UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 | |||
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT | ||
For the transition period from to | |||
Commission file number 001-15789 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. |
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware | 22-3499261 |
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
500 Craig Road, Suite 201, Manalapan, New Jersey 07726 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(732) 866-0300 |
(Issuer’s telephone number) |
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
As of August 13, 2004, 14,418,481 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1 – Financial Statements
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets | June 30, 2004 | September 30, 2003 | ||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 117,327 | $ | 53,753 | ||||
Accounts receivable–less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,272,000 and $1,733,000 | 14,079,441 | 12,833,749 | ||||||
Unbilled receivables | 1,545,664 | 671,271 | ||||||
Notes receivable (current portion) | 25,949 | 25,240 | ||||||
Prepaid insurance | 2,259,443 | 2,271,715 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 201,153 | 277,262 | ||||||
18,228,977 | 16,132,990 | |||||||
Notes receivable (net of current portion) | 81,003 | 95,166 | ||||||
Note receivable – related party | 124,706 | 128,000 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 690,450 | 937,718 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 1,184,558 | 1,501,509 | ||||||
Goodwill | 5,816,353 | 5,816,353 | ||||||
Deferred registration costs | 853,554 | 374,365 | ||||||
Other assets | 206,871 | 164,380 | ||||||
$ | 27,186,472 | $ | 25,150,551 | |||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency) | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Loans payable (current portion) | $ | 400,977 | $ | 737,514 | ||||
Loans payable – related parties | 457,337 | 503,377 | ||||||
Notes payable – acquisitions (current portion) | 728,389 | 657,224 | ||||||
Line of credit | 10,467,082 | 8,312,275 | ||||||
Cash overdraft | 15,979 | 699,057 | ||||||
Insurance obligation payable | 233,890 | 97,506 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 8,578,999 | 4,787,404 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and taxes | 2,738,141 | 2,473,596 | ||||||
Payroll taxes payable | 4,976,415 | 5,021,411 | ||||||
Put options liability | 823,000 | 823,000 | ||||||
29,420,209 | 24,112,324 | |||||||
Loans payable (net of current portion) | 6,824 | 37,890 | ||||||
Notes payable – acquisitions (net of current portion) | 1,590,682 | 2,065,280 | ||||||
Convertible debt | 40,000 | 40,000 | ||||||
Series A voting redeemable convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, | ||||||||
1,458,933 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of | ||||||||
$4,376,799 (including unpaid dividends of $881,534 and $671,752) | 4,206,541 | 3,809,752 | ||||||
35,264,256 | 30,065,216 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity (deficiency) | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized | ||||||||
Series E non-voting convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, | ||||||||
47,728 and 40,257 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference | ||||||||
of $4,772,920 (including unpaid dividends of $237,865 and $60,295) | 5,010,785 | 4,086,130 |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
Series F voting convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 6,000 and | ||||||
8,000 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $600,000 | ||||||
(including unpaid dividends of $61,500 and $28,000) | 661,500 | 828,000 | ||||
Common stock, $.04 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 6,237,144 | ||||||
and 4,948,759 shares issued and outstanding | 249,486 | 197,950 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 10,976,252 | 11,728,943 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (24,975,807) | (21,755,718) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency) | (8,077,784) | (4,914,695) | ||||
$ | 27,186,472 | $ | 25,150,551 | |||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||
(Restated) | (Restated) | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 29,873,378 | $ | 21,541,937 | $ | 77,273,167 | $ | 55,209,395 | ||||
Cost of revenues | 27,297,094 | 18,437,149 | 68,391,476 | 46,911,643 | ||||||||
Gross Profit | 2,576,284 | 3,104,788 | 8,881,691 | 8,297,752 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 3,743,508 | 3,741,326 | 9,925,748 | 9,795,623 | ||||||||
Other charges | — | — | — | 340,000 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations | (1,167,224) | (636,538) | (1,044,057) | (1,837,871) | ||||||||
Other income (expenses) | ||||||||||||
Interest and financing costs | (1,178,623) | (349,429) | (2,195,297) | (1,277,919) | ||||||||
Other income | 30,906 | 42,465 | 19,265 | 71,405 | ||||||||
(1,147,774) | (306,964) | (2,176,032) | (1,206,514) | |||||||||
(Loss) from continuing operations | (2,314,998) | (943,502) | (3,220,089) | (3,044,385) | ||||||||
Discontinued operations – (loss) from discontinued | ||||||||||||
operations | — | (358,837) | — | (777,054) | ||||||||
Gain on sale of discontinued operations | — | 13,958 | — | 13,958 | ||||||||
Net (loss) | (2,314,998) | (1,288,381) | (3,220,089) | (3,807,481) | ||||||||
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock | (81,898) | (181,075) | (1,330,655) | (954,832) | ||||||||
Net (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | $ (2,396,896) | $ | (1,469,456) | $ | (4,550,744) | $ | (4,762,313) | ||||
Net (loss) per share attributable | ||||||||||||
to common stockholders | ||||||||||||
Basic: | ||||||||||||
(Loss) from continuing operations | $ | (.38) | $ | (.24) | $ | (.78) | $ | (.95) | ||||
(Loss) from discontinued operations | — | (.07) | (.18) | |||||||||
Net (loss) | $ | (.38) | $ | (.31) | $ | (.78) | $ | (1.13) | ||||
Diluted: | ||||||||||||
(Loss) from continuing operations | $ | (.38) | $ | (.24) | $ | (.78) | $ | (.95) | ||||
(Loss) from discontinued operations | — | (.07) | — | (.18) | ||||||||
Net (loss) | $ | (.38) | $ | (.31) | $ | (.78) | $ | (1.13) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding per common share | ||||||||||||
Basic | 6,237,144 | 4,716,908 | 5,845,026 | 4,230,674 | ||||||||
Diluted | 6,237,144 | 4,716,908 | 5,845,026 | 4,230,674 |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended | |||||
June 30, 2004 | June 30, 2003 | ||||
Cash flows (used in) operating activities | |||||
Net (loss) from continuing operations | $ | $ (3,220,089) | $ | (3,044,385) | |
Net (loss) from discontinued operations | — | (763,096) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash used by operating activities | |||||
Depreciation | 300,222 | 409,607 | |||
Amortization | 317,021 | 285,744 | |||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 525,000 | 475,000 | |||
Deferred financing costs amortization | 804 | 1,206 | |||
(Gain) on sale of discontinued operations | — | (13,958) | |||
Common stock and warrants issued for fees | — | 47,000 | |||
Accrued interest | 839,615 | 51,946 | |||
Imputed interest | 62,411 | 45,029 | |||
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock | 396,789 | — | |||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |||||
Accounts receivable | (2,645,085) | (3,893,707) | |||
Prepaid insurance | 12,272 | (464,254) | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 76,109 | 34,140 | |||
Other assets | (43,295) | (71,246) | |||
Insurance obligation payable | 136,384 | 40,529 | |||
Accrued payroll and taxes | 264,545 | 634,131 | |||
Payroll taxes payable | 372,263 | 993,244 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 2,591,722 | 2,512,393 | |||
Total adjustments | 3,206,777 | 1,086,804 | |||
(13,312) | (2,720,677) | ||||
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities | |||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (52,954) | (227,840) | |||
Payments for business acquisitions | — | (61,644) | |||
Collection of note receivable | 16,748 | 508 | |||
(36,206) | (288,976) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||
Payment of registration costs | (479,189) | — | |||
Proceeds from issuance of Preferred Stock | — | 186,400 | |||
Proceeds from loans payable | 12,337 | 755,000 | |||
Payments of loans payable | (374,940) | (188,418) | |||
Proceeds from loans payable—related parties | — | 416,337 | |||
Payments of loans payable—related parties | (51,000) | (75,000) | |||
Payments of notes payable – acquisitions | (465,844) | (514,387) | |||
Net proceeds from line of credit | 2,154,806 | 1,768,954 | |||
Cash overdraft | (683,078) | 920,751 | |||
Dividends paid | — | (47,657) | |||
113,092 | 3,221,980 | ||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 63,574 | 212,327 | |||
Cash – beginning | 53,753 | 162,646 | |||
Cash – ending | $ | $ 117,327 | $ | 374,973 | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended | ||||||
June 30, 2004 | June 30, 2003 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid | ||||||
Interest | $ | 958,893 | $ | 988,428 | ||
Schedule of noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||
Fair value of assets acquired | $ | — | $ | 1,266,519 | ||
Less: cash paid | — | (176,644) | ||||
Liabilities assumed | $ | — | $ | 1,089,875 | ||
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of convertible preferred stock | $ | 572,500 | $ | 855,700 | ||
Issuance of common stock in exchange for accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 57,000 | $ | 37,500 | ||
Issuance of warrants for fees | $ | — | $ | 19,500 | ||
Issuance of common stock for fees | $ | — | $ | 27,500 | ||
Cumulative dividends and accretion on preferred stock | $ | 1,330,665 | $ | 674,175 | ||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The following summarizes revenues:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
(Restated) | (Restated) | |||||||||||||
Staffing | $ | 29,846,288 | $ | 21,419,413 | $ | 77,207,543 | $ | 54,674,088 | ||||||
Payrolling | 27,090 | 122,524 | 65,624 | 535,307 | ||||||||||
$ | 29,873,378 | $ | 21,541,937 | $ | 77,273,167 | $ | 55,209,395 | |||||||
Unlike traditional staffing services, under a payrolling arrangement, the Company’s customer recruits and identifies individuals for the Company to hire to provide services to the customer. The Company becomes the statutory employer although the customer maintains substantially all control over those employees. Accordingly, Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent” requires that the Company does not reflect the direct payroll costs paid to such employees in revenues and cost of revenue.
