvented by the individual act of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
ITEM 16
ITEM 16A
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our Board of Directors has determined that Ralph Proceviat qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC. Mr. Proceviat is a current member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the British Columbia Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr. Proceviat earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1979. He graduated from the University of British Columbia, Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Management Information Systems. Mr. Proceviat does not qualify as an independent director under the criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 and NASD Rule 4350(d) and 4200 related to independent directors serving on audit committees of Nasdaq National Market listing companies.
ITEM 16B
CODE OF ETHICS
We adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics is posted on our website at www.thrilltime.com.
ITEM 16C
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) has served as our independent auditors since July 31, 1997. The following table presents fees for services rendered by KPMG for fiscal 2004.
Description | Fees |
| 2004 | 2003 |
Audit fees | $41,097 | $33,411 |
Audit-related fees | -- | |
Tax | $11,208 | $10,364 |
All other fees | -- | |
Total | $52,305 | $43,775 |
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision by KPMG of non-audit services to the Company in fiscal 2004 is compatible with KPMG’s maintaining its independence. The Audit Committee approved all of the tax services provided by KPMG in 2004.
KPMG has informed the Company and the Audit Committee that they will not be standing for reappointment.
Audit Committee Preapproval Policy
Effective August 1, 2003, all services to be performed for us by KPMG must be preapproved by the Audit Committee or a designated member of the Audit Committee. The Committee will annually review and preapprove the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific preapproval from the Committee. The Committee will revise the list of general preapproved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The Committee does not delegate its responsibilities to preapprove services performed by the independent auditor to management.
AUDIT SERVICES
The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific preapproval of the Committee. The Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure or other matters.
In addition to the annual Audit services engagement specifically approved by the Committee, the Committee may grant general preapproval for other Audit services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide.
AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor; provided that such services do not impair the independence of the auditor.
TAX SERVICES
The Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide certain Tax services to us such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice, without impairing the auditor’s independence. However, the Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.
ALL OTHER SERVICES
The Committee may grant general preapproval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services and would not impair the independence of the auditor. In no event shall the Committee approve non-audit services prohibited by the SEC.
PREAPPROVAL FEE LEVELS
Preapproval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels will require specific preapproval by the Committee.
PROCEDURES
Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Committee will be submitted to the Committee by both the independent auditor and the Chief Financial Officer and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
ITEM 16D
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS
FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E
PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND
AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
There were no purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” of the Company’s equity securities.
PART III
ITEM 17
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as at July 31, 2004 and 2003 and for each of the years in the three year period ended July 31, 2004 have been reported on by KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. Differences between Canadian GAAP and US GAAP are set forth in Note 14 to the financial statements.
ITEM 18
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 19
EXHIBITS
A.
Financial Statements
See Index to Financial Statements.
B.
Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: “Ralph Proceviat”
Ralph Proceviat, President
Date: December , 2004
Executed at Burnaby,
British Columbia, Canada
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cover Page
F-1
Auditors’ Report to the Shareholders
F-2
Comments by Auditors for US Readers on Canada-US Reporting Difference
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at July 31, 2004 and 2003
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit for each of the three years ended
July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years
ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for each of the three years ended
July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
F-7
FORM 51-901F
Annual Report
Incorporated as part of:
____x____ Schedule A
_________ Schedules B & C
(place x in appropriate category)
ISSUER DETAILS:
NAME OF ISSUER: ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc.
ISSUER ADDRESS: #322 – 4585 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC V5G 4L6
ISSUER PHONE NUMBER: (604) 294-8084
ISSUER FAX NUMBER: (604) 294-8709
CONTACT PERSON: Ralph Proceviat
CONTACT’S POSITION: President
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: (604) 294-8084
FOR QUARTER ENDED: July 31, 2004
DATE OF REPORT: November 24, 2004
CERTIFICATE
THE TWO SCHEDULES REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ARE ATTACHED AND THE DISCLOSURE CONTAINED THERIN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A COPY OF THIS QUARTERLY REPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO ANY SHAREHOLDER WHO REQUESTS IT.
Ralph Proceviat
“Ralph Proceviat”
04/11/24
NAME OF DIRECTOR
SIGN(TYPED)
DATE SIGNED(YY/MM/DD)
Sherrill Cyr
“Sherrill Cyr”
04/11/24
NAME OF DIRECTOR
SIGN(TYPED)
DATE SIGNED(YY/MM/DD)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT |
To the Shareholders of Thrilltime Entertainment International, Inc. |
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Thrilltime Entertainment International, Inc. as at July 31, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. 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 Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. |
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at July 31, 2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. |
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Chartered Accountants |
Vancouver, Canada |
September 30, 2004, except as to note 15 which is as of November 24, 2004 |
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COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR U.S. READERS ON CANADA-U.S. REPORTING DIFFERENCE |
In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Our report to the Shareholders dated September 30, 2004, except as to note 15 which is as of November 24, 2004, is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not permit a reference to such events and conditions in the auditors’ report when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements. |
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Chartered Accountants |
Vancouver, Canada |
September 30, 2004, except as to note 15 which is as of November 24, 2004 |
Consolidated Financial Statements of
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
As at July 31, 2004
|
2004 |
2003 |
| | |
Assets | | |
| | |
Current assets: | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 170,213 | $ 202,943 |
Accounts receivable | 307,178 | 378,055 |
Income taxes recoverable | 38,000 | – |
Inventories (note 3) | 147,254 | 188,083 |
Prepaid expenses | 45,752 | 19,772 |
| 708,397 | 788,853 |
| | |
Capital assets (note 4) | 17,206 | 22,373 |
| | |
Deferred financing costs | 5,000 | 25,000 |
| | |
| $ 730,603 | $ 836,226 |
| | |
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficiency |
| | |
Current liabilities: | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ 499,089 | $ 366,385 |
Income and other taxes payable | 79,682 | 21,473 |
Current portion of long-term debt (note 6) | 2,570,749 | 2,952,240 |
| 3,149,520 | 3,340,098 |
| | |
Long-term debt (note 6) | 150,463 | – |
| 3,299,983 | 3,340,098 |
| | |
Shareholders’ deficiency: | | |
Share capital (note 7): | | |
Authorized: 100,000,000 common shares, without par value | | |
Issued: 20,007,297 common shares | 7,801,123 | 7,801,123 |
Contributed surplus (note 7(b)) | 505,236 | 505,236 |
| 8,306,359 | 8,306,359 |
| | |
Deficit | (10,875,739) | (10,810,231) |
| (2,569,380) | (2,503,872) |
| | |
| $ 730,603 | $ 836,226 |
Continuing operations (note 1)
Commitments and contingencies (note 13)
On behalf of the Board:
“Ralph Proceviat”
Director
“Sherrill Cyr”
Director
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
| | | |
Product sales | $ 683,725 | $ 963,749 | $ 1,678,899 |
| | | |
Cost of sales | 426,236 | 592,897 | 1,110,444 |
| | | |
Gross margin | 257,489 | 370,852 | 568,455 |
| | | |
Royalty revenue | 1,007,774 | 1,024,889 | 982,547 |
Other revenue | 51,848 | 261,166 | 299,650 |
| 1,317,111 | 1,656,907 | 1,850,652 |
Operating expenses: | | | |
General and administration | 984,517 | 1,285,377 | 1,372,424 |
Marketing and selling | 28,685 | 37,178 | 56,984 |
Research and development | 15,726 | 11,210 | 9,053 |
| 1,028,928 | 1,333,765 | 1,438,461 |
| | | |
Operating income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, amortization, and under noted | 288,183 | 323,142 | 412,191 |
| | | |
Interest expense net of interest income | 347,295 | 513,792 | 676,054 |
Amortization of capital assets | 5,704 | 44,318 | 103,326 |
Amortization of patent rights | – | 1,005,160 | 1,664,946 |