NOTE 2 - LIQUIDITY |
At June 30, 2004, the Company had limited liquid resources. Current liabilities were $29,420,209 and current assets were $18,228,977. The difference of $11,191,232 is a working capital deficit, which is primarily the result of losses incurred during the last four years. Current liabilities include a cash overdraft of $15,979, which is represented by outstanding checks. These conditions raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effect on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The Company’s continuation of existence is dependent upon the continued cooperation of its creditors, its ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its continuing obligations on a timely basis, to fund the operating and capital needs, and to obtain additional financing as may be necessary.
Management of the Company has taken steps to revise and reduce its operating requirements, which it believes will be sufficient to assure continued operations and implementation of the Company’s plans. The steps include closing branches that are not profitable, consolidating branches and reductions in staffing and other selling, general and administrative expenses.
The Company continues to pursue other sources of equity or long-term debt financings. The Company also continues to negotiate payment plans and other accommodations with its creditors.
7 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
NOTE 3 – REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On July 14, 2004, the Company effected a one-for-four reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock. All references to per share information and the number of shares issued and outstanding for 2004 and 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split on a retroactive basis.
NOTE 4 – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS |
FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”) – Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities was effective for all enterprises with variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. FIN 46R, which was revised in December 2003, was effective for all entities to which the provisions of FIN 46 were not applied as of December 24, 2003. The Company adopted the provision of FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004. Under FIN 46R, if an entity is determined to be a variable interest entity, it must be consolidated by the enterprise that absorbs the majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both.
As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated Stratus Technology Services, LLC (“STS”), a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% interest (See Note 13). The Company was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of STS since a son of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company has a majority interest in the other 50% venturer. STS provides information technology staffing services. After elimination of inter-company balances, there are no assets remaining of STS included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Prior to the adoption of FIN 46R, the Company accounted for its investment in STS under the equity method and accordingly, included its share of the earnings (loss) of STS in “Other income (expense)”. Beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 2004, STS was no longer accounted for under the equity method, and its revenues and expenses are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The other venturer’s share of earnings (loss) is reflected as a minority interest.
Creditors of STS have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.
NOTE 5 – EARNINGS/LOSS PER SHARE |
Basic “Earnings Per Share” (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS assumes conversion of dilutive options and warrants, and the issuance of common stock for all other potentially dilutive equivalent shares outstanding. There were no dilutive shares for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.
NOTE 6 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS
We completed our annual impairment review of goodwill during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 and determined that no impairment charge was required.
As of June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, intangible assets consisted of the following:
June 30, 2004 | September 30, 2003 | |||||
Covenant-not-to-compete | $ | 230,480 | $ | 230,480 | ||
Customer list | 1,957,709 | 1,957,709 | ||||
2,188,189 | 2,188,189 | |||||
Less: accumulated amortization | (1,003,631) | (686,610) | ||||
$ | 1,184,558 | $ | 1,501,579 | |||
8 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:
For the Twelve Months Ending June 30, | |||||
2005 | $ | 449,000 | |||
2006 | 156,000 | ||||
2007 | 156,000 | ||||
2008 | 154,000 | ||||
2009 | 152,000 |
NOTE 7 – LINE OF CREDIT |
The Company has a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with a lending institution whereby the Company can borrow up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, not to exceed the lesser of $12 million or six times the Company’s tangible net worth (as defined). Until April 10, 2003, borrowings under the Loan Agreement bore interest at 1 3/4% above the prime rate. Effective April 10, 2003, the Company entered into a modification of the Loan Agreement, which provides that borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest at 3% above the prime rate. The prime rate at June 30, 2004 was 4.25% . Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Loan Agreement expires on June 12, 2005.
At June 30, 2004, the Company was in violation of the following covenants under the Loan Agreement:
(i) | Failing to meet the tangible net worth requirement, and; | |
(ii) | The Company’s Common Stock being delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market | |
The Company has received a waiver from the lender on the above.
NOTE 8 – PREFERRED STOCK
a. Series A
The shares of Series A Preferred Stock have a stated value of $3.00 per share. The difference between the carrying value and redemption value of the Series A Preferred Stock was being accreted through a charge to additional paid-in-capital through September 30, 2003, since prior to September 30, 2003, the current value of the Series A Preferred Stock, including accrued dividends, had been included in stockholders’ equity. Pursuant to SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, the current value of the Series A Preferred Stock, including accrued dividends was classified as a liability at September 30, 2003. Accordingly, subsequent to September 30, 2003, the difference between the carrying value and redemption value of the Series A Preferred Stock is being accreted through a charge to interest expense through the June 30, 2008 redemption date.
The Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holders thereof to cumulative dividends at $.21 per share per year, payable semi-annually, commencing on December 31, 2001, when and if declared by the Board of Directors. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. On June 30, 2008, the Company will be required to redeem any shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at a redemption price of $3.00 per share together with accrued and unpaid dividends, payable at the Company’s option, either in cash or in shares of common stock. For purposes of determining the number of shares which the Company will be required to issue if it chooses to pay the redemption price in shares of Common Stock, the Common Stock will have a value equal to the average closing price of the Common Stock during the five trading days immediately preceding the date of redemption.
In July 2003, the Company entered into an agreement with Artisan (UK) plc (“Artisan”) pursuant to which the Company has agreed to redeem the aggregate 1,458,933 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock owned by Artisan.com and Cater Barnard (USA) plc, an affiliate of Artisan. These shares represent all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock currently outstanding. The agreement, as amended in March 2004, provides that the Company’s obligation to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock is contingent upon the Company’s sale of not less than $1,000,000 of units consisting of one share of common stock and one common stock warrant (“Units”) in a 9 proposed “best-efforts” public offering of securities (the “Offering”). If the Company sold at least $1,000,000 of Units in the Offering, it was obligated to pay $500,000 to Artisan within 7 days after the $1,000,000 of Units were sold (see Note 14). In addition, the Company will be obligated to pay Artisan an additional $250,000 by January 31, 2005 or, at the Company’s option, issue to Artisan shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate market value of $250,000, based upon the average closing bid prices of the common stock for the 30 trading days preceding January 31, 2005. If the Company fails to make the $250,000 payment in cash or stock, it will be required to pay Artisan $300,000 in cash, plus interest calculated on a daily basis at a rate of 18% a year from the date of the default to the date the default is cured.
9 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
b. Series E
The shares of Series E Preferred Stock have a stated value of $100 per share. The holders of the Series E Preferred stock are entitled to cumulative dividends at a rate of 6% of the stated value per year, payable every 120 days, in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on the Company’s Common Stock. Dividends may be paid, at the Company’s option, either in cash or in shares of Common Stock, valued at the Series E Conversion Price (as defined below). Holders of Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to a liquidation preference of $100 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
The Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price equal to 75% of the average of the closing bid prices, for the five trading days preceding the conversion date, for the Common Stock. The number of shares issuable upon conversion is determined by multiplying the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted by $100, and dividing the result by the Series E Conversion Price then in effect.
Holders of Series E Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights, except as required by law.
The Company may redeem the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock at any time prior to conversion, at a redemption price of 115% of the purchase price paid for the Series E Preferred Shares, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
The discount arising from the beneficial conversion feature was treated as a dividend from the date of issuance to the earliest conversion date.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company issued 11,196 shares of Series E Preferred Stock to the Series E shareholders in respect of penalties arising out of the Company’s failure to timely register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock for public re-sale.
During the nine months, ended June 30, 2004, holders of Series E Preferred Stock converted 3,725 shares into 713,384 shares of common stock at conversion prices between $.116 and $.1575. During the nine months, ended June 30, 2003, holders of Series E Preferred Stock converted 6,652 shares into 1,282,228 shares of Common Stock at conversion prices between $.108 and $.2475.
In February 2004, the Company commenced an exchange offer pursuant to which the Company offered to exchange each outstanding share of its Series E Preferred Stock for, at the election of the holder, common stock and common stock purchase warrants or Series I Preferred Stock and common stock purchase warrants (the “Exchange Offer”). (see Note 14)
Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer, as amended, the Company exchanged each share of Series E Preferred Stock, at the holder’s election, for either (i) 125 shares of common stock and 250 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock; or (ii) one share of Series I Preferred Stock having a stated value of $100 per share and 125 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 in liquidation preference and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock.
Each warrant entitles its owner to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock for $.76. The warrants will be exercisable at any time during the period commencing July 14, 2005 and ending January 17, 2007, unless the Company has redeemed them. The Company may redeem the warrants, at a redemption price of $.08 per warrant, upon thirty days prior written notice beginning one year after the closing of the Exchange Offer, once the closing bid price of its common stock has been at least $1.33 for 20 consecutive trading days.
10 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
The Company will be required to redeem each share of the Series I Preferred Stock for an amount equal to the stated value of $100 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on the one year anniversary date of the issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that the Company will have the right to extend the required redemption date for an additional one year, in which case the Company will be required to pay all dividends accrued through the first year of issuance in cash and issue to each holder of Series I Preferred Stock, a number of shares of its common stock which then have a value equal to 10% of the stated value of the Series I Preferred Stock held. In addition, if the Company extends the redemption date, the Company will be required to pay dividends quarterly and pay an advisory fee to an advisor designated by the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate stated value of the outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock, eight percent (8%) of which will be payable in cash and two percent (2%) of which will be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at the then current market value. If the Company does not redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the original one year redemption date and fails to extend the original redemption date, or if the Company fails to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the extended redemption date, the dividend rate of the Series I Preferred Stock will increase to twenty-four (24%) per annum and the Series I Preferred Stock will be convertible, at the option of the holder, into either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. The Company can give no assurance that it will be able to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock as required. The Company will have the right, at any time during the 12 month period following the closing of the Exchange Offer, to cause all of the outstanding shares of the Series I Preferred Stock to be converted into, at the election of the holder, either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion, or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. The discount associated with the conversion feature of the Series I Preferred Stock could result in changes to the Company’s earnings in future periods. Holders of Series I Preferred Stock will have no voting rights, except as provided by law and with respect to certain limited matters.
The Exchange Offer was subject to several conditions, the most significant being the sale of at least $1 million of units in a public offering of units that the Company is conducting at or about the same time as it was conducting the Exchange Offer. This condition was fulfilled on July 14, 2004.
c. Series F
In July 2002, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) invested $1,000,000 in the Company in exchange for 10,000 shares of newly created Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), which has a stated value of $100 per share.
The holder of the Series F Preferred Stock is entitled to receive, from assets legally available therefore, cumulative dividends at a rate of 7% per year, accrued daily, payable monthly, in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on the Common Stock and on the Series F Preferred Stock. Dividends may be paid, at the
Company’s option, either in cash or in shares of Common Stock, valued at the Series F Conversion Price (as defined below). Holders of Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to a liquidation preference of $100 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
The Series F Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price (the “Series F Conversion Price”) equal to $.10 per share. The number of shares issuable upon conversion is determined by multiplying the number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be converted by $100, and dividing the result by the Series F Conversion Price.
Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Series F Preferred Stock and holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Each outstanding share of Series F Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of full shares of Common Stock into which each such share of Series F Preferred Stock is then convertible on the date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to vote at the meeting. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class on any proposed amendment to the terms of the Series F Preferred Stock which would increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of Series F Preferred Stock or have an adverse impact on the Series F Preferred Stock and on any proposal to create a new class of shares having rights or preferences equal to or having priority to the Series F Preferred Stock.
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STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
Preferred Stock or have an adverse impact on the Series F Preferred Stock and on any proposal to create a new class of shares having rights or preferences equal to or having priority to the Series F Preferred Stock.
The Company may redeem the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock at any time prior to conversion at a redemption price of 115% of the purchase price paid for the Series F Preferred Shares plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company’s CEO converted 2,000 shares of the Series F Preferred Stock into 500,000 shares of common stock. During the nine months ended June 30, 2003, the Company’s CEO converted 2,000 shares of the Series F Preferred Stock into 500,000 shares of common stock.
NOTE 9 – OTHER CHARGES |
During the period May 1, 2001 through May 20, 2002, the Company maintained workers’ compensation insurance with an insurance company, with a deductible of $150,000 per incident. The Company had established reserves based upon its evaluation of the status of claims still open in conjunction with claims reserve information provided to the Company by the insurance company. The Company believes that the insurance company has paid and reserved claims in excess of what should have been paid or reserved. Although the Company believes it can recover some of the amounts already paid, this can only be pursued through litigation against the insurance company. Since there is no assurance the Company will prevail, the Company recorded $523,000 of additional payments made and reserves in the nine months ended June 30, 2003. $183,000 of such amount is included in discontinued operations.
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STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
NOTE 10 – STOCK – BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost has been recognized in the financial statements as all options granted under the Company’s stock option plan, had an exercise price at least equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The pro forma information below is based on provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure”, issued in December 2002.
Three Months Ended June 30, | Nine Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||
(Restated) | (Restated) | ||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) from continuing | |||||||||||||||||
operations attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||
stockholders, as reported | $ | (2,396,896) | $ | (1,124,577) | $ | (4,550,744) | $ | (3,999,217) | |||||||||
Deduct: | |||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based employee compensation | |||||||||||||||||
expense determined under fair value | |||||||||||||||||
based method for all awards, net of | |||||||||||||||||
related tax effects | (213,300) | (281,518) | (630,700) | (1,700,756) | |||||||||||||
Proforma net (loss) from continuing | |||||||||||||||||
operations attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||
stockholders | $ | (2,610,196) | $ | (1,406,095) | $ | (5,181,444) | $ | (5,699,973) | |||||||||
(Loss) from continuing operations | |||||||||||||||||
per common share attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||
stockholders: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic – as reported | $ | (.38) | $ | (.24) | $ | (.78) | $ | (.95) | |||||||||
Basic – pro forma | $ | (.42) | $ | (.30) | $ | (.88) | $ | (1.35) | |||||||||
Diluted – as reported | $ | (.38) | $ | (.24) | $ | (.78) | $ | (.95) | |||||||||
Diluted – pro forma | $ | (.42) | $ | (.30) | $ | (.88) | $ | (1.35) |
NOTE 11 – ACQUISITION
Effective as of December 1, 2002, (the “Effective Date”), the Company purchased substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of six offices of Elite Personnel Services (“Elite”), a California corporation. The Elite branches provide temporary light industrial and clerical staffing in six business locations in California and Nevada. The Company also took over Elite’s Downey, California office, from which Elite serviced no accounts but which it utilized as a corporate office. The Company intends to continue to utilize the Downey office as a regional corporate facility. The acquisition of Elite furthers the Company’s expansion into the California staffing market. Pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Elite dated November 19, 2002 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), the purchase price payable at closing (the “Base Purchase Price”) for the assets was $1,264,000, all of which was represented by an unsecured promissory note. In addition to the Base Purchase Price, Elite will also receive as a deferred purchase price, an amount equal to 10% of the annual “Gross Profits” as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement of the acquired business between $2,500,000 and $3,200,000, and 15% of the annual Gross Profits of the acquired business in excess of $3,200,000 for a period of two years from the Effective Date. In connection with the transaction, Elite, its President and other key management members entered into non-competition and non-solicitation agreements pursuant to which they agreed not to compete with the Company in the territories of the acquired business for periods ranging from twelve months to five years, and to not solicit the employees or customers of the acquired business for periods ranging from twelve months to five years.
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STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
For financial accounting purposes, interest on the note has been imputed at a rate of 11% per year. Accordingly, the note and Base Purchase Price has been recorded at $845,875. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” the contingent portion of the purchase price has been recognized as a liability to the extent that the net acquired assets exceed the purchase price. Accordingly, $244,000 is included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the attached balance sheets as of June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003. There was an additional $176,644 of costs paid to third parties in connection with the acquisition.
The following summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition based upon a third-party valuation of certain intangible assets:
Property and equipment | $ | 75,000 | |
Covenant-not-to-compete | 19,500 | ||
Customer list | 1,172,019 | ||
Total assets acquired | $ | 1,266,519 | |
The covenant-not-to-compete and customer list are being amortized over their estimated useful life of five and seven years, respectively.