Write-down of assets, legal and other costs (note 8) | – | 1 | 331,000 |
Gain on settlement of convertible securities (note 6(a)) | – | (6,116,246) | – |
| 352,999 | (4,552,975) | 2,775,326 |
| | | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | (64,816) | 4,876,117 | (2,363,135) |
| | | |
Income tax expense (note 9) | 692 | 57,124 | 80,031 |
| | | |
Net income (loss) for the year | (65,508) | 4,818,993 | (2,443,166) |
| | | |
Deficit, beginning of year | (10,810,231) | (15,629,224) | (13,186,058) |
| | | |
Deficit, end of year | $ (10,875,739) | $(10,810,231) | $(15,629,224) |
| | | |
Earnings (loss) per share (note 7(e)) | $ (0.003) | $ 0.26 | $ (0.14) |
| | | | |
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
| | | |
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities: | | | |
Operating income/loss for the period | $ (65,508) | $ 4,818,993 | $ (2,443,166) |
Items not involving cash: | | | |
Amortization of capital assets | 5,704 | 44,318 | 103,326 |
Amortization of patent rights | – | 1,005,160 | 1,664,946 |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 20,000 | 47,206 | 85,297 |
Amortization of deferred gain (note 6(a)) | – | (62,697) | (150,475) |
Gain on settlement of convertible securities (note 6(a)) | – | (6,116,246) | – |
Gain on disposal of capital assets | (270) | – | – |
Gain on disposal of Skycoaster® (note 4) | – | (175,000) | – |
Loss on disposal of capital asset | – | 6,173 | – |
Stock compensation | – | 9,855 | – |
Non-cash interest on convertible securities | – | 189,320 | 452,220 |
Write-down of inventory | – | – | 331,000 |
Write-down of investment | – | 1 | – |
Cash flows from (used in) operations | (40,074) | (232,917) | 43,148 |
Change in non-cash operating working capital: | | | |
Accounts receivable | 70,877 | 18,775 | 254,516 |
Income taxes recoverable | (38,000) | – | – |
Inventories | 40,829 | (15,351) | 190,194 |
Prepaid expenses | (25,980) | (1,647) | 1,272 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 132,704 | 153,782 | (692,892) |
Customers deposits | – | – | (25,000) |
Income and other taxes payable | 58,209 | (33,775) | (36,487) |
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities | 198,565 | (111,133) | (265,249) |
| | | |
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities: | | | |
Repayment of long-term debt | (231,028) | (184,562) | (557,153) |
Issuance of common shares | – | 65,859 | – |
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities | (231,028) | (118,703) | (557,153) |
| | | |
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities: | | | |
Capital assets | (867) | (7,950) | (3,853) |
Proceeds on disposal of capital assets | 600 | – | – |
Proceeds on disposal of Skycoaster® | – | 175,000 | – |
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities | (267) | 167,050 | (3,853) |
| | | |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (32,730) | (62,786) | (826,255) |
| | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 202,943 | 265,729 | 1,091,984 |
| | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ 170,213 | $ 202,943 | $ 265,729 |
Supplementary cash flow information (note 10)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
The Company is incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) and its principal business activities are the sale and development of actual experience amusement rides. |
|
1. Continuing operations: |
These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business notwithstanding that, at July 31, 2004, the Company had a working capital deficiency of $2,441,123, shareholders’ deficiency of $2,569,380, was non-compliant with terms in certain debt instruments (note 6) and generated a loss in the current fiscal year. Operations to date have been covered primarily from operating revenues generated by the amusement ride businesses and financings associated with long-term debt and equity transactions. As a result, the Company’s future operations are dependent upon the identification and successful completion of additional long-term or permanent equity financing, the continued support of c reditors and shareholders, and, ultimately, the achievement of profitable operations. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in raising additional cash to finance operations or that the continued support of creditors and shareholders will be available. If it is not, the Company will be required to reduce operations or liquidate assets. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. |
|
2. Significant accounting policies: |
(a) Basis of presentation: |
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Superstar Dragsters, Inc. and Skycoaster, Inc., both incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada, U.S.A. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“Canadian GAAP”) which are substantially in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), except as disclosed in note 14. |
(b) Cash and cash equivalents: |
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balances with banks, and investments in money market instruments with a term to maturity of three months or less on acquisition. |
(c) Inventories: |
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, and net realizable value. |
(d) Capital assets: |
Capital assets are recorded at cost and are amortized over their remaining estimated useful economic life as follows: |
Asset | Method and rate |
| |
Equipment | Declining-balance basis at between 20% and 30% per annum |
Skycoasters® | Straight-line basis over the term of their operating agreements (3-5 years) |
(e) Deferred financing costs: |
Deferred financing costs relate to the issuance of convertible securities during 1998 and the secured loan during fiscal 2000 (note 6). These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the terms of the respective debt instruments. |
(f) Patent rights: |
Patent rights acquired as a result of business acquisitions are amortized on a straight-line basis over their remaining useful life, which on acquisition, was estimated to be 5 years. Management reassesses the net recoverable amount of the patents on a periodic basis, based on the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows. An impairment charge is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its net recoverable amount. |
(g) Stock based compensation: |
Effective August 1, 2002, the Company adopted, on a prospective basis, the standard in Section 3870 of the CICA Handbook for accounting for stock-based compensation. The new standard requires the Company to account for direct share awards and grants of options to non-employees using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation. Options granted to employees and directors will be accounted for using the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based compensation. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for such grants of options to employees and directors, as the exercise price is equal to the market price of the stock on the grant date. Under the fair value based method, stock-based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of the consideration received, or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, or liabilities incurred, whichever is more reliably measurable. The fair value of stock-based payments to non-employees is periodically re-measured until counterparty performance is complete, and any change therein is recognized over the period and in the same manner as if the Company had paid cash instead of paying with or using equity instruments. The cost of stock-based payments to non-employees that are fully vested and nonforfeitable at the grant date is measured and recognized at that date. The Company issues shares and share options under its share-based compensation plans as described in note 7(c). Any consideration paid by employees on exercise of the share options or purchase of shares is credited to share capital. |
(h) Translation of foreign currencies: |
The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies but for which the functional currency of the operation is the United States dollar are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses on translation are included in earnings. |
(i) Revenue recognition: |
Revenues from the sale of entertainment rides is recognized by the percentage of completion method whereby revenue recognized in the statement of operations is the percentage of estimated total revenue relating to the contract that incurred costs to date bear to estimated total costs, after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information. To the extent that payments received from the purchaser pursuant to the agreement are in excess of the revenue recognized, such excess is presented as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Royalty revenues are recorded as earned in accordance with the specific terms and conditions of the royalty agreement. Other revenues, consisting primarily of sales of parts, are recorded at the time of delivery. |
(j) Income taxes: |
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, future income taxes are recognized for the future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases (temporary differences). The resulting changes in the net future income tax asset or liability are included in income. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on future income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is included in income in the period that includes the enactment or substantive enactment date. Future income tax assets are evaluated and if realization is not considered “more likely than not”, a valuation allowance is provided. |
(k) Use of estimates: |
Financial statements prepared in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions which can affect the reported balances. In determining estimates of net recoverable amounts and net realizable values, or whether there has been a permanent impairment in value, for accounts receivable, inventories, capital assets, investments, patent rights and other assets, the Company relies on assumptions regarding applicable industry performance and prospects, as well as general business and economic conditions that prevail and are expected to prevail. Assumptions underlying asset valuations are limited by the availability of reliable comparable data and the uncertainty of predictions concerning future events. |