The unaudited pro forma results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 presented below assume that the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2003. This information is presented for informational purposes only and includes certain adjustments such as amortization of intangibles resulting from the acquisitions and interest expense relatedto acquisition debt.Revenues | $ | 60,787,395 | |||
Net (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders | (3,790,770) | ||||
Net (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders | |||||
Basic | $ | (.95) | |||
Diluted | $ | (.95) |
NOTE 12 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Sale of Certain Branches
On March 9, 2003, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of its Colorado Springs, Colorado office. Pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement between the Company and US Temp Services, Inc. (“US Temps”) dated March 9, 2003, the purchase price for the purchased assets was $20,000 which was paid by a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 6% per year and is payable in monthly installments of $608 over a three year period. The note is secured by a security interest on all of the purchased assets.
The purchase price for the assets acquired by US Temps was arrived at through negotiations between the parties and resulted in a gain on sale of $13,958.
On August 22, 2003, the Company completed the sale, effective as of August 18, 2003 (the “ALS Effective Date”) of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of its Miami Springs, Florida office. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and ALS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“ALS”) dated August 22, 2003 (the “Purchase Agreement”), the purchase price for the purchased assets was $128,000, which was paid by a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 7% per year with payments over a 60 month period. The amount of the monthly payments due under the note is greater of $10 per month or 20% of the monthly net profits generated by the staffing business originating from the purchased assets. However, until such time as all outstanding amounts due and owing by the Company to ALS, as of the date of the Purchase Agreement in the amount of $289,635, ($81,706 at June 30, 2004), have been paid in full, these monthly payments shall be deducted from any and all amounts due from the Company to ALS (see Note 13). The note is secured by a security interest in all of the purchased assets.
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STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
In connection with the transaction, ALS entered into a non-compete and non-solicitation agreement pursuant to which ALS agreed not to compete with the Company with respect to any of the Company’s other remaining offices for a period of 18 months.
The purchase price for the assets acquired by ALS was arrived at through negotiations with a related party purchaser and resulted in a gain on sale of $10,777. The son of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer is a 50% member in ALS, LLC.
On September 10, 2003, the Company completed the sale, effective as of September 15, 2003 (the “Effective Date”), of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of five of its New Jersey offices to D/O Staffing LLC (“D/O”). The offices sold are the following: Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Paterson, Perth Amboy, and Trenton, New Jersey. Pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement between D/O and the Company dated
September 10, 2003 (the D/O Purchase Agreement”), the base purchase price for the purchased assets was $1,250,000 payable as follows:
(i) | $1,150,000 payable in certified funds at the closing; and | |
(ii) | $100,000 payable in certified funds into escrow at the closing to be held in escrow by attorneys for the Buyer pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement, to account for certain post-closing adjustments. | |
Additionally, the Company may be entitled to receive as a deferred purchase price (the “Bonus”), an amount equal to $125,000, if, for the one year period measured from the Effective Date, the purchased assets generate for D/O at least $18,000,000 in actual billings by client accounts serviced by the Company as of the Closing and transferred by the Company to D/O pursuant to the D/O Purchase Agreement. The Bonus, if any, is payable by a promissory note, payable over 24 months and bearing interest at an interest rate of 6% a year.
The purchase price for the assets was arrived at through negotiations between the parties and resulted in a (loss) on sale of $(50,354).
On September 29, 2003, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of its Las Vegas, Nevada office. Pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement between the Company and US Temps dated September 29, 2003, the purchase price for the purchased assets was $105,000, all of which was paid by a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 6% per year and is payable in monthly installments of $2,030, over a five year period. The note is secured by a security interest on al of the purchased assets.
The purchase price for the assets acquired by US Temps was arrived at through negotiations between the parties and resulted in a gain on sale of $4,599.
Revenues from the aforementioned certain branches were $4,097,916 and $14,334,248 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.
The statement of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, has been reclassified to reflect the operating results of the sold branches as discontinued operations.
NOTE 13 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Consulting Agreement
The son of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the (“CEO”) provides consulting services to the Company. Consulting expense under this arrangement was $46,500 and $46,600 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company has paid consulting fees to an entity whose stockholder is another son of the CEO of the Company. Consulting fees under this arrangement amounted to $36,750 and $76,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Joint Venture
The Company provides information technology staffing services through a joint venture, Stratus Technology Services, LLC (“STS”), in which the Company has a 50% interest. A son of the CEO of the Company has a majority interest in the other 50% venturer. The Company’s income (loss) from operations of STS of $(19,280) and $28,136 for the six months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $(24,575) and $22,346 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, is included in other income (expense) in the statements of operations.
15 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
Effective March 31, 2004, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 46R as it relates to STS (See Note 3).
Note Receivable
The “Note Receivable – related party” as of June 30, 2004, is the amount due from ALS in connection with the sale of the Company’s Miami Springs, Florida office (see Note 12). ALS is the holding company for Advantage Services Group, LLC (“Advantage”).
Cost of Revenues
In November 2003, the Company entered into agreements with Advantage, whereby Advantage is to provide payrolling services with respect to four of the Company’s accounts, at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) and a fee ranging between 2.5% and 3.0% of pay rates. Costs incurred under the agreements and a previous agreement were $3,046,294 and $1,732,611 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. (see Note 14)
In addition to the foregoing, in November 2003, the Company agreed to pay Advantage $5,000 per week until $225,000 owed to Advantage in connection with the previous agreement for payrolling services has been paid. As of June 30, 2004, $143,294 has been paid under this agreement. The obligation to pay this amount is secured by a warrant to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The warrant, which is exercisable only if the Company defaults on its payment obligations to Advantage, has an exercise price equal to the lower of $.60 per share or 75% of the then current market price of the common stock. (see Note 14)
On June 21, 2004, the Company entered into an Employer Service Agreement with Advantage, with an effective date of May 17, 2004, which provides that Advantage will provide outsourcing services for the Company’s Delaware and Maryland employees, at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee of 2% of pay rates.
NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On July 21, 2004, the Company paid to the holder of its Series A Preferred Stock the sum of $500,000 per the terms of its agreement to redeem all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock upon the sale of at least $1,000,000 of units in its best efforts offering of up to $10,000,000 of units. In addition, the Company issued 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock to the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock on August 13, 2004 in connection with the redemption and at that time, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock redeemed by the Company were cancelled.
On May 19, 2004, the Registration Statement on Form S-1 that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with its offering (the “Offering”) of units consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase common stock, became effective. The Offering was conducted through the Company’s underwriter, Essex & York, Inc., on a minimum $1,000,000 – maximum $10,000,000 “best-efforts” basis. If the Company did not sell at least 1,250,000 units in the Offering, the Offering would have been cancelled.
On July 14, 2004, the Company sold $1,984,422 of units in connection with the initial closing of the Offering. On July 26, 2004, the Company sold an additional $649,100 of units in connection with a second closing of the Offering.
On August 11, 2004, the Company completed the final closing on the Unit Offering. Gross proceeds of the final closing were $1,337,500.
Thus, total gross proceeds from the offering were $3,971,322 and total net proceeds before deducting certain costs of the Offering were $3,457,433.
Total Units sold in the Offering were 4,964,153. |
On July 21, 2004, the Series E shareholders agreed to waive any further penalties with respect to the Company’s failure to register shares issuable upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock for public resale, and acknowledged that the penalties that accrued in March 2004 were the last penalties due and owing to the Series E shareholders.
16 |
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
In February 2004, the Company commenced an exchange offer pursuant to which the Company offered to exchange each outstanding share of its Series E Preferred Stock for, at the election of the holder, common stock and common stock purchase warrants or Series I Preferred Stock and common stock purchase warrants (the “Exchange Offer”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer, as amended, the Company exchanged each share of Series E Preferred Stock, at the holder’s election, for either (i) 125 shares of common stock and 250 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock; or (ii) one share of Series I Preferred Stock having a stated value of $100 per share and 125 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 in liquidation preference and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock.
Each warrant entitles its owner to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock for $.76. The warrants will be exercisable at any time during the period commencing July 14, 2005 and ending January 17, 2007, unless the Company has redeemed them. The Company may redeem the warrants, at a redemption price of $.08 per warrant, upon thirty days prior written notice beginning one year after the closing of the Exchange Offer, once the closing bid price of its common stock has been at least $1.33 for 20 consecutive trading days.
The Exchange Offer closed on August 5, 2004. The results of the Exchange Offer were as follows: 25,158 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were exchanged for 3,317,250 shares of common stock and 6,634,500 warrants to purchase common stock, 20,585 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were exchanged for 21,775 shares of Series I Preferred Stock and 2,721,875 warrants to purchase common stock, and 1,985 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were not exchanged and remain outstanding.