By nature, asset valuations are subjective and do not necessarily result in precise determinations. Should the underlying assumptions change, the estimated net recoverable amounts and net realizable values may change by a material amount. |
(l) Earnings per share: |
Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share are computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding stock options were exercised and that the proceeds from such exercises were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. |
(m) Comparative figures: |
Certain of the prior years comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted for the current year. |
3. Inventories: |
| 2004 | 2003 |
| | |
Top Eliminator: | | |
Spare parts | $128,511 | $155,535 |
| | |
Skycoaster: | | |
Spare parts | 18,743 | 32,548 |
| | |
| $147,254 | $188,083 |
| | | 2004 | 2003 |
| | Accumulated | Net book | Net book |
| Cost | Amortization | Value | Value |
| | | | |
Equipment | $127,802 | $110,596 | $17,206 | $22,373 |
Skycoasters | 112,089 | 112,089 | − | – |
| | | | |
| $239,891 | $222,685 | $17,206 | $22,373 |
Cost of equipment as of July 31, 2003 was $132,483 and cost of Skycoasters as at July 31, 2003 was $112,089. Accumulated amortization at July 31, 2003 was $110,110 and $112,089, respectively. During fiscal 2003 the Company sold one of the previously leased Skycoasters. |
|
5. Patent rights: |
The continuity of patents rights is as follows: |
| |
Cost of patent rights acquired during fiscal 1998 | $12,024,599 |
Purchase price adjustments | (1,294,522) |
Amortization | (3,989,680) |
Write-down during fiscal 1999 | (2,405,344) |
| |
Balance at July 31, 2000 | 4,335,053 |
Amortization | (1,664,947) |
| |
Balance at July 31, 2001 | 2,670,106 |
Amortization | (1,664,946) |
| |
Balance at July 31, 2002 | 1,005,160 |
Amortization | (1,005,160) |
| |
Balance at July 31, 2004 and 2003 | $− |
2004 2003
| | |
Note payable bearing interest at 5% per annum (note 6(a)) | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| | |
Amount due for settlement agreement (note 6(b)) | 195,515 | 235,573 |
| | |
Non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum (note 6(c)) | 2,465,697 | 2,656,667 |
| 2,721,212 | 2,952,240 |
| | |
Less current portion of long-term debt | (2,570,749) | (2,952,240) |
| | |
| $150,463 | $– |
(a) Note payable: |
On January 23, 2003, the Company reached an agreement with the holder of a $5,950,000 convertible debenture (the “Debenture”), explained in detail in note 7(b) of the audited July 31, 2003 financial statements, to satisfy and discharge all of the Company’s obligations through a combination of cash and common shares of the Company. The Debenture, including accrued interest, was to have automatically converted into 6,368,247 common shares of the Company at $1.11 per share on December 31, 2002. If the full conversion had taken place, the Debenture holder would have held a block of shares representing 26.68% of the post conversion shares of 23,872,744 common shares, (consisting of the pre-conversion number of shares outstanding of 17,504,497 plus the conversion shares of 6,368,247). At the time of the settlement, the potential 26.68% holdings of the Debenture holder was reduced to 3.7% of the then 20,007,297 outstanding common shares. Under the terms of the agreement reached with the holder of the Debenture, the Company agreed to pay $120,000 in cash and issue 750,000 common shares to the holder in full and final satisfaction of the Debenture obligation. $60,000 of the $120,000 was paid on January 23, 2003 and the Company signed a promissory note for the remaining $60,000 whereby the principal amount together with interest was to be paid in four monthly installments commencing July 31, 2003. The Company did not meet its payment obligations and the promissory note is now due on demand and bears interest at 18% per annum until the entire amount is paid in full. |
The effect of the settlement as at January 23, 2003 was as follows: |
Convertible debenture plus accrued interest, including equity component of $495,381, prior to discharge | $7,564,127 |
Less consideration paid to Debenture Holder: | |
Cash | (60,000) |
Note payable | (60,000) |
Common shares converted and issued – 750,000 at US $1.11 | (832,500) |
Equity component of debenture | (495,381) |
| (1,447,881) |
Gain on settlement of convertible securities | $6,116,246 |
(b) Amount due for settlement agreement: |
During fiscal 2000, the Company renegotiated the terms and conditions of an October 1998 Settlement Agreement with a third party relating to the acquisition and further development of an improved amusement park dragster concept and ride. The 1998 Settlement Agreement, explained in detail in note 7(b) of the Company’s audited July 31, 2003 financial statements, provided for a Share Price Differential associated with common shares and stock options issued to and excercised by the third party. As part of this settlement, the Company agreed to pay the third party a total of $750,000, which was accrued as at July 31, 1999, in installments during the period to August 1, 2003, and granted the third party an option to acquire two Skycoasters at the Company’s cost. The parties also agreed to cancel the 500,000 unexercised stock options an d eliminate the previous terms regarding the Share Price Differential and all other terms and conditions relating to the original Agreement. |
On August 1, 2001, the Company paid $200,000 to the third party and on June 28, 2002 renegotiated the remaining $250,000 that was due on or before March 31, 2002. The Company agreed to pay the principal sum of $260,135, which included legal fees, bearing interest at the rate of 8.5%, amortized over a period of twenty-four months, in equal monthly payments of $11,825 beginning August 1, 2002. The Company granted to the third party security interest in ten Top Eliminator dragsters (individual vehicles). In addition to the $260,135, as part of the settlement, $100,000 was due and payable August 1, 2003. In May 2004, the Company negotiated an amendment to the payment schedule whereby commencing June 1, 2004, the monthly payments to retire the full amount of the principal and interest outstanding amounting to $202,660 was decreased to $4,995 from $11,825. The unpaid amount bears interest at the rate of eight and one half percent (8.5%) per year payable over a period of forty-eight (48) months. The Company has an option to pay off this debt by making a payment of $140,000 on or before January 1, 2005. |
(c) Non-convertible secured loan: |
On November 5, 1999, the Company completed a $4,000,000 financing by way of a non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum which is repayable over five years in quarterly installments of principal and interest totaling $261,319. The funds were used to complete the acquisition of SkyFun 1, Inc. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company has pledged to the lender its common shares of Skycoaster, Inc., the Company’s subsidiary that merged with SkyFun 1, Inc., as well as the Skycoaster worldwide patents, trademarks and royalty stream. The loan may be repaid at any time with a penalty equal to the interest the lender would have otherwise earned over the remaining term of the loan. |
On March 13, 2002, the Company renegotiated the payment terms of the loan agreement. It was agreed the loan would be repaid in sixteen (16) quarterly installments of principal and interest, the first four installments each in the amount of $70,349 commencing on February 15, 2002 and the last twelve installments each in the amount of $261,320 commencing February 15, 2003. All other terms of the loan remain in full force and effect. As at July 31, 2004 the Company has not been in a position to make the scheduled May 15, 2003, August 15, 2003, November 15, 2003, February 15, 2004, May 15, 2004 payments totaling $1,306,595 and therefore the entire balance of the loan is due on demand and classified as a current liability. As at July 31, 2004, in its efforts to eliminate this debt, the Company is seeking a buyer(s) for the shares and /or assets of Skycoaster, Inc. and continues to receive co-operation from the lender who has not yet demanded repayment of the loan. |
|
7. Share capital: |
(a) Authorized: |
100,000,000 common shares without par value |
(b) Issued: |
| Number of shares | Amount |
| | |
Balance at July 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 | 17,504,497 | $7,905,999 |
| | |
Issued for cash: | | |
Private placement | 2,000,000 | 65,859 |
Issued pursuant to discharge of convertible securities (note 6(a)) | 750,000 | 832,500 |
Treasury shares cancelled | (247,200) | (1,003,235) |
| | |
Balance at July 31, 2004 and 2003 | 20,007,297 | $7,801,123 |
During fiscal 2003, the Company cancelled 247,200 shares held in treasury with a stated value of $1,003,235. As a result of the discharge of the convertible debenture (note 6(a)), the Company recognized an increase in contributed surplus of $495,831 which represents a settlement of the equity component of the debenture at an assigned value of $nil. |
(c) Stock options: |
Stock options to purchase shares from the Company are granted to directors and employees of the Company on the terms and conditions acceptable to the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada, in particular the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX). In 2002, all options were granted in Canadian dollars which is the functional currency in which the grantee is remunerated. The Company has a formal stock option plan (the “Plan”) that allows the directors to grant stock options to purchase up to a total of 3,407,850 common shares, provided that stock options in favour of any one individual may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding shares. No stock option granted under the Plan is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each stock option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee on ly by such optionee. The exercise price of all stock options granted under the Plan must not be less than the Discounted Market Price (the last closing price of the listed shares before the date of the grant, less the applicable discounts), subject to a minimum price of Cdn. $0.10 per share, and the maximum term of each stock option may not exceed five years. Vesting provided at the discretion of the directors and once vested, options are exercisable at any time. Any shares issued on the exercise of stock options must be legended with a four month hold period commencing on the date the stock options were granted. |