On July 2, 2004, the Company entered into an Employer Service Agreement with Advantage, with an Effective Date of June 14, 2004, as modified by a letter addendum thereto dated July 6, 2004, which provides that Advantage will handle outsourcing services with respect to accounts of the Company’s Northern California branch offices at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee ranging between 2.54% and 2.92% of pay rates.
On August 13, 2004, the Company entered into an Outsourcing Agreement with Advantage, which provides for Advantage to handle outsourcing functions for all of the Company’s California employees at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee ranging between 2.54% and 2.92% of pay rates.
The August 13, 2004 Outsourcing Agreement provides that, to the extent the Outsourcing Agreement specifically conflicts with previous service contracts, the Outsourcing Agreement has precedence. Accordingly, all prior service contracts relative to California outsourcing have, as of August 13, 2004, been superceded by the August 13, 2004 Outsourcing Agreement.
While these contracts were arrived at through negotiations with a related party, the Company believes that all transactions with related parties have been on terms no less favorable to us than those that could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
In August 2004, the Company repaid the balance due Advantage in connection with a previous agreement (see Note 13) and accordingly, canceled the warrant.
17 |
Item 2 -MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future economic performance, plans and objectives of management for future operations and projections of revenue and other financial items that are based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. The words “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve assumptions, uncertainties and risks. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on our expected operating results, performance or financial condition are economic conditions facing the staffing industry generally; uncertainties related to the job market and our ability to attract qualified candidates; uncertainties associated with our brief operating history; our ability to raise additional capital; our ability to achieve and manage growth; our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions or integrate the acquired business into our operations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the continued cooperation of our creditors; our ability to develop new services; our ability to cross-sell our services to existing clients; our ability to enhance and expand existing offices; our ability to open new offices; general economic conditions; and other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Financial Statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this report.
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
Introduction |
We provide a wide range of staffing and productivity consulting services nationally through a network of offices located throughout the United States. Regardless of the type of temporary service offering we provide, we recognize revenues based on hours worked by assigned personnel. Generally, we bill our customers a pre-negotiated, fixed rate per hour for the hours worked by our temporary employees. Therefore, we do not separate our various service offerings into separate offering segments. We do not routinely provide discrete financial information about any particular service offering to assess its performance. As set forth below, certain of our service offerings target specific markets, but we do not necessarily conduct separate marketing campaigns for such services. We are responsible for workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation insurance, Medicare and Social Security taxes and other general payroll related expenses for all of the temporary employees we place. These expenses are included in the cost of revenue. Because we pay our temporary employees only for the hours they actually work, wages for our temporary personnel are a variable cost that increases or decreases in proportion to revenues. Gross profit margin varies depending on the type of services offered. In some instances, temporary employees placed by us may decide to accept an offer of permanent employment from the customer and thereby “convert” the temporary position to a permanent position. Fees received from such conversions are included in our revenues. Selling, general and administrative expenses include payroll for management and administrative employees, office occupancy costs, sales and marketing expenses and other general and administrative costs.
18 |
Results of Operations
Discontinued Operations/Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
Effective December 1, 2002, we purchased substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of six offices of Elite Personnel Services, Inc. Pursuant to a Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 19, 2002, between us and Elite (the “Elite Purchase Agreement”), the purchase price paid at closing (the “Base Purchase Price”) was $1,264,000, all of which was represented by a promissory note (the “Note”) payable over eight years, in equal monthly installments. Imputed interest at the rate of 4% per year is included in the Note amount. Accordingly, the net Base Purchase Price was $1,083,813.
In addition to the Base Purchase Price, Elite may also receive as deferred purchase price an amount equal to 10% of “Gross Profits” as defined in the Elite Purchase Agreement, of the acquired business between $2,500,000 and $3,200,000 per year, plus 15% of Gross Profits of the acquired business in excess of $3,200,000 per year, for a minimum of one year from the effective date of the transaction, and for a period of two years from the effective date if Gross Profits for the first year reach specified levels.
On September 29, 2003, we completed the sale of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of our Las Vegas, Nevada office. Pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement between us and US Temp Services, Inc. (“US Temps”) dated September 29, 2003, the purchase price for the purchased assets was $105,000, all of which was paid by means of a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 6% per year and is payable in monthly installments of $2,030, over a 5 year period. The note is secured by a security interest on all of the purchased assets. The purchase price for the assets acquired by US Temps was arrived at through arms-length negotiations between the parties.
On September 10, 2003, we completed the sale, effective as of September 15, 2003 (the “Effective Date”), of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of five of our New Jersey offices to D/O Staffing LLC (“D/O”). The offices sold are the following: Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Paterson, Perth Amboy, and Trenton, New Jersey. Pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement between D/O and us dated September 10, 2003 (the “D/O Purchase Agreement”), the base purchase price for the purchased assets was $1,250,000, payable as follows:
(i) | $1,150,000 payable in certified funds at the closing; and | |
(ii) | $100,000 payable in certified funds into escrow at the closing to be held in escrow by attorneys for the Buyer pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement, to account for certain post-closing adjustments. | |
Additionally, we may be entitled to receive as a deferred purchase price (the “Bonus”), an amount equal to $125,000 if, for the one year period measured from the Effective Date, the purchased assets generate for D/O at least $18,000,000 in actual billings by client accounts serviced by us as of the closing and transferred by us to D/O pursuant to the D/O Purchase Agreement. The Bonus, if any, is payable by way of a promissory note, payable over a 24 month period and bearing interest at an interest rate of 6% per year.
The purchase price for the assets was arrived at through arms-length negotiations between the parties.
On August 22, 2003, we completed the sale, effective as of August 18, 2003 (the “ALS Effective Date”) of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of our Miami Springs, Florida office. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement between us and ALS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“ALS”) dated August 22, 2003 (the “Purchase Agreement”), the purchase price for the purchased assets was $128,000, all of which was paid by means of a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 7% per annum, with payments over a 60 month period. The amount of the monthly payments due under the note will be the greater of $10 per month or 20% of the monthly net profits generated by the staffing business originating from the purchased assets, commencing October 31, 2003. However, until such time as all outstanding receivables due and owing by us to ALS, as of the date of the Purchase Agreement in the amount of $289,635, have been paid in full, these monthly payments shall be deducted from any and all amounts due from us to ALS. The note is secured by a security interest in all of the purchased assets.
The purchase price for the assets acquired by ALS was arrived at through negotiations with a related party purchaser. The son of our President and Chief Executive Officer is a 50% member in ALS, LLC. We believe that the terms of the transaction are comparable to those, which would have been obtained in a transaction with an unrelated party. Proceeds from the Note will be used to pay down existing debt and for working capital purposes.
19 |
On March 9, 2003, we completed the sale of substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets, excluding accounts receivable, of our Colorado Springs, Colorado office. Pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement between us and US Temps dated March 9, 2003, the purchase price for the purchased assets was $20,000, all of which was paid by means of a promissory note, which bears interest at the rate of 6% per year and is payable in monthly installments of $608, over a three year period. The note is secured by a security interest on all of the purchased assets.
Continuing Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2003
Revenues.Revenues increased 38.7% to $29,873,378 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $21,541,937 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was a result of an increase in billable hours.
Gross Profit.Gross profit decreased 17.0% to $2,576,284 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $3,104,788 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues decreased to 8.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from 14.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2003.
Effective May 2004, the California State Compensation Insurance Fund increased our effective workers’ compensation rates by approximately 238%. This increase reduced our gross profit by approximately $800,000 or 2.7% of revenues. In August 2004, we entered into an agreement to outsource all payroll in California, which will eliminate the negative impact of the increased workers’ compensation costs (see Note 14 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). Exclusive of this increased cost, our gross profit would have increased 8.7%, as a result of increased revenues. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues, exclusive of the 2.7% decrease, decreased 3.1% as a result of increases in state unemployment taxes and other increases in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses remained substantially the same for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 ($3,743,508 and $3,741,326, respectively). Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 12.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from 17.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The decrease is attributable to significant cost reductions implemented by us and the increase in revenues with no proportionate increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Interest and Financing Costs.Interest and financing costs increased 237.3% to $1,178,623 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from$349,429 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Interest and financing costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 3.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from 1.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Prior to September 30, 2003, the current value of our Series A Preferred Stock had been included in stockholders’ equity. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, the current value of our Series A Preferred Stock was reclassified as a liability. Accordingly, $132,941 of dividends and accretion relating to the Series A Preferred Stock is included in interest and financing costs in the three months ended June 30, 2004. As a result of our redemption of all the Series A Preferred Stock effective July 21, 2004, we will no longer incur these costs subsequent to that date. In addition, we accrued approximately $600,000 in additional interest due to delinquent payroll taxes.