The continuity of stock options for fiscal 2004 is as follows: |
Expiry | Exercise | July 31, | | | Expired or | July 31, |
Date | Price | 2003 | Granted | Exercised | Cancelled | 2004 |
| | | | | | |
11/25/05 | Cdn. $0.10 | 1,900,000 | – | – | – | 1,900,000 |
12/31/05 | Cdn. $0.16 | 300,000 | – | – | (300,000) | – |
| | 2,200,000 | – | – | (300,000) | 1,900,000 |
Weighted average exercise prices (Cdn. $) | $0.11 | $– | $– | $(0.16) | $0.10 |
Number of options exercisable | | | | 1,172,850 |
The summary continuity of stock options for fiscal 2003 is as follows: |
| | July 31, | | | Expired or | July 31, |
| | 2002 | Granted | Exercised | Cancelled | 2003 |
| | | | | | |
| | 1,030,000 | 2,075,000 | – | (905,000) | 2,200,000 |
Weighted average exercise prices (Cdn. $) | $0.19 | $0.10 | $– | $(0.20) | $0.11 |
The summary continuity of stock options for fiscal 2002 is as follows: |
| | July 31, | | | Expired or | July 31, |
| | 2001 | Granted | Exercised | Cancelled | 2002 |
| | | | | | |
| | 1,235,000 | 300,000 | – | (505,000) | 1,030,000 |
Weighted average exercise prices (Cdn. $) | $0.60 | $0.16 | $– | $(1.15) | $0.19 |
As outlined in note 2(b), the Company adopted, on a prospective basis, the standards in Section 3870 of the CICA Handbook for accounting for stock-based compensation. As permitted by Section 3870, the Company did not adopt the provisions in respect of the fair value method of accounting for all employees’ stock-based compensation. As a result, pro forma disclosure is required to reflect the impact on the Company as if it had elected to adopt the fair value method of accounting provisions of CICA Handbook Section 3870. However, since no options were granted in 2004 and all outstanding options were fully vested as at July 31, 2003, there is no need for pro forma disclosure. If compensation costs for the Company’s employee stock options issued in 2003 had been determined using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation, for the year ended July 31, 2003, the Company’s net income would have decreased by $135,682 to $4,683,311 and by $0.01 per share to $0.25 per share. Options issued in 2003 had a weighted fair value of Cdn. $0.10 per share. The fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model using the following weighted average assumptions: |
Expected life | 2.94 |
Expected dividend | Nil |
Expected volatility | 269% |
Risk-free interest rate | 10.5% |
(d) Share purchase warrants: |
Expiry | Conversion | July 31, | Number of | July 31, |
Date | Price | 2003 | Warrants Issued | 2004 |
| | | | |
01/20/05 | Cdn. $0.10 | Cdn. $200,000 | – | Cdn. $200,000 |
| | | | |
Summary of share purchase warrants for fiscal 2003 is as follows |
| | July 31, | Number of | July 31, |
| | 2002 | Warrants Issued | 2003 |
| | | | |
| | Cdn. $– | 2,000,000 | Cdn. $200,000 |
| | | | |
On January 20, 2003, the Company completed a private placement for 2,000,000 shares. Each share includes one share purchase warrant exercisable at Cdn. $0.10 per share until January 20, 2004. All securities issued in connection with this transaction are subject to a one-year hold period and cannot be sold or transferred until January 20, 2004. On January 9, 2004, the Company received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to extend the warrant exercise period from January 20, 2004 to January 20, 2005. There were no share purchase warrants outstanding for fiscal 2002. |
(e) Weighted-average shares outstanding: |
Loss per share has been calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year of 20,007,297 (2003 – 18,679,000; 2002 – 17,257,297). Diluted loss per share does not differ from basic loss per share as all potential common shares are anti-dilutive. |
|
8. Write-down of assets, legal and other costs: |
The Company incurred the following costs in connection with restructuring various agreements and assessing the carrying value of its assets: |
|
|
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
|
Write-down of Top Eliminator inventory | $− | $− | $331,000 |
Write-down of investment in Malibu | – | 1 | – |
| $– | $1 | $331,000 |
9. Income taxes: |
The income tax rate for the years ended July 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 varied from the basic federal and British Columbia provincial income tax rate as follows: |
| | | |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
|
Basic rate | (36.4)% | 38.4% | (39.4)% |
Benefit of previously unrecognized losses | (77.0)% | – | – |
Tax benefits of losses not recognized | 41.2 % | 1.4% | 11.37% |
Foreign taxes differing from basic rate | (5.4)% | – | 0.48% |
Gain on settlement of convertible securities not taxable | − | (47.5)% | − |
Withholding taxes on inter-corporate interest | 64.7% | 0.50% | 0.45% |
Amortization of patent rights not tax deductible | – | 7.22% | 25.46% |
Other | 14.0% | 1.18% | 3.64% |
|
Effective rate | 1.1% | 1.2% | 2.0% |
|
Income tax expense(recovery) comprises the following: | | | |
United States federal and state income taxes | $(41,274) | $3,146 | $49,991 |
Withholding taxes | 41,966 | 53,978 | 30,040 |
| $692 | $57,124 | $80,031 |
The tax effect of the temporary differences that give rise to future tax assets and future tax liabilities are presented below: |
| | |
| 2004 | 2003 |
Future income tax assets | | |
Tax loss carry forwards | $408,795 | $331,878 |
Unpaid interest | 162,316 | 110,975 |
Capital assets | 125,343 | 171,503 |
Other | 14,560 | – |
Total gross future income tax assets | 711,014 | 614,356 |
less: valuation allowance | (709,193) | (612,396) |
Total future income tax assets | 1,821 | 1,960 |
Total future income tax liability | (1,821) | (1,960) |
| $- | $- |
Management believes that it is not more likely than not that it will create sufficient taxable income to realize its future tax assets. As a result, a full valuation allowance has been recognized. At July 31, 2004, the Company has non-capital losses carried forward for tax purposes totaling approximately $1,186,040 which are available to reduce taxable income of future years in the amount of $230,326 in Canada and $955,714 in the United States. The losses in Canada expire commencing in 2010 and in the United States commencing in 2018 through 2024. |
|
10. Supplementary cash flow information: |
Supplementary cash flow disclosure and non-cash financing and investing activities are as follows: |
| | | |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
Interest paid | $– | $228,380 | $295,067 |
Income taxes paid | – | 54,608 | 59,818 |
Non-cash financing activities: | | | |
Share issued on settlement of convertible securities | − | $832,500 | − |
|
11. Financial instruments: |
(a) Fair value: |
As at July 31, 2004 and 2003, the carrying amounts of the Company’s current financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates its fair value due to the fact that the Company is in default on repayments and the lender may demand repayment. |
(b) Concentration of credit risk: |
There are no sales of amusement rides for the year ended July 31, 2004. In 2003 one ride sale customer accounted for 22% of all product sales and in 2002 two ride sale customers accounted for 46%. As at July 31, 2003, the customer was not indebted to the Company but in 2002 accounts receivable from the two customers represented the following percentage of total assets (2002 – 1%; 2001 – 8%). Management utilizes established credit policies to mitigate this risk. |
|
12. Segment disclosures: |
The Company considers its business to comprise a single operating segment, being the development, construction and sale of actual experience amusement rides. Supplementary information disclosed by geographic area based on customer location is as follows: |
|
| Outside U.S. | U.S. | Total |
2004: | | | |
Revenues including interest income | $213,398 | $1,530,074 | $1,743,472 |
Income(loss) for the year | (594,663) | 529,155 | (65,508) |
Identifiable assets | 152,349 | 578,254 | 730,603 |
| | | |
2003: | | | |
Revenues including interest income | $227,663 | $2,022,856 | $2,250,519 |
Loss for the year | 4,796,274 | 22,719 | 4,818,993 |
Identifiable assets | 49,289 | 786,937 | 836,226 |
| | | |
2002: | | | |
Revenues including interest income | $239,528 | $2,737,529 | $2,977,057 |
Loss for the year | (1,148,877) | (1,294,289) | (2,443,166) |
Identifiable assets | 101,298 | 1,894,399 | 1,995,697 |
13. Commitments and contingencies: |
In addition to the commitments and contingencies disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements, the Company has the following commitments: |
(a) The Company has aggregate office lease and estimated lease cost commitments during the next five years approximately as follows: |
2005 | $42,688 |
2006 | 4,495 |
2007 | 4,231 |
2008 | 1,057 |
2009 | – |
| $52,471 |
(b) Due to the nature of the Company's business, and the potential personal injury lawsuits and claims against the park operators and the Company as a manufacturer, the Company carries general liability insurance, which provides coverage of up to a general aggregate limit of $1 million (2003 - $1 million) per loss occurrence with a self-insured retention of $25,000 (2003 - $25,000). Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to the Company and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about such matters, the Company's estimates of the outcome of such matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. However, should the claim be settled for amounts in excess of the established reserves, such costs will be charged to operations as incurred. None of the actions known to management are believed to involve amoun ts that would be material to the Company's consolidated financial position, operations, or liquidity. |