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders.As a result of the foregoing, we had net (loss) and net (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $(2,314,998) and $(2,396,896), respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to a net (loss) and net (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $(943,502) and $(1,124,577) for the three months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.
Continuing Operations
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003
Revenues.Revenues increased 40.0% to $77,273,167 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from $55,209,395 for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. Approximately $5.0 million of the increase was attributable to the acquisition in December 2002. Excluding acquisitions, revenues increased 31.0% . This increase was the result of an increase in billable hours.
Gross Profit.Gross profit increased 7.0% to $8,881,691 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from $8,297,752 for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues decreased to 11.5% for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from 15.0% for the nine months ended June 30, 2003.
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Effective May 2004, the California State Compensation Insurance Fund increased our effective workers’ compensation rates by approximately 238%. This increase reduced our gross profit by approximately $800,000 or 1.0% of revenues. In August 2004, we entered into an agreement to outsource all payroll in California, which will eliminate the negative impact of the increased workers’ compensation costs. (see Note 14 to Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements) Exclusive of this increased coast, our gross profit would have increased 16.7%, as a result of increased revenues. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues, exclusive of the 1.0% decrease, decreased 2.5% as a result of increases in state unemployment taxes and other increases in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 1.3% to $9,925,748 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from $9,795,623 for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 12.8% for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from 17.7% for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. The percentage decrease is attributable to significant cost reductions implemented by us and the increase in revenues with no proportionate increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Other Charges.During the period May 1, 2001 through May 20, 2002, we maintained workers’ compensation insurance with an insurance company, with a deductible of $150,000 per incident. We had established reserves based upon our evaluation of the status of claims still open in conjunction with claims reserve information provided to us by the insurance company. We believe that the insurance company has paid and reserved claims in excess of what should have been paid or reserved. Although we believe we can recover some of the amounts already paid, this can only be pursued through litigation against the insurance company. Since there is no assurance we will prevail, we recorded $340,000 of additional payments made and reserves in the nine months ended June 30, 2003.
Interest and Financing Costs.Interest and financing costs increased 71.8% to $2,195,297 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 from $1,277,919 for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. Prior to September 30, 2003, the current value of our Series A Preferred Stock had been included in stockholders’ equity. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, the current value of our Series A Preferred Stock was reclassified as a liability. Accordingly, $396,789 of dividends and accretion relating to the Series A Preferred stock is included in interest and financing costs in the nine months ended June 30, 2004. As a result of our redemption of all the Series A Preferred Stock effective July 21, 2004, we will no longer incur these costs subsequent to that date. In addition, we accrued approximately $600,000 in additional interest due to delinquent payroll taxes.
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders.As a result of the foregoing, we had a net (loss) and net (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $(3,220,089) and $(4,550,744), respectively for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared to a net (loss) and net (loss) attributable to common stockholders of $(3,044,385) and $(3,999,217) for the nine months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
At June 30, 2004, we had limited liquid resources. Current liabilities were $29,420,209 and current assets were $18,228,977. The difference of $11,191,232 is a working capital deficit, which is primarily the result of losses incurred during the last four years. These conditions raise substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effect on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Our continuation of existence is dependent upon the continued cooperation of our creditors, our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our continuing obligations on a timely basis, to fund the operating and capital needs, and to obtain additional financing as may be necessary.
We have taken steps to revise and reduce our operating requirements, which we believe will be sufficient to assure continued operations and implementation of our plans. The steps include closing branches that are not profitable, consolidating branches and reductions in staffing and other selling, general and administrative expenses. We continue to pursue other sources of equity or long-term debt financings. We also continue to negotiate payments plans and other accommodations with our creditors.
In order to raise capital to sustain our operations, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with respect to an offering of securities (the “Offering”). We were seeking to raise up to a maximum of $10,000,000 through the sale of units consisting of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock. We sold $1,984,422, $649,100 and$1,337,800 of units on July 14, 2004, July 26, 2004 and August 11, 2004, respectively, in connection with the Offering.
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Net cash used in operating activities was $13,312 and $2,720,677 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Net cash used in investing activities was $36,206 and $288,976 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash used for acquisitions for the nine months ended June 30, 2003, was $61,644. The balance in both periods was primarily for capital expenditures.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $113,092 and $3,221,980 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. During the nine months ended June 30, 2003, we received $186,400 in proceeds from the issuance of our Preferred Stock. We had net borrowings of $2,154,806 and $1,768,954 under our line of credit in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Net short-term borrowings (repayments) were $(413,603) and $907,919 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Payments of notes payable - acquisitions was $465,844 and $514,387 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Our principal uses of cash are to fund temporary employee payroll expense and employer related payroll taxes, investment in capital equipment, start-up expenses of new offices, expansion of services offered, workers’ compensation, general liability and other insurance coverages, debt service and costs relating to other transactions such as acquisitions. Temporary employees are paid weekly.
We have a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Capital Temp Funds, Inc., which provides for a line of credit up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, not to exceed $12,000,000. Until April 10, 2003, borrowings under the Loan Agreement bore interest at a rate of prime plus 1 ¾%. The Loan Agreement restricts our ability to incur other indebtedness, pay dividends and repurchase stock. Effective April 10, 2003, we entered into a modification of the Loan Agreement, which provides that borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest at 3% above the prime rate. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our assets. As of June 30, 2004, $10,467,082 was outstanding under the credit agreement.
At June 30, 2004, we were in violation of the following covenants under the Loan Agreement:
(i) | Failing to meet the tangible net worth requirements; | |
(ii) | Our common stock being delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market | |
We have received a waiver from the lender on all of the above violations.
We are obligated to pay quarterly dividends to holders of our Series E Preferred Stock at a rate of 6% per annum of the stated value of the stock in preference and priority to any payment of dividends on our common stock. We are obligated to pay monthly dividends on our Series F Preferred Stock at a rate of 7% per annum of the stated value of the stock in preference and priority to any payment of dividends on our common stock. The aggregate stated values of the Series E and Series F Preferred Stock was $4,772,920 and $600,000, respectively, as of June 30, 2004. Dividends on the Series E and Series F Preferred Stock may be paid at the Company’s option in shares of common stock (valued at the conversion price of the applicable class of preferred stock) if such shares have been registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933.
We issued shares of Series I Preferred Stock upon the closing of the Exchange Offer in August 2004. We will be required to redeem each share of the Series I Preferred Stock for an amount equal to the stated value of $100 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on the one year anniversary date of the issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that we will have the right to extend the required redemption date for an additional one year, in which case we will be required to pay all dividends accrued through the first year of issuance in cash and issue to each holder of Series I Preferred Stock, a number of shares of its common stock which then have a value equal to 10% of the stated value of the Series I Preferred Stock held. In addition, if we extend the redemption date, we will be required to pay dividends quarterly and pay an advisory fee to an advisor designated by the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate stated value of the outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock, eight percent (8%) of which will be payable in cash and two percent (2%) of which will be paid in shares of our common stock, valued at the then current market value. If we do not redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the original one year redemption date and fail to extend the original redemption date, or if we fail to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the extended redemption date, the dividend rate of the Series I Preferred Stock will increase to twenty-four (24%) per annum and the Series I Preferred Stock will be convertible, at the option of the holder, into either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. We can give no assurance that we will be able to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock as required. We will have the right at any time during the 12 month period following the closing of the Exchange Offer, to cause all of the outstanding shares of the Series I Preferred Stock to be converted into, at the election of the holder, either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion, or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. The discount associated with the conversion feature of the Series I Preferred Stock could result in changes to our earnings in future periods. Holders of Series I Preferred Stock will have no voting rights, except as provided by law and with respect to certain limited matters.
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In July 2003, we entered into an agreement with Artisan (UK) plc, the parent company of Artisan.com Limited, pursuant to which we agreed to redeem the aggregate 1,458,933 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock owned by Artisan.com Limited and Cater Barnard (USA) plc, an affiliate of Artisan. These shares represented all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The agreement, as amended in March 2004, provided that our obligation to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock was contingent upon our sale of not less than $1,000,000 of units in our proposed best efforts offering of units (“Units”). This condition was satisfied in July 2004. As a result, we paid $500,000 and issued 1,750,000 shares of common stock to an assignee of Artisan and redeemed all of the Series A Preferred Stock following the initial closing of the Offering. We are obligated to pay Artisan an additional $250,000 by January 31, 2005, or, at our option, issue to Artisan shares of our common stock having an aggregate market value of $250,000, based upon the average closing bid prices of the common stock for the 30 trading days preceding January 31, 2005. If we fail to make the $250,000 payment in cash or stock, we will be required to pay Artisan $300,000 in cash, plus interest calculated on a daily basis at a rate of 18% per year from the date of the default to the date the default is cured.