|
14. Differences between Canadian and United States generally accepted accounting principles: |
Accounting practices under Canadian and United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), as they affect the Company, are substantially the same, except for the following: |
(a) Presentation of gross margin and operating income (loss): |
Under U.S. GAAP, the inventory write-down of $nil (2003 - $nil, 2002 – $331,000) would be included in cost of sales and the amortization of capital assets of $5,704 (2003 - $44,318, 2002 - $103,326), amortization of patent rights of $nil (2003 - $1,005,160, 2002 - $1,664,946), the write-down of other assets, legal and other costs of $nil (2003 - $1, 2002 - $nil) would be included in operating expenses. These differences are summarized as follows: |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
| | | |
Gross margin under Canadian GAAP | $257,489 | $ 370,852 | $568,455 |
Write-down of Top Eliminator inventory | - | – | (331,000) |
| | | |
Gross margin under U.S. GAAP | $257,489 | $ 370,852 | $237,455 |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
| | | |
Operating income (loss) under Canadian GAAP | $288,183 | $ 323,142 | $412,191 |
Amortization of capital assets | (5,704) | (44,318) | (103,326) |
Amortization of patent rights | – | (1,005,160) | (1,664,946) |
Write-down of other assets, legal and other costs | – | 1 | – |
| | | |
Operating income (loss) under U.S. GAAP | $282,479 | $(726,335) | $(1,356,081) |
(b) Impairment of long-lived assets: |
Under U.S. GAAP, the $2,405,344 write-down of patent rights in 1999 would have been calculated using discounted estimated future cash flows. Under such calculation methods, using a discount rate of 10%, an additional provision of $1,245,202 would have been recorded. In fiscal 2000 and future years, this difference would reduce amortization of patent rights for U.S. GAAP purposes. In fiscal 2003, the patents rights were fully amortized. As such, no difference exists in fiscal 2004. |
(c) Convertible securities: |
Under Canadian GAAP, convertible securities are split into their liability and equity components based on their fair values at the time of issuance. Subsequent to initial recognition, the implied debt discount is recognized as additional interest expense over the term to maturity. Under U.S. GAAP, the intrinsic value of the embedded beneficial conversion feature of convertible securities issued with a non-detachable conversion feature that are in-the-money at the date of issuance is allocated to additional paid in capital. The amount allocated is to be accounted for as additional interest expense over the minimum period in which the holder can realize its return. The beneficial conversion option on the convertible debt described in note 6(a) at the date of its issuance was $975,000. The deemed discount attributable to this beneficial conversion option was amortized to interest expense over the period to the first conversion date. |
As a result of these differences and settlement of the convertible securities as at January 23, 2003 (note 6(a)), under U.S. GAAP, convertible securities in long-term debt as at July 31, 2004 would be $nil (2003 - $nil), equity component of convertible debentures as at July 31, 2004 would be $nil (2003 - $nil), the value of share capital issued on conversion of convertible securities in 1999 would be increased by $9,000, interest expense for the year ended July 31, 2004 would decrease by $nil (2003 - $48,941, 2002 - $95,820), the contributed surplus from the discharge component of the convertible securities for the year ended July 31, 2004 would increase by $479,619 (2003 - $479,619) and deficit at July 31, 2004 would increase by $479,619 (2003 - $479,619). |
Differences affecting the Company’s financial statements are summarized as follows: |
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
| | | |
Income (loss) for the year under Canadian GAAP | $(65,508) | $4,818,993 | $(2,443,166) |
Reduction in amortization of patent rights | – | 208,604 | 345,533 |
Interest expense adjustments for equity component of convertible securities |
– | 48,951 | 95,820 |
| | | |
Income (loss) for the year under U.S. GAAP | $(65,508) | $5,076,538 | $(2,001,813) |
| | | |
Earnings (loss) per share under U.S. GAAP | $(0.003) | $0.27 | $(0.15) |
| Under Canadian GAAP | Adjustments to reconcile to U.S. GAAP | Under U.S. GAAP |
| | | |
2004 | | | |
Issued share capital | $7,801,123 | $9,000 | $7,810,123 |
Contributed surplus | 505,236 | 479,619 | 984,855 |
| 8,306,359 | 488,619 | 8,794,978 |
| | | |
Deficit beginning of the year | (10,810,231) | (479,619) | (11,289,850) |
| | | |
Income (loss) for the year | (65,508) | – | (65,508) |
| | | |
| | | |
Deficit end of year | (10,875,739) | (479,619) | (11,355,358) |
| | | |
Shareholders’ deficiency | $(2,569,380) | $9,000 | $(2,560,380) |
| | | |
2003 | | | |
Issued share capital | $7,801,123 | $9,000 | $7,810,123 |
Contributed surplus | 505,236 | 479,619 | 984,855 |
| 8,306,359 | 488,619 | 8,794,978 |
| | | |
Deficit beginning of the year | (15,629,224) | (737,164) | (16,366,388) |
| | | |
Income for the year | 4,818,993 | 48,941 | 5,076,538 |
| | 208,604 | |
| | | |
Deficit end of year | (10,810,231) | (479,619) | (11,289,850) |
| | | |
Shareholders’ deficiency | $(2,503,872) | $9,000 | $(2,494,872) |
15. Subsequent Events: |
The Company’s general liability insurance policy expired on July 31, 2004 and the Company was granted monthly extensions to October 31, 2004. As of November 24, 2004, the Company has been unable to put a new insurance policy in place. |
FORM 61
Quarterly Report
Incorporated as part of: Schedule A
x Schedules B & C
(place x in appropriate category)
ISSUER DETAILS:
NAME OF ISSUER: ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc.
ISSUER ADDRESS: #322 – 4585 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC
V5G 4L6
ISSUER PHONE NUMBER: (604) 294-8084
ISSUER FAX NUMBER: (604) 294-8709
CONTACT PERSON: Ralph Proceviat
CONTACT’S POSITION: President
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: (604) 294-8084
FOR QUARTER ENDED: July 31, 2004
DATE OF REPORT: November 24, 2004
CERTIFICATE
THE TWO SCHEDULES REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ARE ATTACHED AND THE DISCLOSURE CONTAINED THERIN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A COPY OF THIS QUARTERLY REPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO ANY SHAREHOLDER WHO REQUESTS IT.
Ralph Proceviat
Ralph Proceviat
04/11/24
NAME OF DIRECTOR
SIGN(TYPED)
DATE SIGNED(YY/MM/DD)
Sherrill Cyr
Sherrill Cyr
04/11/24
NAME OF DIRECTOR
SIGN(TYPED)
DATE SIGNED(YY/MM/DD)
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Schedule B: Supplementary Information
(unaudited – prepared by management)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Year ended July 31, 2004
Refer to financial statements and notes in Schedule A. Supplemental disclosure is as follows:
ANALYSIS OF EXPENSES AND DEFERRED COSTS
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales totals $426,236, which includes parts and components.
Operating expenses:
General and Administrative expenses amounted to $984,517 for the year and includes $244,779 for general liability insurance, $68,060 for legal fees, $48,723 for accounting and audit, $87,156 for rent, $419,407 for wages, benefits and consulting fees and the remaining $116,392 for travel, telephone and office expenses.
Marketing and selling expenses totaling $28,685 includes $5,850 for shareholder communications, $2,800 for advertising and promotion of the Company’s attractions and $20,035 for the annual IAAPA trade show held in Orlando, Florida.
Interest expense:
Interest expense of $347,295 (net of interest income of $124) relates to a non-convertible secured loan.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions during the current fiscal year.
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES ISSUED AND OPTIONS GRANTED DURING THE YEAR
a)
No common shares were issued during the year.
b)
No stock options were granted during the year.
c)
No warrants were granted during the year.
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES AS AT JULY 31, 2004
a)
Authorized share capital: 100,000,000 common shares without par value
Issued and outstanding: 20,007,297 common shares
b)
Summary of stock options outstanding:
Expiry | Exercise | July 31, | | | Expired or | July 31, |
Date | Price | 2003 | Granted | Exercised | Cancelled | 2004 |
10/31/05 | Cdn $0.10 | 1,900,000 | - | - | - | 1,900,000 |
12/31/05 | Cdn $0.16 | 300,000 | - | - | (300,000) | - |
| | 2,200,000 | - | - | (300,000) | 1,900,000 |
c)
Summary of warrants outstanding:
Expiry | Conversion | July 31, | Number of | July 31, |
Date | Price | 2003 | Warrants Issued | 2004 |
01/20/05 | Cdn. $0.10 | 2,000,000 | - | 2,000,000 |
d)
Shares in escrow:
NIL
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Ralph Proceviat, Director, Chairman of the Board, President and Treasurer
Sherrill Cyr, Director and Secretary
Frank Deacon, Director
Darrel Taylor, Director
THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Schedule C: Management Discussion and Analysis
(unaudited – prepared by management)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Year ended July 31, 2004
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited annual financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2004, which have been prepared on the basis of available information up to November 24, 2004. This discussion and analysis may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s estimates, beliefs and opinions on the date the statements are made. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including changes in markets, competition, technology and general economic conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc., through its subsidiary companies, Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc. (the “Company”), is in the business of developing, manufacturing and acquiring proprietary actual experience amusement rides for sale to destination and regional amusement parks and family fun centers throughout the world.
The Company currently markets two rides: SkycoasterÒ, a combination freefall and swing thrill ride experience from as high as 300 feet at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour; and Top Eliminator DragstersÒ, which provides a real life drag racing experience. The Company owns the proprietary patent rights and trademarks for these two rides and generates revenue from the following sources:
a) | Sales of rides (including installation supervision); |
b) | Long-term on-going royalty revenue as a % of gross ride and merchandise sales in exchange for territorial protection; |
c) | Mandatory annual site certification revenue; and |
d) | Sales of specific parts and services. |
OUTLOOK
As at July 31, 2004 the Company had $170,213 in cash and short-term deposits compared to $202,943 as at July 31, 2003, a decrease of $32,730. The Company’s outlook to pursue other opportunities outside of the amusement ride industry is dependent upon the outcome of discussions with its lenders and the resolution of issues pertaining to ongoing liabilities and risks associated with future operational matters. Despite the fact that the long term debt was reduced by over 70% in the last two fiscal years, the Company has not been able to meet its debt servicing obligations associated with the debt related to the acquisition of Skycoaster, Inc. in 1999 and, as outlined in the section of this report entitled Debt Reduction and Management Program, is in arrears with a secured lender totaling approximately $1.8 million as at November 24, 2004. At this time, all lenders are co-operating with the Company in view of the efforts underway to liquidate and eliminate its debts.
As a consequence to the failed negotiations between Crates Thompson Capital, disclosed in a press release issued September 1, 2004, management has been focused on preserving cash and managing its working capital while discussions with its lenders and potential buyers continues to takes place.
OPERATIONS – For the year ended July 31, 2004
Revenues and Cost of Sales
Revenues from product sales, royalties, interest income and other revenue for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 were $1,743,472 compared to $2,250,519 for the comparable period a year earlier. The 22.5% decline in product revenue is due in part to the continued sluggish US economy, lower attendance at parks, lower capital spending by parks and territorial limitations in the U.S. built into our existing contracts hampering new ride sales.
Gross margin for the fiscal year was $257,489 compared to $370,852 for the corresponding period a year ago due to lower product sales revenue. As a percentage of product sales, gross profit for the year came in at 37.7 % compared to 38.5% for the comparable period.
Royalty and other revenue for the year was $1,059,622, compared to $1,286,055 for the previous year due in part to lower ride revenue associated with lower attendance at the parks, and the fact that in 2003 the Company sold a Skycoaster® asset to a joint venture partner as part of a buy out option and the Company is now receiving royalty rather than joint venture revenue.
Operating Expenses
As a result of implementing cost cutting measures, general and administration expenses for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 were $984,517, compared to $1,285,377 for the corresponding fiscal year ended July 31, 2003, down $300,860, or 23%. These expenses include $244,779 for insurance coverage, down $154,929 for the same period in 2003. This decrease in insurance expense has resulted from management’s decision to not carry excess liability insurance coverage over the $1 million US primary coverage. Management believes that the Company’s safety track record and risk management and safety compliance programs followed by it’s subsidiaries and their respective customers justifies its decision to reduce its overall coverage and related costs. Also included in General and Administrative expenses are legal fees which amounted to $68,060, down $21,384 over the same period in 2003. These fees primarily include costs associated with ongoing insurance claims and maintenance of the Company’s intellectual property (patents and trademarks).
Wages, benefits and consulting fees amounted to $419,407 down $58,916, or 12% from the previous fiscal year. Due to the uncertainty, timing and nature of a yet to be determined financial settlement with the secured lender in terms of share vs. asset transaction, wages for August and September 2004 were paid to employees in advance and are included in prepaid expense at year end. Rent, telephone and travel amounted to $122,976, down $29,546, or 19%. Audit and regulatory fees were $59,013, down $15,063, or 20%. The remaining $70,282 in General and Administrative expenses relate to general office expenditures, down $21,022, or 23% from the comparable period the previous year.
Marketing and selling costs for the fiscal year amounted to $28,685, down $8,493, or 23% from the same period a year ago. Included in these costs is $5,850 for shareholder communications, $2,800 in advertising and promotion of the Company’s attractions and $20,035 for the annual IAAPA trade show held in Orlando, FL in November 2003.
Research and development costs of $15,726 for the fiscal year relate to costs incurred to explore new concepts for the existing rides, up $4,516 from the previous year.
Operating Income
Operating income, before interest expense, income taxes and amortization for the fiscal year end July 31, 2004 was $288,183 compared to an operating income of $323,142 for fiscal 2003. This decrease was due primarily to the decline in product sales and other revenue.
Interest expense, net of interest income of $124 was $347,295, compared to interest expense of $513,792 for fiscal 2003. The decrease of $166,497 is due primarily to the settlement of the convertible securities on January 23, 2003.
Amortization expense for fiscal 2004 of $5,704 relates to capital assets, compared to $44,318 for fiscal 2003. The decrease is attributed to the sale of the Skycoaster® asset to a joint venture partner in the prior year.
Net Income
Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2004 was $65,508 or $0.003 loss per share, compared to a net income of $4,818,993 or $0.26 earnings per share for fiscal 2003. Included in the $4,818,993 fiscal 2003 figure is a gain of $6,116,246 relating to the settlement reached with the convertible debenture holder on January 23, 2003. Excluding the gain of $6,116,246, the net loss for the same period in 2003 was $1,297,253, or $0.07 loss per share.
Net cash flow used in operations for the period was $40,074 or $0.002 per share compared to $232,917 or $0.01 per share for the same period last year.
Capital Structure
As of November 24, 2004 there were 20,007,297 common shares outstanding.
Investor Relations
The Company manages its investor relations program using in-house resources. Investors are updated on current events through press releases, quarterly financial statements, and the annual report. The Company has an Internet Web Site, the address of which is:www.thrilltime.com.
Debt Reduction and Management Program
In 1998, the Company issued convertible securities for $6 million to fund the initial portion of the acquisition costs of Skycoaster, Inc. The same year, the Company entered into a Top E® Settlement Agreement associated with Superstar Dragsters, Inc. In 1999, the remaining portion of the acquisition costs of Skycoaster was funded by way of a $4 million secured debenture.
As a result of the continued pull back in capital spending by amusement and theme parks due to the sluggish global economy and the effects of September 11, 2001, coupled with the territorial constraints built into the existing licenses, the Company’s operating businesses have not been successful in generating sufficient cash flow from the sale of rides, parts and service and royalties to cover its debt service obligations associated with these debts.
Facing limited growth in new ride sales and a low share price due to the high level of debt, the Board of Directors implemented a plan to aggressively reduce and ultimately eliminate its debt entirely. In fiscal 2003, as a key initiative in its debt reduction plan, the Company successfully negotiated the elimination of the $6 million convertible debenture. In fiscal 2004, the Company continued to work with the holder of the $4 million secured debenture and was successful in renegotiating the payment terms of the Top E® settlement agreement. Several requests to the secured debenture holder to extend the amortization term of the Skycoaster acquisition loan to more closely match the expiry of the life of the patents have been turned down in favor of finding a buyer for the Company’s subsidiaries.