Other fixed obligations that we had as of June 30, 2004 include:
- $620,627 under a promissory note bearing interest at 7% per year which was issued in connection withour acquisition of Source One and which is payable in equal quarterly installments of $130,717 untilits maturity date in August 2005.
- $973,498 under a promissory note bearing interest at 6% per year, which was issued in connection withour acquisition of certain assets of PES and which is payable in equal quarterly installments of $36,770until its maturity date in December 2011.
- $1,013,827, including $288,881 of imputed interest, under a promissory note which was issued inconnection with our acquisition of Elite and which is payable in equal monthly installments of $13,167until its maturity in November 2010.
- $80,000 under a promissory note that was due in April 2002, which bears interest at 18% per year.
- $4,569 under a promissory note which bears interest at 15% per year and which requires us to makepayments of principal and interest of $8,000 per month until its maturity date in October 2004.
- $7,337 under a promissory note which bears interest at 8% per year and is due on July 1, 2004.
- $41,000 under a demand note bearing interest at 10% per annum issued to a corporation wholly ownedby the son of Joseph J. Raymond, our President and Chief Executive Officer.
- $685,254 under demand loans which bear interest at various rates, including $100,000 owed to a son ofJoseph J. Raymond, $100,000 owed to the brother of Joseph J. Raymond and $100,000 and $116,337owed to a member of the Board of Directors and a trust formed for the benefit of the family of a formermember of the Board of Directors, respectively.
- $46,978 under promissory notes used to acquire and secured by motor vehicles which requireaggregate monthly payments of principal and interest of $3,453 and which become due in full atvarious dates between July and August, 2005.
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All of our offices are leased through operating leases that are not included on the balance sheet. As of June 30, 2004, future minimum lease payments under lease agreements having initial terms in excess of one year were: 2005 - $526,000, 2006 - $251,000, 2007 - $184,000, and 2008 - $127,000.
We may be required to make certain “earnout” payments to sellers of businesses that we have acquired in recent years, including Source One, PES and Elite. The amount of these payments, if any, will depend upon the results of the acquired businesses. There were no earnout payments made in fiscal 2003. There is $244,000 included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2004 for estimated earnout payments that we recorded as part of the acquisition of Elite.
Source One has the right to require us to repurchase 400,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $2.00 per share at any time after July 27, 2003 and before the later of July 27, 2005 and the full payment of the outstanding note that we issued to it in connection with the acquisition transaction completed with Source One in July 2001. Source One notified us that it was exercising this right on July 29, 2003. We are attempting to negotiate an arrangement, which would permit us to pay this amount over an extended period of time or upon receipt of financing. No assurance can be given that Source One will agree to such an arrangement. In addition, the holder of the $80,000 note, which was due in April 2002, has the right to require us to repurchase 20,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.00 per share plus interest at a rate of 15% per year until the note is paid in full.
In January 2003, a $367,216 judgment was awarded against us to an insurance carrier. As of June 30, 2004, the judgment has been paid in full and a warrant to satisfy judgment has been filed with the Court.
During fiscal 2003, we were notified by both the New Jersey Department of Labor and the California Department of Industrial Relations that, if certain payroll delinquencies were not cured, judgment would be entered against us. As of June 30, 2004, there was still an aggregate of $5.0 million in delinquent payroll taxes outstanding and $800,000 of accrued interest thereon, which are included in “Payroll taxes payable” and “Accounts payable and accrued expenses”, respectively, on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2004. Judgment has not been entered against us in California. While judgment has been entered against us in New Jersey, no actions have been taken to enforce same. We continue to work with these state agencies to pay down outstanding delinquencies.
As of June 30, 2004, there were no off-balance sheet arrangements, unconsolidated subsidiaries, commitments or guarantees of other parties, except as disclosed in the notes to financial statements. Stockholders’ (deficiency) at that date was $(8,077,784).
We engaged in various transactions with related parties during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 including the following:
- We paid $46,500 to an entity owned by Jeffrey J. Raymond and who is the son of Joseph J. Raymond,our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, for consulting services. We also paid $36,750to an entity owned by Joseph J. Raymond, Jr., who also is the son of Joseph J. Raymond, forconsulting services. These amounts were included in selling, general and administrative expense. Theservices provided included the identification of acquisition candidates, acquisition advisory services,due diligence, post-acquisition transition services, customer relations, accounts receivable collectionand strategic planning advice.
- Joseph J. Raymond, Jr. is a 50% member in ALS, LLC which is the holding company for AdvantageServices Group, Inc. (“Advantage”). In November 2003, we entered into agreements with Advantage,whereby Advantage is to provide payrolling services with respect to four of our accounts, atAdvantage’s cost plus a fee ranging between 2% to 3%. In addition, if the aggregate payroll ofemployees provided under these agreements does not equal at least $8 million by November 30, 2004,we will be required to pay Advantage an amount equal to 8% of the shortfall. Costs incurred underthe agreement and a previous agreement was $3,046,294 in the nine months ended June 30, 2004.
In addition to the foregoing, in November 2003, we agreed to pay Advantage $5,000 per week until$225,000 owed to Advantage in connection with the previous agreement for payrolling services hasbeen paid. As of June 30, 2004, $143,294 has been paid under this agreement. The obligation to paythis amount is secured by a warrant to purchase 2,000,000 shares of our common stock. The warrant,which is exercisable only if we default on our payment obligations to Advantage, has an exercise priceequal to the lower of $.15 per share or 75% of the then current market price of the common stock. InAugust 2004, we repaid the balance due Advantage and accordingly, canceled the warrants.
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We believe that all transactions with related parties have been on terms no less favorable to us than those that could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Seasonality |
Our business follows the seasonal trends of our customer’s business. Historically, we have experienced lower revenues in the first calendar quarter with revenues accelerating during the second and third calendar quarters and then starting to slow again during the fourth calendar quarter.
Impact of Inflation |
We believe that since our inception, inflation has not had a significant impact on our results of operations.
Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”) – Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and a revised interpretation of FIN 46 (FIN 46R) was issued in December 2003. FIN 46 requires that if an entity has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of activities of the variable interest entity should be included in the consolidated financial statements of the entity. The provisions of FIN 46 are effective immediately for all arrangements entered into after January 31, 2003. We do not have any variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For those arrangements entered into prior to January 31, 2003, the FIN 46R provisions are required to be adopted at the beginning of the first interim or annual period ending after March 15, 2004. We adopted the provision of FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004, resulting in the consolidation of a joint venture previously accounted for under the equity method (See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”. SFAS No. 150 changes the accounting for certain financial instruments that, under previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity and requires that those instruments be classified as liabilities (or assets in certain circumstances) in statements of financial position. This statement affects the issuer’s accounting for three types of freestanding financial instruments including (1) mandatorily redeemable shares that are required to be redeemed at a specified or determinable date or upon an event certain to occur, (2) put options and forward purchase contracts, which involves financial instruments embodying an obligation that the issuer must or could choose to settle by issuing a variable number of its shares or other equity instruments based solely on something other than the issuer’s own equity shares and (3) certain obligations that can be settled with share, the monetary value of which is (i) fixed, tied solely or predominantly to a variable such as a market index, or (ii) varies inversely with the value of the issuers’ shares. For public companies, SFAS No. 150 became effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. As a result of SFAS No. 150, we have classified put options that were previously classified as “Temporary equity” and our Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock as liabilities at September 30, 2003.
Sensitive Accounting Estimates |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Significant estimates include management’s estimate of the carrying value of accounts receivable, the impairment of goodwill and the establishment of valuation reserves offsetting deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s critical accounting policies relating to these items are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003. As of June 30, 2004, there have been no material changes to any of the critical accounting policies contained therein.
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Item 3. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISKS
We are subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the ordinary course of business for borrowings under our Loan and Security Agreement with Capital Tempfunds, Inc. This credit agreement provides for a line of credit up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, not to exceed $12,000,000. Advances under this credit agreement bear interest at a rate of prime plus 3%.
We believe that our business operations are not exposed to market risk relating to foreign currency exchange risk or commodity price risk.
Item 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
At the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer along with our Chief Financial Officer, who concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of the evaluation. There were no significant changes in our internal controls during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to have materially affected, our internal controls subsequent to the date we carried out our evaluation.
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Part II – Other Information
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
We are involved, from time to time, in routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any currently pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
As of the date of this filing, the $367,216 judgment that was awarded against us to an insurance carrier has been paid in full, and a warrant to satisfy judgment has been filed with the Court.