Summary of Debt as at:
| July 31, 2004 | July 31, 2003 | July 31, 2002 |
Convertible securities which are unsecured, bear interest at 6% per annum and is convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $1.11 per share (net of equity component of $495,381) | $– | $– | $5,500,000 |
Accretion of implicit interest in convertible securities | - | - | 455,439 |
6% implicit interest on convertible securities | - | - | 979,368 |
Less $60,000 of convertible debenture, plus accrued interest converted into common shares | - | - | (55,381) |
| - | - | 6,879,426 |
Deferred gain on modification of convertible securities, net of amortization of $476,502 | - | - | 62,697 |
Unsecured promissory note bearing interest at 18% per annum | 60,000 | 60,000 | - |
Amount due for Settlement Agreement bearing interest at 8.5% per annum | 195,515 | 235,573 | 360,135 |
Non-convertible secured loan bearing interest at 10.5% per annum | 2,465,697 | 2,656,667 | 2,656,667 |
| $2,721,212 | $2,952,240 | $9,958,925 |
Even with a 73% drop in its overall debt from its July 31,2002 level, in its desire to clean up the Company’s balance sheet and strengthen its financial position for future growth, further debt reduction was required and the Board of Directors made a decision to seek out partners or buyers for its two subsidiary companies, preferable as one package since the operations, product knowledge and customer care are currently shared between the two. In order to cure the defaults with its lenders, the Company, with the support of the lenders, approached a number of parties about acquiring the shares and assets of Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc.
On January 22, 2004, a Letter of Intent was entered into between the Company and Crates Thompson Capital (“CTC”) and S&S Worldwide, Inc. The original terms included the sale of shares of both Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc. and a seven year revenue share tied to future sales, related royalties and parts and service revenue.
As disclosed in a press release dated March 10th, 2004, CTC exercised its option to re-structure the deal as an acquisition of assets vs. shares of both companies. It was on the basis that if all of the Company’s obligations were ultimately taken care of and the revenue earnout component remained intact, management would and did proceed with obtaining interim approval from its lead lender, shareholder approval at an extraordinary meeting held May 5, 2004 and conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. However, after receiving draft definitive agreements it was clear that more extensive negotiations and due diligence were required to ensure the Company was not left with an overhang of debt and liabilities relating to both companies.
On May 13, 2004, CTC informed the Company that it was now not prepared to assume Superstar’s debt and wanted the asset purchase of Superstar backed out of the deal. Leaving Superstar on the table, not only left the Company with a substantial debt obligation but, without the economies of scale realized by running both companies under one operating structure (i.e. general liability insurance, management and operating personnel and facilities, etc.), the Company’s risks and financial exposure would increase significantly as it would not have the financial resources to cover operating shortfalls, nor would it have the technical expertise to provide ongoing support to its Superstar customer base. The revised terms sought by CTC did not provide the Company with the liability protection and debt free status on which both shareholder approval and TSX conditional approval were obtained. (SeeRI SKS section below.)
The complications associated with breaking up the combined operations of the companies, including the selective choosing of assets and contracts, the non-assumption of certain liabilities, the payout mechanics and restrictions of the seven year earnout, and CTC’s unwillingness to assume the debt related to Superstar, led to strained negotiations and revised draft definitive agreements were never delivered by CTC. On September 1, 2004, the Company announced that negotiations with CTC were terminated.
With the collapse of talks with CTC, discussions are continuing to take place with the secured debenture holder. Management is also continuing to pursue the possibility of the sale of Superstar to other potential buyers in an effort to eliminate the Top E® Settlement Agreement debt. At this time, there is no assurance that the lenders will continue to work with the Company and the Company’s viability is at risk.
RISKS
Risks Associated with the Sale of the Company’s Subsidiaries – Shares versus Assets
The risks to the Company differ significantly depending on whether the sale of the subsidiaries takes the form of a share purchase or an asset purchase.
Under ashare purchase structure the new owner takes title to the shares of the business, takes over the assets and assumes all the past, present and future liabilities associated with the business. From the Company’s perspective, as was the case when the Company acquired Sky Fun 1, this is the preferred method for structuring the sale of the two subsidiaries as it is the simplest method of changing ownership (no need to assign patents, trademarks and license agreements etc.) and, rightfully, puts the risk management program in the new owner’s hands. If the safety and risk management programs established by the subsidiary companies are maintained and/or enhanced, any liability exposure to the buyer shall be minimal in view of the excellent safety record maintained by the Company’s subsidiaries.
Under anasset purchase structure, the buyer has a choice in terms of what specific assets and/or liabilities it will be acquiring and assuming from either subsidiary. An asset based transaction can and will be problematic for the future of the subsidiaries as well as the Company, especially if the assets are not sold on an “as is” basis and the buyer is not willing to assume all obligations as Licensor in each and every license agreement. It is management’s contention that if a buyer takes over the rights to the patents and trademarks, and by doing so is entitled to receive future royalties and benefits outlined in each License Agreement, the buyer should rightfully take over the risks associated with the ownership of those patents and trademarks. Without indemnification from the Buyer, the Company faces unlimited exposure and risks (over which it has no control) should the buyer decide at any time in the future to drop the safety and risk management programs currently in place.
Under either scenario, Management and the Board of Directors are focused on positioning the Company to be debt and liability free. This has been a key factor in all negotiations. If a sale to a buyer or lender does not guarantee or fails to provide ongoing and future protection to the Company, attracting new investments and new investors will prove to be difficult. A share transaction provides the Company with the highest level of protection.
Some of the risk factors associated with an asset transaction that Management and the Board are addressing in discussions with buyers and lenders include the following:
a) | The Company and/or the subsidiaries could be named as a defendant in product liability claims without having the technical expertise and financial resources available to not only defend itself but also the insurance companies involved in the Company’s past policies. |
b) | A large portion of parts sold annually have a maximum life of five years and are subject to annual inspections to ensure safety. If a buyer chooses not to continue with the established policies of annual inspections and maturity expiration dates, the Company could be held liable in the event of a failure or an accident or tied up in costly litigation in an attempt to prove under who’s administration the responsibility lies. In addition, most parks carry a revolving inventory of spare parts directly tied to the Company’s proprietary ride and flight system. Since parts will not be segregated by pre or post owner of the patents, in the event of a defective or malfunctioning part it would be virtually impossible to establish which company originally provided the part. The Company could again find itself tied up in the US court system defending itself. |
c) | In past insurance claims against Skycoaster, both Skycoaster and the Company have been named as co-defendants in regards to claims for injury arising by, through or in connection with design or manufacturing defects. Parks are also named as co-defendants but in regards to operations and maintenance of the rides. Under an asset purchase, management contends that by default, the owner of the patent must assume liability for design defects, particularly in view of the fact that they will continue to receive ongoing revenues and royalties tied to the patents. With the Company divesting itself of the patents it should have no further obligations in connection with the design. |
d) | Under an asset transaction there is a risk that the buyer will “cherry pick” the cream of the royalty paying licenses and leave behind those that either do not pay royalty or only pay a minimum. In addition, a number of Skycoasters® have been taken out of service over the years due to park closures etc, and as such are not currently licensed. The owner of the patent must ultimately take responsibility for any Skycoaster® ever built whether or not it is currently in operation in order to protect its patent and trademark rights and fulfill its ongoing obligations as Licensor in all license agreements. The Company/Skycoaster cannot be left with any responsibilities/liabilities once the patents and trademarks change hands. If the buyer is not willing to assume the role as licensor and take over all license agreements, the Compa ny, as the remaining party to the license, will not be in a position to continue to provide support and services and cannot expose itself to ongoing risk and possible litigation for nonperformance. |
e) | The Company and/or the subsidiaries will not be in a position to obtain general liability insurance coverage on a go forward basis as it will have no control over the operations taken over by the buyer, nor will it have the ability to monitor and enforce the mandatory safety program established for the Company’s customers in order to reduce potential risks. |
f) | Under the current license agreements the Company, through its subsidiaries, is indemnified by the Licensees in regards to specific risks and, in addition, must be named as an additional insured party in regards to operations and maintenance by the park. It is imperative that with an asset transaction the Company retains this protection. |
g) | The operations team in the US supports both Skycoaster® and Top E® customers. If a buyer for Superstar Dragsters is not found, the Company will not be in a position to support the customer base as it will not have the in-house expertise to support the operations nor the financial resources to cover the costs of operations. |
h) | Ongoing risks associated with the potential to lose key operations personnel during the negotiation process. |
i) | Ongoing financial obligations such as lease and office equipment commitments and legal, tax and statutory costs associated with ultimately winding down the subsidiaries. |
Without ensuring that the Company is free and clear of any ongoing or collateral risks associated with its investments in Skycoaster and Superstar, the ability to attract new capital or new investments could prove to be difficult.
If, under an asset purchase scenario, the risks mentioned herein are not eliminated and/or mitigated and the Company is not indemnified by the buyer, then the Company may need to seek creditor protection and/or bankruptcy as a means to eliminating its potential exposure to future product liability claims resulting from events arising outside of its control.
LIQUIDITY AND SOLVENCY
These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business notwithstanding that, at July 31, 2004, the Company had a working capital deficiency of $2,439,123, a shareholders’ deficiency of $2,569,380, was non-compliant with terms in certain debt instruments, and generated a loss in the current fiscal year.
As at July 31, 2004 the Company had $170,213 in cash and short-term deposits compared to $202,943 as at July 31, 2003, a decrease of $32,730.
Operations to date have been covered primarily from operating revenues generated by the amusement ride businesses and financings associated with long-term debt and equity transactions. Despite the fact that the long term debt has been reduced significantly over the past few years, the Company continues to struggle to meet its debt servicing requirements. With the current low share price, issuing shares to eliminate or reduce the debt load would be punitive to the current shareholders from a dilution perspective. As a result, the Company’s future operations are dependent upon completing the sale of the Company’s subsidiaries to resolve its debt obligations, the continued support of creditors and shareholders, and, ultimately, the achievement of profitable operations.
There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in raising additional cash to finance operations, successfully negotiate the sales of its subsidiary companies, or that the continued support of lenders will be available. If not, the Company will be required to reduce operations and/or liquidate assets. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
a) | On September 1, 2004, the Company announced in a press release that negotiations with Crates Thompson Capital to acquire the shares and/or assets of Skycoaster, Inc. and Superstar Dragsters, Inc. had been terminated (see discussion under Debt Reduction and Management Program). |
b) | As a party to the proposed transaction with Crates Thompson Capital, the secured debenture holder agreed to the deferment of the scheduled quarterly payments of $261,319 since May 2003 and, as of November 24, 2004, the Company is in arrears to the secured debenture holder in the amount of approximately $1.8 million. |
c) | Pursuant to the Top E® Settlement Agreement and as a result of Crates Thompson backing away from acquiring the shares and/or assets of the Company’s subsidiaries, discussions are taking place with this debt holder to take over the shares of Superstar Dragsters, Inc. and/or accept a cash buyout. |
d) | Pursuant to the $60,000 Promissory Note outstanding, the Company has not made payments and this note is currently in default. The Company has been in discussion with the note holder in its effort to settle this debt. As at November 24, 2004, no settlement has been reached. |
e) | In order to ensure that the continuity of the Company’s affairs during the sale of its subsidiaries is maintained and to keep staff from seeking out alternative employment at this crucial time, in September 2004 the board of directors approved the advance payment of severance for a total of approximately $78,000. |
f) | The Company’s general liability insurance policy expired on July 31, 2004 and the Company was granted monthly extensions to October 31, 2004. However, due to the uncertainty, timing and the nature of the yet to be determined financial settlement (in terms of share vs. asset transaction) as well as future operations of the Company’s subsidiaries, the Company has been unable to put a new insurance policy in place. Although the Company does not currently carry general liability insurance, management believes that the Company’s exposure has been reduced considerably due to the fact that the majority of the parks have closed down for the season. |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number | Description | Sequentially NumberedPage |
1.1 (1) | Memorandum and Articles of Association of Newera, as amended | |
1.2 (4) | Memorandum of Company, as amended by change of name from Newera to ThrillTime effective August 12, 1997 | |
1.3 (4) | Articles of Association of Company, as amended effective July 28, 1998 | |
2.1 (4) | Form of 6% Convertible Debenture Offshore Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 1998 | |
2.2 (4) | Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 30, 1998, among the Company, Atlantis Capital Ltd., Advantage Bermuda Ltd. and Dominion Capital Ltd. | |
2.3 (4) | Form of Non-Transferable Share Purchase Warrant, dated June 30, 1998 | |
2.4 (4) | Form of 6% Convertible Debenture, dated June 30, 1998 | |
3.1 (2) (3) | “Top E” Manufacturer/User Agreement, dated November 17, 1995, between Superstar and Kentucky Kingdom, Inc. | |
3.2 (2) (3) | “Top E” Purchase and License Agreement, dated January 19, 1996, between Superstar and Lagoon Corporation Inc. | |
3.3 (2) (3) | Master Purchase and License Agreement, dated December 12, 1996, among Newera, Superstar and Mountasia Entertainment International, Inc. | |
3.5 (2) (3) | Snowmobile Racing Ride Contract/Agreement, dated December 4, 1996, among Newera, S & S Original Amusements, Inc. and Sandy Checketts | |
3.6 (1) | Assignment Agreement, dated December 15, 1994 between Newera and Superstar | |
3.7 (1) | Form of Director’s Incentive Stock Option Agreement | |
3.8 (1) | Form of Employee Incentive Stock Option Agreement | |
3.9 (1) | Employment Agreement, dated May 9, 1997, between Newera and Alvin D. Bissett | |
3.10 (1) | Form of Warrants for Purchase of Common Shares | |
3.11 (1) | Lease of Office Space, dated February 19, 1997, between Newera and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, as amended April 1, 1997 | |
Exhibit Number | Description | Sequentially NumberedPage |
3.12 (4) | Second Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated June 16, 1998, among the Company, Sky Fun 1, Inc., Skycoaster, and William J. Kitchen | |
3.13 (4) | Term Sheet, dated July 3, 1998, between Skycoaster and William J. Kitchen | |
3.14 (4) | Form of Top E® Purchase and License Agreement | |
3.15 (4) | Letter Agreement, dated September 24, 1997, between Superstar and Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc. | |
3.16 (4) | Warrant for purchase of 1,000,000 Common Shares held by Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc. | |
3.17 (4) | Form of Skycoaster® Purchase and License Agreement | |
3.18 (4) | Stock Option Plan | |
3.19 (4) | Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Stock Option Plan | |
3.20 (4) | Consulting Agreement, dated November 13, 1998, between the Company and Alvin Bissett | |
3.21 (4) | Employment Agreement, dated September 24, 1998, between the Company and Frank L. Harper | |
3.22 (4) | Sales Representative Agreement, dated December 16, 1998, between the Company and Trevor Quinn. | |
3.23 (5) | Sales Representative Agreement, dated December 14, 1998, between the Company and Ride Entertainment Systems, Inc. | |
3.24 (5) | Sales Representative Agreement, dated July 14, 1999, between the Company and Ride Entertainment Systems, Inc. | |
3.25 (5) | Loan Agreement, dated November 5, 1999, between the Company and Fitraco, N.V. | |
3.26 (5) | Settlement Agreement, dated December 21, 1999, between the Company, Superstar and Malibu | |
3.27 (5) | Memorandum of Understanding, dated August 17 and November 2, 1999, between the Company and William J. Kitchen | |
3.28 (5) | Settlement Agreement, dated August 20, 1999, between the Company, Superstar, Castles N’ Coasters, George Brimhall, et al. | |
Exhibit Number | Description | Sequentially NumberedPage |
3.29 (5) | Skycoaster, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, effective August 1, 1999 | |
3.30 (5) | Debenture Amendment Agreement, dated November 1, 1999, between the Company and Park, LLC | |
3.31(6) | Employment Agreement, dated August 29, 2000, between the Company and Charles L. “Bo” Moody | |
3.32(7) | Employment Agreement, dated November 8, 2001 between the Company and Ralph F. Proceviat | |
3.33(8) | Satisfaction and Release Agreement, dated December 20, 2002 between the Company and Park LLC | |
3.34(8) | Amendment to Loan Agreement dated March 13, 2002 between the Company and Fitraco N.V. | |
3.35(8) | Addendum to Settlement Agreement, dated June 28, 2002 between the Company and Castles “n Coasters | |
12.1 | Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) | |
13.1 | Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer | |
(1)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F as originally filed on May 30, 1997.
(2)
Confidential treatment with respect to certain information contained herein has been granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to an Order under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, issued on November 4, 1997.
(3)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form 20-F as filed on October 10, 1997.
(4)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F as filed on March 1, 1999.
(5)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed on January 31, 2000.
(6)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed on January 26, 2001.
(7)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed on January 30, 2002.
(8)
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed on January 29, 2003.
Exhibit 12.1
Certification of CEO and CFO required by Rule 13a-14(a)
Certifications
I, Ralph Proceviat, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of THRILLTIME ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(c)
Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 20, 2004
| | “Ralph Proceviat” Signature
Name: Ralph Proceviat Title: President, Treasurer and acting Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of ThrillTime Entertainment International, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the period ended July 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ralph Proceviat, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in this Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
“Ralph Proceviat”
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
December 20, 2004