Item 2 – Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds |
On July 14, 2004, we effectuated a one-for-four reverse stock split for our common shares. As of the July 14, 2004 effective date for the reverse split, our common stock is trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol SSVG.
On July 21, 2004, we paid $500,000 to the holder of our Series A Preferred Stock per the terms of our agreement to redeem all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock upon the sale of at least $1,000,000 of units in the Offering. We issued 1,750,000 shares of our common stock on August 13, 2004 to the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock in connection with the redemption. At that time, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock redeemed by us were cancelled.
Pursuant to certain registration rights granted to the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock, we are obligated to file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock. We are obligated to pay penalties for each 120 day period that such registration statement has not been filed and declared effective.
Since there was no registration statement filed by January 31, 2004, 5,716 shares of Series E Preferred Stock were issued as payment of the $571,605 of penalties due to holders of the Series E Preferred Stock. In March 2004, an additional 5,480 shares of Series E Preferred Stock were issued as payment of $547,980 of penalties due to holders of the Series E Preferred Stock. These issuances were made under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
On July 21, 2004, the Series E shareholders agreed to waive any further penalties on the Series E Preferred Stock, and acknowledged that the March 2004 penalties were the last penalties due and owing to the Series E shareholders.
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
Dividends on our Series E Preferred Stock accrue at a rate of 6% of the stated value per year, payable every 120 days. As of the date of the filing of this report, $9,400 is in arrears on the Series E Preferred Stock.
Dividends on our Series F Preferred Stock accrue at a rate of 7% per annum, payable monthly. As of the date of the filing of this report, $66,000 is in arrears on the Series F Preferred Stock.
Item 4 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no matters submitted to a vote of our security holders during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.
Item 5 – Other Information |
In February 2004, we commenced an exchange offer pursuant to which we offered to exchange each outstanding share of our Series E Preferred Stock for, at the election of the holder, common stock and common stock purchase warrants or Series I Preferred Stock and common stock purchase warrants (the “Exchange Offer”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer, as amended, we exchanged each share of Series E Preferred Stock, at the holder’s election, for either (i) 125 shares of common stock and 250 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock; or (ii) one share of Series I Preferred Stock having a stated value of $100 per share and 125 common stock purchase warrants for each $100 in liquidation preference and accrued dividends represented by the Series E Preferred Stock.
Each warrant entitles its owner to purchase one share of our common stock for $.76. The warrants will be exercisable at any time during the period commencing July 14, 2005 and ending January 14, 2007, unless we have redeemed them. We may redeem the warrants, at a redemption price of $.08 per warrant, upon thirty days prior written notice beginning one year after the closing of the Exchange Offer, once the closing bid price of our common stock has been at least $1.33 for 20 consecutive trading days.
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We will be required to redeem each share of the Series I Preferred Stock for an amount equal to the stated value of $100 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on the one year anniversary date of the issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that we will have the right to extend the required redemption date for an additional one year, in which case we will be required to pay all dividends accrued through the first year of issuance in cash and issue to each holder of Series I Preferred Stock, a number of shares of our common stock which then have a value equal to 10% of the stated value of the Series I Preferred Stock held. In addition, if we extend the redemption date, we will be required to pay dividends quarterly and pay an advisory fee to an advisor designated by the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate stated value of the outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock, eight percent (8%) of which will be payable in cash and two percent (2%) of which will be paid in shares of our common stock, valued at the then current market value. If we do not redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the original one year redemption date and fail to extend the original redemption date, or if we fail to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock by the extended redemption date, the dividend rate of the Series I Preferred Stock will increase to twenty-four (24%) per annum and the Series I Preferred Stock will be convertible, at the option of the holder, into either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. We can give no assurance that we will be able to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock as required. We will have the right, at any time during the 12 month period following the closing of the Exchange Offer, to cause all of the outstanding shares of the Series I Preferred Stock to be converted into, at the election of the holder, either common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average closing bid price of the common stock during the five trading days preceding the conversion, or common stock and warrants at a rate of 125 shares of common stock and 250 warrants for each $100 of stated value and accrued and unpaid dividends represented by the Series I Preferred Stock. The discount associated with the conversion feature of the Series I Preferred Stock could result in changes to our earnings in future periods. Holders of Series I Preferred Stock will have no voting rights, except as provided by law and with respect to certain limited matters.
The Exchange Offer closed on August 5, 2004. The results of the Exchange Offer were as follows: 25,158 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were exchanged for 3,317,250 shares of common stock and 6,634,500 warrants to purchase common stock, 20,585 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were exchanged for 21,775 shares of Series I Preferred Stock and 2,721,875 warrants to purchase common stock, and 1,985 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, were not exchanged and remain outstanding.
On May 19, 2004, the Registration Statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, in connection with our Offering of units consisting of one share of our common stock and one warrant to purchase common stock, became effective. The Offering was conducted through our underwriter, Essex & York, Inc., on a minimum $1,000,000 – maximum $10,000,000 “best-efforts” basis. If we did not sell at least 1,250,000 units in the Offering, the Offering would have been cancelled.
On July 14, 2004, we sold $1,984,422 of units in connection with the initial closing of the Offering. On July 26, 2004, we sold an additional $649,100 of units in connection with a second closing of the Offering.
On August 11, 2004, we completed the final closing on the Unit Offering. Gross proceeds of the final closing were $1,337,500.
Thus, total gross proceeds from the Offering were $3,971,322 and total net proceeds, before deducting certain costs of the Offering, were $3,457,433.
Total Units sold in the Offering were 4,964,153. |
The descriptions of the Exchange Offer and the Offering set forth above give effect to a one-for-four reverse split of our common stock, which was implemented on July 14, 2004.
On June 21, 2004, we entered into an Employer Service Agreement with Advantage Services Group, LLC, and/or its affiliates (“Advantage”), with an Effective Date of May 17, 2004, which provides that Advantage will provide outsourcing services for our Delaware and Maryland employees, at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee of 2% of pay rates.
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On July 2, 2004, we entered into an Employer Service Agreement with Advantage, with an effective date of June 14, 2004, as modified by a letter addendum thereto dated July 6, 2004, which provides that Advantage will handle outsourcing services for certain employees of certain of our Northern California branch offices at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee ranging between 2.54% and 2.92% of pay rates.
On August 13, 2004, we entered into an Outsourcing Agreement with Advantage to handle outsourcing functions for all of our California employees at agreed-upon pay rates plus burden (payroll taxes and workers’ compensation insurance) plus a fee ranging between 2.54% and 2.92% of pay rates.
The August 13, 2004 Outsourcing Agreement provides, that to the extent the Outsourcing Agreement specifically conflicts with previous service contracts, the Outsourcing Agreement has precedence. Accordingly, all prior service contracts relative to California outsourcing have, as of August 13, 2004, been superceded by the August 13, 2004 Outsourcing Agreement.
While these contracts were arrived at through negotiations with a related party, we believe that all transactions with related parties have been on terms no less favorable to us than those that could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
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Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
(a) | Exhibits |
3.1.8 | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation |
3.1.9 | Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series I Preferred Stock |
4.2.12 | Warrant Agreement between Stratus Services Group, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (including form of warrant certificate) |
10.21 | Waiver Letter Agreement between Stratus Services Group, Inc. and Series E Shareholders. |
10.22 | Letter Agreement between the Company and the Series A Holders extending the time for issuance of shares. |
10.23 | Employer Service Agreement dated June 21, 2004 between Advantage Services Group, LLC and Stratus Services Group, Inc. Certain information has been omitted from this exhibit and is subject to a request for confidential treatment. |
10.24 | Employer Service Agreement dated July 2, 2004 together with Letter Addendum dated July 6, 2004 between Advantage Services Group, LLC and Stratus Services Group, Inc. Certain information has been omitted from this exhibit and is subject to a request for confidential treatment. |
10.25 | Outsourcing Agreement dated August 13, 2004 between Advantage Services Group, LLC and Stratus Services Group, Inc. Certain information has been omitted from this exhibit and is subject to a request for confidential treatment. |
Number | Description |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
(b) | Reports on Form 8-K |
On May 4, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K to report that on April 22, 2004, the Company issued a news release to report on certain recent developments that resulted in (i) a potential management change and (ii) a change in the Company’s projected financial information. |
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SIGNATURES |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC. | |||||||
Date: | August 16, 2004 | By: | /s/ Joseph J. Raymond | ||||
Joseph J. Raymond | |||||||
Chairman of the Board of Directors, | |||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||
Date: | August 16, 2004 | By: | /s/ Michael A. Maltzman | ||||
Michael A. Maltzman | |||||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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